The lively celebration gradually settled into a warm evening beneath the stars.
Bonfires continued to burn across the restored Shandian village while music echoed through the branches of Giant Jack. Laughter still filled the air, yet the attention of everyone present remained fixed upon one man.
Arthur.
Only moments earlier, he had reminded everyone that he always kept his promises.
Luffy folded his arms impatiently.
"So?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear. "Where's the interesting thing?"
"Follow me." Arthur merely smiled.
Without another explanation, Arthur turned and began walking away from the celebration. His crew followed without question. Naturally, the Straw Hats exchanged puzzled glances before hurrying after him, joined by Gan Fall, Wyper, and several curious Shandian warriors.
No one wanted to miss whatever Arthur had planned.
As they left the village behind, the cheerful sounds of the festival gradually faded beneath the whisper of the evening breeze. Moonlight filtered through the towering branches of Giant Jack, illuminating narrow forest paths that wound deep into the ancient ruins of Upper Yard.
"...Where exactly are we going?" Usopp looked around uneasily.
"You'll see it soon."
"I don't like that answer."
"You'll like the destination."
"That's somehow even more suspicious!"
"You worry too much." Sugar laughed.
"I worry exactly the right amount!"
The group continued deeper into the forest until enormous stone structures began emerging from the shadows. Ancient walls covered with moss stood silently beneath the moonlight, their weathered surfaces bearing the marks of a civilization that had disappeared centuries ago.
Robin slowed her pace, quietly admiring the architecture.
"The craftsmanship..." She gently brushed her fingertips across a cracked stone pillar. "...It's remarkable."
"Shandora was far more prosperous than most people realize," Arthur said, following her attention toward the surrounding ruins.
"The city had already become legendary long before it disappeared into the sky." Gan Fall nodded.
"I'd like to explore everything once we finish here." Robin glanced toward the distant ruins.
"I thought you might." Arthur smiled.
The path eventually opened into an enormous valley hidden beneath Giant Jack's roots.
The entire group came to an abrupt halt.
Before them stood countless mountains of gold.
Gigantic statues.
Golden pillars.
Massive bells.
Broken weapons.
Decorations.
Jewelry.
Coins.
Treasure stretched farther than the eye could see, reflecting the moonlight like a sea of stars buried beneath the earth.
Silence.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
"...Gold..." Nami's eyes slowly widened.
"...Gold..." Usopp's jaw dropped.
"...Gold?" Chopper blinked repeatedly.
"So much..." Even Sanji forgot the cigarette between his fingers.
"Can you eat it?" Luffy tilted his head.
"NO!" Nami immediately grabbed his face.
"This was once part of Shandora's royal treasury." Arthur folded his arms.
"Most of it remained untouched after the war." Gan Fall smiled knowingly.
"Untouched?!" Usopp finally managed to speak.
"It isn't particularly useful." Wyper shrugged.
"...What?" Nami stared at him in disbelief.
"It shines." The Shandian chief crossed his arms.
"...Yes?"
"It's heavy."
"...Yes?" Nami looked as though her soul had left her body.
"And that's about it."
Arthur chuckled softly.
"For the people of the White Sea, gold has never been especially valuable."
"Our homes are built from Island Clouds." He walked toward one of the enormous golden statues.
"Our roads are made from clouds." He rested one hand against its surface.
"Our fishing grounds are clouds."
"Our forests grow on clouds."
"Gold can't build a house." He glanced back at the stunned Straw Hats.
"It can't repair a Cloud Road."
"It can't power a Dial."
"It can't grow Vearth."
"To us, fertile earth is worth far more than gold." Gan Fall nodded in agreement.
"The same goes for Impact Dials, Reject Dials, and many other Sky Dials," Wyper added. "Those are the treasures people here actually compete over."
"But I know someone who would disagree." Arthur's gaze shifted toward Nami.
"...Mine." Nami's entire body trembled.
"I promised I'd show you a place with more gold than you could ever carry." Arthur gave a satisfied nod. "I wasn't lying."
For a brief silence...
Nami simply stood there.
