Today promised to be a defining day on Sky Island. The residents buzzed with conversation, reacting to the decrees issued by their new "God." Many held hope—these reforms sounded extraordinary, even dreamlike. Others eyed them with suspicion, wondering if hidden motives lurked behind the promises.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Rolan turned to Wyper, his expression soft but serious. "I understand that the land is your ancestral land, and that many of you resist sharing it."
Wyper lowered his gaze.
"It's enough for all of you to live without fear." Rolan paused, then added, "And I won't stop there. I plan to expand the Sky Island plate. More islands. More possibilities. More choice."
The Shandia Chief nodded slowly. "Understood, God. We will follow."
Rolan understood the unspoken distrust. Centuries of war and racial prejudice ran deep; reconciliation couldn't come overnight. Time, he knew, would be the only healer.
Then he smiled, calm and confident. "Tomorrow, I will take you to Shandora."
Shock rippled through the Shandia people. "Shandora? The Golden City?" Wyper's voice trembled in disbelief.
Rolan nodded. "Yes, the very Shandora in your legends—the city of gold, once the heart of your civilization."
—
The next morning, as the Shandia waited in front of the shrine, anxiety trembled in the air. They had waited long, but Rolan had not appeared. Whispers began to spread: Did he forget? Did he lie?
"God promised Shandora today," Wyper muttered to Kuro, worry in his voice for the seventh time.
Kuro nodded, his tone steady. "He meant it. He'll come."
Suddenly, the sound of whirring wind and distant thunder sounded overhead.
"Sorry! I kept you waiting." Rolan's voice came as a golden bell descended through the clouds—a massive, ornate bell, its surface shining in the sunlight. Rolan guided it gently down to the square.
Wyper, the Chief, and Gan Fall stared in disbelief. That shining object was unmistakable: the Golden Bell.
Tears welled in the Chief's eyes. "This is the Golden Bell we've guarded all these years. I'm sorry… Great Warrior Kalgara, we... we lost it for too long."
Wyper and Raki and others looked on, their eyes glistening with emotion.
Rolan flicked a pebble at the bell's surface, producing a single, deep dong. The sound echoed across the sky.
Far across Sky Island, Shandia villages stopped everything. When they heard the bell, silence fell. Then sobs. Some fell to their knees. Others hugged each other. How many years... how many long years...
On Angel Island, angels paused in their daily tasks. They tilted their heads, listening. What is that sound? they wondered. So beautiful, so pure.
—
Meanwhile, far below in the World of One Piece, on Jaya Island, Mont Blanc Cricket sat by the shore, soaked to the bone. He gazed upward, water dripping from his jacket.
"Could it be… the Golden Bell of the Golden City?" he whispered, voice trembling. For years, he had dived, searched, and believed. If the city wasn't in the sea, but in the sky… maybe everything he dreamed was true.
Tears rolled down his face. "Noland… you weren't a liar. The Golden City… it really exists."
Two Masira crewmates ran up. "Boss… is it real?" they asked with bright, hopeful eyes.
Cricket blinked through his tears. "Yes… yes, from now on, we're family. You don't have to dive with me anymore—not unless you want to."
His voice broke. "Live your lives. But always know... you're my family."
_______
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