Chapter 102: The Battle for Sky Island's Fate BeginsAmidst the thick smoke and the stench of burning in the jungle, Zoro's group was rapidly advancing toward the ruins of Shandora.The thunder and tremors from the main battlefield in the distance beat against everyone's nerves like drumbeats."Faster!" Sanji urged, looking back, the cigarette butt flickering at the corner of his mouth.He shielded Nami with one hand, his eyes vigilantly scanning every shadow around them.Suddenly, Zoro came to a halt, his brows furrowing instantly."...They're here," he growled. No sooner had he spoken than wado ichimonji was unsheathed.A cold light flashed, precisely parrying two arrows shot from the shadows—their tips wrapped in flickering flames."Who's there?!" Usopp shuddered in fright, nearly jumping out of his skin.The smoke slowly dissipated, and two figures stepped out.The leader was lean and fit, with eyes as cold and sharp as a hunting mantis; it was Kamakiri, the leader of the Shandia Assassin Squad.Beside him stood Braham, the "Slash Commander," holding a "Flash Gun." In their eyes swirled four hundred years of accumulated humiliation and resolve."Blue Sea people," Kamakiri's voice was as cold as ice, his sword emitting a scorching breath due to the phosphorus powder. "Your journey ends here.""Don't even think about defiling our Holy Land, Shandora, any further!""Who cares about your Holy Land!"Zoro clicked his tongue impatiently, his blade vibrating slightly. "We don't have time to waste with you. Out of the way!"He could clearly sense the battle on Luffy's side becoming increasingly intense. He had to reach the ruins immediately to seize the gold, making up for the regret of not being able to help Luffy and Mark."Intruders only face death!"Braham said no more, raising his Flash Gun and pressing his finger against the Milky Dial at his waist.The battle erupted in an instant!The Breath Dial at Kamakiri's feet suddenly roared, and his figure streaked out like a green afterimage.His Burn Blade traced a scorching arc, thrusting straight at Sanji's heart."So fast!" Sanji's heart tightened as he lunged to the side to dodge.But the opponent's speed far exceeded his expectations. With a "shred" sound, the cuff of his suit sleeve was sliced open by the high-temperature blade, leaving a charred tear.The heat grazed his skin, nearly burning him.Sanji's expression turned completely serious.The opponent was not only fast, but the combination of flames and slashes was also extremely tricky.He had to give it his all; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to protect the companions behind him.On the other side, Braham continuously circled around Zoro.The Flash Gun in his hand suddenly exploded with blinding light, forcibly interfering with Zoro's vision.Simultaneously, he activated the Milky Dial, raising thick cloud walls around Zoro and laying down soft cloud traps.Zoro's movement space was greatly restricted, and Braham continued to fire potshots from the gaps in the clouds.Zoro slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.The world changed in his perception—the flow of air, the direction of killing intent, the faint sound of the enemy's breathing—everything surfaced clearly.Observation Haki was fully deployed."Parlor tricks," he snorted, precisely predicting the landing point of Braham's next move."Three Sword Style: 108 Pound Phoenix!"A massive cyan slash wave howled out—precisely tearing through the cloud wall where Braham was hiding!As the clouds and smoke dissipated, Braham's stunned figure was instantly exposed.The aftershock of the slash slammed into him; Braham groaned and fell flat on his back, unable to get up.Meanwhile, the battle between Sanji and Kamakirihad reached a fever pitch.Kamakiri relied on the Breath Dial for high-speed assaults, his Burn Blade weaving a deadly net of fire in the air.In the high-speed offense and defense, Sanji's anxiety and determination to protect his friends acted like a catalyst, making the blood in his legs surge wildly!Diable Jambe!His legs instantly turned crimson, emitting a scorching heat that distorted the surrounding air."Useless! I am number one when it comes to speed!" Kamakiri accelerated again, the tip of his sword pointing straight at Sanji's heart."Speed isn't everything..." Sanji's eyes were like torches, his voice firm. "The kicking power that burns for the sake of protection is true strength!"Diable Jambe: Mouton Brochette!An extremely fast linear thrust kick precisely pierced through the flaming sword net.It slammed hard into Kamakiri's abdomen!Kamakiri's eyes bulged as he spat out a mouthful of bile, the Burn Blade flying out of his