Enel was sent flying a great distance by Charles's punch, and before he even stopped his body scattered into arcs of electricity and vanished into the air.
What Charles imagined—that he'd roar "How dare you offend a god!" and charge back in for a beating—did not happen.
Nor did Charles expect that the next time he saw Enel would be when Luffy, fist first, slammed him into the Golden Bell.
And as Charles wished, he heard the bell voice that people had likened to a song. That sound also signaled a new era for the sky island.
But those weren't Charles's concerns. After a lap of sightseeing, he and Stella left the sky island.
Getting back down to the Blue Sea posed no danger at all for two people who can fly, and nothing unexpected happened.
Charles had found quite a few Eternal Poses to various islands back in Mock Town, so after returning to the Blue Sea the two drew lots to decide their next stop.
Stella fished out an Eternal Pose labeled St. Poplar; before Charles could ask, she tightened her grip and crushed it to dust.
Seeing his confusion, Stella smiled. "Sorry, couldn't control my strength. I broke it before I even saw where it pointed!"
Charles, keen as ever, sensed he shouldn't press and said, "No problem. Let's try again. Just be careful this time, okay?"
Stella exhaled. The reason she'd done it was because St. Poplar is better known as the City of the Spring Queen.
St. Poplar is a Spring Island, with only one season year-round and a pleasant climate, a resort paradise.
The problem is it also has one of the biggest pleasure districts in the first half of the Grand Line. When prepping a travel plan for this world, Stella had put a big X on it.
After settling herself, Stella pulled another Eternal Pose. Seeing Pucci on the tag, she happily showed it to Charles.
"Ah, the gourmet city," Charles smiled. "Definitely worth a trip!"
Tom the fish-man shipwright, who once built for the Pirate King Roger, had a brilliant idea: to save Water 7 from sinking into the sea, he designed sea rails and a Sea Train to better connect the islands.
After the test line to Enies Lobby was finished, the World Government's first official line linked several islands most favorable to economic growth.
Gourmet City Pucci sits on that line. For the record, St. Poplar is the next stop after Pucci.
It's common in this world for an entire island or nation to center around a single culture or industry. As the name suggests, Pucci is an island built entirely around cuisine.
If Totto Land in the New World boasts the finest desserts in the world, then Gourmet City Pucci represents the world's highest standard of cuisine.
Having tasted Sanji's cooking, Charles had no small expectations for the place.
With their target set, the two headed for the gourmet city without hesitation.
They weren't far from Pucci, so after a catnap on Zhongming's back, the city was already in sight.
They landed quietly on an empty hillside and then walked into the famed town.
The Straw Hat Pirates' cook, Sanji, dreams of finding the All Blue—that legendary sea where fish from all four blues gather.
Gourmet City could be said to have replicated that by man's hand. It had ingredients from all four seas, the only other place that could say the same being the Holy Land Mary Geoise where the Celestial Dragons live.
Charles took a spoonful of cream cake Stella fed him. Sweet things like that were too cloying for his taste, but they were Stella's favorite. She drew the spoon back and immediately scooped a huge bite for herself.
Seeing the way her eyes smiled shut with happiness, Charles couldn't help smiling too.
In that instant, he understood the mindset of men throughout history who toppled kingdoms for a smile.
He made a silent resolution: even if he had to fight Big Mom, they'd make a trip to Totto Land.
While Charles and Stella were chugging around the island like a little train, on the other side of the island—
A restaurant that was usually bustling was now hushed, all because of a group sitting dead center.
The table was a mess of dishes, most of them empty, with only sauces left to prove they once held food.
And all those empty plates had effectively been cleared by one person.
A woman who looked about twenty sprawled grandly in her chair, both feet on the table. A meaty bone in her left hand, a plate of fried rice in her right, she kept chewing even as she talked.
She had straight, cherry-pink hair and a pretty face, but even by men's standards, her way of eating was reckless.
No wonder the place was empty—this group were pirates!
For pirates, the bounty is the most direct measure of strength and fame. Those who rack up a high bounty in a short time are naturally seen as having the greatest potential.
At some point, people began calling pirates who rose within a year to a 100 million beli bounty "Supernovas."
Not long ago, because the World Government had noticed Luffy, they raised his bounty to 100 million beli on the grounds that he'd been involved in the Alabasta affair, making him one of this year's Supernovas.
And this woman was a Supernova as well: the 140 million beli "Big Eater," Jewelry Bonney.
"Bonney!"
A big-bearded man in a cowboy hat ran in from outside, braced his hands on his knees, and said, "The people you told us to watch out for… someone saw them come to this island!"
Bonney kicked the table over, sending plates clattering to the floor. Even then, she didn't put her food down; she took another bite out of the meat instead.
"Looks like our luck's in! They even took down a Warlord. I want to see if they're really like the legend says—able to complete any commission!"
…
Ever since learning this world had a technique called Life Return, Stella had wanted to learn it—especially now.
After a whole afternoon of strolling and eating, even with an appetite far beyond ordinary people, she was completely stuffed. Hearing there was a gourmet festival that night, she was willing but not able.
Charles's belly was bursting too, so he pulled Stella along to find an inn and rest.
But as he pushed the door open, he spotted Bonney in the lobby, eating and drinking up a storm.
The way her aura shifted the moment she saw him told Charles she was here for him. Recognizing her, he was curious what she wanted.
So he walked right over and sat across from her.
Bonney swallowed and looked at Charles. "You the guy who'll take any commission?"
Charles showed the Fairy Tail emblem on his arm. "That's me. Little lady, looking to give me some business?"
______
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