128. Wyper

Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!💎💎💎

---

Abona appeared, maintaining his earlier posture with his hands resting on Dawn, the Supreme Grade sword.

From the moment he acquired it, he had never let it leave his side, even placing it within reach while bathing.

This sight left Wyper and the Shandians, who had rushed out to confront him, unsure of how to react.

Unlike the peaceful residents of Angel Island, the Shandians were not ones to engage in polite conversation.

Their tribal appearance and fierce demeanour immediately made Abona seem like an intruder.

Especially when they heard he sought their chieftain, Wyper's eyes flashed with the resolve to fight.

But to Abona, such intentions were meaningless. He remained still, calmly unsheathing his long blade and swinging it in one fluid motion.

A powerful slash of energy surged forth, cutting through the surrounding trees with ease. Within seconds, every tree within a hundred-meter radius, regardless of size, had toppled to the ground.

The sheer force of this display sent shockwaves through the group.

Wyper, as their leader, quickly realized the vast difference in strength between his people and the visitor standing before him.

It wasn't just Abona who exuded dominance; the guards accompanying him were also eager to demonstrate their abilities.

Though Anos had instructed them to avoid unnecessary conflict, he hadn't forbidden them from making an impression.

One of the guards stepped forward, channelling Armament Haki into his fist. With a single punch, he obliterated a one-meter-thick tree.

Before the shattered trunk could hit the ground, the other guards attacked it with coordinated strikes, reducing it to splinters in mere moments.

Seeing this, Wyper tightened his grip on his spear-like weapon, his hands trembling slightly. The power displayed by this group was unlike anything he had encountered.

"We are here under orders from His Majesty, King Anos, to meet with your chieftain," Abona stated calmly.

"I don't know what business you have, but I can relay your message," Wyper replied, his tone firm.

"The ruling power of all of Skypiea now lies with our King," Abona explained. "He seeks to mediate peace between your people and the residents of Angel Island. That is why I have come to meet your leader and discuss these matters directly."

"Change of leadership?" Wyper and the other Shandians exchanged stunned glances. When had Skypiea's ruler changed?

But the undeniable strength displayed by Abona and his guards made it impossible to doubt their claim.

The Shandians, who had struggled to match even the priests of Skypiea, could not hope to stand against this group.

"How can we trust you?" Wyper asked cautiously.

"Given our strength, do you have a choice?" Abona replied coldly. "If not for His Majesty's orders, we would have simply cut through your forces. None of you would have survived. So, tell me do we really need to waste more words here?"

Though blunt, Abona's words carried undeniable truth. He didn't wish to incite conflict, but if the Shandians refused to cooperate, he wouldn't hesitate to act.

Wyper let out a sigh, signalling to his companions. "Stand down and escort them to the chieftain."

"But Wyper, we don't even know who these people are!" protested a younger Shandian.

"Do you think we have the power to stop them?" Wyper countered coldly, silencing the protester.

With no further objections, Abona and his party were led to the heart of the Shandian settlement.

The scene before them was, as expected, a community living among ancient ruins.

Many of the buildings had partially collapsed, yet the Shandians continued to inhabit them.

Despite its dilapidated state, the settlement had sustained the Shandians for generations.

A stream ran through the centre, providing a vital water source, but it was clear that food and other resources were scarce.

As they walked, Abona observed the curious stares of children and women.

Their rugged appearances and worn clothing contrasted sharply with the finely dressed visitors.

"You've lived here all this time. Why haven't you considered leaving?" Abona asked Wyper.

"This is Upper Yard, our ancestral land. Four hundred years ago, the people of Angel Island stole it from us," Wyper replied bitterly. "Ever since, we've been forced to survive in this cramped space. Every generation has vowed to reclaim what is rightfully ours."

Abona smiled faintly at the passionate response but shook his head.

While Upper Yard may have once belonged to the Shandians, the situation had changed.

In time, it would be fully under the rule of the Tru Kingdom, a part of Anos's expanding domain.

As they approached the heart of the settlement, women and children greeted Wyper enthusiastically.

"Brother Wyper!"

"Wyper's back!"

It was clear that Wyper held a position of respect and authority within the community.

If not for the presence of a higher-ranking chieftain, he likely would have been their leader.

Strength was the ultimate measure of authority here, and Wyper's ability to protect his people had earned their trust.

Even so, Abona couldn't help but notice the stark differences between their two groups.

The Shandians were hardened by struggle, yet they seemed naive compared to the worldly and disciplined delegation from the Tru Kingdom.

For now, Abona remained silent, following Wyper deeper into the settlement as the eyes of the Shandians stayed fixed on the unexpected visitors.

--

For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:

P@treon/Iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!