Chapter 83: Shanks Excitement!

Clang! 

Carrying with it a rich history, the golden bell—known as the Lamp of Sandora—rang out over the Blue Sea. 

Blue Sea, Gaya Island. 

"Boss!" 

Masira and Shoujou heard the bell echoing from the clouds and looked up at Cricket in excitement. 

"I heard it too," Cricket whispered, tears in his eyes. "That's the sound of the golden bell." 

"The Golden Land really exists, up on that Sky Island!" 

"My ancestor, Noland, wasn't a liar." 

He looked toward the heavens, smiled through his tears, and then let out a tremendous roar. 

"The Country of Gold is real!!!" 

After giving his all in the roar, Cricket collapsed, panting heavily on the ground. 

"Uuuuuuuuuu…" 

Masira, Shoujou, and every member of the salvage crew sobbed loudly. 

The great pirate, Portgas D. Ace, as promised, had rung the golden bell from above the clouds. 

This was a man's dream, fulfilled. 

"Thank you, Ace." 

Cricket smiled, glancing up at the sky. 

"Alright, everyone!" 

Cricket got to his feet and, addressing Masira, Shoujou, and his battle-worn crew, cried out, "Are you all still willing to follow me, your fool of a boss, on yet another adventure?!" 

His voice was strong and filled with determination. 

"OOOHHHHHH!!!" 

The Saruyama Alliance erupted into tears of joy, their voices soaring together. 

"Then let's go! Saruyama Alliance!" 

Cricket donned his cloak with renewed vigor. 

"Ancestor Noland, your fool of a descendant has done it!"

"The Mont Blanc family is not a liar!" 

——

Upper Yard was alive with celebration. 

Bonfires blazed in every corner, and music that had once been soft and sweet transformed into wild and joyful banquet tunes. 

Sky Island delicacies and their unique wines flowed freely, served in abundance. The area around Ace was especially full of food and drink, piled as high as a mountain. 

"Hahaha! I hear you Sandians are great drinkers! Come on, whoever can outdrink me gets my autograph as a prize!" 

Ace laughed boldly. 

At his challenge, many of the Sandian women's eyes lit up. 

The autograph of their savior was a treasure worth cherishing. 

Even the Sandian men were eager. 

For the Sandians, nothing was more admirable than a hero. 

Their great warrior, Kalgara, had been revered as a totem for centuries. 

Now, Ace, who had defeated Enel, saved their homeland, relit the Lamp of Sandora, and wielded unfathomable power, was their new hero.

An autograph from such a figure was a prize indeed.

The atmosphere of the banquet grew livelier, with Ace surrounded by enthusiastic Sandians. He laughed heartily, drinking wine and feasting on the island's best food. 

Raki, a master of cooking, continued to prepare mouth-watering dishes, serving them to Ace and the girls. 

"It's amazing! Absolutely delicious!" 

Even Kaya, who was usually fastidious about table manners, couldn't help but stuff her cheeks full of food. 

"As expected of Ace's favorite chef. You're incredible, Raki," Nami remarked, impressed as she ate. 

"As long as you enjoy it," Raki replied with a warm smile. 

She glanced at Ace, who was still surrounded by Sandians, laughing and drinking—but of all the food he consumed, it was her cooking he ate the most. This made Raki smile even more. 

"Raki, when you go to Blue Sea, be careful not to go hungry," Aisha said, her small body propped up after a hearty meal. 

"You take care too," Raki replied, patting Aisha's head gently. 

After some discussions, Aisa had decided to remain with the Sandians. 

Little Aisha had resolved to use the power Ace had helped her master—the power known as Observation Haki—to make her people stronger. 

"But what's even more amazing is Raki's Devil Fruit," Vivi said, patting her round belly. 

"Turns out, it's not just any Zoan Bird Fruit, it's a special kind—like Pell's Falcon form." 

"In that case, there's now a sixth flying ability recognized worldwide," Vivi remarked, marveling at Raki's new power. 

"Not quite," Robin interjected with a knowing smile. "Raki's Bird Fruit isn't just an ordinary Zoan. It's a Mythical Zoan, which is even rarer than Logia Fruits." 

