"You want to find the Golden Bell before leaving?"
Bruce crossed his arms as he looked at Cricket and the others standing before the Marine warship.
"Advisor Cricket…"
"Have you ever considered the possibility that the Golden Bell might not actually exist?"
"If it truly doesn't exist, then even searching until death would be meaningless."
Although Bruce sympathized deeply with the regrets carried by both Noland's descendants and the Shandians
the Marines still had responsibilities.
They could not remain in Skypiea forever.
The longer they stayed, the more Marine affairs would pile up below in the Blue Sea.
Unknowingly
Bruce himself had gradually begun viewing things from the perspective of a true Marine officer.
Perhaps it was because Saint Roselith Seraphina trusted him with so much responsibility.
Or perhaps
deep down
he no longer disliked the Marines at all.
The current Bruce was no longer merely a former Cipher Pol agent wearing a Marine uniform.
Now
both Marine duty and Cipher Pol duty held equal weight in his heart.
"Is there truly no room for compromise?"
Seeing Bruce refuse indirectly, Cricket could only force himself to seek Seraphina personally.
After all
she was the commanding officer of the fleet.
Brook scratched his afro thoughtfully.
"Yohohoho…"
"Then why not simply remain in Skypiea for a while?"
"If you intend to search for the Golden Bell, staying here would make things easier."
Cricket shook his head slowly.
"Shoujou and Masira are still waiting for me down below."
"I can't abandon them."
"And besides…"
"I don't belong in the sky."
Though tempted by Skypiea's peaceful environment
Cricket understood himself clearly.
The blood of Mont Blanc Noland still flowed through his veins.
Even if he once denied it
the spirit of adventure remained etched into his very soul.
At that moment
the office door opened.
"What's going on?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina stepped out calmly.
Her silver-white hair draped over her shoulders while the white Marine coat fluttered lightly behind her.
She had been busy planning the fleet's next route after departing Skypiea.
After all
Vivi's birthday was still more than three months away.
She had no intention of wasting that period.
Whether hunting pirates, training her subordinates, or exploring the Grand Line
everything required careful planning.
"Rear Admiral."
Bruce immediately explained the situation regarding Cricket and Wyper's request.
"I see."
Seraphina nodded slightly after listening.
"Then take me to this City of Gold."
The moment those words fell
Cricket's eyes widened.
"You're willing to help us?!"
He genuinely had not expected Seraphina to agree so easily.
In his impression
this Marine Rear Admiral was an extremely strict and unyielding person.
Especially considering how mercilessly she had arrested him in the past.
Yet despite her rigid principles
Cricket knew one thing clearly.
Saint Roselith Seraphina was a truly righteous Marine.
Not one of those hypocrites who spoke of justice while committing corruption behind closed doors.
"Thank you very much!"
Cricket bowed repeatedly in excitement.
Even Wyper looked slightly awkward as he lowered his head.
"…Thank you."
The proud Shandian warrior clearly was not accustomed to expressing gratitude.
"It's nothing."
Seraphina answered calmly.
"To me, this is merely a simple matter."
Indeed
for someone with Observation Haki of her level
searching for a single bell throughout Upper Yard was not difficult.
Over the years, Seraphina had continuously trained her Kenbunshoku Haki almost unconsciously.
She treated it like a radar that constantly scanned the surroundings.
Usually, she limited its range to conserve stamina.
But if fully unleashed
its range became terrifying.
Even Seraphina herself no longer knew the limits of her perception.
Searching Upper Yard thoroughly
was completely within her capabilities.
As everyone headed toward the City of Gold
Cricket suddenly spoke seriously to Wyper.
"Even if we fail to find it…"
"Don't lose heart."
"I already understand."
"The promise between our ancestors…"
"The friendship between Noland and Kalgara…"
"Those things won't disappear just because a bell is missing."
"No matter what happens…"
"We'll still be friends, right?"
Wyper froze slightly.
Then he snorted quietly.
"…Of course."
Although both desperately wished the Golden Bell existed
they no longer needed it to prove the bond left behind by their ancestors.
Just then
"Found it."
Seraphina spoke casually.
Everyone stopped walking instantly.
"Huh?"
Cricket blinked blankly.
He had already begun preparing himself mentally for failure and didn't even react immediately.
"It's okay if you didn't find "
Before he could finish
Wyper suddenly grabbed him violently.
"She said she found it!"
"What?!"
Cricket's mind exploded.
"Found it?!"
Seraphina pointed toward the gigantic vine towering at the center of Upper Yard.
"It's at the top of that Giant Jack vine."
Everyone raised their heads simultaneously.
The enormous vine pierced straight into the heavens themselves.
Its true height disappeared beyond the clouds.
"Quick!!"
"Let's go!!"
Cricket and Wyper immediately rushed forward like madmen.
Meanwhile
a white figure had already vanished upward.
"Geppo."
Boom!
Air exploded beneath Seraphina's feet as she ascended rapidly through the sky.
In just moments
she arrived at the summit before everyone else.
Several minutes later
Cricket finally crawled onto the upper platform while gasping heavily.
The moment he arrived
he froze completely.
Before him stood an enormous golden bell entwined by ancient vines.
Time had failed to erode its brilliance.
The gold still shimmered magnificently beneath the sunlight.
"…The Golden Bell…"
Cricket's entire body trembled.
"We really found it…"
Beside him
Wyper's breathing became ragged as well.
This legendary treasure
the symbol passed down through generations
truly existed.
They slowly approached it together.
Carefully.
Reverently.
As though touching history itself.
Dong !!
Dong !!
Clang !!
A deep and melodious bell sound echoed across the heavens.
The sound spread endlessly throughout Skypiea.
Clear.
Ancient.
Sacred.
Wyper struck the Golden Bell with all his strength.
At that moment
the fierce Shandian warrior smiled brighter than ever before.
His ancestors…
must have heard it.
Above the highest heavens
closest to the realm of the gods
the promise between Kalgara and Noland had finally been fulfilled after four hundred years.
Meanwhile
Seraphina stood quietly before a massive golden stele beside the bell.
Unlike the others
her attention was drawn elsewhere.
She removed her white gloves slowly before pressing her fingertips gently against the ancient stone.
The instant she touched it
the Voice of All Things resonated faintly within her mind.
Ancient emotions.
Ancient history.
Ancient voices.
Fragments began flowing through her consciousness.
Her pupils narrowed slightly.
"Poseidon…"
She murmured softly.
Then
another presence.
Another voice.
Another will left behind upon the stone.
"…Gol D. Roger."
A faint realization surfaced within her expression.
"I see…"
At that moment
Seraphina finally understood.
This was not merely a Golden Bell.
Nor merely the ruins of Shandora.
This place
was one of the great historical remnants connected to the Void Century itself.