At the entrance of Heaven's Gate, a ship built by the Shandia was moored quietly, carrying the warriors of the tribe. Leading them stood Wyper, flanked by Mantis, Raki, and Braham.
Nearby, Gan Fall, accompanied by two Sky Islanders, stood with Shirogai, Luffy, Nami, and Chopper.
"Great Warrior Kalgara, even at his death, stood tall and cried out: 'Light Shandora's light!'"
Wyper, wrapped in bandages, listened to the faint, ringing echoes of the Golden Bell—Shandora's light—with his eyes closed, peace finally settling in his heart.
"And his friend, Noland, was called a liar by the people below. Even on his deathbed, he never denied the truth of Shandora's existence."
Chopper's eyes shimmered with tears. "So touching…"
Luffy sat on the ship's railing, chomping meat with his usual grin.
"Hehe! Now that Shandora's bell has rung, they can finally rest easy!"
"Probably," Wyper murmured, voice tinged with regret. "It's a pity the sound came too late. If the Great Warrior's friend Noland had heard it when he returned to the Blue Sea, he might've realized we were sent to the sky by the Knock-Up Stream."
Nami nodded in realization. "So that's why your tribe fought so hard to reclaim God's Island. It wasn't just about land—you wanted to fulfill Kalgara's final wish."
"It's not just that," Wyper said, glancing at Gan Fall, whose head hung in guilt.
"Sky Island isn't truly our home. Our ancestors lived on God's Island—our true land. We fought not just for revenge, but to protect what our ancestors left behind."
What Wyper didn't say aloud was that the Shandia Tribe carried a sacred duty: to guard the stone tablet beneath the Golden Bell, ensuring its message would one day reach those destined to understand it.
"Uncle, your ancestors were jerks!" Luffy said bluntly, slapping Gan Fall's shoulder. "So return their land! And say sorry while you're at it!"
"What Luffy said makes sense," Shirogai said with a faint smile. "You owe them more than an apology, Gan Fall."
Gan Fall sighed deeply. "You're right. Even if you didn't say it, I planned to do so."
He bowed slightly, his aged face filled with remorse.
"Let's put the past aside for now."
Shirogai turned to Wyper with a knowing smile. "Do you know why I was so eager to bring you here?"
Wyper blinked. "No, Shirogai-san."
Enel's public execution—brought about by Luffy's hands—had changed Sky Island forever. The people's fear was gone, replaced by laughter and hope. Even the hatred between the Sky Islanders and the Shandia had begun to fade.
Still, Shirogai's purpose today was different.
"I regret Noland and Kalgara's story," Shirogai said softly. "Two friends, torn apart by fate. But… I want their story to continue through you."
Wyper frowned, confused—until he noticed ships approaching in the distance.
Recognition flashed in his eyes.
"Teacher… you mean…"
"Yes," Shirogai replied, smiling faintly. "Noland's descendants are aboard that ship."
"What?! Noland's descendants?!"
Mantis, Braham, and Raki froze, their eyes glistening.
Wyper's fists trembled as he stared toward the approaching ships.
"Great Warrior Kalgara, can you see this? We're meeting your friend's descendants at last… We've never forgotten Noland's kindness!"
---
Aboard the ships of the Ape Mountain Allied Forces—
"Ooh-chee-chee! Those are the Straw Hats!"
Shoujou, captain of the Shoujou Pirates, squinted at the figures near Heaven's Gate.
"Old man, look! Isn't that Shirogai and Straw Hat Luffy?!"
"Yes, I see them."
Montblanc Cricket nodded, relief softening his weathered face. He'd worried for them, but now—seeing them alive—his heart finally eased.
Then his gaze drifted. A man covered in bandages, with wild eyes and wings, stood among them. Something about him stirred Cricket's blood.
"That man…" he whispered. "Could he be…?"
At the same moment, Wyper stared back at him. That strange chestnut-shaped head—it matched the ancient descriptions of Noland the Explorer. His breath caught.
"This man… he's the descendant of Noland—the benefactor of our tribe!"
The world went silent.
Wyper and Cricket's eyes locked across the sea, time itself seeming to stop. Both felt the same ache, the same bittersweet emotion, as if carrying the will of two souls from centuries past.
"Kalgara…"
"Noland…"
Behind them, unseen by others, two translucent spirits took form—one a warrior with fiery eyes, the other an explorer with a kind smile. They gazed upon each other across the centuries, tears glimmering in the faint light.
"Finally… we meet again."
That silent exchange, across generations, mended what history had broken.
The regrets of two warriors were finally laid to rest.
As the bell of Shandora continued to ring across the sky, the sound carried not sorrow—but peace.
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Milestone
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