"Ace mentioned that Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, consumed a Fish-Fish Fruit—a Mythical Zoan that transforms him into a Blue Dragon." 

"That's what earned Kaido the title of the world's strongest creature." 

"The Bird-Bird Fruit that Raki ate—the Mythical Zoan, Suzaku form—is on par with Kaido's."

"This fruit gives Raki the potential to reach the same heights as the Four Emperors," Robin continued. 

Everyone was in awe. 

Raki's newfound power meant the Entei Pirates were now stronger than ever. 

"Our crew just keeps getting stronger!" Nami exclaimed, looking at Raki with excitement. 

With the formidable enemies they faced, including Kaido, an extra Devil Fruit user gave them a significant edge. 

Now, Nami herself felt the need to push her Thunder Fruit to its limits. 

With a smile, she glanced at Ace, who was still laughing and enjoying himself with the Sandians.

"Well, I'll definitely do it."

Hearing this, Raki's expression became serious, and she nodded with determination.

Through her conversations with the other girls, Raki had gained a certain understanding of the situation in Blue Sea. Four Emperors Kaido was regarded as a true powerhouse there. Compared to him, Enel was insignificant.

Kaido had eaten the Fish-Fish Fruit—Mythical Zoan, Blue Dragon form. Similarly, the Devil Fruit Ace had given her, the Bird-Bird Fruit—Mythical Zoan, Suzaku form, was no less powerful than Kaido's.

Ace had given her this incredibly rare Devil Fruit without hesitation. Moved by his trust, Raki silently vowed to become stronger, determined to live up to the gift Ace had bestowed upon her.

"But still, it's hard to believe that Raki actually attracted a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit," Kaya mused, her curiosity piqued. "Raki, what were you thinking about in Ace's 'realm of comprehension'?"

The other girls looked at Raki with the same inquisitive eyes.

In Ace's realm of comprehension, they had learned many secrets during their time together. The Devil Fruit that someone could attract depended on their imagination within the realm. Ace called this kind of imagination "Nika."

If Raki had merely wished to improve her cooking skills, she wouldn't have attracted such a rare and powerful Devil Fruit.

Hearing Kaya's words, Raki's face flushed bright red.

"Oh, I get it! One of the abilities of the Bird-Bird Fruit, Suzaku form, is fire. Raki, did you...?" Kaya teased.

Before she could finish, Raki's face turned even redder, and she quickly covered Kaya's mouth.

"Oh!" The other girls gasped in realization.

Raki's cheeks were burning, and she kept her head down, too embarrassed to meet their eyes. In her mind, she recalled the moment when, facing Enel's overwhelming thunder, the flame that had reignited her life appeared once more.

From an angle where the girls couldn't see, a tender smile crept across Raki's face.

——

The banquet lasted for three days. At the request of the Shandian Grand Elder and the hopes of the people of Angel Island, Gan Fall once again became "God." However, this time things were different—after 400 years, the war between Shandia and Angel Island had finally come to an end.

Shandia and Angel Island would now work together to rebuild Upper Yard and Angel Island, bringing peace and freedom to both lands.

As the Going Merry prepared to set sail, Gan Fall, the Grand Elder, and countless Shandians and Angel Islanders watched with deep gratitude.

"Conis, take care of yourself!" Pagaya called out, waving to his daughter.

"Sui!" Su, perched on Pagaya's shoulder, also said its farewells to Conis.

"Father! Su!" Conis waved vigorously back at them.

"Raki, pursue the life you've always dreamed of," the Grand Elder said loudly.

Raki nodded with resolve as former companions like Wiper, Braham, and others came to bid farewell. They had finally let go of the past—their sole focus on lighting the Lamp of Sandora, even at the cost of their comrades' lives.

Now, Raki was ready to pursue her own dreams.

——

"Ace! Thank you!" countless Shandians and Angel Islanders shouted in unison, waving their arms in gratitude.

"Ace, the Sky Island's magnetic field has been recorded," Nami said with a smile, looking at the Log Pose on her wrist. "We're ready to head to the next island."

"Entei Pirates—setsail!" Ace declared from the bow of the ship, laughing heartily.

"OH!" The girls raised their hands in excitement, their voices echoing through the air.