Then—
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!" She launched herself straight into the nearest mountain of gold.
Coins scattered everywhere as she disappeared beneath the glittering pile.
"My treasure!" She hugged armfuls of golden bars while laughing louder than anyone had ever heard before.
"So beautiful..."
"So shiny..."
"I think she's crying," Chopper whispered.
"She is," Sanji replied with a helpless smile.
"I've never seen anyone this happy."
"We're rich!" Usopp had already buried himself inside another pile.
"No," Nami immediately shouted from somewhere beneath the treasure mountain. "I'm rich!"
"OI!"
The entire clearing erupted into laughter.
Arthur waited until the excitement gradually settled before speaking again.
"Luffy."
The Straw Hat captain looked up from poking a golden statue's nose with his finger.
"Hm?"
"If your dream truly is to reach the final island..."
"It is." Luffy nodded without hesitation.
"...Then there is something you should know."
His calm voice naturally drew everyone's attention.
"The greatest obstacle isn't finding Laugh Tale."
"It never was."
"What do you mean?" Nami looked away from the treasure.
Arthur picked up a small stone and tossed it casually into the distance.
"The sea doesn't reveal the way to the final island."
"It hides it." Vivi quietly narrowed her eyes.
"To reach Laugh Tale..." Arthur continued. "...you must first gather four Road Poneglyphs."
Silence fell once more.
"Road... Poneglyphs?" Usopp repeated.
Arthur nodded.
"They're different from ordinary Poneglyphs."
"Their stones are crimson."
"They don't record history."
"They reveal directions."
"Only when all four are brought together can someone discover the location of the world's final island."
"So such stones truly exist..." Even Zorro looked surprised.
"They do." Arthur nodded once.
"So... we just have to find four red rocks?" Luffy scratched his cheek.
"In theory, yes. But... "
"In reality..." Arthur shrugged lightly. "...finding even one is enough to shake the entire world."
Luffy stared blankly for a moment.
"That's easy!" Then his familiar grin slowly returned. "We've got Vivi!" Luffy proudly pointed at Vivi.
"Me?" Every eye shifted to Vivi.
"You can read Poneglyphs!"
"So if we find the red ones..." Luffy laughed. "...you'll take us all the way to Laugh Tale!"
Vivi stood speechless for several seconds before smiling softly.
"I... suppose I could."
"Perhaps." Arthur simply smiled as the conversation unfolded.
"Or perhaps fate simply intended for all of you to meet." His eyes drifted briefly toward the distant night sky.
For a fleeting moment...
No one noticed the faint smile that crossed Robin's face.
Nor the thoughtful look that appeared in Arthur's eyes as he gazed toward the endless horizon beyond the clouds.
The conversation slowly faded back into laughter as Nami resumed stuffing handfuls of gold into sacks, while Usopp desperately argued that he deserved an equal share.
Arthur merely watched them for a moment before slipping one hand into his coat.
"There is one more promise I intend to keep tonight."
As he withdrew his hand...
A faint silver light shimmered around the storage ring on his finger.
One after another...
Objects began appearing upon the grassy clearing.
A sword.
An ornate spear.
Ancient books.
Strange tools.
Rows of beautifully carved treasure chests.
Then—
Fruit after fruit emerged into the open air.
Some were crimson.
Others emerald green.
Purple.
Blue.
Golden.
Each bore the unmistakable spiral patterns unique to Devil Fruits.
The number continued growing.
Ten...
Twenty...
Thirty...
Until dozens of Devil Fruits rested neatly upon the ground.
Complete silence followed.
Even the evening breeze seemed to pause.
"...A-Are those..." Usopp's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Devil Fruits..." Chopper gulped.
"...How many has this guy collected?" Sanji slowly removed the cigarette from his lips.
"So many..." Even Zorro looked speechless.
"I've never seen even one before today." Wyper folded his arms.
Arthur let his eyes sweep across the Straw Hats.
"When we first met in Alabasta..."
"I promised I'd prepare a few gifts when we meet again."
"Really?!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"I don't make promises I don't intend to keep."
He glanced across the collection before continuing.
"Most of these are Devil Fruits."
"Others are rare artifacts or weapons gathered during our travels."
"I don't intend to keep everything forever."
"So..." Arthur gestured toward the collection. "Choose."
The Straw Hats stared blankly.
"...Just like that?" Usopp asked.
"If a treasure remains locked away forever..." Arthur nodded. "...then it serves no purpose."
Time seemed to stand still.
It was Vivi who quietly stepped forward first.
She slowly walked among the countless Devil Fruits, carefully observing each one instead of immediately reaching for the most impressive-looking specimen.
Arthur watched her in silence.
"You already know what each one does?" Vivi asked.
"Most of them."
She continued walking.
There were fruits capable of producing fire.
Others surrounded by cold.
Several looked so unusual they seemed almost alive.
Each possessed unimaginable value.
Yet Vivi passed every one of them.
Eventually...
She stopped before a modest fruit wrapped in elegant ribbon-like patterns.
"This one..."
"The Ribbon-Ribbon Fruit." Arthur replied calmly. "A Paramecia."
"It allows the user to freely create and manipulate ribbons."
"It isn't the strongest one here."
"No." Vivi gently picked it up.
"It isn't the rarest either." Arthur folded his arms. "So why?"
"I don't need overwhelming power." Vivi smiled softly.
She reached out and rested a hand on Karoo's neck, who stood faithfully beside her.
"I only want something that can help protect the people important to me."
"A fitting choice." Arthur nodded with quiet approval.
Without another word, Vivi thanked him before carefully storing the fruit inside her bag.
Karoo tilted his head curiously.
"Kwa?"
"Don't worry." Arthur laughed.
"I didn't forget about you."
The giant duck immediately straightened.
He reached back toward the remaining collection and picked up another Devil Fruit unlike the others.
Its surface resembled overlapping scales, while leaf-like spirals curled around its skin.
"This..." He tossed it gently toward Karoo. "...is yours."
Karoo barely caught it with his wings.
"Kwa?"
"It's an Ancient Zoan."
"Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Tapejara."
Everyone looked confused.
Arthur continued.
"It grants the ability to transform into an ancient flying reptile."
"It's smaller than a Pteranodon."
"But considerably faster."
"And perfect for carrying one or two passengers."
Karoo stared at the fruit.
Then at Vivi.
Then back at the fruit again.
"...Kwa?"
"You can eat it."
Karoo hesitated.
He cautiously pecked at the fruit.
Crunch.
One bite.
Immediately—
"KWWWWAAAAAA!!"
Karoo's entire body stiffened.
His face twisted in horror.
He rapidly flapped both wings while desperately trying to spit the fruit back out.
"It's horrible!" Usopp shouted.
"I forgot Devil Fruits taste awful!" Chopper covered his mouth.
Karoo somehow forced himself to swallow the remaining bite.
The transformation happened instantly.
Blue energy surrounded his body.
His feathers expanded.
His body grew larger.
His wings stretched wider before changing into enormous leathery membranes.
A long crest extended from the back of his head, while powerful hind legs replaced his ordinary duck-like posture.
Within moments...
A magnificent Tapejara stood where Karoo had been.
Moonlight reflected beautifully across his colorful crest.
His broad wings spread proudly.
"...Kwa."
The voice remained exactly the same.
Silence.
Then—
"SO COOL!!" Luffy was the first to shout.
"You can fly now!" Chopper ran excitedly around Karoo.
Karoo flapped once.
A powerful gust swept across the clearing before his enormous body rose effortlessly into the night sky.
He circled above Giant Jack once before descending smoothly beside Vivi.
"You look amazing." The princess gently rested one hand against his neck.
"Kwa!" Karoo puffed out his chest proudly.
"I thought the two of you would travel well together." Even Arthur smiled.
Meanwhile...
Another pair of eyes had already wandered elsewhere.
Zoro quietly stared at a single ceramic bottle resting near Arthur's feet.
Arthur noticed immediately.
"You have a good eye." He picked it up before tossing it toward the swordsman.
Zoro caught it with one hand.
"...Liquor?"
"The finest I've ever made."
Zoro uncorked it.
A rich aroma immediately drifted into the air.
"...This smell..." His eyes widened.
Arthur smiled.
"Only one other swordsman has ever shared a bottle with me."
Zoro looked up.
"...Who?"
"Pirate King's right hand, Silvers Rayleigh."
For the first time that evening...
Zoro looked genuinely speechless.
Without another question, he carefully closed the bottle again.
"...I'll save it."
Arthur merely nodded.
Nearby, Sanji had been quietly observing everything.
Arthur reached toward another section of the collection before producing a small crystal container.
"I also have something for you."
Sanji accepted it curiously.
"What is it?"
"A serum." Arthur answered honestly. "It could awaken the dormant genetic modifications left behind by your father."
Silence settled briefly between them.
Sanji looked down at the vial.
His expression gradually became unreadable.
Then...
"No." He calmly returned it.
"You don't even want to know what it can do?" Arthur accepted it back without surprise.
"I've spent my whole life proving that I don't need his blood to become strong." Sanji lit another cigarette.
"If I ever surpass him..." He exhaled slowly. "...I'll do it as myself."
"I expected that answer." Arthur studied him for several moments before smiling.
"In that case..." He returned the vial to his storage ring.
Baby-5 stepped forward carrying a thick leather-bound notebook alongside several neatly sealed wooden boxes.
"Captain told me you'd probably refuse." She smiled warmly. "So I prepared something else."
Sanji opened the notebook.
Inside were hundreds of carefully organized recipes collected from kingdoms across every Blue Sea and countless islands of the Grand Line.
Each page contained detailed cooking methods.
Ingredient substitutions.
Preparation techniques.
Even handwritten notes from Baby-5 herself.
"...You made all of this?" His eyes widened.
"And these." She nodded happily.
The wooden boxes were opened one after another.
Rare spices.
Dried herbs.
Seasonings impossible to obtain anywhere else in the world.
"I figured those would suit you better." Arthur folded his arms.
"...Thank you." Sanji carefully closed the notebook before giving Baby-5 a sincere smile.
"Take good care of them."
"I will."
Nearby, Usopp had already begun pacing excitedly around the remaining treasures.
"I don't suppose..." He rubbed his hands together nervously ."...you've got something for The Great Captain Ussop?"
Arthur reached into another chest before withdrawing what appeared to be an ordinary white Dial.
"I've been saving this."
Usopp accepted it carefully.
"...A Dial?"
"Step Dials. Reject Dials. Bullet Dials... and many others."
Usopp blinked.
"I've never heard of that one."
"Most people haven't." Gan Fall looked genuinely surprised. "I thought those Dial had disappeared decades ago."
"They're exceptionally rare now." Arthur nodded.
Usopp's eyes slowly widened as countless ideas immediately began racing through his mind. A grin spread across his face.
"...I can already think of dozens of inventions."
"I had a feeling you would." Arthur chuckled.
At the edge of the gathering, Chopper bounced excitedly from foot to foot.
"So..." He pointed toward himself. "...Is there one for me too?"
Arthur smiled.
"Of course."
He reached into his storage ring one last time.
A strange metal machine appeared before everyone.
It was compact, brightly polished, and topped with a transparent spinning bowl.
"...What's that?" Chopper tilted his head.
Arthur pressed a small switch.
The machine hummed softly.
Moments later...
A fluffy white cloud of cotton candy began spinning into existence.
Chopper froze.
"COTTON CANDY!!" His eyes became stars.
"You mean..." He rushed forward, practically dancing around the machine. "...I can make this anytime I want?!"
"It's yours." Arthur nodded.
"THANK YOU!!" Chopper hugged the machine so tightly that he nearly tipped it over.
"I LOVE IT!" He spun around in circles while laughing louder than anyone else.
The others couldn't help smiling.
Watching Chopper that happy was contagious.
"Enjoying yourself?" Law quietly stepped forward.
"The best gift ever!" Chopper nodded vigorously.
"I wouldn't say that just yet." Law smiled faintly.
Everyone turned toward him.
Law opened a small case he had been carrying.
Inside rested dozens of carefully preserved medicinal herbs cultivated aboard the Athena—plants gathered from every corner of the world and nurtured for years under controlled conditions.
He placed the case into Chopper's trembling hands.
Alongside it came another gift.
A thick journal.
Every page was filled with Law's personal research, surgical techniques, disease records, herbal studies, and medical observations collected throughout his journey.
Chopper slowly opened the first page.
His breathing stopped.
He turned another page.
Then another.
His hands began trembling.
"...This..." His voice cracked. "...Doctor Law..."
Law scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I've already memorized most of it."
"I figured someone should inherit the rest."
Chopper looked from the journal...
...to the herbs...
...then back toward Arthur and Law.
"This..." Tears streamed freely down his cheeks. "...This is the greatest treasure I've ever received."
"Become a doctor who surpasses me." Law gave him a small smile.
Chopper threw himself forward without warning, wrapping both Arthur and Law in the tightest hug his tiny body could manage.
"I WILL!"
Laughter continued beneath the ancient branches of Giant Jack long after the gifts had been exchanged.
Some explored the ruins.
Others continued eating and talking beneath the stars.
Robin slipped away unnoticed from the gathering and returned to the forgotten stones of Shandora.
There were still countless inscriptions waiting to be read.
Countless voices from the past waiting to be heard.
...
Meanwhile...
The Log Pose resting inside the Going Merry clicked softly.
Its needle, which had spun aimlessly for days, finally came to a stop.
"...It's pointing." Nami immediately noticed.
"So we're leaving?" Luffy looked over.
"The Log Pose has recorded the island." She smiled. "Our next destination is waiting."
The announcement immediately brought the celebration to a close.
Shandians began helping carry supplies toward the Going Merry.
Gan Fall personally prepared provisions for the voyage.
Children rushed back and forth carrying baskets of fruit while everyone exchanged warm farewells.
The time to leave Skypiea had finally arrived.
Arthur remained where he was for a while, silently observing the harbor.
At last, his attention settled on the Going Merry.
The Going Merry rested peacefully beside the clouds, illuminated by the evening light. Fresh repairs covered parts of the hull. New wooden planks stood beside older ones. Several sections had clearly been reinforced more than once.
Arthur's eyes lingered upon the ship for several moments.
Then...
Arthur walked toward the ship. He rested one hand against the wooden railing. For several seconds...
He simply felt the ship.
"Luffy."
"Hm?" The Straw Hat captain turned around.
"If you're serious about reaching Laugh Tale..." Arthur's gaze remained fixed upon the Merry. "...replace your ship."
The entire dock fell silent.
"What?" Luffy blinked.
"The keel has been damaged." His voice remained completely calm. "The hull and mast have undergone too many repairs."
"It won't survive the journey to Laugh Tale." The words echoed far louder than anyone expected.
"...What are you talking about?" Luffy frowned.
"If you truly intend to reach the final island..." Arthur answered without wavering. "...replace this ship."
Silence followed.
No one answered immediately.
The words hung heavily in the air.
Then—
"What did you just say?"Usopp stepped forward.
His expression immediately darkened.
"You heard me." Arthur answered without hesitation. "Get another ship."
"No!" Usopp's reply came instantly. "Merry brought us this far!"
"We're not abandoning her!"
"That's a pretty awful thing to say." Sanji's expression hardened.
"Merry's fine!" Chopper wrapped both arms around the ship's railing. "We'll keep fixing her!"
Even Zoro narrowed his eyes.
"Emotion won't repair broken wood." Arthur met Usopp's glare without hesitation. "It'll only delay reality."
"You don't know anything!" Usopp shouted. "You've barely even seen her!"
"I've seen enough."
The tension thickened.
Only Vivi remained silent. Vivi quietly lowered her gaze.
Arthur never argued. He simply looked toward one person.
Nami.
"As navigator..."
"...do you understand what I'm saying?"
Everyone unconsciously turned toward her. Nami lowered her head. She had noticed. She simply refused to admit it.
Countless memories flashed through her mind.
Emergency repairs.
Cracks spreading beneath the deck.
The mast trembling during storms.
The increasingly difficult maintenance after every island.
After several long seconds...
"...Yes." Her answer was barely louder than a whisper.
Arthur smiled faintly. That single word was enough. He had never intended to convince the others.
Only the navigator.
"Nami?" Luffy's eyes shifted between Arthur and Nami.
"As navigator..." Her voice grew quieter. "...I've known for a while."
She forced herself to continue.
"Every storm..."
"Every impact..."
"Every emergency repair..."
"...it's getting harder."
"Nami..." Usopp stared at her in disbelief.
"I've never found the right moment to say it." She couldn't meet his eyes.
Arthur offered no further argument.
There was nothing left to say.
Some truths could only be understood after being lost.
Luffy quietly looked back toward the Going Merry.
Then toward Arthur.
Neither spoke.
The conversation ended there. Not because anyone had changed their mind. But because everyone understood it wasn't a discussion that could be resolved tonight.
"I've said everything I needed to." Arthur slowly stepped away from the Going Merry.
"We don't need your advice." Usopp glared at him.
"I know." Arthur simply nodded.
He turned around without another explanation. The members of the ART Pirates quietly followed behind their captain.
No one defended him.
No one argued.
Sometimes...
The truth only hurt more when someone tried to justify it.
Behind them, silence lingered.
Luffy's expression had darkened.
Usopp continued glaring at Arthur's back.
Sanji looked away with obvious irritation.
Even Chopper hugged the Merry more tightly than before.
For the first time...
Several members of the Straw Hats found themselves genuinely disliking Arthur.
Only Nami remained standing beside the ship.
She gently rested one hand upon the weathered railing.
"...Please..." She whispered so softly that no one else heard. "...Prove him wrong."
Arthur never turned around. He already understood. Time would eventually answer the question far better than he ever could.
He stopped only once.
High above them...
The Golden Bell gleamed beneath the sunlight.
"One last farewell?" Gan Fall smiled knowingly.
"I think..." Arthur nodded. "...Straw Hat deserves one more song."
Together, they climbed the enormous roots of Giant Jack until they stood before the legendary Golden Bell.
Below them...
The Straw Hats, the Shandians, and every citizen of Skypiea looked upward in silence.
Arthur wrapped both hands around the ancient rope.
His eyes met Luffy's one final time.
Neither of them spoke.
No words were exchanged.
None were needed.
Then—
Arthur pulled.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN—
The Golden Bell rang. Its majestic voice spread across Upper Yard.
Across Angel Island.
Across the White Sea.
Across every cloud drifting beneath the endless sky.
The sound carried four hundred years of fulfilled promises.
The promise between Noland and Calgara.
The promise between Shandora and Skypiea.
And now...
The final farewell to the island in the sky.
Not a single person moved.
Listening.
Remembering.
"The voice of history..." Robin quietly closed her eyes.
"The voice of peace." Gan Fall smiled peacefully.
Even Wyper lowered his head in respect.
Luffy found his eyes drifting back to Arthur once more.
The irritation remained.
But somewhere deep inside... Arthur's words about the Going Merry refused to leave his mind.
Arthur released the bell's chain.
The final echoes faded into the endless heavens.
"Let's go." He turned his back to the Golden Bell.
The ART Pirates began descending Giant Jack without looking back.
Behind them...
The Straw Hats quietly began preparing their ship for departure.
Ahead of them...
Far beyond the clouds...
Beyond the Grand Line...
Beyond every sea known to mankind...
Something long dormant finally awakened.
A weathered stone chamber hidden deep beneath the earth.
Four enormous crimson stones stood in absolute darkness.
One of them...
Faintly reflected an unseen light.
As though answering the distant voice of the Golden Bell.
Somewhere nearby...
A pair of eyes opened.
"...So..." An unfamiliar voice echoed through the darkness. "...someone has finally begun moving the pieces."
The chamber fell silent once more.
Only the distant echo of the Golden Bell continued to resonate...
...as though announcing to the world that the race toward the final island had truly begun.