As the ship drew closer, Cricket was the first to leap across to the platform. Immediately after, Wyper sprang down beside him.
On the stone platform of Heaven's Gate, both men stood facing each other in the quiet twilight.
Wyper's voice was hoarse, and he trembled slightly as he extended his hand. "Are you a descendant of Noland?" he asked.
"I am Shandia, a descendant of the great warrior Kalgara, Noland's close friend. My name is Wyper!" he declared, pride and sorrow intermingling in his tone.
At the sound of that name, Shoujou and Masira—who had been watching nearby—instantly widened their eyes.
"O-oh… Old man, he is…" Shoujou stammered.
"Wah! He's the one so closely linked to Mr. Noland…" Masira's voice was choked with amazement.
From the records Cricket had preserved, they both recognized the name Kalgara.
"Great Warrior Kalgara…" they whispered, awed.
Cricket's body shook as he stepped forward to stand in front of Wyper. He stared at that young Shandia warrior, whose features bore a vague resemblance to Kalgara's in the ancestral records. His voice, though wavering, was respectful:
"My ancestor is Noland. It is an honor to meet you again, Wyper."
Bang! Their hands clasped firmly, trembling with the strength of long-buried emotion.
Wyper's eyes glistened red at the rims. He whispered, voice thick with emotion, "I'm sorry. We heard that Mr. Noland—because he never found us—was…" His words trailed off, choked.
"Say no more," Cricket said solemnly, eyes serious. "I believe my ancestor would never blame the descendants of his closest friend. You have suffered far too much over the years."
Silence stretched between them. They gazed at one another, discovering in each other's eyes a bond deeper than blood—a bond borne of loss, loyalty, and the enduring strength of kindred spirits.
---
Elsewhere on Sky Island, the mood was one of jubilant celebration.
"Everyone, dance! Be joyful!" Usopp cried, clutching a great bag of shells. He twisted and turned, feeling as if he had struck gold.
"Usopp, you look utterly delighted," Robin observed, head bowed as she jotted notes into her journal. She recorded the final outcome of their Sky Island ordeal: "God Enel of Sky Island was hanged in midair. The people of Sky Island, upon seeing that, laid down their arms and joined together in celebration with the Shandia—longtime foes. The six-year reign of 'God' that cast its shadow over both sides has vanished into history."
Usopp's nose lifted in pride. "Of course! I traded for so many precious things! Hehehe—my fighting strength will only grow stronger now."
Sanji ran toward them, breathless. "When are they coming back? The banquet is underway! And there are so many beautiful women—Sky Island beauties, Shandia beauties—each with their own charm!"
Zoro, meanwhile, was doing one-armed push-ups nearby. He sneered when Sanji spoke. "Perverted cook."
Provoked, Sanji turned and gave Zoro a sharp kick on the backside. "And you—useless swordsman who fell to that 'God'—don't talk to me!"
Zoro got to his feet with icy composure. "You dare insult me? You pervert from the Blue Sea who never used your potential properly."
Usopp, accustomed to their constant bickering, smiled wryly and tucked away his shells. Then he jogged toward the ship. "Hehe, I still have rubber bands—haven't used them yet. I'll sell them to the people here who've never seen such things!"
---
In the Shandora ruins, the Shandia people and the newly freed Sky Island denizens gathered in celebration. Bonfires crackled; wine and roasted meats steamed. Joyous cries echoed through the night.
"Great Warrior Kalgara, can you hear us? The lost light of Shandora is restored!" they chanted.
The Great Chief wept openheartedly at the miracle before him. Everywhere, people danced, cheered, embraced. Enemies of years gone by now stood side by side rejoicing in the fall of "God."
"What a day to drink and celebrate!" shouted one. "Blue Sea folks know how to party! Little brother God-Slayer, your dance is marvelous!"
"Let's drink! Cheers to you, Blue Sea visitor! Who can outdrink whom?" another shouted amidst laughter.
Someone pointed: "Look, what are those cloud wolves doing here? Are they joining the feast too?"
"Hahaha! They dance with Lord God-Slayer! How lively!"
Though old wounds and suspicions remained, on this day—this night of hope and new beginnings—they were set aside. Together, Sky Islanders and Shandia suppressed their animosities and laughed, drank, and celebrated.
---
High above Sky Island, where Shirogai had earlier discovered the golden bell atop the floating land of Shandora, he stood gazing down.
"Do you hear that, Enel?" he murmured, tossing the electric orb in his hand. He looked up at the stars with a wry smile. "Those are the joyous cries of people celebrating the fall of 'God.'"
Lightning arced outward from the orb. From within it came Enel's anguished screams: "Damn it! Damn it! You Blue Sea monster, release me now!"
Shirogai shook his head, lips curved in a gentle grin. "You can't break free. Better get used to your spherical state—because that's how you'll remain from now on."
The orb trembled, quivering up and down, left and right. "Damn it! Let me out! I am God!"
"You're too noisy," Shirogai said softly. The orb suddenly went still, as if exhausted and forced into silence.
He sighed. "I shouldn't have spoken to you. I thought you might reflect on what you did—but I was mistaken."
Snapping his fingers, Shirogai created a small, pitch-black portal that flickered open. The orb was pulled in and swallowed in an instant.
"Now the world is quiet," he whispered, reclining onto a soft cloud.
He gazed upward at the twinkling stars. Perhaps Earth was but one of those shining points above.
"Ah, what a miscalculation," Shirogai murmured after a long moment, sounding almost amused. "When I came to this chaotic world, I intended to live in peace. But I never imagined I'd become bound by so many ties. Before I knew it, I was trapped by fate."
Silence reigned, punctuated only by distant cheering and dancing.
"But if I don't act…" His voice grew low. "Who will stand against those unworthy parasites? Will Luffy? Zoro? Sanji?"
The wind whispered over the clouds; no one answered.
"If they keep saving everyone… perhaps the world will be saved. But who protects their dreams and their goals?"
He rose slowly, letting the air swirl. "I might as well teach this twisted world a lesson."
Swish! Shirogai's form dissolved into black-purple energy, streaking across the night sky. He locked on to the distant figure marked by the Whisper-Whisper Fruit, and surged forward.
---