One Piece: The Archangel's Guide

Chapter 29: Avant Heim

Yelena was a little surprised to hear her words. A tranquil smile appeared on her face, which was no longer sallow. She didn't say that she and Louis didn't need rescuing or anything like that, but instead leaned down and silently stroked Uta's soft, long hair.

Seeing this, the smile on Shanks's face grew even wider. He silently took back the treasure chest. "Alright, then I'll give it to you when you come back."

In the next moment, Shanks froze again.

"Louis is back, but..." He looked up at the sky, a hint of surprise on his face. "Is he really planning to set sail in such a unique style?"

The others didn't understand what he meant and also looked up at the sky. But in the end, only Yasopp and Beckman showed expressions of shock. Soon, however, the others began to notice something.

In the sky, a pure white cloud grew larger and larger as they watched, and Louis's Haki gradually entered their perception.

"Good heavens!" Gab's eyes widened.

Yasopp shouldered his flintlock, one eyebrow raised in amazement. "Now that's quite an idea..."

As the cloud descended, Louis's figure was revealed to everyone. His golden hair flew in the wind, his white, broad wings were slightly spread, and combined with his handsomely masculine face, everything highlighted his unique charm.

After a long moment, Lucky Roux swallowed the meat he had been chewing for a long time and couldn't help but complain, "If he had a halo on his head, I wouldn't believe he wasn't a Seraphim Fruit user."

Beside him, Limejuice chimed in with his agreement. "Honestly, that's true."

Soon, the giant cloud drew close to the sea's surface, and Louis stepped across from the land to their side.

A look of astonishment flashed in Yelena's eyes. She couldn't help but step forward and reach out to touch the flawless white cloud mass. "Is this the Island Cloud you were talking about? A cloud island that can float in the sea of clouds and house thousands of people?"

Beside her, Uta's eyes were also sparkling.

Louis nodded and explained, "There were no suitable ships in Foosha Village, so I just went up to the sky to find an Island Cloud and cut off a piece."

There were very few Island Clouds above the East Blue. It had taken Louis a considerable amount of time to find one, cut off a piece, and infuse it with life force to make it a living thing.

Uta squatted on the Island Cloud, poking it with her finger, her face full of wonder at the feedback she felt. "It's so magical!"

"Louis, are we going to adventure on an Island Cloud?" Uta turned to look at Louis, her eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

However, Louis shook his head. "No. The Island Cloud is just a temporary tool. In the future, I'll use it as a warehouse that follows us from above."

Hearing this, Yelena, who was moving her and Louis's things onto the cloud, showed a hint of curiosity. "Why? Isn't an Island Cloud better?"

Louis smiled and gave an enigmatic answer. "Perhaps it's because when you're adventuring on the sea, using a mainstream sailing ship to brave the wind and waves and conquer storms has more of that adventurous flavor!"

The Red Hair crew nodded in agreement. The Island Cloud was indeed novel and could avoid many disasters at sea. But by the same token, one would miss out on a lot.

Yelena and Uta nodded, a thoughtful look on their faces. Conquering the disasters that countless people on the sea avoid at all costs... they see it as an achievement. Is this the composure of the strong?

And so, the two of them said no more and silently placed their belongings on the Island Cloud.

Soon, they had finished loading all the items needed for the voyage. The three of them boarded the Island Cloud and turned in unison to look at the Red Hair crew on the shore. The Island Cloud began to rise.

Louis's eyes swept over the familiar faces. He waved and smiled. "Thanks for everything, Shanks, everyone!"

Beside him, Yelena silently bowed to Hongo and the others. "I am endlessly grateful for you saving my life..."

To this, Shanks took off the straw hat he almost never removed, shedding his usual ruffian demeanor and displaying the full style of a powerhouse. He smiled. "Follow your ideals and goals. Don't be afraid, and don't ever back down."

"Don't forget where you started."

"The future will be your new era!"

Uta had a charming smile on her face as she waved goodbye to her family. "Shanks, everyone, wait for us to make a name for ourselves!"

The crew was instantly stunned. Shanks, in particular, couldn't hold it together. He put a hand to his forehead and couldn't help but retort, "You'd better not get famous too soon!"

On the gradually departing Island Cloud, Uta was exasperated, her eyes unfriendly. She raised a fist in a threatening gesture. "Shank...s!!"

On the shore, a doting smile appeared on Shanks's face. "Uta."

"Huh?" Uta froze, tilting her head as she looked at her adoptive father's strange expression, utterly confused.

"Don't catch a cold!"

The gentle, doting voice carried on the sea breeze, lifting the bangs from Uta's forehead and revealing her other eye. Uta stood frozen, and glistening tears unconsciously welled up in her purple eyes. But in the next moment, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve, showing a strong posture as she nodded firmly at her adoptive father, whose face was becoming indistinct. "Yeah!"

A long time later, on the shore.

Beckman came to Shanks's side and quietly looked out at the distant sea. "Are we going to finish that business within a month and then head back to the Grand Line?"

The others lowered their heads silently. They knew what Beckman meant.

Hongo took a deep breath and stepped forward. "For the follow-up check, I can use a Den Den Mushi to tell Louis to find someone to do it for Yelena."

"..."

Shanks's gaze was deep as he stared at the distant sea, letting the wind blow his red hair. Facing his crewmates' pained suggestion, he smiled and said, "I don't want to betray Uta's trust."

With that, Shanks turned and walked towards Foosha Village. As he walked, his profound gaze fell upon the deep mountains behind the village.

On the boundless sea, a white Island Cloud moved with the wind.

At this time, the trio of Louis, Yelena, and Uta were gathered in a cloud cave carved out of the Island Cloud's interior. Inside the cave were several excavated rooms, modeled after their room layouts on the Red Force.

"The space here seems big enough to fit a whole ship..." Yelena looked around, amazed.

After a while, Yelena sat down opposite Louis and looked him straight in the eye. "What name are you going to give this Island Cloud? It should be a long-term thing, right?"

Louis fell into thought. But soon, he remembered his other name, and slowly uttered a word:

"Avant Heim."

"Let's call it that."

Yelena couldn't help but complain, "What a strange name..."

Beside her, Uta nodded in full agreement with Yelena's opinion. "It is pretty strange."

"For the ship's name in the future, I suggest you consider it more carefully!!" Without realizing it, Uta had subconsciously put herself in the position of a crewmate.

But soon, Uta's face grew serious. She looked at Louis, who was studying a sea chart on the table, and posed a question. "Louis, do we have any Berries to buy a ship?"

"I don't think so, right?" Yelena answered first. She didn't remember either of them having any money.

"..."

Uta looked at the two of them, wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, she slumped onto the table, giving up on thinking.

Louis thought it over and realized this seemed to be a problem worth considering. But he quickly thought of a solution. He spoke to comfort them, "Don't worry, I already have a strategy."

"A strategy?" Uta was astonished. She didn't understand why the word "strategy" was needed for buying a ship.

Yelena subconsciously asked, "What strategy?"

Louis reached out and drew a seagull insignia on the table, explaining to the two confused faces before him:

"First, we'll go steal a warship to use!"

"We'll talk about the rest later!"