Because of their resistance, the Straw Hats are sentenced to "Heavenly Judgement." The crew is split; the Going Merry is snatched by a giant lobster (the Super-Express Speed Shrimp) and taken toward the Sacrificial Altar in the forbidden Upper Yard, with Nami, Chopper, Zoro, and Robin still on board.

After arriving in Skypiea, the crew is labeled "Illegal Entrants" for failing to pay the entry fee at Heaven's Gate. While Nami explores the "Upper Yard" on a waver, the rest of the crew is confronted by the White Berets, Skypiea’s police force led by Captain McKinley.

Split for the first time in the Sky Island saga, setting the stage for the survival game in the Upper Yard.

Luffy and the crew inadvertently commit several "Cloud Crimes." Despite Pagaya’s attempts to mediate, the situation escalates when Luffy attacks the White Berets to protect his friends.