Sowhere on Sky Island
The camp of the Shandians.
Following the map given by Gan Fall, Sakazuki brought Cricket to this place.
Just as the outline of the camp ca into view—
Whoosh!
A sound pierced the air. Three spears shot toward Sakazuki's heart, throat, and temple.
Sakazuki didn't dodge or flinch. He simply raised his hand.
Szzzz…
The sound of the spears piercing a body rang out. A large hole appeared in Sakazuki's heart, throat, and temple.
But upon closer inspection, sothing was off—there was no blood, only magma slowly flowing out.
The Shandian warriors across from him tensed up.
Even though Sky Island was isolated from the Blue Sea, so knowledge still remained.
They pulled out rocket launcher–like weapons from their backs.
Boom!
A flaming shell was fired at Sakazuki.
At the sa ti, a whistle was blown to signal an enemy presence.
Sakazuki flicked his finger. This wasn't the usual Shigan bullet.
A black magma bullet accompanied by a loud rumble shot out in a rapid spin.
A massive shockwave exploded in its path.
It cleared a direct, cloudless corridor straight into the camp.
The magma bullet crashed into the burning shell—
Then slamd into one of the Shandian guards but did not explode.
Instead, it continued forward, aiming directly at a massive vine inside the camp.
Just as it was about to strike the vine, the pitch-black magma bullet rapidly expanded and writhed, enveloping the Shandian warrior entirely.
It cooled and solidified swiftly, leaving only the nose and eyes exposed.
Boom!
It slamd into the giant vine, carving a deep crater into it.
Yet, the Shandian guard sustained no injuries—he was simply immobilized.
The loud whistle put all the Shandians on high alert, assuming the Sky People were attacking.
Within two seconds, all the Shandians rushed out of their huts with weapons in hand.
But they saw no sign of an enemy—only a wide road carved clean through the clouds by a powerful gust.
Two figures, one large and one small, were walking down that road.
At that mont, a man about the sa age as Gan Fall raised his right hand.
He signaled for everyone to stay calm and quietly observed Sakazuki and his companion approaching.
This was the Shandians' chieftain. His body was adorned with ancient ornants, and he wore a wolf-headed hat that marked his distinguished status.
Everyone stared tensely at the two figures, gripping their weapons, ready to strike at any mont.
"We an no harm."
Sakazuki's voice rang out as he approached the camp. He raised his right hand again, causing another wave of nervousness.
He pressed a finger downward.
The Shandians heard a slithering sound behind them.
They turned to look—there was now a large crater in the massive vine.
Sakazuki activated his ability.
The cooled magma began to emit intense heat from within, lting back into lava that flowed down to the ground.
The Shandian guard trapped inside leapt down, unhard aside from minor burns. He kept his guard up as he stared at Sakazuki.
"State your purpose, Blue Sea dweller."
Seeing Sakazuki free the guard, the chieftain eased up a little.
Still, he cautiously questioned the pair, whose style differed greatly from that of Sky Island.
Sakazuki spoke:
"Do you know Noland?"
The chieftain's eyes widened instantly, a look of disbelief spreading across his face.
It was as if he couldn't believe soone knew of their connection to Noland.
The last ti anyone brought it up was who knows how many years ago, when a past chieftain asked a Blue Sea adventurer about it.
That's how they learned of Noland's legacy—and now this man had ntioned it on his own.
But the shock only lasted a mont before the chieftain regained his composure.
His voice was hoarse but calm as he asked:
"How do you…"
"Looks like we ca to the right place."
Sakazuki confird symbolically.
Then he pushed the boy beside him forward.
"This is a descendant of Noland. He ca here in search of Kalgara."
"What!!!"
"A descendant of Noland!!!"
The Shandians were in disbelief.
They looked at the small figure of Cricket. The chieftain trembled slightly, mouth opening and closing without words.
"Truly…"
Only now did he notice the chestnut-shaped hairstyle on Cricket's head, just like in the records passed down through generations.
His heart was overwheld with disbelief and excitent, and his body shook as tears stread down his cheeks.
"Great warrior Kalgara."
"Your sworn friend's descendant has co to find you."
The chieftain knelt down to look at Cricket, repeating "Good, good," overwheld with emotion.
"Good, good, good."
He took Cricket's hand and invited Sakazuki into the tribe.
Then he shouted to the crowd:
"Bring out the best of what we have! Entertain our honored guests!!!"
"Yes!!!!"
The Shandians showed their enthusiasm.
No one held anything back. As soon as the bonfire was lit, Cricket's table was piled high with food.
The chieftain sat next to Cricket, looking at him with warmth in his eyes, like he was his own child.
He chatted with Cricket cheerfully.
anwhile, the warrior who was hit earlier in the day solemnly walked up to Sakazuki and offered a large bowl of wine.
