One Piece: Killer Method #192

The sight of the man crashing into the tree, his collision reverberating with an awkward thud, was so ridiculous that Duval promptly rose from the ground, annoyance etched across his features. Barking with incredulity, he couldn't resist addressing the man's audacity, "You're the one who crashed, old man!"

The man's chuckle filled the air as he regained his bearings, his hand resting on his back where the collision had evidently left a mark. He turned to Conis, his expression lighthearted despite the mishap, and inquired, "Are they your friends, Conis?"

Conis' smile was warm as she confirmed, "Yes, we just became acquainted..." Her attention shifted toward Cedric and his crew, her introduction extending to the newcomers. "They said they came from the Blue Sea!"

The man, seemingly unperturbed by the minor incident, nodded thoughtfully as he shifted his focus to Cedric. A knowing gleam danced in his eyes as he spoke, "I see, then there must be many things you're puzzled about..." His gesture encompassed the expanse of the cloud sea that stretched before them. "This place is called the white-white sea. I'm sorry..."

Cedric, scratching his head in a mixture of confusion and curiosity, interjected, "Sorry? What for?"

Undeterred by Cedric's question, the man continued his explanation, his tone amiable. "Excuse me for the late introduction, but my name is Pagaya. I'm sorry..."

Cedric sighed, his patience wearing thin as he attempted to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. With a mixture of politeness and exasperation, he ventured, "Well, it's nice to meet you, Pagaya. I'm Cedric. But like I said, why do you keep apologizing?!"

Pagaya's seemingly absent-minded tendency to apologize persisted as Conis, perhaps accustomed to her father's quirks, turned her attention to the basket positioned behind him. Inquisitively, she inquired, "Oh, by the way, did you manage to catch a lot of fish?"

Pagaya's smile brightened as an idea seemed to strike him. "Oh, that's right!" He turned to Cedric and the others, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "Why don't you come to our house? We'll prepare a meal using the sky fish I caught..."

Duval's eyes gleamed at the prospect of tasting new and exotic food, his enthusiasm palpable as he chimed in, "Are you sure?! We'll definitely go!"

However, Cedric's practicality quickly intervened, his sigh carrying a sense of responsibility. 

He swiftly put an end to Duval's unchecked enthusiasm with a well-timed knock to the back of his head. "There are 60 of us, you know? You want to bankrupt these nice people or something?"

Pagaya's sheepish smile conveyed his sudden realization as his gaze swept over the sizable group gathered before him. The staggering number of people seemed to register, and he chuckled softly, admitting, "Yes, well, I'd like to treat you all to a meal, but 60 people is a bit too much... I'm sorry..."

Cedric, having already accepted Pagaya's propensity for apologizing, chuckled in response. He reassured the island's host, "There's no need to apologize. That said, we can help with preparing the food and buying the ingredients..." His practicality shining through, he turned to his crew, issuing orders. "Get the dirt barrels. Exchange them for currency and buy enough food to feed everyone..."

The crew, accustomed to their leader's resourceful thinking, quickly set to work. Yet, the words "dirt barrels" prompted Conis and Pagaya to exchange puzzled glances. Conis couldn't help but voice her confusion, "Dirt?"

Cedric's smile held a touch of amusement as he clarified, "Apparently, your people call it Veath here..."

Conis' eyes widened in realization, her surprise evident as she exclaimed, "You have barrels of Vearth?! It's extremely valuable here!" Her tone carried a mixture of astonishment and awe at the mention of the highly prized substance.

Cedric nodded earnestly, his commitment evident. "Aye. We brought a lot of Vearth from the Blue Sea since I figured it would be rare here..." He leaned in a bit, emphasizing his intention. "If you help us turn it into money, make sure we don't get ripped off, I wouldn't mind gifting you a barrel or two..."

Pagaya's response was immediate, his sense of duty evident in his words. "Oh, there's no need. It's our duty to help you. I'm sorry..."