As the Going Merry reached the edge of the clouds, it began its descent.

"Woo!" Conis blew hard into a whistle.

"Swish!" From the clouds, a giant octopus appeared, grabbing the going merry with its tentacles like a hot air balloon, gently carrying the ship down toward the Blue Sea below.

"This is one of our specialties, the octopus hot air balloon!" Conis explained, laughing.

The girls marveled at the octopus and started chatting excitedly about their trip to Sky Island. Both Conis and Raki were filled with curiosity and anticipation for the journey to the Blue Sea.

Ace, watching the girls' excitement, smiled gently and enveloped the octopus hot air balloon in his realm of comprehension. He didn't want them to experience the same chaotic landing that Luffy and his crew had in the past, when the balloon ran out of air, leading to an embarrassing crash.

As clouds passed around them, Ace's lips curled into a satisfied smile. This trip to Sky Island had been a massive success.

Not only had Conis and Raki joined the crew, but Nami had also obtained the Thunder Fruit, and Raki had acquired the powerful Bird-Bird Fruit—Mythical Zoan, Suzaku form. The strength of the Entei Pirates was now poised to soar.

When the girls had fully mastered their powers, the day of battle with Kaido would come. The heads of the Four Emperors would be the stepping stones Ace needed to claim the title of King of the World.

And that day was drawing near.

For a brief moment, a flash of dark purple glimmered in Ace's eyes before disappearing.

——

Mock Town.

"Pfft!" Blood splattered.

"Stop! Bellamy! Sarquiss!" Seeing their captain and crewmates gravely injured, the remaining Hyena Pirates panicked.

"I—I can't control myself!" Sarquiss cried out in despair.

"You did this, Doflamingo!" Bellamy roared hopelessly.

"Fufufufu…" In the shadows, Doflamingo manipulated his fingers with a sinister grin.

"Why?! I've been nothing but loyal to you!" Bellamy screamed, eyes wide with disbelief. "I only failed once! Give me another chance!"

"Thanks for your loyalty," Doflamingo replied coldly. "But I have no use for losers."

His smile faded, and beneath his sunglasses, his gaze turned deadly.

"Pfft!" The sickening sound of steel cutting flesh filled the air, and the scent of blood began to spread.

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble," Doflamingo muttered darkly, veins bulging on his forehead.

A small-time pirate had inadvertently drawn the attention of someone far beyond his league—a Conqueror's Haki user of extraordinary strength.

"We'll see who survives in this new era! Fufufufu! Portgas D. Ace!" Doflamingo laughed maniacally.

"Boom!" His Conqueror's Haki surged, instantly knocking out everyone in the vicinity.

After unleashing his power, Doflamingo activated his String-String Fruit and vanished.

——

New World—an uninhabited island.

A pirate banquet was in full swing, with two famous figures at its center.

Four Emperors Red-Haired Shanks, captain of the Red-Hair Pirates, and the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, were locked in a drinking contest.

"Oh? Are you saying that newcomer's Conqueror's Haki can already cause physical damage?" Shanks asked, surprised after hearing Mihawk's report.

"Conqueror's Haki—infused with attacks. No wonder he killed Crocodile," Beckman remarked, exhaling smoke. "To have mastered such a power at his age—he's truly an exceptional newcomer."

"His Conqueror's Haki is indeed impressive," Mihawk added, sipping his drink.

"So, he openly challenged Kaido in the Holy Land, huh? That guy really lives up to the name Emperor of Fire!" Shanks laughed.

"Looks like Portgas D. Ace has chosen Kaido as his first target," Beckman said thoughtfully. "This man's ambition surpasses even yours, Shanks."

"If we cross paths with him, we might become his next target," Beckman continued.

Shanks grinned. "The sea is getting more and more interesting."

Downing his drink, he added, "If fate leads us to such a battle, then bring it on!"

With that, Shanks' Conqueror's Haki exploded across the island.

"Hey, boss, don't unleash your Haki randomly," Beckman sighed. "You're knocking out all the newcomers."

Beckman took another drag on his cigarette, amused by Shanks' eagerness.

——

Back aboard the Going Merry, the crew had successfully landed in Blue Sea, and Nami noticed something strange—Ace seemed different than before.