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"In fact," Jin began, glancing at Robin, "the lady beside me is an archaeologist. She has examined a portion of the ruins. And she has discovered a startling fact."
"The people of Angel Island, the people of Jaya—or as you call it, the holy land of Upper Yard—if you trace your history back a thousand years... you are one people. You share a common ancestor."
"For some reason, a portion of your people remained in the sky, becoming the original inhabitants of Skypiea. Another portion traveled to what you call the 'Blue Sea,' to the island of Jaya, and built the city of gold, Shandora. Over time, through war and upheaval, Shandora was destroyed, leaving only ruins. The remaining people of Jaya were cut off from the world and became the primitive Shandian tribe. And then, 400 years ago, a piece of your ancestral home was blasted into the sky by the Knock Up Stream."
When Jin had finished, Gan Fall, the old chieftain, Wyper—everyone—wore an expression of utter shock.
"What??"
"Is that possible??"
"We're... one people?"
"Ha! The Shandians and the Skypieans... from the same roots??"
"Hey! Don't lump us in with them!"
The revelation was a bombshell. Four hundred years of hatred, of war... and now he was telling them it was brother fighting brother?
It wasn't just Wyper. Even Gan Fall was having trouble accepting it.
"Alright," Jin said, breaking the silence. "I've said my piece. Please, continue."
Continue?
The two sides just stared at each other, the situation now incredibly awkward.
"No one's talking? Then I'll decide," Jin declared. "Today, you will swear a blood oath. From this day forward, you will live in peace. And as for you, Wyper... lighting the Light of Shandora won't be so difficult. Are you and your men interested in becoming the new Army?"
Wyper and the other warriors were stunned.
Did that mean... they could remain in the holy land, to protect Shandora?
Jin glanced at Gan Fall. "The God's Army will be under your command."
Gan Fall nodded.
"I have no intention of abolishing the eleven laws Enel established during his rule," Jin continued, "but the punishments will be reduced."
Enel's laws—against killing in the Upper Yard, obstructing official duties, theft, hunting rare animals, destroying the environment, illegal entry... were they really so bad?
Punishing such crimes was perfectly reasonable.
The problem was that Enel had been too strict, and his rule had become a tyranny. But to abolish the laws just for the sake of opposing him would be a mistake. The Skypieans would quickly prove that they deserved to be struck by lightning.
Anyone who thought the Skypieans were pure and innocent was either naive or a fool. If they were so pure, they wouldn't have driven out the Shandians and claimed Upper Yard for themselves. They were only meek as lambs in the face of Enel's power. Unleashed, the wolf would come out from under the sheep's skin.
That was people's nature.
But a good ruler couldn't just punish; he had to reward as well.
To show that he was different from Enel, Jin added, "Furthermore, I am announcing three new decrees. First, as long as they have not violated the eleven laws, all Skypieans and Shandians will be permitted to visit a designated area of the holy land for one day of leisure each month. Second, to commemorate my ascension as your new 'God,' this day will be known as 'God's Celebration Day,' and all are welcome in the holy land to celebrate. And third... from this day forward, upon reaching the age of adulthood, every citizen may come to the holy land and take one gram of Vearth as a coming-of-age gift from your God. But upon your death, that soil must be returned. And in return, your ashes may be scattered in the holy land. This applies to all who are currently of age, on the condition that they register as citizens of the holy land!"
The news sent a wave of excitement through Angel Island and Shandia.
A trip to the holy land every month?
A gram of Vearth upon coming of age?
The blessings of the new God were truly great!
As for Enel's laws... who cared? Compared to him, the new God was incredibly benevolent. They couldn't ask for more.
The story of the Shandians and Skypieans being one people a thousand years ago was also intentionally spread far and wide. After three years of tyranny, everyone was tired. No one wanted to fight anymore. They were willing to accept it.
All these factors led to a swift and successful peace negotiation.
In the Upper Yard, under the watchful eye of their new "God," the representatives of the two peoples drank the wine of reconciliation, mingled with each other's blood.
Jin then selected Wyper, Braham, Kamakiri, and Raki from among the Shandians to be the new four Priests, to protect the holy land.
He appointed Gan Fall as the commander of the God's Army, which would be composed of both Skypieans and Shandians.
As the new system was established, a census was conducted, and identification cards were issued to all who came to the holy land.
During this time, Robin explored the ruins and found the Poneglyph. The Germa 66 soldiers searched for gold. And Jin found the half-finished Ark Maxim, and the already completed core device, the Deathpiea.
Integrating the Rumble-Rumble Fruit would be a massive upgrade for the demonic carrier. It solved the "energy" problem.
The Ark Maxim and the Deathpiea, which could create thunderclouds, were also swallowed by the demonic carrier, becoming a part of it. It was like gaining a "thundercloud weather core."
And among the treasures were 200 now-extinct Impact Dials. With them, the demonic carrier would no longer need a hot air balloon to take flight.
The Skypiea expedition had been a treasure trove.
"Where is the Light of Shandora?"
Wyper and the other Shandians, now permitted to enter the ruins, had been searching for a long time, but they couldn't find the "Light."
Jin, having mostly finished his work, overheard their discussion and looked up at the giant beanstalk in the center of the ruins.
He pointed. "Hasn't anyone thought to look up there?"
"Eh??"
Everyone looked up at the massive vine, so thick it was like a mountain, its top lost in the clouds.
Wyper's eyes widened in realization.
He immediately began to climb.
After half a day, he finally broke through the clouds and, on one of the massive leaves at the very top, he saw it.
The "Light" of Shandora.
A golden bell that had once hung in their temple.
Its sound could pierce the sky and the sea. In ancient times, it had served as a beacon for ships. The Shandian people would ring their golden bell to guide their dear friend Noland and his crew back to their island.
That was why it was called the "Light of Shandora."
Wyper's heart pounded in his chest.
He walked forward and, with all his might, he pushed.
DONG...
The sound of the bell echoed across the island.
The Shandians looked up, their faces filled with excitement.
They had found it!
DONG...
The bell continued to ring, its sound spreading farther and farther. The people of Angel Island and Shandia all stopped what they were doing and listened.
"IT'S A DIVINE MESSAGE!"
"THE GOLDEN BELL IS RINGING AGAIN! THE WAR WILL END!"
They cheered.
Jin listened patiently. The deep, rich tone of the bell was beautiful, filled with an unparalleled grandeur and majesty.
A rumbling sound echoed through the forest, and a massive serpent, its scales purple, its eyes gold, slithered out from the trees. It heard the sound of the bell and became agitated.
"Oh no—it's Nola!" Raki cried out. "Be careful! It's poisonous!"
The giant serpent slithered forward, crushing the ruins beneath it. Drawn by the sound of the bell, it began to climb the beanstalk.
"Hey! Quiet down," Jin said, turning his head. A golden light flashed in his eyes, and a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki washed over the serpent.
It shuddered and immediately stopped, lowering its head and prostrating itself on the ground, as if in the presence of its king.
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