Chapter 23 - The Man Who Climbed 10,000 Meters to Skypiea!
"No, I just need the nearest Skypiea and a way to get there!"
Most of the big-name pirates in the New World knew about Skypiea, and even the World Government was aware of its existence.
However, unless you planned to live there long-term, going to Skypiea could be uncomfortable at first. Life there wasn't as free as on the open sea, so not many people were interested in it.
Renji didn't want to—or at least not right now—get involved with Shiki in any way.
Asking Shiki to take him to Birka would be the fastest method.
But first, he'd owe Shiki a huge favor, just like how Kaido got the Uo Uo no Mi from Big Mom.
Moreover, if Shiki found out that Renji was after the Goro Goro no Mi, there was no way Shiki would let him have it.
Shiki was an unapologetic schemer. In a crew like the Rocks Pirates, which was held together by shared interests, trust was scarce. Not every pirate crew was like the Straw Hat Pirates. Even the Whitebeard Pirates had their own traitor in Blackbeard, didn't they?
"Well, then you'll have to go to the Grand Line or the West Blue. One way is through the Knock Up Stream, and the other is through the giant trees in the West Blue. But there are giants guarding them, so getting up there won't be easy!"
Captain John explained the methods to reach Skypiea, but he still suggested asking Shiki for help.
Shiki's ability was just too convenient. If Shiki helped, Renji could go to Skypiea anytime he wanted.
Of course, if Renji wasn't willing, Captain John wouldn't push it.
After listening to John's advice, Renji fell into deep thought.
One method was in the West Blue, and the other was in the Grand Line. Both seemed to take too much time, making it impossible to return within a month. Did he really have no choice but to ask Shiki for help?
"Alright, it looks like I'll have to go to Shiki."
Renji sighed. It seemed he had no choice but to go. This time, he'd probably owe Shiki a favor.
But if Shiki could just drop him off on a Skypiea, he could search for the fruit himself. Once he got the Goro Goro no Mi, he could return on his own or ask Shiki to wait for him. If the Goro Goro no Mi wasn't on Birka, he'd just come back with Shiki.
Wait a minute!
Renji thought of someone else and turned to Captain John. "Are there giant trees in the New World too?"
Giant trees, like the Treasure Tree Adam, were guarded by different giant tribes. Renji felt that these trees could likely lead to Skypiea, and the way up was to climb—just climb all the way up!
If you fell midway, unless you had a body as tough as Kaido's, you'd almost certainly die.
According to the original story, after Luffy and his crew left Skypiea, Bellamy also made it up there. But he didn't use the Knock Up Stream. Instead, he climbed the giant trees in the West Blue. That's why Bellamy said most of his crew died—they all perished during the climb.
"Hey, hey, you're not seriously considering this, are you?"
Captain John was stunned when he saw Renji seemed to be taking this seriously.
The mortality rate was ridiculously high!
"Of course. Consider it training. If I can't even do this, how am I supposed to hold onto my position as captain?"
"You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
Renji nodded. He was going to climb up. Time was running out.
The only options were to climb the giant tree in the New World or ask Shiki for help, but Renji didn't want to owe Shiki a favor.
Once he owed Shiki, he'd likely be forced to help in the fight against Roger. For now, Renji didn't want to make another enemy, especially since Roger and his crew had no conflict of interest with him. He just needed to wait for Roger to die.
At this point, whether it was Rocks, the future three legendary pirates—Roger, Shiki, and Whitebeard—none of them were opponents he could challenge with his current strength.
Renji's plan was to lay low and then make his mark during the era of the Four Emperors. No matter how much he tried to stir things up now, it wouldn't matter because Poseidon hadn't been born yet.
Besides, if he kept relying on others for help every time something came up, what kind of pirate would he be?
He wasn't the type to ask for help at every turn!
He preferred to rely on himself whenever possible. After all, the versions of himself across the multiverse were still him!
"Alright, I can take you there on a fast ship right now."
"Will the giants let us up?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm from the Rocks Pirates! If they don't let us up, who will? When you're in this business, it's all about power and connections. The giants know who we are!"
In the New World, who dared to stand against the Rocks Pirates now?
Even the giants wouldn't dare!
So, you're saying you're part of a pirate mafia, huh?
But Renji thought about it and realized it made sense. This wasn't the era of the Four Emperors ruling the New World. Big Mom was still trying to win over the giants, but to Rocks, the giants weren't a priority.
The Rocks Pirates were the kings of the New World, gathering so many monsters that even the giants wouldn't dare provoke them.
"Alright, let's go now!"
After saying this, Renji and Captain John set off. When they arrived at the giant tree guarded by the giants, Renji looked up at the towering tree that seemed to pierce the clouds. He felt a mix of awe and determination, then turned to Captain John and said, "I'm starting the climb. You can leave if you want."
"Damn it! Even if you fall from the sky, I'll be here to watch. How could I leave?"
You bastard...
Are you cursing me on purpose?
Renji's face darkened, but he glanced at John and then at the angry but silent giants nearby. He began his climb.
According to the giants, this tree was 10,000 meters tall, reaching the White-White Sea where the island clouds floated. The giant trees in the New World were the strongest because of the unpredictable weather, which even affected the high altitudes.
For the first 3,000 meters, Renji felt tired but manageable. Since coming to the One Piece world, his physical strength had improved significantly.
At 6,000 meters, every step upward felt like a struggle. His hands trembled, the air grew thinner, and a powerful gravitational force seemed to press him back toward the ground.
At 9,500 meters, lightning snakes danced among the clouds, striking Renji's body.
The White-White Sea was within sight, but Renji's consciousness began to blur. His strength waned, and a sense of helplessness washed over him.
A voice in his head kept telling him, "You've reached your limit. You can give up now. You don't need to go any further. You can't make it!"
Renji gripped the tree tightly, gritting his teeth. "I'm the man who's going to become the King of the Pirates! Victory is right in front of me, and you want me to give up?!"
Crack, crack, crack! Deep finger marks were left on the Adam Tree.
Renji felt as if he had broken through some kind of limit. His dizzy mind cleared, and a powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body!!!
(End of Chapter)
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