hand.He flew backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily into a charred tree trunk, showing no more movement."You take the left!" Zoro charged toward the right with his swords; there were still about thirty Shandia there.Sanji suppressed his heavy breathing and followed, heading toward the Divine Soldiers on the left.Robin, Usopp, and Nami were the first to reach the ruins.Just as they burst out of the jungle, the ancient ruins came into view.But in the next second, a heavy sense of oppression washed over them.A giant man, like a small mountain, crashed down at the entrance of the ruins, firmly blocking the way.Ten Axe Dials at his waist gleamed coldly, emitting a deadly aura, with dozens of elite Divine Soldiers standing behind him.Divine Soldier Chief—Yama!"Those who desecrate God's land shall be executed by me here!" Yama's voice echoed through the ruins like muffled thunder.Nami and Usopp's faces instantly turned pale, paralyzed by the terrifying bloodlust.Robin's eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, and she made a judgment instantly.They must not fight here.Yama's size and the power of the Axe Dials would surely destroy this precious historical ruin once the battle broke out.She stepped forward without hesitation and spoke calmly, her voice clearly reaching the two's ears:"Nami, Usopp, immediately enter the interior of the ruins through that gap on the left and find a safe spot to hide!""Leave this place to me.""Robin-san!" Nami cried out urgently."But..." Usopp gripped his slingshot tightly, his face full of worry."Go!" Robin's tone was beyond doubt, carrying an irrefutable firmness.Then, she turned to Yama, deliberately using words to draw his ire: "Chief Enforcer, what exactly are you protecting?""Is it this ruin you call 'Holy Land,' yet know nothing of its history? How pathetic."Yama's rage was instantly ignited, veins bulging on his forehead. "Arrogant Blue Sea woman! What do you know!""History is the very existence of God!""Oh? Is that so?"Robin smiled slightly and turned to run toward the side of the ruins—it was an open area with a cluster of structurally sound, abandoned temples."Then come and try to stop me from 'reading' the history of this land!""You're asking for death! 'Punch Full Point'!" Yama roared, throwing a punch.The energy of the Axe Dial, wrapped in the wind of his punch, smashed the boulder Robin had just been standing on into pieces!He strode forward, chasing after Robin like a chariot, his attention completely diverted.The Divine Soldiers behind him rushed to chase Nami and Usopp.Usopp and Nami took the opportunity to slip into the interior of the ruins through the side gap.The two ran frantically through the dim corridors when Usopp's foot suddenly hit empty air."Waaaaah!" The two screamed as they tumbled down a steep slope.They unexpectedly fell into a massive space at the lowest level of the ruins.They scrambled up in a mess, and the moment they looked up, they were stunned by the sight before them.Where was the City of Gold?The massive space was empty, with only a few giant pedestals standing lonely.Clear marks remained on the pedestals—signs of being forcibly pried away and stripped—and there were deep drag marks on the ground."The... the gold? The legendary Golden City of Shandora..." Usopp muttered, his voice trembling.Nami stared at those marks and realized instantly, gritting her teeth. "It's Eneru!""He must have taken all the gold to build that ark of his!"The legendary romance was completely shattered, leaving only the desolation of a conspiracy.On the other side, Robin led Yama to the intended battlefield—an open area composed of giant stone pillars and ruined temples.The structure here was solid and not prone to collapse."You have nowhere to run, bug!" Yama roared, leaping up suddenly."'Drop Full Point'!" His massive body crashed down from above like a landslide, the shadow completely enveloping Robin.While running, Robin suddenly activated her ability: "Cien Fleur: Dazzle!"Several clones appeared instantly, confusing Yama's vision, while her true self nimbly used the stone pillars to dodge and weave.She took the opportunity to activate "Clutch," attempting to lock Yama's joints.But the opponent's strength was too great; he broke free easily and swung his hand back.The aftershock of the Axe Dial cut through several stone pillars, and the flying debris left several bloody scratches on Robin's arm."Let's see how long you can hide!" Yama charged up again, preparing for his next attack.Robin's eyes sharpened—she only had one chance.Instead of dodging, she suddenly stood firm on a patch of open ground.At the very moment