Chapter 15

"Arthur, are you really going to leave?" Raki's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Arthur with reluctance.

Despite being nearly five years younger than him, Raki was captivated by Arthur's heartfelt words and couldn't contain her emotions.

Little did she know that behind Arthur's youthful appearance lay the experiences and wisdom of a twenty-year-old seasoned warrior. His words carried a depth of sorrow, passion, and affection that touched her deeply, leading to her affection for him.

"Well, I've already made plans with Enel and the others. I need to continue growing stronger by challenging myself against formidable opponents," Arthur replied after taking a bite of his collagen-filled meal, nodding in affirmation.

Although Raki was saddened by Arthur's impending departure, she couldn't help but blush at his words. With a hint of annoyance, she said, "But aren't you already incredibly strong? No one can defeat you!"

Arthur chuckled, "You misunderstand! While there aren't many who can defeat me, it's mainly due to the speed and elemental abilities granted by the Thunder Fruit. Without it, I'd be considered strong but not among the top-tier powers. And even with the Thunder Fruit, there are still challenges I aim to overcome to become even stronger."

"Many of my ambitions require greater strength to achieve. It's premature to claim I'm already strong enough. Moreover, I seek someone or something that can truly transform me into a stronger version of myself."

On the island cloud a top Raijin Island, Raki nestled in Arthur's embrace, cherishing their final moments of tenderness together.

The next day, amidst Raki's tearful gaze, Arthur, in a playful mood, used his abilities to acquire a set of Leo gold and silver saints' attire before departing.

Dressed in the striking golden jersey, Arthur concealed his small wings within his carapace and transformed the golden wings into a red cloak, exuding a dashing appearance.

Upon arrival at his destination, Arthur was surprised to find Enel Road, Urouge, Wyper, and others eagerly awaiting him on a yacht that he had commissioned craftsmen to build. They greeted him with smiles, signaling their commitment to safe guarding the empty island's well-being. However, Arthur realized that their growth was lagging behind, prompting his decision to depart.

Aware of the need for powerful subordinates, Arthur provided them with various resources before leaving, emphasizing the importance of concealing the sky island's existence in the Grand Line. He instructed them to cover their wings with cloaks to avoid detection.

After infusing the yacht with electric current, it gained momentum and set course towards the Gate of Heaven. Utilizing a balloon octopus's assistance, Arthur's yacht gradually descended from the sky.

After two hours, they arrived in Qinghai. Arthur used a pointer left by the island's boat, carried by sky and ocean currents, to navigate towards a distant island.

Upon reaching the island, they noticed numerous pirate boats at the port, indicating its status as an illegal zone. "It seems this is an outlawed area," Arthur remarked to himself.

Despite the presence of numerous pirate ships, Arthur remained unfazed as there were few rivals on the Grand Line besides the Naval Headquarters marine ford.

Amidst the curious gazes of residents and pirates, Arthur docked his boat in the harbor of Devil's Town, recognizing it from the signpost and recalling Luffy's encounter with the island's boss.

Stepping off the boat, Arthur instructed Enel and the others, "Let's split up on this island. You can use the boats with black flags for your journey, but remember to take down the black flags. I don't want you to be mistaken for pirates."

Excitedly, Enel and the rest headed towards the island, eager to explore Qinghai for the first time.

As Arthur was about to leave, he attracted the attention of some locals.

"Hey, boy! It looks like you're new to the sea. Want us to share some experience with you?" chuckled an unsightly man with a prominent nose and a large belly, eyeing Arthur greedily.

Amused, Arthur quipped, "Seems like I'm a newbie, huh?"

His comment elicited laughter from another pirate with curly fangs, who added, "Yeah, with our guidance, you could become a renowned pirate."

"Yes, yes, yes!" the pockmarked pirate greedily nodded. "The reward isn't much, just your armor and that fancy ship of yours! Hehe, hehe."

A group of pirates jokingly brandished daggers and knives, menacingly leaning in. "Obey or face death, hip-hop haha~"

"Damn it! Die!" Weber, the most impulsive of Arthur's group, shouted and charged forward.

The others wore grim expressions, preparing to act. Before they could, Webber unleashed a shockwave, knocking the pirates away with force.

The onlookers, both pirates and pedestrians, were startled but not scared. Instead, they regarded Arthur and his companions with pitying expressions.