Chapter 96: Skypiea – Banquet of Reconciliation & Sol's Grand Design
The sky before nightfall was dyed in a brilliant sunset glow. Sol and Luffy chose to build a massive bonfire right in the center of the battlefield where Sol had his earth-shaking duel with Enel.
This five-kilometer-wide circular clearing, scoured clean of grass by lightning and flames, had become a natural banquet venue.
The two were busy hauling back the timber Zoro had chopped from the forest to stack the bonfire platform. Luffy's exaggerated laughter rang out every now and then as he carried his share.
Over on Sanji's side, a temporary kitchen was already set up. Usopp and Chopper were frantically handling various ingredients while Nami led Robin and Vivi in decorating the venue.
The first to arrive were the Skypieans led by Gan Fall. After returning to Angel Island, the former "god" immediately freed the people who had been enslaved by Enel to build the Ark.
When they heard Enel had been defeated, many were still half in disbelief—until they saw Gan Fall's resolute eyes. Then they quickly mounted their wavers, loaded with abundant food and fine wine, and hurried over. Their faces carried joy at the end of Enel's tyranny, yet also a trace of apprehension about the new situation.
Watching the Skypieans bustling about, Sol couldn't help teasing: "Old man Gan Fall, you guys are this trusting already? Not afraid we'll become a second Enel?"
Gan Fall stroked his white beard, gaze profound: "This old man has lived long enough to have a good eye for people. You lot are completely different from that tyrant Enel."
He looked toward Luffy, who was helping Chopper carry ingredients, and a smile touched his lips: "Besides, even a monster like Enel was easily defeated by you. Even if we wanted to resist, it would be futile, wouldn't it?"
Those words made Sol burst into hearty laughter. He clapped the old man on the shoulder: "Don't worry—tonight will have a good ending. Let's just celebrate this victory properly!"
The Shandians arrived fashionably late to the sound of the banquet bell. When the two groups faced each other in the firelight, the air instantly grew thick with tension. Sol leaped onto the bonfire platform; Conqueror's Haki rolled out like a tidal wave, instantly suppressing both sides before they could act.
"Listen up!" His voice exploded through the night sky. "Enel has been defeated. From today onward, this sky island will fly the flag of the Straw Hat Pirates!" He swept his gaze across everyone, eyes blazing. "Whether Shandian or Skypiean—as long as this flag flies here, you will all be under our protection!
He shot a look at Usopp, who immediately understood and handed a brand-new pirate flag to Luffy.
Luffy grinned wide, raised the flag high, then planted it into the earth with a resounding thud. "From now on—you're all our comrades!" He thrust his arm upward. "Let the—feast—begin!!"
Sol lit the bonfire in one smooth motion. Towering flames instantly illuminated the entire night sky, reddening every face—whether shocked or excited.
"Ooooh!!!"
Cheers erupted like thunder, years of suppressed emotions finally released. The Shandian chief slowly walked toward Gan Fall. Under everyone's gaze, the two leaders finally clasped hands.
"It seems… this land has never truly rejected anyone." The old chief said with deep feeling.
"Indeed." Gan Fall looked at the singing and dancing crowd, firelight reflected in his eyes. "At least tonight, there are only ordinary people here who want peace."
Those words struck Wiper like a hammer. He was the only one still unwilling—how could four hundred years of blood feud be set aside so easily? Yet when he saw the long-lost smiles on his comrades' faces, saw children running carefree around the bonfire, an unprecedented confusion rose in his heart. His tense arms finally lowered slowly.
"Don't overthink it, Wiper." Raki gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tonight… just set everything aside for a while."
Wiper was silent for a long time, then let out a deep sigh and accepted the cup she offered.
The revelry lasted three full days and two nights. Fine wine dyed the cloud sea red; song scattered the piled clouds.
When morning light bathed the land once more, everyone knew a brand-new era was about to begin above these skies.
Under Sol's coordination, Princess Vivi and Nico Robin teamed up brilliantly to draft a detailed plan for peaceful coexistence between Skypieans and Shandians.
As a member of Alabasta's royal family, Vivi had followed King Cobra in state affairs since childhood and deeply understood ethnic reconciliation and livelihood development. Robin, with over twenty years of experience in the underworld and practical command of Baroque Works, had a unique insight into managing complex situations and human relationships.
The two outstanding women, after deep discussion, perfectly fused Alabasta's statecraft wisdom with underground organization management strategies, ultimately producing a comprehensive plan that balanced cultural identity, resource allocation, and power sharing.
The plan included not only short-term trust-building measures but also long-term blueprints for cultural exchange and economic cooperation. Preliminary assessments suggested that if steadily implemented, the two groups with four hundred years of enmity could achieve regularized co-governance within three years and deep symbiotic integration within five.
"Tch, if it were me, I'd just implement high-pressure rule. That's the easiest way." Enel walked ahead with hands behind his head, leading the way, voice full of disdain.
Sol shook his head helplessly: "That's just your personal opinion. True peace isn't built on military suppression."
"Cut the crap! Hurry up and take us to the Ark 'Maxim'!" Nami urged impatiently, eyes flashing with Berry symbols. "I can't wait to see my gold anymore!"
Since Sol had woken and treated Enel's injuries, he invited the former "god" to join the banquet. However, Enel hadn't mingled with the crowd's revelry. Instead he sat alone on a distant treetop, cradling a pile of food, coldly watching the Straw Hats' noise.
Even so, Sol's presence still awed him. Not only had Sol healed him, but he even allowed him free movement. Enel—who had originally planned to escape—ultimately gave up the idea.
"Once I reach the limitless earth and realize my dream…" He looked toward the distant sky, corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "I'll go to the Blue Sea and find you, Sol. Then we'll fight fair and square again."
This was the pact between them—a pact between "gods."
If he won, he could personally rip off the humiliating title of "Straw Hat Pirates subordinate." But if he lost again, he would have to bear that title forever and become an official member under the Straw Hat flag.
"Hmph, the Blue Sea has plenty of monsters stronger than you." Sol shoved hands in pockets and grinned fearlessly. "Until then, just be a good little subordinate."
Inside, his calculations clicked perfectly: wait for Enel to return from the limitless earth, defeat him once more—not only fully subjugating this Rumble-Rumble Fruit user as a subordinate, but also legitimately reclaiming all the gold Enel was keeping that couldn't fit on the Merry.
Truly killing two birds with one stone—steady profit, no risk of failure!
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