Yama used "Drop Full Point" again and soared into the air!"Sesenta Fleur: Twist!"Instead of meeting him head-on, dozens of arms instantly bloomed beneath Yama.These arms wove into a clever network of "hand-flowers," not to bear his weight, but to precisely grab his ankles and waist.Using the massive force of Yama's own descent, she gave him a sudden shove and a toss!"What?!" Yama completely hadn't expected such an attack, and his massive body instantly lost balance in the air.He began to tumble uncontrollably like a spinning top.Now!Robin's ability activated again; several arms reached for his waist during the gaps in his tumbling.They grabbed the row of Axe Dials and flipped them all over—pointing the blades directly at his own chest!In the next moment, Yama crashed into the ground like a meteorite.Using his most prized move—"Belly Full Point"!The terrifying impact instantly triggered all the Axe Dials on his belt!"Ten-Slash Combo!!"Pfft—!!!A full ten terrifying slashes, far exceeding their usual power, slammed solidly into Yama's own chest at point-blank range.Blood sprayed out like a waterfall; his massive body jerked violently, and he let out a low, pained howl.His eyes were filled with unbelievable shock as he fell heavily to the ground, no longer having the strength to get up.Robin slowly walked out of the dust, her chest heaving slightly and her arms still trembling a bit.She calmly walked over to the dying Yama."To ensure you don't stand up again..." she whispered, "Clutch."A crisp "crack" sounded as she decisively dislocated Yama's main joints.The battle was over.The wise archaeologist, with an absolute disadvantage in strength, had perfectly defeated the powerful Chief Enforcer.Just then, a familiar shout came: "Robin!"Chopper was seen running over, panting, with several Anti-inflammatory Cloud Herbs in his arms."I finally found you guys! Are you okay?" Chopperran close, and seeing the wound on Robin's arm, he cried out, "Ah! Blood!""I'm fine, it's just a small wound." Robin gave a gentle smile and reached out to pat Chopper's head."Is everyone here?""Nami and Usopp are inside the ruins! Zoro and Sanji should be here soon!" Chopper quickly handed over the cloud herbs, speaking anxiously.The Straw Hat Crew's ruins team had successfully regrouped!High in the sky, Eneru clearly perceived everything happening on the ground through Mantra.His Priests, Divine Soldier Chief, and foot soldiers—they had all been defeated!"Useless! They couldn't even stall for time!" His extreme anger caused lightning to surge all over his body, and the surrounding thunderclouds grew restless along with him.What made his heart palpitate even more were Luffy's fists, wrapped in black lightning, and Mark's black mist that could devour electricity.This was the first time he had felt the threat of "death."His belief in his invincibility wavered at this moment."I can't keep tangling with them! I must execute the final plan immediately!"Eneru hesitated no longer, turning into pure lightning and decisively abandoning the battlefield.Moving at the speed of lightning, he turned into a brilliant flash of light and shot toward the sky, instantly vanishing into the thickest, lightning-flickering dark cloud above the ruins."Hey! Are you trying to run?!" Luffy roared, Gear Second steam erupting wildly from his body.But he couldn't fly; he could only watch helplessly as Eneru disappeared into the clouds."He's going to the ark!" Mark instantly saw through Eneru's intentions and shouted urgently."Luffy, get ready to jump up!"As soon as he finished speaking, Mark pressed both hands to the ground and growled, "Waste Utilization: Floating Stairs!"In an instant, the massive debris scattered across the battlefield—broken temple stones, severed trees, even the metal weapons of the Divine Soldiers—were all enveloped by an invisible force.These remains floated up from the ground as if they had lost gravity.Under Mark's precise control, they rapidly assembled and built in front of Luffy, forming a floating platform staircase that extended continuously toward the sky clouds!"Awesome! Mark!" Luffy's eyes lit up, shining with excitement.He stepped onto these floating "trash platforms" without hesitation, his rubber legs exploding with incredible power.With every step, he catapulted himself toward the heights like a cannonball!Mark, riding Ink Meteor, followed closely behind Luffy.The two broke through the thick layer of thunderclouds, and the sight before them instantly took their breath away.That incredibly massive golden ark—the "proverb"—was quietly floating above the clouds.Dazzling lightning flowed over the hull, like a fortress descending