One Piece: A Guide for Ordinary Players

Ace and Marco had been preparing for the attack on the Sky Island for a long time, holding countless meetings with key officers on everything from pre-battle mobilization to specific battle arrangements.

However, they had been waiting for the most suitable opportunity, since in the previous plan, the White Team was to descend upon the Sky Island as saviors, not simply to conquer it by force.

Robert pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed India's number: "India, let's start closing the net. We don't have time to slowly lay out our plans anymore."

Without the slightest hesitation, the Indian replied, "No problem, sir. The timing is about right. In the past six months, our loans to Sky Island have reached an astronomical figure. As per your instructions, although Tokushima has always only accepted physical delivery, the currency for debt settlement has been calculated in Sky Island Ik."

"The rulers of the Sky Island have no economic sense whatsoever. In order to get the pie I promised, they actually dug their own grave by over-issuing currency. Prices on the Sky Island have skyrocketed during this period, and we have always accepted it without question, and even accepted their interest rate hikes."

Robert listened to the Indian's introduction without saying a word. Although he was the one who started this war, the Sky Islanders' original connection with Qinghai was only close in terms of grain trade. It was entirely his own initiative to scheme against them.

However, it must be said that their own greed was also a major reason why the entire Sky Island was plunged into a trap.

The Indian continued, "Moreover, with our relentless investment, the grain trade along the high-speed air route has been completely monopolized by Dressrosa. In fact, these sky islanders are not only importing our grain, but also trying to export the fruits and vegetables grown on their sky islands to us."

“Our caravan has already acquired a large amount of food from the sky islands. If the food supply is cut off, even if all of them go out to sea to fish, they won’t be able to survive until the next harvest of fruits and vegetables.”

Robert's tone carried a coldness that suggested the saying "One man's success is built on the bones of countless others": "Then let's cut off the food supply."

"Right, let's find an excuse of force majeure!"

Chapter 31 Ascending to the Western Paradise

The concept of the high-speed air route was only mentioned briefly in the Skypiea arc, stating that there are two routes to reach Skypiea: one is the massive upwelling current that Luffy and his crew ride, while the more common and orthodox route is this high-speed air route.

Robert had only heard that the high-speed air route would pass through a place called the Western Summit, and then sail eastward on the White Sea, naturally passing through several sky islands along the way, and finally reaching the eastern end of the clouds, where he could return to Qinghai.

Taking this route is also risky; many people may die along the way, but it's not like riding a massive upwelling current where everyone either survives or ascends to heaven.

After the Skypiea arc, the story of the Blue Sea became the main focus, while the Skypiea arc was almost forgotten and no one mentioned it anymore. Therefore, Robert had no way of knowing about these settings.

Now, as he sets off with the caravan from Dressrosa, Robert learns that the so-called Western Summit is actually a high point on the Red Earth.

It's not just Upside Down that allows you to take a boat to the top of Red Line; as a towering landform that circles the entire planet, there are other similar routes.

High-speed air routes are one of them, but traveling on high-speed air routes is even more dangerous than traveling on a mountain.

The waterway ascends the mountainside and reaches the red earth continent. There is no other waterway back to the sea. Instead, it uses inertia to fly a distance and land on the cloud currents leading to the White Sea.

Reaching the summit of the red earth continent is dangerous, with numerous risks such as running aground, veering off course and crashing into mountain walls, or being swept sideways by the current.

The subsequent leaps were even more difficult; a slight misstep could send the person and the boat plummeting from the top of the red earth continent, thousands of meters high, into the sea. Unless one possessed special abilities, there was absolutely no chance of survival.

Even if you ride the ocean currents, the ocean currents in the sea of ​​clouds have no boundaries. If you accidentally go astray, you will fall from the clouds and your ship will be destroyed and you will die.

It is precisely these extremely unstable shipping conditions that make it difficult for trade with the Sky Island to take shape on a large scale. The so-called high-speed air route group is nothing more than a tax collection organization established by a small group of pirates guarding the entrance to Qinghai.

Since Dressrosa began its major intervention, all of these people have been incorporated into the fleet. Even those sailors who used to risk their lives running the Sky Island route to earn a meager living have now mostly joined Dressrosa's fleet directly.

Robert stood at the bow of a giant ship, with Sugar beside him, her face beaming with excitement: "Can we really take this ship straight to the Western Paradise?"

Putting aside the grudges from Dressrosa, Robert discovered that Sugar was actually quite simple-minded. He didn't know if it was a side effect of eating the Hobby-Hobby Fruit or if she was just pretending, but anyway, she did nothing but eat and play all day long, and didn't seem to have any other thoughts.

Robert laughed and said, "In my hometown, going to the Western Paradise is not a lucky thing."

Padong was also very excited. Although she was a little scared, she still stood on Robert's shoulder and stretched her neck as much as possible, afraid of missing the scenery along the way.

