"Master, this sky island isn't simple."
When dusk fell, Robin finally emerged from the world of her books.
But her face was filled with awe.
Gazing at Kahn—who sat not far away fiddling with an Image Dial, secretly snapping photos of Robin and the Boa sisters—she said seriously, "Ten thousand meters up, there is a land island."
"A land island?"
Kahn didn't react to the words.
The Boa sisters, eager to learn housework and already hauling out furniture to wipe down, widened their eyes.
Mary looked from the pure white sea outside to Angel Island, which was white without a scrap of soil. "Ten thousand meters up… land grows?"
"Idiot, how could land grow in the sky?"
Hancock shot her sister a look. "Basic common sense."
"Right. That land island actually came up from the Blue Sea below."
Robin nodded slightly and pointed downward. "Beneath Angel Island—our Blue Sea—there's a massive water column that shoots into the sky each year."
"It's called the Knock Up Stream. Its strength varies year by year. Sometimes it reaches seven thousand meters, sometimes over ten thousand."
"That land island that appeared at ten thousand meters was hurled up centuries ago."
She pointed into the distance and continued, "That way—where the land island lies—the sky islanders now call it God's Island, Apayado."
"As the name implies, it's the dwelling of Skypiea's 'god,' the ruler of the sky islands."
"Exactly…"
Kahn nodded. "When we first came up, my Haki saw that island."
"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you there to explore."
Kahn chose to spend a few days on Angel Island precisely to go to Apayado.
His purpose there was the Golden Bell and the Golden City.
Yes, the Golden City was also one of his aims this trip.
Though the Grantaine's lower three decks held more than a dozen rooms packed with treasure, Kahn still intended to empty the Golden City—and he had the ability to do it.
To become one of the New World's overlords, he needed a top-tier organization.
Every top-tier power has a headquarters.
To build a headquarters, you need enough money.
The Grantaine's vault was rich, but before the Golden City, it was pocket change.
If he moved the Golden City, the Cross Family would not lack development funds for the next ten years.
After seeking the Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit on Birka, Kahn would not return the way he'd come—he would go straight back to the Blue Sea from there.
So before setting out, he decided to empty the Golden City—and as a reward for Robin, who had served him for two years.
"Okay."
Hearing Kahn, the Boa sisters suppressed their curiosity and decided to wait for tomorrow's adventure.
A rare gleam of anticipation flashed in Robin's eyes as well.
…
The night passed without event.
At dawn the next day, Kahn's crew quietly sailed the Grantaine to God's Island, Apayado.
Upon landing, the Boa sisters were soon disappointed.
Like Amazon Lily, most of Apayado was primeval.
The Golden City, Shandora, had become a ruin over the centuries.
Aside from the palace where Skypiea's "god" and his guards resided, the island was a beast-inhabited unpeopled place.
Compared to Apayado, Amazon Lily was at least a nation—with a city and citizens.
"…I've found something good. Come, I'll show you."
Once ashore, Kahn released his one-of-a-kind perception and quickly located one of his targets.
He spoke to Robin and the sisters beside him.
Of course, his eyes fell mostly on Robin.
Under their expectant gazes, Kahn lifted them with telekinesis and flew toward the giant sky-piercing vine at Apayado's center.
Soon they reached the top of the vine.
Parting a layer of white cloud, a colossal Golden Bell hidden in the mists appeared before them.
"What a huge bell!"
"Wait… is the whole bell gold?"
"Gold-plated or solid? If it's solid, how much gold would it take to cast a bell that big?"
The Boa sisters stared in astonishment at the Golden Bell.
"…"
Robin, long numb to money with a ship full of treasure, had eyes only for the slab beneath the bell.
To others it was scrawls; to Robin the familiar Ancient Script brought a surge of joy to her face.
Three years!
At last, a Poneglyph.
"Go on. It's something you and I have both been seeking."
Kahn patted Robin's delicate back, then sent her toward the bell with telekinesis.
"Thank you, Master."
As she floated forward, Robin's face was full of feeling.
Clearly, Kahn's "good thing" was not the colossal Golden Bell.
It was the Poneglyph beneath it.
Bringing her here wasn't to take the bell, but to let her read it.
That feeling of being cared for made Robin—already shaped in Kahn's image—recognize her Master all the more.
"Master, has Robin always been searching for that Golden Bell?"
Hancock, not following their exchange, asked in puzzlement.
"No. What she seeks is the base of the Golden Bell." Kahn shook his head and explained.
"That stone with the special glyphs?"
"Mm. That stone is a Poneglyph. The special symbols are the Ancient Script. Robin is one of the few scholars in the world who can read it."
While Robin deciphered the inscription, Kahn gave the Boa sisters a primer on Poneglyphs and the Ancient Script.
"I see."
Enthralled, the sisters listened; Kahn lifted them again with telekinesis and carried them to the Golden Bell.
Thus Robin worked intently at the Poneglyph while the Boa sisters circled the bell, studying its body and the stone with curious fingers reaching out to touch it now and then.