Chapter 15 - Breathing underwater

Once Ian infused the island eater bloodline into his blood stream, he noticed how the mysterious energy that fused with his soul, belonging to that being, had started moving and refined it turning it to energy which in turn spread around his body enforcing it once again.

He was already so strong, and could definitely beat Enel. However he could still reach new heights, and also he still had some time until he reached Jaya island where the south birds are.

In fact he had enough time to even train and adapt to his new coming strength.

After a while, and just like usual, he lost consciousness.

Meanwhile his body once again was getting strengthened. His physical strength and speed was doubled and his muscles became more denser and compact, his skin increased in its toughness his bones became even harder to break, and his hair, which he recently had cut grew again. It was like it was a part of the procedure.

What was different this time, was how even while unconscious he was still surrounded by an invisible shield in a dome shape.

...........

After two hours. Ian's eyes stirred awake, and he tried standing up. Then he felt that amazing thrilling sensation he felt every time he undergoes the process.

He felt the power brimming in his muscles. He felt light. He felt that he was the strongest ever in this moment. But a part of him knew it just an after effect to the process and it will go within a few minutes.

It was granted that his body would be the thing most strengthened with his telekinesis in second, as this was the Earth realm. It was supposed to focus on physical strength. He could not wait to reach the Emperor realm. Perhaps at that time his observation Haki would be able to detect whole islands.

But the most thing he was excited about and knew from the information in his mind, was that now he could breathe underwater easily. He had already guessed about since before but now that it happened he was finally convinced 100 percent of visiting the great Python Nola.

Not waiting at all he jumped as is into the water to try his new ability.

Once in the water he noticed how now he could feel how each time he takes water into his mouth it passes through a thin transparent membrane. He could tell that there was another thin membrane responsible for his throat.

And as the water passes over this thin membrane, it dissolves oxygen. And then the dissolved oxygen moves into the blood and travels directly to his cells.

It was incredible. And he enjoyed playing around and swimming with no limitation.

But after a while he got up, and went to train, or rather adapt to his new found strength. After all he had an unavoidable fight coming soon.

...........

The days past, and he soon reached Jaya Island. Jaya is a forest-covered spring island in Paradise that was once shaped like a skull and much larger than it is now but over half of it was shot up the knock up stream.

He directly stored his ship and flew to the forest. Not even 20 minutes later he had caught the bird. It had an extremely colorful plumage, chiefly in alternating patterns of purple and green. Its heads - particularly bills - is markedly long and narrow, akin to those of toucans. Like most birds, this specie is also tetradactyl, with three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing.

But he did not force it, as it surprisingly came on its own. And he didn't care much to find out why.

It was said that the knock up stream erupted five times a month. He was just hoping it would be near as he didn't want to wait for too long.

And so he flew in the sea in the direction of the south where the bird was pointing. Even if it didn't erupt today.

It was after two days that finally the stream erupted. He had been praying for it to show up/

But as if answering his calls he came to witness how a column of sea water shot up into the sky. He quickly spoke to the bird.

"You should go back to the forest, otherwise you'll end up going with me. And where I'm going there'll be many dangers." Ian said while looking at it.

It got the hint, and flew from his shoulder back to its forest.

While Ian flew along the sea water column. He was excited for the coming fight.

After a while of flying, he ended up in the so called sea clouds. Also called Ocean Clouds, which are large water-like clouds. They form seas in the sky. One can almost sail on it as if it were water except that Sea Clouds are slightly less dense than water, and as such, things that are drop into it will sink faster than in normal water. And there is also no sea floor.

These clouds form two known seas: the White Sea and the White-White Sea.

The White Sea is the lower part of Sky Ocean, located 7000 meters above the Blue Sea, comprised of Sea Cloud. It also had strange, rubbery clouds that bounce objects off of them and can be used as trampolines for those who are creative, as seen in the anime. And apparently there are different ways to get to it from the blue sea. The only way that has been shown so far is the unorthodox and dangerous way in which the sailors have to take a Knock up Stream. He did remember that Gan fall mentioned anther way called High West but he said it was dangerous.

Then there is also the White-White Sea in the upper part of Sky Ocean. It is located 10,000 meters above the Blue Sea. Skypiea is located here. And it is also the place from which Kaido attempted one of his suicides.