from myth into the mortal world.Eneru stood at the bow, his hands pressed against the ship's core, frantically injecting his own lightning into it."Despair System, activate!!" Eneru spread his arms, looking like a madman, his face full of destructive fervor."Let me show you the true judgment of God!""Raigo!!"The thunderclouds beneath the ark began to gather and compress frantically.Finally, they formed a black ball of lightning a full kilometer in diameter—its body wrapped in an aura of destruction, making even the air wail.The pressure it emitted made the entire Sky Islandtremble!"He... he's going to destroy the entire Sky Island!" Mark's voice was heavy with unprecedented gravity."Then before he destroys it—" Luffy's eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, the steam on his body boiling to the extreme.The last floating stone slab beneath his feet was crushed as he used the reaction force to shoot toward the ark's deck like a meteor."—I'll blow him away! Rubber Rubber—Jet Pistol!""Foolish! 200 Million Volts: Amaru!" Eneru roared, his voice full of rage.He transformed once again into a colossal lightning giant, swinging a massive arm composed of billions of bolts of lightning to fiercely meet Luffy!Lightning and fist collided once again with a crash atop the ark ten thousand meters in the air!The final battle erupted completely on the Ark proverb, suspended in the sky!Mark controlled the surrounding floating debris, constantly creating footholds for Luffy.Meanwhile, he transformed into a black mist that devoured electricity, interfering with Eneru's Mantraperception and attack rhythm.Luffy, bolstered by both Gear Second and Armament Haki, engaged in earth-shattering hand-to-hand combat with the Thunder God!The final movement determining the fate of Sky Island was played here!
Chapter 103: The Thunder Enchantress of the Straw Hat CrewAbove the sky, the churning thunderstorms were like a boiling, ink-colored ocean.Eneru hovered within the lightning, the electrical currents around his body dancing with increasing ferocity.Ohm, Shura, Gedatsu, Yama... The news of his subordinate priests and commanders being defeated one after another pierced into his mind again and again through the Mantra."A bunch of useless trash!"He suddenly raised his hand and unleashed a bolt of lightning as thick as a water barrel, forcibly pushing back Luffy, who had lunged at him again, his tone filled with disdain and anger."You couldn't even buy me a moment more, dying without leaving even a trace! You're a complete waste of my divine power!"This sentence was like a spark, "boom," igniting all the rage pent up in Luffy's chest.He suddenly halted his attack and fiercely raised his head—The gaze beneath his Straw Hat was as sharp as a blade tempered in fire."What did you say?! Value? They were your subordinates who risked their lives to protect you!""Subordinates? Hahaha..."Eneru seemed to have heard the most ridiculous joke in the world, letting out a jarring, maniacal laugh."Don't make me laugh! They are nothing but tools serving a 'God'!""If a tool breaks or becomes useless, you just throw it away!""Just like those old geezers in Birka who dared to question me;""Just like Gan Fall's subordinates, the divine soldiers who became useless after helping me build the Ark!""What's wrong with cleaning out trash? This is my divine law!"This was the twisted-to-the-extreme "divine philosophy" carved into his very bones.Luffy's anger completely exploded—His aura erupted violently, red steam wrapped in black electric arcs overflowing uncontrollably from his pores."What do you take... life to be!!!"The ultimate belief in protection shattered the critical limit of his ability!"Third Gear!"Luffy suddenly blew into his thumb, his right arm inflating at a terrifying speed.His skin was wrapped in highly compressed Armament Haki, gleaming with a black-red metallic luster.Streaks of black lightning like manic snakes coiled around his giant arm, "cracking" and jumping about!Then, he puffed up again, channeling the power of the bone balloon to his sole—That giant foot expanded instantly, blotting out the sky like a meteor-iron war hammer swung by a god!"Bone Balloon!"Eneru's pupils suddenly shrank to pinpricks, and a chill instantly rose up his back—It was an unprecedented threat of death.He no longer held back, pulling all the stray lightning on the Sky Island into his golden staff.An unprecedented torrent of thunder surged skyward along the golden staff—"Two Hundred Million Volts: Divine Judgment: Final Spear!"That pillar of lightning, dozens of meters in diameter, wrapped in the will to destroy everything, aimed to