Chapter 42: Trash System 2.0 and the City of Gold
Aisa's words lit a fire under every Shandian warrior. They'd just been discussing how to take Apayado back from Enel; now one of the Four Priests was suddenly gone. The perfect opening had delivered itself.
With one priest down, Enel's forces were weakened. If they launched a full-scale attack now, they had a real shot at reclaiming their homeland!
No one doubted Aisa. The girl had been born with Mantra stronger than almost anyone's—even Enel's range wasn't much bigger—and she had never once been wrong.
Webber immediately gave the order: gather every Shandian warrior and launch an all-out assault on Apayado! Aisa wanted to come too, but Webber stopped her—she was still too young. Laqi, however, slung her beloved "Bass" (a giant sack of soil) onto her back and promised to bring lots more home for her.
…
Meanwhile, Luo Lin and Robin were strolling through the primeval jungle that was Apayado. The trees were absurdly huge, blotting out the sky. Insects chirped, birds sang—it felt like a relaxing hike.
Luo Lin walked in a daze. Just now the system had come back to life and proudly announced that all functions were fully integrated.
"Integrated?"
"Yes! Given that Host has reached the absolute peak of this world, this System will no longer issue missions!"
"Oh. So you're officially useless now."
"Of course not! After the upgrade, everything has been merged into one new feature: From now on, every time Host trains, you'll generate 'Cultivation Points.' This System will automatically collect them!"
"And what are Cultivation Points for?"
Cough cough! "Here's the important part! You can spend Cultivation Points in the System Mall! Anything you buy can be used by you or given to others! Amazing, right?"
"Pretty cool. Where's the mall? I don't see it."
"Uh… still under construction. It'll be ready in a few days!"
"Tch. Trash system. So what's in the mall?"
"Anything that exists in this world can be bought!"
The system pretended not to hear the insult. It had grown mature—it knew how to filter Host's toxic comments.
"Nothing outside this world?"
"There is! But this System can't get it!"
Luo Lin: ???
You say that so confidently?! Trash!
He angrily ended the conversation. Even after ten years and an upgrade, the system was still hopeless.
And honestly? At his current level, the only thing he really wanted from this world was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit anyway. And he was already here to take it.
…
Apayado was, of course, the other half of Jaya. Slightly larger than the half below, but still limited in size. Before long, the trees gave way to open space.
A vast expanse of ruins stretched before them—crumbling walls, broken pillars. Robin's pupils dilated with excitement. She dashed forward like a kid in a candy store.
"Hey! Robin-baby, wait for me!"
Every single time! The moment history appeared, he got abandoned. Marriage was hard!
…
Meanwhile, the Going Merry had entered Apayado's waters.
Nami clung to Luffy's neck, shaking him like a maraca.
"I TOLD YOU we shouldn't come here!! There's a GOD here!! I literally watched someone get struck by lightning!! Are you even listening?!"
Luffy ignored her completely.
Zoro finally stepped in.
"Nami, stop shaking him. He's the captain. If he misses this adventure, he'll regret it for the rest of his life."
(The original crew member understands him best—newbie gift pack.)
The river was ending. Nami collapsed onto the deck in despair.
"Waaah~ We're dead! I'm still so young!"
Luffy crouched beside her with a huge grin.
"Don't worry! We came to find Luo Lin and Robin anyway! And adventures like this are the best! Hehehe!"
"It's all your fault!"
Nami snapped, then froze.
"That ship up ahead… it's the Devil!! Thank goodness!! Luo Lin, Robin-nee, please be on board so we can leave this hellhole right now!!"
Her shout drew everyone's attention—especially Luffy's.
"Awesome!! They really came too!! Guys, adventure time!!"
As the Merry pulled up to the altar, the first thing they saw was a mountain of shrimp shells and fish bones. The campfire was still smoking.
Nami's eyes sparkled—clearly the two had just had a picnic here. She scrambled aboard the Devil.
"Luo Lin!! Robin-nee!! You there?!"
No answer.
She searched the cabins anyway. Empty.
"Seriously! Those two are lazier than anyone—how are they out exploring today of all days?!"
"They must be off adventuring too! So sneaky! Not even waiting for us! Hahaha!"
Luffy fanned the flames. Nami, already on edge, gave him two solid bonks.
"S-Sorry!"
"So scary!"
Luffy rubbed the lumps on his head and apologized while trembling.
Zoro leaned against the mast, arms crossed, looking cool as ever.
"Anyway, we should wait for them to come back. Or go look together."
Sanji lit a cigarette.
"With their strength, they're fine. They'll be back soon. Better not wander off—we'll just get separated again. Especially you, moss-head."
Zoro's face twitched.
"Curly-brow! Wanna die?! I'll cut you right now!"
"Did I say anything wrong, directionally-challenged idiot?!"
Instant fight.
"BE QUIET!!"
Nami shut them both down with a sigh.
"Fine. Sanji's right. The Devil's here, so they'll return. They're strong—nothing can hurt them. We wait."
Everyone agreed—except Luffy, who pouted like a kicked puppy.
"No way! I wanna adventure now!"
Nami switched to sweet voice mode.
"Luffy be good. Wait for Luo Lin and Robin, then we'll all go together! Adventure is important, but friends are too, right?"
"Nope! They'll be fine! I'm going alone!"
"Don't make me use force."
Her eyes turned murderous. Luffy shivered and instantly gave up.
Not scared—just respecting the navigator!
Then he noticed the pile of shells and bones.
"I'm hungry! Alright! Let's eat!"
Everyone: ???
