Atop the temple, Culichet gazed at the exquisitely crafted Golden Bell, tears streaming down his face.
"So El Dorado is in Skypiea! No wonder we've been diving for years and found nothing!"
He couldn't contain himself. Rushing forward, he swung his fist and struck the Golden Bell hard.
Ding!
A long, melodious tone reverberated across Skypiea and even reached the seas below.
On Jaya Island, both the surviving two thousand pirates and the members of the Saruyama Allied Forces lifted their heads in unison.
"This… the sound of the Golden Bell? The story of the Great Talker Roland is real!"
Amid the bell's beautiful sound, Culichet wept freely.
His ancestor's honor had finally been restored.
After fulfilling his long-cherished wish, Culichet and his group, along with Oguro, convened in the temple to discuss the Saruyama Allied Forces' future.
"I of course want to stay, but what about the apes and orangutans…"
Before he could finish, they interrupted in unison:
"Wherever the boss goes, we go too!"
Having fought side by side for so long, they were already family.
Seeing this, Culichet didn't hesitate. He agreed to have the entire Saruyama Allied Forces join Oguro's banner.
"Excellent!" Oguro nodded in satisfaction. "The Saruyama name can remain. If you want to continue your shipwreck salvage work, you may."
"But Jaya Island is now a forward outpost. I need you to monitor all arrivals and departures, especially those trying to reach Skypiea. Report everything immediately."
"Understood!" Culichet nodded solemnly.
Their duties were limited to surveillance, so danger was minimal.
Over the next two days, Mock Town was cleaned up. Oguro then had the Saruyama Allied Forces transport soil from several uninhabited islands to Skypiea via the interdimensional gate.
The primary labor force, naturally, consisted of the two thousand surviving pirates.
Each of them was sentenced to at least ten years of forced labor. Those with particularly heinous crimes would serve thirty years or more.
With this soil, Oguro's prestige on Skypiea reached unprecedented heights.
All Skypieans now addressed him respectfully as "Soul King!"
A few days later, Byakuya Kuchiki approached Oguro and said respectfully,
"Soul King, preparations for establishing the Divine Nation are complete. Please lead us."
Inside the Central Forty-Six Chambers, a large crowd had already gathered.
Representatives came not only from Skypiea but also from the East Blue—Paparo Island, Cocoyashi Village, and all other territories!
Alabasta had wanted Vivi to attend as an ally, but Oguro politely declined.
The Divine Nation was still in its infancy; it was unwise to openly reveal alliances.
Click!
The grand doors of the Central Forty-Six Chambers opened. Oguro, draped in the Soul King's Shihakushō, slowly approached the main seat under the watchful eyes of all.
The ceremony was presided over by Byakuya Kuchiki.
As head of the Four Great Nobles, his etiquette left no flaw for anyone to critique.
"For eight hundred years, the World Government has ruled, the Celestial Dragons have plundered wealth, the Marines turn a blind eye, and pirates ravage the seas. Citizens are called subjects, but left to fend for themselves! Exploited by nobles!"
Byakuya's solemn voice recounted the World Government's crimes.
The audience felt a surge of righteous anger.
Every word reflected the harsh reality they had endured.
"The state abandons its people, families cannot live in peace! Soul King, seeing the suffering of the world, now establishes the Divine Nation, creating a place of tranquility and granting prosperity to all!"
"The World Government, hiding filth and evil, wreaks havoc upon the world. The Divine Nation shall destroy it!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from the audience.
"Long live the Soul King!"
The founding ceremony was brief. As Oguro declared the Divine Nation's name—the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire—the ceremony concluded.
Ding!
"Congratulations, Host. Task completed: The birth of the Divine Nation. Reward acquired: fifty reserve Shinigami."
Oguro stretched his stiff back in the room, then summoned the fifty Shinigami for Byakuya Kuchiki and Soifon to allocate as needed.
"The Divine Nation is established. Now it's time to fulfill my promise."
It was time to rescue Brook, as promised to Laboon.
Skypiea would be entrusted to Byakuya.
As head of the Kuchiki family, managing an island was well within his capabilities.
According to Oguro's plan, Skypiea would gradually expand trade with Jaya Island and the East Blue, increasing the Divine Nation's influence.
The East Blue remained largely autonomous due to its weaker foundations.
Via the interdimensional gate, the Desert Rose was sent directly from Skypiea to the port of Jaya Island.
The crew remained the same as before: Soifon, Rukia Kuchiki, Rangiku Matsumoto, Hanataro Yamada, Nami, and Robin.
Originally, Oguro intended to keep Rukia on Skypiea to assist his elder brother.
Byakuya, however, refused, citing the importance of serving the Soul King as the Kuchiki family's greatest mission.
Oguro was left bewildered by Byakuya's strange explanations about not letting any other woman gain the Soul King's favor.
In the end, Byakuya only assigned Gantoru, who was familiar with Skypiea, as his deputy and sent Rukia aboard the Desert Rose.
Culichet personally stocked the ship with supplies and reported to Oguro.
"Soul King, Mock Town's transformation is nearly complete. We've built two commercial districts and residential areas!"
Under Oguro's plan, Jaya Island would serve as both a forward outpost and Skypiea's external trade market.
As the Divine Nation's main base, Skypiea could not expose too many strong individuals to the public.
Culichet continued,
"Four patrol teams rotate on the seas. By your command, we maintain a strict watch over the rising currents to prevent anyone from suddenly entering Skypiea."
Oguro nodded in approval at Culichet's arrangements.
With the preparations complete, the Desert Rose officially set sail.
"The Devil's Triangle is quite far. We should stop at the Seven Water City for supplies first."
Nami held up a permanent compass pointing to Seven Water City.
This compass was a war prize from Mock Town, previously kept in the Rossio Pirates' treasury.
The pirates maintained their ships regularly.
"Seven Water City is a great place! Amazing scenery and delicious food!" Robin remarked naturally.
Oguro nodded, "Yes, I've heard of it. It's a good chance to see if the Desert Rose needs any maintenance."
At sea, a Navy ship drifted with the wind.
"Vice Admiral! We have news!"
A Marine saluted a Navy Vice Admiral on deck.
A dog-headed figure popped up from the chair.
"What is it? I thought I'd get a few more days' rest!"
He removed his dog-head hat, revealing short gray hair and a firm, bright face.
Marine Hero!
Vice Admiral Garp!
After Sengoku and Tsuru discussed inviting Oguro to become the new Warlord of the Sea, deciding who would deliver the invitation was a dilemma.
The target appeared to have Admiral-level strength; if negotiations failed, sending someone weak would be suicidal.
There weren't many strong people available, and most were in the New World.
At that moment, Garp, just there to snag Sengoku's donuts, got caught in the plan.
"No way!" Garp shook his head like a stubborn stick.
The Warlord system? He wasn't interested in delivering the invitation.
Sengoku's veins bulged as he growled, "Next time we go to the East Blue, I'll give you a month off!"
"Deal!"
***
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