"What are you doing?!" Wiper took a defensive half-step back, his weapon raised.
"This endless conflict has brought nothing but suffering to both our peoples," Gan Forr said, his voice unnervingly calm as he pressed the tip of the blade to his own chest. "Enel is gone. We no longer need to spill blood for a false god."
His gaze swept over the assembled Skypieans and Shandians, firm and resolute. "If ending this war requires a sacrifice... then let my life be the final offering to all the souls lost to this feud!"
*Shhhk!*
The sound of the blade piercing flesh was horrifyingly clear. A smile of profound relief touched Gan Forr's lips as he slowly sank to his knees, the pristine white of his robe now stained a brilliant, spreading crimson.
"Lord Gan Forr!" The Skypieans cried out, surging forward.
Gan Forr, his breath now a faint whisper, looked directly at Wiper. "Now... can the... hatred... finally... end...?"
The Shandian warriors stood utterly frozen, completely stunned by Gan Forr's drastic, decisive act.
Wiper's expression was rigid, his Burn Bazooka falling from his numb fingers with a clatter. He had never imagined his former adversary would seek peace with such finality.
Ron and the crew quietly stepped back, creating space for the two long-feuding peoples. This was not their grievance to resolve. Four hundred years of spilled blood and bitter tears could only be truly laid to rest by those who had lived it.
The blood continued to seep across the white cloud-floor. Gan Forr's breathing grew weaker.
The Skypieans knelt, their weeping a soft, mournful chorus. The Shandians remained locked in a heavy, conflicted silence.
After a long, tense moment, the elderly Shandian Chief, leaning heavily on his ceremonial staff, shuffled tremblingly to Gan Forr's side. His wrinkled face was an unreadable mask as he slowly raised the staff, the symbol of his people's authority.
"In the name of our ancestor, Kalgara..." the old Chief's voice was raspy but carried undeniable strength, "I declare that from this day forth, the four-hundred-year war between the Shandian tribe and the people of Skypiea—"
The staff came down, striking the cloud-ground with a definitive *thud*.
"—IS OVER!"
Wiper gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw working furiously. But finally, he gave a single, sharp nod of acceptance.
Robin gently brushed a tear from the corner of her eye. "He bought peace with his life..."
Zoro, leaning against the Golden Bell with his swords, grunted in respect. "He had guts."
Ron clapped his hands together softly, the sound crisp and clear in the hushed atmosphere. His gaze was deep and contemplative as he looked at the two groups. "A truly great leader sees beyond the horizon of hatred."
He gestured to the expansive landmass beneath their feet. "This is the island where the great warrior Kalgara met Montblanc Noland four centuries ago. Compared to the former Upper Yard, this land is easily seven or eight times larger."
Hearing this, Wiper and the Shandians instinctively took in their surroundings.
It was true. The resurfaced Jaya Island was immensely more vast than the fragment of Upper Yard they had fought over for so long. Sunlight filtered through lush, verdant forests, and a winding river glittered in the distance.
"Land of this scale would be difficult for the Shandians to develop alone," Ron continued. He looked from Wiper to the Skypieans. "If you live in peace, you can combine your strengths and work together to build a true Sky City."
Wiper fell into deep thought. He glanced at his tribesmen and saw that the eyes of many young warriors were already alight with the spark of a new, hopeful future.
"Mr. Ron speaks wisely..." the old Chief said, a genuine laugh escaping his wrinkled face. "We could certainly use the help to develop this land properly."
Wiper took a deep, cleansing breath and bowed solemnly to Ron. "Thank you for your counsel. We will make this land prosper."
The old Chief leaned on his staff, a look of profound relief smoothing the lines on his face. "Four hundred years of hatred ended with Gan Forr's sacrifice. It is time... to look to the future."
...
The golden light of dawn spilled across the sea of clouds. Ron stood at the edge of Jaya Island, watching the sun rise in the distance. "It's time for us to leave."
Nami, who was busy directing the final loading of gold-laden crates, looked over. "So soon?" Her eyes darted longingly towards the remaining, glittering treasures.
"We've tarried on Skypiea long enough," Ron said with a smile, turning to Wiper. "Could you prepare some Octo Balloons for our descent?"
"Of course!" Wiper immediately barked orders to his men, then asked with concern, "Will that be enough? Should we prepare more? It's a long way down..." He glanced uneasily at the vast, empty sky below.
Ron nodded. "Better to be safe. A few extras would be wise."
Soon, a dozen colorful Octo Balloons were brought forth. These peculiar creatures could inflate themselves to provide buoyancy, the standard method for descending from the White-White Sea.
Chopper curiously poked one, and it let out a cute, squeaky *poof*.
"Everyone, double-check your gear," Ron reminded them. "There's no turning back once we begin our descent."
Just as final preparations were being made, Luffy suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh no! We forgot to capture Teach!"
Zoro's hand immediately went to his sword hilts. "Should we go back for him now...?"
Ron, however, simply waved a dismissive hand. "Don't trouble yourselves." His gaze was cast toward the distant cloudscape. "He's lost his power. He can barely move on Skypiea in his state. Leaving anytime soon is impossible for him."
Wiper caught on immediately, a grim smile touching his lips. "Do not worry, benefactors. The rebuilding of Skypiea will require much... manual labor. I think those few will do nicely."
Sanji lit a cigarette, blowing out a satisfied stream of smoke. "Serves the bastard right. Let him taste powerlessness."
"But you must still be cautious," Ron warned. "That strangely built man is dangerous, even without his Devil Fruit." After a final round of instructions, he was the first to step onto the waiting ship. The Octo Balloons began to inflate, lifting it gently. "Let's go. The sea awaits."
...
The Octo Balloons carried them in a slow, steady descent. Clouds streamed past, and the vast, blue expanse of the ocean below gradually came into focus.
Nami was carefully calculating their descent trajectory. Chopper was peering excitedly over the edge of the balloon basket. Luffy was stretching and yawning, already bored.
Suddenly—
*WHOOOSH—!*
A sharp, whistling sound tore through the air from below!
*BOOM!*
A pitch-black cannonball shot upward, aimed directly at their primary Octo Balloon!
"Danger!" Zoro's pupils contracted. His sword was a blur of motion.
"Ittoryu: Iai: Shishi Sonson!"
A brilliant arc of blade light cut through the sky. The cannonball was sliced perfectly in two mid-flight, exploding into two harmless fireballs with a deafening *BOOM!* The resulting shockwave rocked the balloon violently, forcing everyone to grab tightly onto the safety ropes.
"Enemy attack?!" Usopp fumbled for his Kabuto slingshot.
The sea below them suddenly blazed with dozens of blinding searchlights. The powerful beams cut through the misty cloud layer, illuminating more than a dozen Marine warships arranged in a perfect, encircling formation below, their cannon barrels all trained on the descending Straw Hats.
....
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