Birka was a small island suspended in the White Sea, one of many in the sky. Like other Sky Islands, the people here had wings on their backs and lived in houses built from clouds and shell-based technology.
As the ship glided across the sea of clouds, three uneventful days passed. Eventually, Mio and his crew arrived at Bika.
The island bustled with activity. People from across the sky moved through the cloud-covered streets. When Mio and his crew landed, their presence immediately drew attention.
"We are the guards of Bika. You're not Sky Islanders, are you?" A group of armored soldiers stopped them shortly after they set foot on land.
Mio nodded casually. "That's right."
He barely glanced at the guards, his mind already turning over thoughts of where the Thunder Fruit might be found on this island.
The guard captain frowned. "I'm sorry, but since you're from the Blue Sea—and we saw your pirate ship—Bika does not welcome pirates. We ask that you leave immediately."
Mio looked up and let out a sigh. Pirates really weren't popular anywhere, it seemed.
But having made it all the way here, there was no way they were leaving empty-handed.
"Heh."
With a light chuckle, Mio still didn't make a move. Instead, Erica, standing silently beside him, suddenly stepped forward. She drew her twin blades with a sharp clang. In the next moment, two swift slashes cut through the air.
Whoosh—Boom!
Two entire rows of houses were sliced cleanly in half, crumbling into clouds and rubble with thunderous crashes.
The guards' faces turned pale.
"We'll leave when our business here is done," Mio said calmly, brushing off his coat. "There's something we want to find on Bika. We won't cause any more damage unless you force us to. So, I suggest you don't get in our way."
As his Observation Haki expanded, Mio glanced around and locked onto a direction. He started walking.
Erica and the rest followed silently.
After a few steps, Mio turned and gave the stunned guards a grin.
"Oh, and by the way—if we wanted to kill you, it would be ridiculously easy. So don't throw your lives away for no reason, alright?"
"G-Gulp…"
The guards stared at the wreckage left behind by Erica's blades, their eyes filled with fear. No one dared move.
After a long silence, one of the younger guards asked hesitantly, "Captain… what do we do now?"
The commander wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "We go back and report to the ruler. These Blue Sea people are far too strong. We can't deal with them."
They quickly retreated.
Meanwhile, Mio and his crew began exploring the island.
After some time, Mio looked around and gave an order. "Everyone, split up and search the island. Look for a Devil Fruit."
"Yes, Captain."
They all nodded and set off in different directions.
Although Devil Fruits were rare, their distinctive spiral-patterned appearance made them easier to recognize. If one was here, they'd find it.
Robin stayed close to Mio. Her combat strength wasn't high, and it was safer for her to stay by his side.
"We'll check this way," Mio said, pointing down a path. The two of them walked off together.
Mio avoided private homes, thinking the chance of finding a Devil Fruit in someone's living room was too slim to bother. Besides, Observation Haki made the search faster.
From what he could tell, Bika was ruled by a monarchy. But after the guards reported back, the local rulers decided not to provoke Mio's group directly. As long as they didn't destroy more of the island, the authorities planned to quietly observe.
That gave Mio and his crew the space they needed to search for the Thunder Fruit.
Unfortunately, after a full day of searching, they came up empty-handed.
Bika wasn't large. With several users of Observation Haki scanning the area, they'd essentially covered the entire island.
Yet still, no sign of the Thunder Fruit.
Mio narrowed his eyes in frustration.
Could it be that the Thunder Fruit was already consumed by someone on the Grand Line? Maybe they'd have to wait until that user died and the fruit respawned on Bika.
"Master, should we keep looking?" Warwick asked after regrouping.
"Of course we should," Mio replied, voice firm. "Search every corner of this island. If we still don't find it, we'll check the ruler's mansion."
"Yes, sir."
The crew dispersed once again.
Robin, still beside Mio, looked up and asked curiously, "Captain, is that Devil Fruit really so important? You already have two Devil Fruits on the ship you haven't eaten."
"You don't understand," Mio said with a small smile, rubbing her head.
To him, the Thunder Fruit wasn't just important—it was essential. Its power to manipulate lightning, combined with his gene system, could open up terrifying new possibilities.
After a short break with Robin, the two of them resumed their search. During their exploration, they passed through the town center and visited several shops.
The sky island's unique shells—sound shells, lamp shells, water shells, and more—fascinated Robin. She admired the craftsmanship and technology with wide-eyed wonder.
Then, in the middle of their shopping, Mio suddenly paused.
His eyes sharpened.
Near the entrance of a narrow alley, a scuffle was unfolding. A young boy was being punched and kicked by several adult Sky Islanders.
"You dare steal from my store again? I'll beat you to death!" one of them shouted, landing another blow.
After a few more kicks, the group of adults finally left.
The boy, bruised and bloody, slowly stood up, teeth clenched in pain. He limped down the alley without a word.
What caught Mio's attention wasn't the boy's injuries, but his ears.
Long earlobes, hanging down distinctly—exactly like Enel's.
"Could that kid be Enel…?" Mio wondered aloud, hand resting thoughtfully on his chin.
Without a word, he grabbed Robin and followed the boy at a distance.
If the kid really was Enel, and the Thunder Fruit was destined for him, then following him might lead them to it. And if it didn't… well, then it likely wasn't on Bika at all.
Maybe it had already been consumed somewhere in the Grand Line.
Mio and Robin tailed the boy quietly, making sure not to be seen.
Eventually, the boy arrived at a remote part of the island, surrounded by cloud trees—massive flora that only grew in the skies.
Climbing up one of the trees, the boy winced as he pressed a hand to his wounded side. His face twisted in pain, but his voice came out in a low, bitter mutter.
"One day… I'll kill all of you…"
Mio's eyes narrowed, a knowing glint flashing in them.
No doubt about it now. That boy was Enel.
And if he didn't have the Thunder Fruit yet… then Mio still had time.