"Didn't you just eat?!"
"Yeah, but we're stuck here with nothing to do. Might as well eat!"
Sanji sighed and headed to the kitchen.
"Then everyone, let's fish! The Merry's pantry won't survive this guy otherwise!"
…
Back with Luo Lin and Robin—they'd reached the very heart of the ruins.
From various steles, Robin learned about the golden city Shandora and that it had fallen exactly 800 years ago—perfectly matching the founding of the World Government.
Her theory: the World Government destroyed it to bury the Void Century.
That meant real history had definitely existed here—and was likely tied to those missing 100 years!
Robin grew more and more excited, scribbling notes as she walked.
But soon she frowned.
"This doesn't match the records at all!"
"Huh? It's not Shandora?"
Luo Lin was confused. He'd just read the name "Shandora" himself!
(Thanks to years of Robin's influence, he could now read ancient text at a kindergarten level.)
"The scale is way off… Island clouds… wait…"
Robin stared at the ground, then rushed to the tallest structure in the city center.
"Oh! So that's wrong—wait for me!"
Inside the building, more island clouds. Robin figured out the direction and started digging.
"Let me handle it!"
Luo Lin drew Mitama, ready to one-shot.
"WAIT! Don't destroy anything!"
Robin stopped him. Luo Lin awkwardly sheathed the blade and started digging like a good boy.
One layer of cloud later—they jumped down.
After hacking through countless vines, light appeared ahead.
"Wow… incredible."
They stood at an outlook.
Below them stretched an endless sea of ancient buildings—many still perfectly preserved after a thousand years. Murals depicted the city's former glory.
"The Golden City Shandora, fallen 800 years ago… I never imagined it would be this magnificent."
Robin gazed in awe for a moment, then leaped down.
Luo Lin sighed dramatically.
"My poor tired life… this is worse than shopping with her."
Robin walked solemnly through the ruins, lost in thought. Luo Lin followed quietly behind, not disturbing her.
Suddenly she froze, then sprinted to a crumbling building.
There was a stele—not the Poneglyph, but still written in ancient text. That was more than enough!
If she could read the city itself, the trip was already worth it.
She began reading intently. Luo Lin peered over her shoulder.
"Heart… history… great bell tower… uh, that's all I got. Robin-baby, what's it say?"
"'Keep your feelings in your heart and remain silent. We are those who weave history, together with the sound of the great bell tower.'"
"Ohhh! The great bell tower and golden bell! That thing's at the top of that giant vine!"
Luo Lin blurted it out without thinking.
Robin whipped around, eyes wide.
"How do you know that?"
They hadn't separated once, and he barely read ancient text. So how?!
Luo Lin: Oh crap, slipped!
It's fine to tell Robin, but explaining HOW he knows is awkward.
"Uh… I guessed?"
Robin stared at him with big sparkling eyes that clearly said: Do I look stupid to you?
Cough cough "Actually, when we first got to the island I scanned every corner with Observation Haki! I vaguely sensed something bell-shaped!"
"Really? I can use Observation too—why didn't I feel anything?"
"Ah, well… mine's top-tier! I can even see a little into the future, so finding stuff is easy! Haha… ha…"
Robin nodded—sounded reasonable. She bought it.
Luo Lin wiped cold sweat. Almost fried his brain making that up.
Short bursts of future sight were real, but using it to pinpoint a bell that hadn't moved in centuries? Pure nonsense.
Observation could feel living things and intent, not dead objects. And unlike Enel who combined it with his fruit to eavesdrop, normal Observation had no "search" function.
Lucky she believed him.
"Then let's go up!"
"Up? You mean the very top of the vine?"
"Of course! We didn't find the Poneglyph down here, and the golden bell is up there—so the Poneglyph might be too!"
"Well… that's not impossible. Makes sense. But that vine is insanely tall! Climbing would take all day! So I have an idea!"
"What?"
"How about I just chop the vine? Then the bell and Poneglyph both fall down here!"
"NO WAY! Something that huge would destroy the entire ruin! And what if there's something even more important up there?!"
As expected, instant rejection. History was Robin's second love after him.
"Then… it's getting late. How about we rest and go tomorrow?"
Luo Lin gave puppy eyes. That vine looked exhausting to climb.
Robin checked the sky—indeed almost dark—and agreed.
But they weren't planning to go back to the Devil…
…
Back with the Straw Hats.
After eating again and waiting forever with no sign of Luo Lin or Robin, Luffy finally lost patience.
At his nonstop begging, everyone (except Chopper, left to guard the ships) headed into the forest.
Then they got absolutely wrecked by another priest—Satori.
Chopper blew Gan Fall's whistle in desperation. Both he and the knight got beaten senseless.
Truly tragic.
They were only saved when the South Bird carried them up.
By nightfall, Zoro and the others returned. Chopper burst into tears of relief.
Weirdly, though Zoro always gets lost, he somehow reaches the destination fastest every time.
No one found Luo Lin or Robin—because the two were currently enjoying a sweet couple's getaway in the hidden city!
Luo Lin still hadn't given up his dream of "doing something more meaningful on the clouds."
Robin shut him down with one sentence:
"That 'God' can snipe people with lightning from halfway across the island. This is his territory—he could pop over to watch any second. Unless you don't mind…"
She delicately pinched the hem of her clothes.
Luo Lin's face turned charcoal-black and he hurriedly pressed her hand down.
"Damn you, Enel!! That's one more reason you have to die!!"
He cursed in his heart.
Robin watched his expression and smirked.
Got him♪ Hehe!
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