The Shandia people bustled with excitement, preparing for the grand bonfire banquet. Warriors carried wood, elders arranged offerings, and children ran about with laughter, their joy echoing beneath the vast sky.
Above it all, the crisp toll of the golden bell rang out—clear, resonant, and soul‑piercing. Its sound seemed to wash away fatigue, filling the air with reverence and awe.
"Wow—so beautiful… such a lovely sound!" Carina whispered, her eyes wide, her heart trembling at the purity of the tone.
In the ancient hall, cleared for honored guests, she finally stood before the legendary bell tower. The massive golden clock loomed solemnly, its surface etched with centuries of history. Carina's eyes sparkled. "This is the golden bell… the treasure of legend. What an incredible experience!"
The sound struck her soul directly, leaving her breathless.
"This is the treasure left to us by Shandia's ancestors," Raki said proudly, her voice carrying both reverence and joy. "And it is thanks to you, Ren, that we could return to this homeland, ring the bell again after four hundred years, and fulfill the promise between our great warrior Kalgara and his friend Noland."
Her words were bold, her gaze unflinching. She clasped Ren's arm with open affection, her eyes shining as she looked at his face.
Raki was a warrior of straightforward temperament, unashamed of her feelings. And as she leaned closer, she cast a deliberate glance toward Carina—an unspoken declaration of sovereignty.
"…"
Carina's smile faltered. Watching Raki's intimacy with Ren, her teeth clenched ever so slightly. A strange irritation prickled at her chest, as if the sound of the bell itself had turned sharp.
Her cheeks puffed faintly, and she muttered under her breath, almost inaudible: "This woman… she's far too bold."
Raki's words hung in the air like a challenge, her grip on Ren's arm tightening as if to stake her claim.
Carina's cheeks puffed, her eyes narrowing. "Thief? Call it what you want. But when the enemy's treasure map is in my hands, or their plans are exposed, you'll be glad I'm around."
Raki snorted, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Plans and maps are useless if you don't have the strength to fight. Ren needs warriors, not petty thieves."
Carina leaned forward, her voice dripping with confidence. "And Ren also needs someone clever enough to keep him alive when brute force isn't enough. You think battles are won only with fists? That's why you Shandia have been fighting for centuries without peace."
The words struck like arrows. Raki's eyes flared, her pride wounded. "You dare lecture me about Shandia's struggle? You, who only just arrived from the Blue Sea?"
Ren sighed, rubbing his temple. "Enough, both of you…"
But neither woman seemed willing to back down.
Carina crossed her arms, her smile sly. "I'm not saying you're useless, Sister Raki. But don't think you can just follow Ren to the Blue Sea without proving yourself. Out there, it's not just about courage—it's about survival."
Raki's chin lifted proudly, her voice firm. "Then I'll prove it. I've fought battles since childhood, and I'll fight again. If Ren sails to the Blue Sea, I'll be at his side. No matter what you say."
The golden bell tolled again, its solemn sound filling the silence that followed.
Ren looked between the two women—one bold and fiery, the other cunning and sharp—and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"Great… now I've got two rivals arguing over who gets to follow me."
The air was thick with tension, the golden bell's solemn toll unable to drown out the sparks flying between Carina and Raki.
Ren finally stepped in, his voice firm yet calm. "Enough. Raki, if you truly wish to join me, I won't object—but you'll need the clan leader's approval. And Carina…" He ruffled her hair gently, easing her frustration. "Don't worry. I'm not abandoning you."
Raki's eyes glimmered with expectation, her grip on Ren's arm tightening. "Then I'll go to the patriarch right now!"
Ren quickly stopped her, raising a hand. "Wait. There's no rush. We won't be leaving immediately."
Both women looked at him in surprise.
Ren's gaze softened, but his tone carried weight. "Wyper, Carina, Raki… you'll all remain here on Sky Island for a while. Use this time to train, sharpen your skills, and prepare yourselves. Before I leave, I'll teach you advanced combat techniques and the use of Haki. Consider it an investment in your future strength."
Carina blinked, her voice rising with alarm. "Eh? Stay here? And what about you, Ren? Are you leaving alone?"
Ren smiled faintly, touching her head again. "Listen first. I have plans to make. There are several Devil Fruits whose whereabouts I already know—I must secure them quickly. It will take a month or two at most. You won't be waiting long."
Carina's lips parted, her emotions caught between relief and unease.