A dark-skinned old sailor stepped forward with a serious expression: "Sir, I think I still need to explain the danger to you. Although I've already sold my life to Dressrosa, you are all important figures..."

Robert waved his hand with a smile and said, "Don't worry, I've been to Sky Island before, and I didn't take the high-speed air route. I flew directly to the White Sea on a huge ocean current. That way is much more dangerous than this."

The old man said with a worried look, "Sir, even those of us who frequently travel by high-speed air routes can't guarantee a safe landing on the floating island every time. Especially this time, the ship you brought is too big; it's even encased in heavy steel plates. Our chances of successfully crossing the ocean currents are practically zero..."

Robert patted the old man on the shoulder: "Changing to a small boat and going up again and again is too troublesome. Trust me, this ship is very strong."

"By the way, I'm also very strong. Even if something really goes wrong, I can guarantee the safety of everyone on deck."

A cold female voice rang out: "You brat, who on deck needs your protection? Aren't the lives of the thousands of people in the cabins worthless?"

Robert turned around and smiled: "Captain Whiteybe, I just wanted to put our guide at ease. Others might not trust us, but you don't? We'll definitely make it to the Sky Island."

The ship Robert was on had once shone brightly during the Marineford War. It was the Ice Witch, one of the 43 affiliated pirate crews under the Whitebeard Pirates. This icebreaker was enormous, covered with steel plates, and had once broken through the sea frozen by Aokiji.

The old guide, who had previously raised objections, looked puzzled. As the guide for this voyage, he had thoroughly researched everything about the ship.

Apart from the twenty or thirty pirates who were sailing the ship, the cabins were filled with Dressrosa specialties. How could there be thousands of people on board?

The Ice Witch Whiteybe gave the old man a cold look: "I'm in charge of this ship. Set sail now. Flying to the sky island might not kill you, but if you keep dawdling and pretending to comply, I can kill you right now!"

The old crew member shrank back in fear. The Ice Witch's reputation was well-known on the high seas, after all, she was the logistics manager under one of the Four Emperors' crews.

Whitebeard smiled at Robert: "Learn a thing or two, kid. It's easier to get things done on the high seas if you're a bit ruthless. Being nice will only get you more demanding."

Robert smiled and nodded humbly. Although these old pirates seemed a bit rough in their ways, they had been around for so many years and their methodologies were practical and efficient.

The massive Ice Witch made its final resupply before the Red Line, adjusted its direction and weight, and set sail with full sails after the old guide's death-defying roar, soaring into the sky with the ocean current rushing straight to the top of the Red Line.

Padon and Sugar shouted excitedly, their eyes wide as they leaned over the bow of the boat. Robert could only shake his head and stand guard beside them, afraid that they would be thrown off.

The old guide was telling the truth. In his experience, such a large steel behemoth would not even make it to the top of the Western Heaven before crashing to pieces on the Red Earth.

But when the Ice Witch actually entered the ocean current, the ship seemed to become one with the water, stubbornly staying on the center line of the channel without deviating in the slightest.

This completely overturned the old guide's understanding. He had been sailing with his parents since he was ten years old, and in his decades of sailing experience, he had never seen a helmsman who could control a boat to this level.

Looking back, the old guide almost jumped out of his skin. The tall man who had been standing behind the helm just moments before was now slumped against the railing, hiccuping from drinking. So, in reality, no one was steering the ship!

Ace, shirtless, patted the old guide on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Marco seems to be drunk."

"Actually, he was just asleep!"

Chapter 32 How to Use the Childlike Fruit - I'll Only Teach You Once

When Robert first transmigrated, he had planned out the candidates for each position based on Luffy's pirate crew.

At the time, he thought that if he could get Kid into the team, with his Magnet-Magnet Fruit ability, he would be much more effective at leading the team than Jinbe.

Now that Kidd hasn't been recruited, he's managed to steer this steel behemoth smoothly using electromagnetic conversion.

The Ice Witch ascended rapidly, and after reaching the top of the Red Line, it continued its ascent, parting ways with the water that formed a waterfall and plunged back into the Blue Sea, and continued flying into the sky.

The old guide kept his eyes fixed on the front, constantly adjusting the direction. He now knew who was really in charge, and he stood next to Robert, gesturing with his hand to indicate the direction.

The highest point on the Red Line actually pierces through the sea of ​​clouds long ago. According to the descriptions of the citizens of the Kingdom of God, the White Sea has an altitude of 7,000 meters, and the White Sea above it is only 10,000 meters high.

Although the summit of the Western Heaven is not quite 7,000 meters high, it is not far off. The entrance to the ocean of clouds is about 100 meters lower than the summit of the Western Heaven.

The biggest challenge of this trip was that the top of the waterway was no longer in the clouds, and it was impossible to observe the direction of the ocean current with the naked eye. We could only rely on the guide's experience to direct the boat to use inertia to leap over the ocean current.

