Gangster Island had never been a member of the World Government and thus was outside the Navy's protection. It was formerly ruled jointly by the five major mafia families.
Even without Ashen's involvement, the mafia groups on the island would have eventually spread across the entire West Blue after a period of growth.
Situated at the center of the West Blue, Gangster Island was destined to become powerful over time, unless something catastrophic happened.
"What an honor! I never expected to run into you here, Captain!"
Not long after they began walking, a thin figure appeared before Ashen and bowed respectfully.
"It's you again. Why did Feld send you back to the West Blue?"
Ashen smiled slightly upon recognizing the man, Jean, one of Feld's most trusted operatives.
After several interactions, Ashen had a good impression of him. Jean had even helped the Helgrave Pirates fend off outside threats before, which was why Ashen spoke to him kindly.
"I can't help it. Guess I was born to toil," Jean joked wryly.
He then added, "Right now, Gangster Island is our most successful base in all four seas. That's why Boss Feld sends me here regularly to check up on things."
"Lord Ashen! It really is you!"
As the two spoke, over a dozen mafia members came running up. They weren't part of the Helgrave Pirates, so they addressed Ashen as "Lord" rather than "Captain."
"Oh, it's you lot. Nicely done," Ashen said, glancing at the two men leading the group, the Wallin brothers, trusted operatives trained by Salles.
His praise referred both to their efficient governance of Gangster Island and to the fact that they had discovered his arrival almost immediately. The island's vigilance was clearly impressive.
"We wouldn't dare take credit. It's our duty," Wallin replied humbly.
He knew very well how he had come to power. Despite his current influence in the West Blue, he was painfully aware that one word from Ashen could take everything away.
Gangster Island owed its peace and stability to the Helgrave Pirates' flag flying above it.
In the past year, no pirate had dared cause trouble here. A few reckless crews had tried, only to be wiped out by the pirate crews Ashen had subdued and placed under his command.
Eventually, those same crews followed Ashen into the Grand Line.
Some pirates began to get bold again, but their ambitions ended in disaster when Don Chinjao, visiting the island for leisure, sank their ships and crew into the ocean depths.
So now, the once chaotic and violent Gangster Island had become one of the safest places in the West Blue.
"My lord, we've prepared a banquet in your honor," Wallin said, then turned to Jean.
"You're welcome to join us too, DeGault."
"Sounds good. Lead the way."
"It would be my pleasure!"
. . .
After spending one night on Gangster Island, the group of two men and one beast set off again early the next morning.
"Captain, what exactly is on that sky island called Birka that's worth this much effort?"
Riding on Toral's back, Tesla finally voiced the question that had been bothering him for days.
He had absolute faith in his captain, of course.
But Birka was largely unknown, and its secrets were uncertain.
Besides, now that they'd discovered the source of seastone, he needed to focus on developing tools for its extraction.
"There's definitely something valuable there. Something perfect for you," Ashen replied. "I'm not sure if it's appeared yet, but even the slightest chance is worth checking out."
He was referring to the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, an immensely powerful Devil Fruit that he absolutely had to bring into his crew.
Most members of the Helgrave Pirates had already eaten Devil Fruits, but as a scientist, Tesla could harness the power of lightning to its fullest potential.
That was why Ashen had brought him along specifically.
"Hearing you say that, Captain, I can't help but get excited."
Tesla didn't press further. Since Ashen had said there was something good, he believed him without question.
They traveled for five more days. After passing through the Calm Belt, Toral carried Ashen and Tesla into the New World.
The moment they entered, the weather was drastically different. In just half a day, they encountered all manner of bizarre and extreme conditions.
Hurricanes, thunderstorms, and even razor-sharp ice chunks falling from the sky like daggers.
Fortunately, Toral's massive body and immense strength allowed them to weather each storm unscathed.
"Captain! Look!"
For once, Tesla lost his usual composure. The sight before them shook even his atheistic worldview.
Hearing his shout, Ashen opened his eyes from meditation and stood up.
Before him loomed a sky-piercing tree trunk. They were already flying at an altitude of about seven thousand meters, yet the top of the tree was still nowhere in sight.
"This must be the Treasure Tree Adam, the tallest tree in the world."
After a few careful observations, Ashen gave his assessment.
The colossal tree before them was unimaginably tall. Ashen couldn't think of anything else that could reach such a height.
At this altitude, they could only see the main trunk, with just a few scattered branches and leaves clinging to it.
Based on his calculations, the base of this tree should be somewhere near the seas around Elbaf.
But this wasn't the same tree growing on Elbaf itself. That tree wasn't nearly as thick.
Ashen suspected there were several massive trees in the Elbaf region, and this one was the tallest of them all.
Whoosh!
Under Ashen's command, Toral accelerated sharply and soared upward toward the tree.
It wasn't until they'd climbed another two thousand meters that the crown of the tree finally came into view.
"What the hell...!"
Tesla was speechless. The tree's crown was even larger than all of Dressrosa. He had no words.
"Toral, over there, an island cloud! Head for it!"
Ashen had spotted an island cloud nestled on a northern branch, supported by the massive tree limb. His eyes lit up with excitement.
"Waaaah! Brother, there's a monster!"
A few minutes later, near the edge of the island cloud, a boy around ten years old was playing when he looked up and saw Toral, screaming in alarm.
The child had pure white wings like a Skypiean, but they were much larger.
Unlike the straight wings of Skypieans, his had an extra joint in the middle, like folded wings.
"Hey, kid! Don't run, it's just my mount, not a monster."
Ashen leapt off Toral's back and landed directly in front of the boy.
"Oh, so it's a mount! I thought it was some scary creature. But wow, your mount is really cool!"
The boy relaxed and started admiring Toral with wide eyes.
"What's your name?" Tesla asked.
"My name's Shiels."
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