# Chapter 67: New Members Join, Great Warrior Wiper Pledges Allegiance!
The Shandian village was called Cloud Village, home to thousands of Shandians who had lived in seclusion there for over four hundred years.
Although Bane intended to take the Golden City, he'd left the golden bell with the Shandians—a gesture of goodwill. After all, that bell held special meaning for them.
The Shandians clearly appreciated Bane's kindness. At this moment in the Cloud Village, Bane's crew and the Shandians were singing, dancing, feasting, and enjoying barbecue together.
As darkness fell, Great Warrior Wiper regarded Bane with increasing disbelief.
'This guy can really eat, can't he?'
Before they'd arrived at Cloud Village, the villagers had prepared enormous quantities of special barbecue and delicacies, believing it would satisfy Bane and his group's appetites.
Bane's subordinates and companions had indeed eaten their fill—even Issho appeared well-fed and comfortable.
But Bane exceeded Wiper's imagination. He'd been eating since arrival without stopping. Rather than chewing slowly, he devoured food without restraint. One would expect him to become full quickly with such ravenous eating.
Yet he showed no signs of stopping.
"Braham, take the warriors hunting tomorrow," Wiper called to a Shandian warrior.
Braham looked puzzled. "There are still plenty of supplies in the village. Isn't that enough?"
"Where is 'enough'?" Wiper pointed toward Bane. "The village's food will last two days at most. We need to hurry."
Wiper felt some regret now. He'd been deceived by Bane's promise to "eat as much as he wanted." But Shandians valued promises above all else, so he couldn't complain now.
Then again, Bane and his crew were their benefactors—Wiper felt this was what they should do.
After discussing these matters briefly, Braham couldn't help asking, "Didn't Bane invite you to go with him? What are your plans?"
When this topic arose, Wiper's expression grew somewhat silent. Braham could see his hesitation and internal struggle, indicating he was indeed tempted.
"I haven't decided yet," Wiper said after a moment's hesitation.
Braham studied Wiper's face, flickering in the bonfire light, and finally spoke up: "Maybe you should go with them. After all, they're great benefactors to our Shandians. We've fulfilled our ancestors' wishes now. As you know, the village chief originally shared the same vision as Angel Island's Gan Fall, but Enel's existence prevented peace talks from continuing. Now that Enel is dead, no obstacles remain between us. This four-hundred-year war should end. We Shandians don't want to shed blood anymore. So you needn't worry about us."
"You don't want to drive me away so you can inherit my title and status as Great Warrior, do you?" Wiper looked at his brother with amusement.
Braham laughed as well. "I didn't expect you to see through me."
Both brothers burst into laughter. After their mirth subsided, Wiper sighed. "The village is finally about to welcome peace and a new beginning. If I leave now..."
"We all know how aggressive you are. If you stayed, you might even become an obstacle to peace talks," Braham complained.
Wiper was about to retort when Braham spoke softly: "Besides, don't you want to see how vast this world is? Do you really want to remain a frog in a well forever? If you miss this opportunity, you may never meet people like Bane again."
Wiper, who'd wanted to respond, fell silent again. This time, his eyes sparkled in the darkness as his previously hesitant expression and uncertain mentality gradually settled, replaced by determination and resolve.
"If I hadn't met Bane and the others, I might have wanted to stay here protecting the village forever. But now I've seen a wider sky. I might regret not leaving this time," Wiper said solemnly.
"Then carry the glory of us Shandians with you. Go with them to Sea, to the place where our ancestors once lived. See the endless blue sea, and then... let the name of Shandian warriors resound across the seas!" Braham patted Wiper's shoulder.
As if inspired by these words, Wiper spoke with growing excitement: "I'll make our ancestors' glory resound throughout the world again!"
Wiper wasn't one to procrastinate. Though he'd been uncertain about accompanying Bane before, now that he'd decided, he wouldn't hesitate further.
He stood and quickly approached the village chief. After exchanging brief words, the chief patted his shoulder with satisfaction, seemingly affirming his decision.
Then Wiper walked directly to Bane.
At that moment, Bane was stuffing pieces of sky beast meat into his mouth. Seeing Wiper approach, he raised his hand and gestured for him to sit anywhere. Wiper found this amusing—'It's as if Bane owns the village.'
He sat across from Bane, who had just swallowed his food but still spoke somewhat indistinctly: "Care for a drink?"
"Of course." Wiper picked up an empty glass and poured himself wine. "I've made my decision. I'm leaving here with you."
"Hahahahahaha." Bane raised his glass and clinked it with Wiper's. "You're very welcome. It seems my Sky Island visit has been quite fruitful."
"You've harvested an entire golden country," Wiper took a sip of wine and teased.
But Bane responded with complete seriousness: "In my opinion, you're more valuable than the Golden Land!"
Wuper was stunned momentarily, as if not expecting Bane to regard him so highly. After a moment's silence, he drained his wine in one gulp, then spoke in a deep voice: "You helped us Shandians achieve our centuries-old goal and washed away our ancestors' shame. So to me, you're my great benefactor. We Shandian warriors repay our debts. From now on, I fight for you. No matter who your enemies are, I'll take their heads for you!"
As he spoke, Wiper picked up a carving knife from the table and cut his thumb, drawing blood.
Then Wiper drew two lines on his chest and forehead with the blood.
Bane watched Wiper's actions with some confusion. Wiper seemed to notice his bewilderment and spoke seriously: "This is a Shandian pledge of allegiance. Now I've sworn loyalty to you, Lord Bane!"
Seeing Wiper's serious expression, Bane felt somewhat moved. He nodded gently, accepting Wiper's loyalty, then smiled and said, "Just call me Bane. 'Lord' feels too distant."
Wiper smiled at this, setting aside his serious demeanor. "All right, Bane."
With that, Wiper had joined Bane's crew.
Shandian warriors valued commitment and honor above all else. Having sworn allegiance to Bane, Wiper would never betray him and would remain loyal until death.
Bane held great trust and recognition for Wiper's character. Even though Wiper had just pledged allegiance, Bane was already planning to train him with full effort.
Wiper possessed excellent physical fitness and willpower. He'd participated in battles since childhood and had rich combat experience. His only flaw was being trapped on Sky Island previously, limiting his perspective. If he could master Haki and become a Devil Fruit user, Bane believed his future achievements wouldn't disappoint.
Speaking of abilities, Bane still possessed the Sand Sand fruit. He wondered if Wiper would be willing to eat it.
However, Bane temporarily suppressed this idea. If Wiper was willing to consume it, Bane would definitely hope he'd become an devil fruit user like Zoro—unafraid of the sea's curse. But he didn't want Wiper learning his core secret so soon.
He trusted Wiper—this was both affirmation and respect for the Shandians. However, the concern wasn't insufficient wealth but unequal distribution. Zoro was fine since he had the longest tenure and was Bane's fellow brother, so nothing was amiss. But if he let Wiper know his core secret so quickly, how would Issho feel?
So Bane thought he could wait, asking Wiper these questions after establishing complete trust with Issho. Before that, he should have Wiper learn and practice Haki and the Six Powers.
***
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