Chapter 104
**World timeline Calendar, December 31, 1518, 11:59 PM.**
In the final six seconds of the year, the golden bell rang.
With twelve harmonious chimes, the tens of thousands of Sky Island residents, the angels who gather here annually, were immersed in the beautiful sound.
Everyone felt a deep, almost magical sensation wash over them.
This New Year's Eve held special significance for Arthur's wealth, making it the biggest festival of the year.
But this year was even more unique because starting today, their existence would be known to the entire world.
Additionally, Arthur had to leave the place where they had survived for 800 years and head somewhere else.
Thankfully, they wouldn't be moving on their own, but rather the entire island they lived on would be relocated to a new land.
Earlier, when Arthur informed the officials and asked them to notify the people, Jessica had already sent the alien creatures and spare islands from Vine Island into space.
At this moment, the Sky Training Base, known as Test Island, floated quietly 500,000 meters above the ground.
The red-ringed planet, which is the world of One Piece, continues its revolution.
Jessica only had to occasionally adjust the direction to make sure the Test Island didn't drift too far from where Arthur planned to move.
In reality, it was simple. Jessica didn't need to struggle to float the island; she just needed to tow it.
As for Angel Island, Jessica had already sent it to the moon, turning it into one of the moon's satellites.
This ensured that the IQ grass was kept out of the wrong hands, and it made it easier for scientists to conduct their research there.
**January 1, 1519.** A piece of news spread across the world.
Similar scenes unfolded in the four seas—north, south, east, and west.
Seagulls, responsible for delivering newspapers, were stopped by people who paid a Bailey, received their newspaper, and moved on.
Not long after, exclamations of shock could be heard.
"Located on the Sky Island above the Grand Line, the Angel Empire, under the rule of its king, Arthur, has joined the World Government? It's now a member nation?"
People who received the newspapers were drawn to the headline on the front page, then flipped to the second page to read the full story.
"Huh? Sky Island? Angels? There are islands in the sky?"
"No way, right? Angels, like the ones from fairy tales, are real?"
"Hold on, forget the angels for a second, are there really islands in the sky?"
"What's going on? Why are there islands in the sky? And why are there real angels from stories?"
This was the reaction across all the seas. Likewise, many in the Grand Line were puzzled.
"Sky Island? Angels? Isn't that just a legend? It's real?" Of course, some people, like the traffickers in Sabaody Archipelago, saw this differently.
"Angels? The kind that can fly?" The traffickers carefully studied the pictures in the newspaper. One showed Arthur spreading his wings as he landed on the ground.
A Marine had accidentally taken the photo when Vice Admiral Tsuru and Aokiji visited the island.
Arthur knew he'd been photographed, but he didn't care.
"These creatures must be worth a fortune! Female angels especially will fetch a huge price!" The traffickers grinned greedily.
As for the Angel Empire becoming a member of the World Government? Who cares about that? Even if it's a member nation, there's no harm in this business!
After reading the newspaper, many nobles were thrilled.
Everyone, from men to women, young to old, had their reasons. Some wanted to show off, while others were fascinated by Arthur's appearance.
Even in Mary Geoise, atop the Red Line, some Celestial Dragons immediately began demanding to buy female angels for their collections after seeing the news.
The older generation of Celestial Dragons still has a bit of sense. Since the Angel Empire is now a member of the World Government, they can't just capture its citizens and make them slaves without consequences.
Of course, they could still buy angels at auction houses instead of capturing them themselves.
Arthur is well aware of all this ugly behavior.
But, who cares? Let them try. The Celestial Dragons won't let it slide if they do.
Under Arthur's orders, the Angel Empire had already completed a full census. In this world, there are computers now.
With the discovery of the moon base and the tech island where the intelligent angels live, the world's technology has advanced greatly. Computers have improved significantly.
Even though Arthur isn't an expert in technology, he can still give suggestions when needed.
Currently, on Sky Island, which has over 6.71 million people, everything is recorded. From the elderly who are nearing the end of their lives to unborn children who are over three months in the womb, everyone has an ID card.
Anyone who dares to kidnap angels will face one of the world's strongest powers.
Moreover, after the relocation of Sky Island, surveillance bugs will be placed throughout the streets, monitored by robots.
The technology to create these small robots has been cracked, since the moon itself is where they were originally manufactured. The moon even has production lines, making it easy to recreate them.
However, to be more humane, Arthur ordered that these standard robots would only be used for monitoring. They will not be given emotions.
This way, the robots are simply machines that need to be maintained occasionally.
If anything happens, the robots are connected to the central computer and will immediately sound the alarm. Depending on the severity of the situation, the computer will select the appropriate alarm level.
For minor incidents, the local police will be notified.
If the situation escalates, a first-level alarm will go off, and the police will respond immediately.
If it's beyond their control, a second-level alarm will call in stronger forces.
In extreme cases, a third-level alarm will summon the ten major legions.
If things get even worse, it would mean the invasion of a Four Emperors-level threat, and Arthur himself would step in.
Urouge, Enel, and Wyper—who have Admiral-level strength—will also be sent in. There may be others with Emperor-level power as well.
In short, with Arthur and Sky Island's strength a year from now, even a pirate crew led by a Yonko (Four Emperors) wouldn't stand a chance. No Yonko would dare invade them without reason.
Whitebeard wouldn't, and neither would his friend, Red-Haired Shanks. Arthur also hoped Big Mom could live peacefully with other races.
And Kaido? Despite all his talk about wanting to die, Arthur knows Kaido isn't someone who's incapable of ending it all if he really wanted to.
So, Arthur had arranged everything for Sky Island's future security.
These alarm systems were mainly in place for when Arthur wasn't around. If he was, it wouldn't matter. Arthur could easily deal with anything himself, just for fun.
Arthur was even preparing to challenge Kaido after the Reverie to prove to the world that he is truly on the same level as a Yonko—a top-tier fighter in the world.
Anyone who crosses him will meet certain death.
Meanwhile, news about Sky Island and the angels continued to spread across the globe.
Arthur didn't realize that Jack the Drought, the man he had beaten, was reading the newspaper at that moment.
"That bastard... that's the guy from more than six months ago. Hmph, I'll deal with him when I get the chance!" Jack growled, tossing the newspaper aside and taking a swig from his flask.
**World timeline Calendar, January 1, 1519, early morning.**
It was time for Sky Island to move.
Vine Island, Apayado, the eight surrounding islands, and the Island of Gods where Arthur lived—none of this was a problem for Jessica.
Not to mention, Sky Island is made of cloud materials, making it four-fifths lighter than a land-based island of the same size.
There was a slight tremor, and then everyone could feel the island start to move.
The Sky Island, which had been in the same place for 800 years, was now gone.
And near the end of the first half of the Grand Line, a paradise-like nation was about to be born!
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