annihilate Luffy, bones and flesh alike!Below the ruins, Usopp clenched his fists and screamed desperately at Luffy high in the sky:"Take him down! Luffy!"Zoro stood straight, leaning on his sword hilt, his mouth curling up:"A new move? Strong enough."Sanji puffed on his cigarette and cursed in a low voice:"Idiot Captain... he's actually got some skill."At the very moment of this ultimate collision, Mark's figure flashed by like a shadow, silently landing on the violently shaking deck of the Ark proverb.He slammed his hands onto the deck and whispered: "Rainbow Space, retract!"The massive Ark was instantly enveloped by the rainbow mist and disappeared without a trace.At the same time, Luffy's roar shook the heavens like a thunderclap:"Third Gear! Gum-Gum—Thor's Battle Axe!"That black-red giant foot, wrapped in black lightning, smashed down with the power to crush everything, colliding fiercely with the destructive pillar of lightning!The entire Sky Island seemed to have been muted—the world itself lost its voice!The lightning crazily tore at and disintegrated the black lightning on the giant foot, but it was split right down the middle by that layer of solid Armament Haki and the overwhelmingly tyrannical Haoshoku!The overflowing currents were like out-of-control giant pythons, whipping the surrounding sea of clouds until it "hissed" with white smoke, and even the stones in the ruins were scorched black by the electricity.Eneru's eyes widened until they were about to split, filled with disbelief and even a hint of fear—That giant foot cleaved through all obstacles, landing solidly and mercilessly on his "Thunder God" body!"Im... possible..."This was his final thought before his consciousness dissipated.The Thunder God form instantly shattered, the golden staff snapped in two with a "crack," and Eneru spat out blood, falling straight down from the sky like a shot-down meteor.He slammed heavily into the sea of clouds below, creating a churning crater of lightning.He fell completely unconscious, his life force as weak as a candle in the wind.Mark's figure drifted like a ghost to the edge of the crater, his gaze cold and devoid of warmth.He saw Eneru's body twitch imperceptibly, faint electrical sparks gathering toward his heart—He was trying to use electrotherapy to resuscitate himself.Without a moment's hesitation, Mark drew the jet-black dagger gleaming with cold light from his boot."Your sins end here."As soon as the words fell, the dagger had already precisely and cleanly stabbed into Eneru's reviving heart, and he gave it a fierce twist.Eneru's body stiffened violently, and his last trace of life was completely extinguished.The battle was over.Luffy slowly descended from the sky, the side effects of Third Gear instantly taking hold—His body shrank at a visible speed, limp and weak, unable to even stand.But he still struggled to raise his head, his gaze crossing the ruins, locked firmly onto that huge golden bell in the distance."Bell... ring the bell..." he shouted, his voice faint but stubborn.Zoro and Sanji immediately understood what he meant.The two exchanged a glance, stepped forward simultaneously, and carefully supported the shrunken Luffy."Go, Captain.""Don't fall, idiot."As they spoke, the two exerted force simultaneously, tossing Luffy steadily into the high sky!Just as Luffy ran out of strength and was about to fall, Mark raised his hand and pointed beneath his feet:"Floating Staircase!"Several pieces of ruin debris, half a person tall, "whooshed" and floated up, precisely padding under Luffy's feet, layering and spreading out to form a staircase leading to the golden bell!Stepping on the swaying floating platforms, Luffyused his last ounce of strength to leap,slamming that small fist, which carried a four-hundred-year-old promise, fiercely against the golden bell!"Clang!!!!!!!"The loud, melodious bell toll, like a sacred sound capable of cleansing the soul, instantly spread to every corner of the Sky Island.The residents of Angel Island stopped their work, the Shandia warriors put down their weapons, and everyone stood where they were, listening in a daze to this promise that traversed time.On the coast of Jaya, Mont Blanc Cricket looked toward the direction of the Sky Island,and the clear bell toll suddenly struck his ears—He froze for a full three seconds, then tears "gushed" out, and he cried and laughed at the sky, waving his arms vigorously: "It rang! Finally... finally... wah!"The bell toll was still drifting; the four-hundred-year romance was finally complete.Mark walked to Eneru's corpse:"Ink Meteor, consume."A black lion flashed out from his lower back, instantly swallowing Eneru's corpse in one bite.Since fighting Hawkeye, Ink Meteor had evolved the ability to decompose the Devil's power from fresh corpses, so he had started saving up energy points bit by bit.A full one hundred thousand points; if it weren't for the pirate graveyard in the rainbow mist, he wouldn't have been able to scrape together this amount.At the same time, the one hundred thousand energy points on Mark's system panel were instantly cleared—all used to power the decomposition and refinement process.A moment later, a trembling, pure ball of lightning floated in his palm, the electricity inside dancing happily, without a shred of malice or impurity.He held the ball of light and walked over to his companions, extending his hand toward Nami, who hadn't yet recovered from the bell toll."Nami, this is for you. The lightning of this sky was always meant for you to command."Nami stared in a daze at the warm lightning, then looked at the encouraging gazes of her companions—Usopp was nodding, Robin was smiling, and Luffywas waving his small fist.She finally gritted her teeth and reached out to take the ball of light.As soon as the ball of light touched her palm, it instantly melted into her body—a miracle happened at this moment!Her orange short hair grew at a visible speed, cascading down her back to her waist,the hair color slowly fading into dazzling blonde, with tiny lightning arcs adorning the tips.With a thought, her entire arm "whooshed" and turned into pure white lightning.When she opened her eyes again, her original brown pupils had turned into a deep Violet color, as if holding a quiet thunderstorm within.Feeling the docile yet massive power within her, Nami suddenly smiled—She raised her index finger, aiming at a ruin rock over a person's height, a hundred meters away."Lightning Spear."A hair-thin bolt of lightning instantly shot out, without a roar, without an explosion—The center of the giant rock was vaporized directly, leaving only a circular hole with molten edges that pierced through! The precision and control were a hundred times superior to Eneru's!"Thank you... Mark!" Nami's eyes grew hot, and she lunged forward to hug Mark tightly, her voice choked with emotion,"It was worth doting on you! My good sister!""Hey! What good sister! I'm a real man!" Markgrimaced."Who told you to look so fair and clean, just as cute as Chopper." Nami released him.She raised her hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, but the corners of her mouth were curled in a smile."Wah!!!"Usopp "thumped" to his knees, pressing his hands together: "Goddess Nami! Your loyal follower hopes to receive your protection in the future!"Sanji instantly sprayed nosebleeds and spiraled into the sky on the spot, shouting:"Miss Nami... this is the true Weather Goddess! The Thunder Enchantress!"Zoro curled his lip, pressed down on his sword hilt, and said stubbornly:"Hmph, so she swallowed a fruit? My strength is still third on the ship!"Mark leaned over, teasing him with a smirk: "Zoro, do you want a fruit?""No."Zoro refused without a second thought, his tone ironclad, "I only trust the sword in my hand."Luffy had returned to normal by now and bounced to Nami's side, his eyes flashing with blinding golden light: "Super amazing, Nami! So amazing! Thunder person!"Nami smiled and brushed the blonde hair behind her ear, the fine electricity around her body dancing happily, her tone full of confidence:"From today on, no matter what kind of storm, the Thunder Beauty will pave the way for you!"Meanwhile, Robin walked out from the depths of the ruins, holding a piece of rubbing paper in her hand, her face wearing an expression of realization after deep thought."Everyone," her voice was not high, but it instantly attracted everyone's attention,"I found a poneglyph."She pointed at the text on the rubbing and slowly interpreted it—It contained the truth about the ancient weapon"Poseidon":It is not in mythology, but on Fish-Man Island, an existence capable of commanding Sea Kings;And, by collecting all the poneglyphs, one can find the final island, Laugh Tale.The goal of the Straw Hat Crew had never been so clear, so grand.Just as everyone was gathering around Robin to discuss Fish-Man Island, Mark quietly retreated to the side, closing his eyes to sense the feedback from the system.In the deepest part of decomposing Eneru's energy source, he captured a trace of extremely hidden biological information.Resonance! Strong resonance!That piece of information actually produced an indescribable echo with his bloodline—The source was none other than that mark on Eneru's body, coming from DNA, belonging to some lost ancient civilization.The mystery of his own background had finally revealed the tip of the iceberg for the first time.Mark looked toward this land floating above the sea of clouds, his gaze becoming deep.
