Sky Island, Holy Land — God's Island.
Because of the celebration for the fallen "god," the Shandians and Sky Islanders finally made peace.
The war that had lasted for more than four hundred years came to an end that day.
Cheers and songs filled the skies as both races danced together, celebrating for five days straight atop God's Island.
"Snore… snore…"
"Huff… hoo…"
After days of endless partying, the entire island lay silent.
Sky Islanders and Shandians slept side by side, exhausted but smiling, finally unguarded after centuries of conflict.
"Shh! Keep it down! Don't wake them…"
"Hehe, perfect timing. Let's go grab the gold and slip away quietly!"
"Gold? You mean that golden ark?"
"No, the golden bell!"
"Keep it down!"
"Luffy, your voice is the loudest!"
"Hahaha! As expected from you guys, still full of energy!"
A group of mischievous figures crept through the sleeping crowd — the Straw Hat Pirates, launching their "Great Gold Heist."
---
The giant sky serpent, Nora, lay sprawled across the ruins of the ancient city, fast asleep.
Someone wedged open her enormous mouth with a wooden stick and slipped inside.
Moments later, a familiar voice echoed from within.
"Hehehehe! See? I told you there was a mountain of gold inside this thing!"
"Luffy! Keep your voice down! You'll wake her!"
"Usopp, you're not exactly whispering either!"
"Sorry! Everyone stay quiet, or we'll end up as her next meal!"
Usopp clutched a handful of golden coins nervously, glancing toward the dim light spilling in from outside.
"Wow! So much gold!"
Nami gasped, clutching a golden crown to her chest, eyes sparkling.
"It's beautiful! Luffy, you actually did something right for once!"
"Yeah, but even with all this gold, it's nothing compared to the golden bell or that ark," Shirogai said, inspecting a small golden statue of a guide bird.
"Why don't we take the ark too?"
"That won't do!" Luffy protested, necklaces of gold jingling around his neck.
"The ark and bell belong to the Shandians. These treasures here? They're fair game!"
"Huh? Where's Robin?" Sanji asked suddenly, looking around.
"She went to the golden bell," Shirogai replied calmly.
"The poneglyph beneath it is what she's after."
"It'd be amazing if we could take that golden bell too," Nami sighed dreamily.
"With that much gold, we'd never have to worry about money again, we can relax!"
Luffy pouted and bopped her lightly on the head with his stick.
"Hey, Nami! The adventure's not over yet!"
"Ow! Luffy!" she shouted.
Crack!
Nami snapped the stick clean in half, glaring furiously.
"My peerless sword, Kusei!!!" Luffy wailed, clutching the broken stick like it was a fallen comrade.
"Nami! You owe me a new sword!"
"Who told you to hit me with it?!"
She turned to Shirogai, still fuming.
"Shirogai, you've been hanging around the Great Chief and Gan Fall a lot lately. If you're done with your business, we're heading out today."
Shirogai smiled.
"Let's go. I've wrapped up everything on Sky Island. The log pose is set, we've collected enough gold, and we helped reunite the Shandians with their ancestors' legacy. It's time to continue the journey. Right, Luffy?"
"Yeah! Let's move out!" Luffy grinned.
"Guys! Pack up the gold in the snake's belly! We're leaving before anyone wakes up!"
"Yay! Escape from Sky Island!" the crew shouted.
---
Near the golden bell, several Shandian warriors kept a respectful distance, allowing Robin to examine the massive relic freely.
The warm glow of the golden bell bathed her in light as she read the ancient script engraved into its base.
"I came here to guide this text to the ends of the world."
Signed beneath was a familiar name: "Pirate Gol D. Roger."
Robin's eyes widened. For the first time in a long while, she smiled softly.
Perhaps, she thought, she had finally found the right crew to follow — one that could reach the truth of the world.
At first, she had only joined to escape the Marines' pursuit.
But as days passed, these strange, reckless pirates began to feel like something more — something real.
Without realizing it, she had started to see herself as part of their crew.
And those clumsy, chaotic idiots… she now saw them as trusted friends.
Her lips curved gently upward. She turned and walked away from the golden bell.
---
Not far away, two elderly men — Gan Fall and the Shandian Great Chief — approached Shirogai respectfully.
The Great Chief leaned on his totem staff, smiling warmly.
"Shirogai San, we'll keep Shandora's Light here on Sky Island. However, those two golden pillars can be removed for you, if you wish."
"No need," Shirogai said, shaking his head.
"Shandora's Light still holds purpose. Guard it well. Don't let outsiders lay a hand on it."
The Chief nodded deeply.
"As you wish. Then what about the golden ark that Enel forged?"
"Keep it," Shirogai replied.
"Let it remain as Sky Island's treasure, alongside Shandora's Light."
"Understood. Then… would you like the golden chain that bound the so-called god? It's stored in the temple," the Chief added.
Gan Fall stepped forward.
"Yes, if the Straw Hats' ship requires it, I'll have it sent immediately."
Shirogai chuckled. "That chain's as big as the Going Merry. You can try asking Luffy if he wants it."
Both elders laughed lightly.
"Very well, Shirogai San."
The two greatest figures of Sky Island now bowed before him, treating him with deep respect.
"Don't forget the meeting later," Shirogai said calmly, and then his body dissolved into countless crimson scales.
The petals drifted gently through the air before dispersing into red mist, vanishing completely.
Gan Fall and the Great Chief stared in awe.
"His ability… truly divine," the Chief whispered.
"Compared to Shirogai, Enel was no god at all," Gan Fall said with a shake of his head.
Then he turned toward the Sky Islanders waiting for orders.
"Go. Deliver that golden chain to the Straw Hat Pirates — the benefactors of Sky Island."
"Yes, sir!"
As they left, Gan Fall turned to the Chief, lowering his voice.
"Tell me, Chief… was Enel truly killed?"
"Does it matter?" The Chief's lips curved faintly beneath his wolf mask.
"If he survived and fell into Shirogai's hands, his fate would be worse than death."
Gan Fall smiled, relief spreading across his face.
"Then I can rest easy. The darkness that covered Sky Island has finally been lifted."
He looked toward the rising sun, his laughter echoing across the clouds.
The Chief followed his gaze, smiling.
"According to Shirogai San, not only must we clear the haze of Sky Island, but we must help clear the haze of the Blue Sea below."
Gan Fall chuckled.
"To think I'd receive a world-saving mission at this age… it's exhilarating!"
The two elders laughed together as the dawn broke over Sky Island — a new era beginning above the clouds.
____
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