Human imagination is limitless. People can conceive of anything, imagine any ability, and the forest god will fulfill their wishes, birthing a fruit with the imagined power. Eating it grants that ability.
The very thought was suffocating to everyone present.
Just how deep were the World Government's reserves? Could they be defeated? It was hard to say; it all depended on the coming war.
"At this rate, it feels like devil fruit users will become more common," Ace sighed.
"Aren't we already doing the same thing? Just make more and equip everyone," Roy said.
Even Vista, who previously hadn't wanted a Devil Fruit, was forced by Roy to eat one.
Izo's death pained Roy deeply, losing a good brother. If Izo had eaten the Phoenix Fruit, perhaps he wouldn't have died.
The Mythical Zoan Model Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit was still too weak; aside from transformation and disguise, its power boost was limited.
In the end, Vista chose to eat the Fish-Fish Fruit, becoming a dragon swordsman.
Namur, a fish-man, was also forced to eat a fruit. Roy forced him to eat the Fish-Fish Fruit, since he was already a fish, what did it matter?
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army's flames of war ignited across the world. In Elbaf, after Luffy and his crew defeated Shamrock and his forces, they formed an alliance with Loki and journeyed to the summit of Yggdrasil, where they found a sky island.
This sky island was natural, one of the few places in the world where one could reach the sky islands.
Yggdrasil connected the earth and the sky. The giants were once part of the great kingdom and possessed a highly advanced technological civilization.
The ruins of that ancient great kingdom lay above Yggdrasil. Luffy and his crew saw the remnants of the great kingdom that existed nine hundred years ago, a sky island with technology even more advanced than Egghead's.
"This is the great kingdom that existed nine hundred years ago, a civilization with incredibly brilliant technology. It was also a place ruled by the moon people."
"Due to their greed and oppression, they attracted hellfire, ultimately leading to war. This place was established centuries later by moon people who fled to the moon and then returned. It is also Joy Boy's homeland. He was born here, setting out from Elbaf to travel the world."
"At that time, Elbaf ruled the New World, and Joy Boy was from Elbaf," a giant elder explained as he led the Straw Hat Pirates to the sky island, showing them the nine-hundred-year-old ruins.
Lilith was incredibly excited. "This is amazing! The equipment here, my goodness, it's so advanced! If Pythagoras and the others saw this, they'd go crazy with joy! I can use the equipment here to revive the original! It'll just take a little time."
"This place is huge!" Luffy looked up, seeing an immense sky island world forming an unbelievable landscape.
The sky island had three layers: floating gardens, a city filled with technology, and crumbling structures. It was clear that a highly advanced civilization had once thrived here.
Zoro and the others were equally stunned by the sight.
"This sky island is even larger than any we've seen before," Zoro remarked.
"The buildings here are enormous, and they're connected by rainbow bridges," Usopp said.
"The legendary great kingdom, it must have had an incredible food and culture," Sanji said, smoking as he looked around.
"A place this big must have tons of treasure!" Nami's eyes turned into Berry signs.
"This is my first time coming up here. I never imagined it would be like this, a world above the skies," said Hajrudin, the new giant king.
Loki couldn't become king, but the people of Elbaf had accepted Hajrudin's status, no longer discriminating against giants from outside, and thus acknowledged Hajrudin as their ruler. Hajrudin was also King Harald's son, making him Loki's half-brother. Since Loki couldn't take the throne, it naturally fell to Hajrudin, who had royal blood.
"We've been here before, the legendary ancient kingdom, a highly developed civilization that could rival the World Government," Gabban laughed.
The group began their exploration of the island, finding everything novel and fascinating.
"That giant robot, Emet, was 'born' here. I want to research here and upgrade the General Franky to become a second Emet," Franky said, arriving at a mechanical workshop where he saw other Emet units.
"We've studied that robot. It's a purely learning-capable AI robot," Lilith said, bringing along Vegapunk's clone. Her goal was the same: to find equipment here that could restore Vegapunk.
"Intelligence born from machinery?" Franky mused, touching his hair.
"Similar to clones. They are cloned without the ability to think, but that robot is different; it's just like a normal person, capable of thought," Lilith explained.
"Can my father be restored here?" Bonney asked.
"No problem. If the equipment I need is here, we can definitely restore the original. Once that happens, Kuma's issue will be resolved naturally," Lilith said.
"Let's get started! I want to upgrade General Franky to be as powerful as the ancient giants!" Franky said excitedly.
Having witnessed Emet punch out a giant boar's tusks, Franky was filled with curiosity about ancient technology. Robots were a man's romance; he wanted to make General Franky even stronger.
Everyone was adventuring, and Luffy was enjoying himself on the sky island.
Until someone delivered something.
"Luffy, this is for you."
Gabban's son, Colon, brought a letter and handed it to Luffy.
"Who's it from?" Luffy took it.
"It's from Shanks," Colon said.
"Red-Haired Shanks?!!" Loki became instantly agitated upon hearing the name; he hated that man.
"Red Hair!!"
Zoro and Sanji gathered around.
"Shanks? That's one of the Four Emperors, right? What did he send?" Chopper asked curiously.
"Maybe it's just catching up," Sanji said.
"Yohohoho, he's Luffy's saviour, right? It should be a wonderful reunion," Brook laughed.
"Luffy, open it and see," Nami urged.
"Shishishi, it's probably a challenge from Shanks," Luffy grinned.
"A challenge?" Everyone was surprised. Luffy tore open the letter.
A short sentence was written inside:
[I'm waiting for you at Lodestar Island!]
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu