The morning after the feast.
The Golden City lay nestled at the base of the Giant Jack, the colossal vine where Komurasaki and Maraptonoka had clashed. Robin explained this to the assembled group: the Straw Hats, Komurasaki, Sora, Enel, Gan Fall, and the Shandia warriors, who were now trudging through the forest.
While the future of the Shandia needed to be addressed, if the gold truly existed, its ownership rightfully belonged to them. Luffy and his crew, being pirates, weren't particularly concerned with such matters, but Komurasaki couldn't afford to be so cavalier. After consulting with Gan Fall, she had decided it was necessary to inform the Shandia.
"Here we are." Robin announced.
Ruins were scattered about, but the majority of the area was shrouded in clouds. The most significant changes since Robin's previous visit were the severed tip of the Giant Jack, which had crashed down, and the enormous hole that pierced all the way down to the Blue Sea.
Robin glanced subtly at Komurasaki, who pointedly looked away. It was clear that her opponent had been beyond any controlled force. Robin understood, but she couldn't help but cast a slightly reproachful look.
"It should be beneath these clouds. We need to find a way down, or perhaps cut a path through the clouds."
"Is the Golden City down there?"
"Probably. If Noland's words, 'I saw gold in the skull's right eye,' are true."
Considering the map, Noland's journal, and the location of the ruins, there was no other possibility. If they didn't find it here, then the Golden City had never existed. Fortunately, the hole Komurasaki had created was slightly offset from the ruins. Approaching it carelessly would mean a straight drop to the Blue Sea, making it difficult to utilize, but the fault line revealed a clear depression, or rather, a hollow beneath.
"So, we just need to get to the bottom, right?"
"...Try not to be reckless," Robin cautioned.
"Of course."
Komurasaki drew her sword, "Shunrai", and carved a square section out of the clouds, estimating the thickness based on the fault line. She then widened the opening and used a Milky Dial to create a makeshift path. Luffy, without a moment's hesitation, dashed down into the depths.
"Whoa...!!!"
"This is...!!"
"Wow...!!!"
"Incredible! So much gold!!"
Mountains of dazzling gold and jewels lay before them, a breathtaking sight that left everyone speechless. It was a treasure trove beyond imagination, amassed long before the island had been launched into the sky 400 years ago.
"I never imagined it would be on this scale," Komurasaki murmured.
"How beautiful..." Gan Fall breathed.
"To think, something like this was hidden underground, even though 'Twilight' investigated," Enel mused.
"This is... the city our ancestors protected..." the Shandia chief whispered.
While Luffy and the others ran around, excitedly grabbing handfuls of gold and jewels, Komurasaki and Enel gazed in awe at the splendor of the city. They considered stopping the pirates, but Martin and his cohorts had been thwarted thanks to them. The chief, aware of this, stated that they were welcome to take whatever they could carry. The warriors, who had failed to stop either Martin or Maraptonoka, had no right to object, or so it seemed.
"...Strange," Robin murmured.
"What is it?" Komurasaki asked.
"According to Noland's journal, there should be a 'Golden Bell' here... but I don't see it anywhere."
The Giant Jack pierced the center of the city, but there was no sign of the "Golden Bell" mentioned in Noland's journal. There was no other likely location. Had the bell not come to the sky after all? As Robin pondered this, the chief spoke.
"Young lady, you mentioned Noland's journal earlier...?"
"...He was an explorer who visited this island when it was still in the Blue Sea. His name was—Montblanc Noland."
"Montblanc... Noland...!?"
The chief's eyes widened in surprise, perhaps even more so than when he had first seen the Golden City.
Long ago, before "Upper Yard" had come to the sky, an explorer had visited Jaya. A man who had befriended Wiper's ancestor, the great warrior Kalgara, and who had later died a dishonorable death as a "liar."
"Hey, Robin!! There's no bell here!!?" Luffy shouted.
"I'm wondering about that myself. According to the journal, it should be here..."
"...Straw Hat boy. Why do you seek the Golden Bell?" the chief asked.
"A friend of mine is looking for the Golden City," Luffy replied.
"A friend?"
An ancestor branded a "liar," and a man who continued to search for what he believed should still exist. His name was Montblanc Cricket.
Wiper, listening silently behind them, gasped at the name.
"Montblanc Noland's... descendant... that man is searching?"
"Yeah. He's been diving every day, saying it sank into the sea, so I'm going to tell him. 'The Golden City was in the sky!'"
Luffy grinned innocently.
"But if we can't find the 'Golden Bell,' we're stuck," Nami interjected.
"Hey, Nami! Don't be so unromantic!" Usopp scolded.
"It's just the truth. If Robin can't figure it out, we're out of luck."
"Normally, it should be enshrined in the center of the city. But that's where the Giant Jack is... which means it was either blown further into the sky by the impact when this place was pierced, or it sank to the bottom of the sea."
"Hmm... the 'Golden Bell' itself probably exists," Enel stated.
He explained that when "Upper Yard" had come to the sky 400 years ago, the people of that time had heard the "island's song," which was likely the sound of the bell. If it existed, it would be near the top of the Giant Jack. If it had fallen into the sea, there was nothing they could do, but if it was in the sky, there was still a chance. It was worth searching for.
"Well then, let's have a look."
"Even if it did exist, how would you bring it here? It sounds like a pretty big bell."
"Hmm... I'll take a look and think about it."
Komurasaki said casually, and began to run up into the sky along Giant Jack. The tip had been cut off, making it shorter, but she could fly using "Moonwalk," so it wasn't much of a problem.
Enel and Sora looked up at Komurasaki as she ascended.
"I wonder if Kanata-sama made a mistake in her education? That woman acts before she thinks," Enel grumbled.
"Perhaps she prioritized strength? I've heard there are several children who are said to be Kanata-san's disciples, but that child is special," Sora replied.
"Special, huh," Enel muttered.
Enel knew that Komurasaki was being treated as special in some ways. The "Valkyrie" and "Einherjar" were essentially Kanata's elite direct subordinates, and the troops they commanded were, in effect, the "Twilight's" soldiers.
However, she was permitted to have soldiers who were not affiliated with "Twilight." This meant she possessed soldiers who did not take orders from Kanata. There were cases where a subordinate pirate became an "Einherjar" and rose to the rank of executive, commanding their former comrades as subordinates, but even in those cases, Kanata was at the top of the chain of command.
Currently, Komurasaki was the only one who had subordinates that Kanata's authority could not reach.
"Treating her too specially will cause friction, I think," Enel said.
"I'm not affiliated with 'Twilight,' so I don't know the details, but that person is probably thinking about that area, right? At least, the reason that child is being treated specially is because there is no one stronger than that child, I think."
"How pathetic," Enel scoffed.
"I think it's a bit much to have so many strong people, though..." Sora added.
While they were talking, Komurasaki returned. Luffy, holding a handful of treasure, asked about the results, and Zoro chided him, "Put that down first."
"To get to the point, it was there," Komurasaki reported.
"It was!?!""
"However, it's impossible to bring it down, so... later, we'll make a path with a Milky Dial and lower it down, I think that's best."
It was too physically heavy for an individual to carry. The footing was also bad, and unless one was Feiyun, it would be difficult to transport it alone. However, the bell seemed to be functioning properly.
Hearing this, Luffy, who wanted to ring the bell anyway, tried to climb the Giant Jack, but Usopp and Sanji stopped him by force. The tip had been cut off, so the height wasn't sufficient anyway. Even if he climbed, he wouldn't be able to reach it without flying.
When the discussion turned to what to do, Sora made a suggestion.
"Hmm... then, why don't we use that?"
"That?"
"The ship we're building! Wouldn't it be perfect for a test run? Besides, with that deck space, we should be able to load the Golden Bell, right?"
"...I think so. The space is sufficient," Komurasaki agreed.
"Kanata-sama's permission is required without exception. That's a military secret. I object to using it in a place where it can easily be seen," Enel countered.
The others were puzzled by the conversation between the three. Gan Fall had heard about it to some extent, but he had never seen it in action, so he was somewhat skeptical. In any case, they had to ask to find out. It would also require manpower to move. They needed to return once, to "Ohara."
***
"Very well," Kanata replied.
"Is it alright?" Enel asked, surprised.
"There's no problem. I was thinking we needed to do a test run, so it's perfect timing."
Kanata's permission was granted surprisingly easily, leaving Enel bewildered. However, she instructed them to keep the engine and weaponry out of sight of anyone outside their inner circle, and Enel immediately began to mobilize the researchers, who scurried about. Luffy and the others, who had tagged along, were utterly confused.
"And, Sora," Kanata added.
"What is it?"
"If your work is finished, I won't interfere with what you do after that. You're free to act with whomever you please."
Komurasaki was essential to this research, so she couldn't go, but Kanata wouldn't stop Sora herself from acting. Judge might complain, but she would just ignore him. Sora wasn't a child, and to begin with, she was in the position of a collaborator, so Kanata had no authority to restrict her actions. Besides, she understood, to some extent, the desire to be with a child she had met again after a long time.
"Thank you!" Sora replied.
"Tell Judge your destination later. He's been bothering me with calls."
"Of course!"
"You always have a good reply..."
Once she was free to move around, Sora's travels increased, and Judge often didn't know where she was. He hadn't neglected to inform him, but he had forgotten. She had assigned someone to monitor and contact her, but this time, Komurasaki, who had been in that role, wouldn't be accompanying her, which smelled of trouble.
Judge occasionally contacted Kanata, saying she had gone missing, but she didn't know all of Sora's destinations.
After finishing the necessary confirmation and hanging up the phone, Luffy and the others entered the laboratory's huge dock.
"What's this...!?"
"It's huge~~~!!!"
A ship as large as, or even larger than, the warships used by the Navy stood before them, leaving Luffy and the others speechless.
"The Ark 'Maxim'... a flying ship developed by 'Twilight'," Komurasaki explained.
"Flying!? This!? Does it fly!!?"
Powered by "lightning," the ship utilized silver, copper, and other highly conductive materials throughout its construction. It lacked the sails and rudder typically required for a ship, instead using propellers attached to various parts for altitude control, turning, and forward movement. Enel had once tried to attach a grotesque face to it, but the researchers had put a stop to that.
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, their eyes sparkling with excitement, were eager to explore, but given Kanata's earlier words, they had to give up on that. The Shandia, the Straw Hats, and the shipwrights and researchers who had been in Ohara boarded the ship, and once preparations were complete, Komurasaki took her place on the throne.
"Then, let's begin—200 Million V, 'Discharge'."
Lightning flowed from the throne to various parts of the ship. The researchers checked the engine from a safe location, confirming that it was operating normally, and reported to Komurasaki, who was sitting on the throne.
"We're taking off. Everyone, please be careful," Komurasaki announced.
The roof of the laboratory opened, and the Maxim gradually ascended. The sound of the air being struck was a bit loud, but that was the only thing that bothered them... As the ship gradually gained altitude and changed direction, flying towards the Giant Jack, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were constantly excited. Since arriving on this island, the Straw Hats had been nothing but surprised.
"Amazing!! It's going up and up!!"
Nami sighed at the three who were running around on the deck, which they had been given permission to explore freely. Robin, seizing the opportunity, was examining the shape of the island from above, and Pedro and Zepo were looking at the forest that Martin had burned.
"A considerable area has been burned," Pedro observed.
"I wish we could have done something more..." Zepo lamented.
"It couldn't be helped," Pedro reassured him.
Even though they knew that it wasn't their fault, given the enemy's troublesome constitution, it was still uncomfortable to see the Shandia grieving nearby. The feeling that they could have done something more would never disappear.
"We'll be arriving soon. Please prepare," Komurasaki announced.
The distance between Ohara and Upper Yard was not great, and since they were traveling through the sky, there were no obstacles, allowing them to head straight for their destination. They arrived sooner than expected.
A Milky Dial was used to create a path to the deck, and Luffy immediately ran to the base of the Golden Bell. It was partially covered in vines and moss, but since it was made of gold, which did not corrode, its grandeur was completely intact.
"This is... the 'Golden Bell'...!!"
Everyone was captivated by its beauty. Four hundred years ago, when "Upper Yard" had come to the sky, the source of the "island's song" that was said to have echoed throughout the island was this bell.
As those who had come down looked up at the bell, Robin and the chief looked at the base of the bell.
"There it is, after all. A Poneglyph..." Robin murmured.
"Is this what our ancestors tried to protect...?" the chief whispered.
Robin traced the ancient characters inscribed on the uncorrodible gold with her hand and slowly read them aloud.
"'Hold the true meaning in your heart and keep your mouth closed. We are those who weave history. With the sound of the great belfry.'"
"!! ...You, can you read those characters...!?"
The chief was astonished to hear Robin speak the words that had only been passed down orally. Even the chief, who knew the content through oral tradition, could not read the characters themselves.
"...A 'weapon' with the name of a god—'Poseidon'... its location," Robin continued.
"An ancient weapon!?"
"Why is something so dangerous... !?"
Ignoring the surprise of those around her, Robin pondered. Again, a weapon. Like in Alabasta, she wasn't looking for something like this... Robin was originally looking for inscriptions that recorded history, not those that described the location of weapons. Thinking that this was also a miss, she turned away without speaking, but the chief called out to her.
"Young lady, aren't the characters next to it the same?"
"Huh?"
Separate from the space prepared on the base, there were characters that seemed to have been carved by someone later. There had been nothing like this on previous Poneglyphs. Wondering, she read it, and this time, Robin was the one who widened her eyes in surprise.
"'I have come here, and will guide this text to the ends of the earth. Pirate, Gol D. Roger'... Could it be, the Pirate King came to this island!? Why these characters..."
As Robin was surprised and thinking, Komurasaki stroked the engraved characters with a nostalgic look. She had heard it from Kanata during the previous contact... or rather, from Izo, who had heard it from Kanata.
The Golden Bell, and the ancient characters carved on its base. The Roger Pirates had also visited here before, and Oden had carved it at Roger's instruction. Kanata had been dumbfounded, saying that it was like a school trip student scribbling on a cultural heritage site, but for Komurasaki, who had lost her father at a young age, the place where she could feel her father's presence was precious.
"Alright, let's ring it!!"
Cutting the entangled vines and confirming the operation, Luffy called out. By pulling the chains attached to both sides of the bell, it would ring by shaking. As if to show the reconciliation between the people of the sky and the Shandia, they pulled the chains in unison with Luffy's call.
—Clang.
—Clang.
The sound of the bell, unchanged from 400 years ago, echoed with a clear tone. Again and again. As if to show that they no longer needed to fight each other, and that the conflict was over. So that the Golden City was in the sky, and so that it would reach the person who should be told. Again and again.