"Forgive my offense earlier today, powerful adventurer."
He drank it all in one gulp.
"It's fine."
Sakazuki also raised his bowl full of wine, gestured to the warrior, and downed it all.
The festive atmosphere reached its peak, with singing and dancing lasting until the crowd fell asleep late into the night.
The chieftain and the great warrior Kulon entered the tent.
They smiled gently at the sleeping Cricket. Sakazuki got up and followed them onto a large vine leaf.
The three sat cross-legged on the leaf, overlooking the tribe below. The chieftain spoke first.
"Honored adventurer, I noticed during the day that Cricket seed to be holding sothing back."
"Aside from tracing the steps of Great Warrior Kalgara, is there another reason you've co here?"
Sakazuki nodded and looked down at the camp.
"Yes. There is one more thing."
"Gan Fall entrusted us to pass along his wish for reconciliation."
Kulon beca agitated and was about to speak, but the chieftain stopped him.
He glanced toward the tent where Cricket was sleeping. After a long pause, he asked:
"Is this Cricket's wish as well?"
Sakazuki observed the chieftain's prolonged silence. If it were Cricket's choice—as Noland's descendant—the Shandians would surely accept it.
"No."
"Cricket hasn't made a choice, so the decision is still yours."
The chieftain gave a relieved smile and looked at Cricket's tent with increasing fondness.
But his expression soon darkened. Four hundred years…
"What a joke. Four hundred years of humiliation—how could a single word of reconciliation erase that?"
"These four hundred years…!!!"
"Enough, Kulon!"
The chieftain grabbed the agitated Kulon and shouted. The heavy look on his face revealed the turmoil in his heart.
"Four hundred years of hatred is understandable."
"No one has the right to interfere."
"Oh right, the lost Light of Shandora."
"It's at the top of the massive vine that runs through Upper Yard."
Sakazuki's calm voice echoed. No one could make this decision for them.
Then he stood and leapt off the vine leaf, leaving space for the other two.
It was destined to be a heavy night.
...
The next morning, Sakazuki led Cricket out of the tent. The chieftain in the distance looked exhausted.
Seeing Cricket erge, he perked up and walked over with a smile.
"Apologies, Sakazuki-san… we…"
"I understand."
Sakazuki nodded and patted Cricket, signaling him to say goodbye to everyone.
It was ti to leave. The Ark Maxim was the real priority.
The chieftain then called the villagers over to bid a reluctant farewell to Cricket.
As the two figures disappeared into the distance, even the strongest among the tribe—Kulon—had tears in his eyes.
He turned to look at the statue of Great Warrior Kalgara, lost in thought.
...
Blue Sea.
First half of the Grand Line, Derlick Island.
The battlefield between the never-ending war of the Endless War Nation and the Galzburg Kingdom.
A small town on the edge of their war zone.
Thud!
A figure was thrown to the ground. Nearby lay several bloodied and unconscious figures.
They wore military uniforms—but were clearly just kids.
Screech—!
A massive shadow, several tis larger than the children on the ground, appeared as a heavy jar scraped along the floor.
His eyes glinted with bloodlust as he looked at the children.
Crack!
The wine jar smashed into one of them, shattering on impact. High-proof alcohol spilled onto the unconscious children.
The alcohol seeped into their wounds, jolting them awake.
"Aghhhhh!!!!"
"Ugh…"
"What's going on?"
"This is…"
"Bu…Bullet."
"What are you trying to do!!!"
The groggy kids looked around in panic. Upon spotting Bullet, they suppressed their fear.
"Heh heh."
Bullet grinned and stepped forward.
He grabbed the neck of the first kid who had called his na. The boy couldn't speak under the chokehold.
He struggled in terror—but his limbs were already broken...
"Mmmph… mmph..."
Crack!
The sound of bones breaking echoed. The struggling boy went still. Bullet flung him aside and moved to the next.
"No!!!"
"Bullet, I was wrong!!!"
"Spare !!!"
"It was all Blade's idea!!!!"
"He forced us to do it!!!"
"Spare !!"
"No…!!!"
"Mmmphhhhhh!!!!!!"
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
No matter how they struggled, the rciless sound of bones breaking exploded in their ears. Then, darkness consud them.
Bullet walked over to the last one:
"Your turn."
This one was in the worst shape. All his limbs were broken. His tongue had been torn out.
He could only stare in horror as Bullet slowly approached.
Blade stared at Bullet's expressionless face, consud by fear.
He squird frantically, but it was useless.
He could only watch helplessly as Bullet reached for his head.
Bang!
It exploded like a waterlon. Blood splashed across Bullet's face, matching the bloodthirsty look in his eyes—ghastly and cruel.
Thud!
With a violent tug, he yanked off the dal from Blade's chest—the dal that should have been his.
He picked it up and solemnly placed it on the left breast of his uniform.
---
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