The old guide was extremely nervous. He pointed to a certain area. This was the first time he had directed such a large ship to travel on a high-speed air route. His previous experience could only serve as a reference, and he dared not say that he was absolutely certain of success.

But Robert remained completely calm. When the old guide circled the approximate area, his electromagnetic induction locked onto the ocean current's location in that region.

The clouds only obstructed vision, but could not hinder Robert's perception.

Normally, even with its enormous inertia, a giant ship of this size would hardly fly very far.

The old guide had done everything he could. He, who had never believed in God, was now kneeling on the ground, muttering something devoutly. It was unclear which deity he had temporarily found a way to pray to.

Robert remained calm and loudly reminded the White Group cadres on the ship, "Everyone, stay away from metal objects, I'm about to make my move!"

There was no fear in anyone's eyes, only curiosity about Robert's talk of taking action.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Robert, but they didn't see the slightest change in him.

Ace was the first to react. Robert had told everyone to stay away from metal objects, so his attention was focused on the metal-clad mast next to him.

Unbeknownst to him, the mast had become somewhat transparent. Ace couldn't help but reach out and touch it. To his surprise, he found that arcs of electricity danced between his palm and the mast, yet they did not harm him in the slightest.

The ship had clearly flown far forward, yet showed no signs of falling. Ace looked around and saw that, apart from the wooden deck beneath their feet, the entire ship appeared somewhat transparent and blurry.

The bottom of the ship seemed to have touched something, and in an instant it gained new forward momentum. Some of the free electrons formed an electric current, which was conducted into the depths of the sea of ​​clouds, and the currents of the sea of ​​clouds seemed to take shape.

The old guide almost cried; the high-speed air route he had dealt with his whole life was revealing itself to him for the first time.

Ace savored the feeling from just now. Robert, as the first user to awaken a Logia-type Devil Fruit, had been a great mentor to him.

Unbeknownst to him, the little brother who was consulting him about Devil Fruit development methods a year and a half ago has now surpassed everyone else.

Robert held the paw high above his head, making the raccoon giggle.

Sugar frantically tugged at the hem of his suit jacket, indicating that she wanted to be lifted up as well.

The Ice Witch flew straight through the sea of ​​clouds and landed on top of them.

Even the core members of the Whitebeard Pirates had mostly never seen the scenery of the White Sea, and they were all extremely excited.

Once you reach the White Sea, any navigation markers become useless; you have to rely entirely on the experienced guides.

The ship used the simplest compass and headed east.

According to the intelligence gathered in Dressrosa, there are actually only a dozen or so relatively large floating islands in the White Sea, and only five of them can be considered as independent islands as those in the Blue Sea.

Enel's hometown of Birka has been completely destroyed. Robert and his crew's main targets for this occupation are actually only four sky island nations and about ten island city-states.

Right next to the end of the high-speed air route lies a vast kingdom in the clouds, which occupies the gateway to trade with Qinghai and is the most prosperous place on the White Sea.

For so many years, the Sky Islanders had never seen such a huge ship. Previously, due to the dangers of high-speed air routes, the largest ships they had ever seen were only two-masted, three-story Carrick-class merchant ships.

The Whitebeard Pirates' markings on the Ice Witch had long been erased and replaced with the Dressrosa symbol. The old guide, waving flags and using mirrors to reflect light, coordinated with the port regarding the ship's entry into the harbor.

The entire pier was used to dock the Ice Witch. Robert gestured for the White Team members to stay on the ship, while he and the old guide disembarked.

The port manager, with white wings on his back, said rather arrogantly, "Finally, the grain has arrived. Do you know how high grain prices have risen these days?"

Robert wore a forced smile, showing no sign of being a powerful figure who could single-handedly wipe out the entire Sky Island.

Enel was able to take control of the Kingdom of God single-handedly, and Robert believed that he was now much stronger than him and could completely eliminate all the rulers of the Sky Islands.

But what Robert wanted was a stable rear area, a base where everyone could provide him with their faith. While oppression could gain territory, it could not win the hearts of the people.

To achieve his goals, Robert has always been flexible and adaptable:

"You know that there is fighting everywhere in Qinghai right now. We were desperately trying to transport food to the Sky Island, which has already attracted the attention of the World Government. Recently, not only our food supply, but food supplies all over the world have been strictly controlled."

"Otherwise, people wouldn't be ignoring their business on the floating islands and refusing to send us food."

"Don't worry, we in Dressrosa are doing our best to gather food. In a month, at most another month, even if we go hungry ourselves, we will definitely transport the food to the Sky Island!"

Upon hearing Robert's words, the port official's brows furrowed immediately: "What! Another month! What are you doing here? We don't want anything else! We just want food!"

Robert chuckled, “This time we’ve brought some local specialties from Dressrosa. You must have heard that Dressrosa is known as the land of toys, a land of love and passion. We can’t bring love and passion here, but we have plenty of toys.”

The official yelled, "If we can't even afford to eat, who has the mind to play with those damn toys!"