Ren's eyes narrowed, his voice lowering as if speaking to himself. "During that time, I'll also be searching for new companions—fighters with real strength, men and women who can stand beside me in the New World. And beyond that…"
He paused, his gaze drifting toward the horizon, where the clouds of Sky Island met the endless blue.
"…I have a very bold plan. One that could change the balance of power across the seas."
The words hung heavy in the air, stirring curiosity and unease in those around him.
Carina clenched her fists, her heart pounding. Raki's eyes burned with determination. Wyper's expression remained stoic, but his silence carried respect.
Ren's ambition was clear. He was no longer just a wanderer who had left the Straw Hats. He was a man preparing to carve his own legend—one step at a time.
The palace, once the seat of Enel's tyranny, now echoed with a different kind of power—heritage, loyalty, and choice.
Wyper stood before the patriarch, his head bowed, guilt shadowing his fierce features. "Patriarch… forgive me. Ren is the great benefactor of our clan. I can only follow him. Please pardon my willfulness."
He knew well what his decision meant. The Shandia, scarred by centuries of struggle, might lose the chance to keep an invincible warrior at their side. From the perspective of the tribe, his choice was selfish. Yet in his heart, he felt no regret.
The old patriarch's eyes softened. "No need to explain. I understand."
He smiled, his voice calm but firm. "It was you, Wyper, who reminded me that the glory of Kalgara must never be stained. If I had truly wished otherwise, I could have asked Kamakiri or Braham to gamble on eating the fruit. The result would have been the same."
He raised a hand, silencing Wyper's attempt to speak further. "Shandia warriors do not regret their choices. Nor do they wallow in pretension. Ren is a man worth following. From now on, go with him freely. Kamakiri and Braham remain here—our clan will endure."
Wyper clenched his fists, nodding with solemn resolve. "Yes, Patriarch."
The old man placed a weathered hand on his shoulder, his voice carrying the weight of generations. "Remember, boy—the meaning of the clan is not a shackle to bind your life. It is the harbor deep within your soul. Whenever you grow weary, you may always return."
Wyper's breath caught. His eyes, so often fierce and cold, now glistened with tears.
This man, feared as a ghost by enemies and even by Shandia's children, stood humbled before his patriarch. For the first time in years, his heart felt both heavy and light.
"Patriarch… I will remember."
The golden bell tolled faintly in the distance, its sound mingling with Wyper's vow.
"Chief, Wyper…"
The hurried cry echoed through the hall.
Raki burst in, her steps quick, her face flushed with urgency.
"Um?"
The old patriarch turned his head, his calm gaze settling on her. Wyper, who had just steadied his emotions, raised his brows in surprise.
"Raki, what's wrong? Weren't you with Ren?"
Her chest rose and fell as she caught her breath, but her eyes were bright with determination. "I have something important to discuss with the clan leader!"
Then, turning to Wyper, she added quickly: "By the way, Ren asked for you. He said he wants to talk about the next plans."
Wyper's expression sharpened. He nodded firmly to the patriarch. "Then I'll go to him now."
Without hesitation, Wyper strode out of the hall, leaving only Raki and the old patriarch behind.
The elder's eyes twinkled knowingly as he looked at her. "Raki… I can already guess what you wish to say."
The old patriarch's sigh carried both wisdom and resignation. His gaze lingered on Raki, who stood before him with flushed cheeks and clenched fists, her determination shining through her embarrassment.
"Since your heart is already decided, child… then I will not stop you."
His voice was gentle, yet solemn. "You may leave with Ren when the time comes. But remember—love for a man like him is not simple. It is not only affection you must endure, but storms, rivals, and the endless dangers of the sea. If you can bear that, then follow your heart."
Raki's eyes glistened, but her voice was steady. "I will endure it. Even if I can only stand at his side and watch him, that is enough. I will give everything for him."
The patriarch's expression softened, though a trace of sadness flickered in his eyes. He had once hoped that Wyper and Raki, childhood companions, would one day stand together as the future pillars of Shandia. But fate had chosen differently.
Still, he could not deny the truth: Ren had saved their people, restored their pride, and awakened their hopes. If Raki's love bound her to him, then perhaps it was destiny.
"Very well," the patriarch said at last, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Go with him when the time comes. But never forget—you are Shandia. No matter where the seas take you, this land and this bell will always be your home."
Raki bowed deeply, her heart pounding, her spirit unshaken.
Outside, the golden bell tolled faintly, its solemn sound echoing through the hall like a blessing.
The patriarch closed his eyes, whispering softly to himself: "Kalgara… your descendants carry your fire still. May it guide them across the endless seas."