Cedric's chuckle was warm as he insisted, his respect for the island's customs guiding his approach. "But I insist..." He turned to his crew, his command clear and purposeful. "Besides food, I want you to buy as many dials as you can. The barrels should be worth enough to secure a good variety of them..."

Den's eyes widened with a newfound understanding, his realization prompting him to speak up. "So the Dials come from the Sky Island?"

Conis, intrigued by Den's question, tilted her head slightly. "You're not familiar with Dials?"

Cedric nodded, his expression reflective as he delved into an explanation. "The shellfish that create dials don't live down there." He took a moment to clarify, pointing toward the ground. "Some get washed through the clouds and end up falling into the Blue Sea, but they're very rare where we come from..."

Cedric turned his attention to Den, his tone earnest as he addressed his crewmate. "Can I leave securing the dials to you, Den? You know the ones we need to finish the ship..."

Den's nod was affirmative, his assurance simple yet resolute. "I'll get it done."

Kieran raised an eyebrow. His voice carried a hint of bemusement as he inquired, "Why does it sound like you won't be there, captain?"

Cedric's chuckle held a touch of mischief as he revealed his plans, his intention to explore the area around the Sky Island. "Because I won't be. I'll be exploring the White Sea while you guys buy everything..." 

His gaze turned toward the expanse of cloud sea stretching before them, his expression filled with a sense of adventure. "I saw some interesting things when we exited Heaven's Gate..."

Kieran's sigh was laced with a mixture of fond exasperation and camaraderie. He couldn't help but remark, "There he goes again..."

Cedric's laughter was infectious, a reflection of his unwavering enthusiasm for exploration. 

With a burst of energy, he propelled himself into the air using Geppo, showcasing his mastery over the technique. "Anyway, I'll leave it to you guys! I'll be back in soon enough!"

Sitting on a makeshift stool in front of his modest home, a warm fire crackling nearby, Gan Fall focused on his task. He meticulously sharpened a wooden stick with a small knife, carving it to a fine point. The intention behind his work was evident—he planned to use it as a skewer to cook the freshly caught fish nestled in the basket beside him. 

Gan Fall's abode, a simple cabin, stood as a solitary sanctuary on a small cloud island, a distant refuge beneath the expansive white-white sea of Skypiea. The island's isolation was palpable, with only the company of a towering tree and two smaller palm trees. The sparse yet serene landscape offered a glimpse into Gan Fall's peaceful existence.

A series of consecutive thuds in the air caught Gan Fall's attention. He looked up, his gaze drawn to the source of the disturbance. A smile tugged at his weathered features as he observed a blonde young man with an imposing stature effortlessly floating through the air, each kick propelling him forward. "Now that's something you don't see every day..."

Cedric's grin was infectious as he touched down gracefully before Gan Fall, his landing stirring up a light breeze. With a playful glint in his eyes, he addressed the elder with a hint of humor, "Well, an old-timer in a knight's armor riding atop a pink, winged horse isn't what I'd call a common sight either..."

Gan Fall's eyes widened momentarily, his surprise fleeting before he regained his composure. He nodded, acknowledging Cedric's astuteness. "So you did notice me when the Sky Lamprey attacked your ship?"

Gan Fall's fingers gently stroked his flowing white beard, a contemplative gesture as he posed a question in return, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Are you perhaps a Mantra user?"

Cedric nodded, a knowing smile on his lips. "More or less. We call it Observation Haki where I come from, though..." His voice carried a sense of familiarity with the concept as he discussed the unique ability.

He extended his hand in a gesture of camaraderie, introducing himself in the process. "My name is Cedric, by the way, pirate captain from the Blue Sea."

Gan Fall rose from his seat, his features reflecting his appreciation for the introduction. He firmly gripped Cedric's offered hand, his grip strong yet welcoming. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Gan Fall, a humble mercenary..." The formality of his self-introduction was accompanied by a warm smile, bridging the gap between his past as a god and his current role.

Gan Fall's handshake was firm yet not overpowering, a gesture of respect. He released Cedric's hand and posed a question with genuine curiosity. "So, Cedric of the Blue Sea, what brings you to my home this day?"