Chapter 104: Sky Island Arc - Final ChapterThe battle at Upper Yard had settled, and the smell of burning in the air dissipated, replaced by a post-rain freshness, as if this land was glowing with new life.Nami stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes sparkling with a shrewd light as she began to fulfill her "sacred duty" as navigator and treasurer."Mark! Quick, move faster!"She pointed at the scattered gold bricks and decorations among the ruins,"These are all ownerless now; they're our spoils of war!Repairing the ship, buying supplies, and getting new clothes in the future will all depend on them!"Mark looked at Nami's money-grubbing expression and couldn't help but laugh, but he still did as he was told.He moved through the ruins, his fingers lightly touching the shining gold. With a flash of golden light, the gold bricks vanished one by one, appearing inside his System Space.Sanji chuckled from the side, a cigarette in his mouth: "Miss Nami is charming even when she's planning for the future."Zoro leaned against a broken wall with his swords in his arms, saying flatly: "Money-grubber!"As the last gold brick disappeared, Nami finally breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied, as if she could already see the prosperous days ahead.Usopp approached, rubbing his hands together and asking, "With this much gold, I feel like we'll never be able to spend it all?"Nami's face immediately stiffened: "In your dreams! This has to be used with careful calculation!""Alright," Mark turned to his long-awaiting companions, his expression becoming solemn and gentle,"now, it's time to welcome our true companion."He concentrated and pointed toward the open space in front of him.A rainbow-like halo flashed, and space rippled slightly. The going merry, which carried countless memories of theirs, slowly appeared before everyone.It sat there quietly, its familiar sheep-head bow still carrying that sense of bravery and gentleness.Terrible wounds were still vaguely visible on the hull, but now they had been repaired in a way filled with love.The wooden planks were carefully pieced back together. Although the colors varied, looking as if they were gathered from various types of wood, every nail was firmly driven in, making the structure exceptionally sturdy.What warmed their hearts the most were the unique marks left on the repairs—Luffy's Straw Hat,Zoro's three swords,Sanji's curly eyebrows,Nami's tangerines and money symbols,Usopp's slingshot,Chopper's antler hat,Robin's blooming flowers,Mark's Slime Form and lion,all turned into cute patterns, carved or branded onto the patches.And the largest patch on the mainsail was the image of a small spirit wearing a raincoat with a warm smile; it was the Klabautermann's depiction of itself."Merry!"Usopp was the first to rush forward, tears welling up instantly as he touched the slingshot pattern,"It remembers! It remembers every one of us!"Chopper also lunged to the side of the ship, jumping and shouting while pointing at the antler pattern:"Look! It's me! Merry drew me on there!"Luffy broke into a huge, incredibly bright smile, hugging the going merry's sheep head tightly and burying his face against it, rubbing it repeatedly:"Hee hee hee! Merry! Welcome back! These patterns are super cool!"Nami's eyes were slightly red as she gently stroked the exquisite tangerine pattern, as if she could feel the longing the ship's spirit had poured into the repairs."This $ symbol is carved quite accurately..." She laughed through her tears.Zoro crossed his arms, looking at the pattern of the three swords representing him, his lips curling into a rare, clear smile:"Yeah, it's pretty sturdy."Sanji lit a cigarette and elegantly blew a smoke ring:"Ah~ even my deep eyebrows are depicted so vividly. Merry, you truly have extraordinary artistic talent."Robin chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping over each companion's symbol:"This is the warmest, most unique ship in the world."A wave of warmth, attachment, slight shyness, and immense pride was clearly transmitted to everyone's hearts.That was Merry's response, silently telling them how it had repaired itself bit by bit in the Rainbow Space while missing them,and carved these marks of love.These traces of repair were no longer scars, but indelible medals of their bond.Boarding the going merry, they left Upper Yard and returned to Angel Island.The azure sea of clouds carved white waves on both sides of the hull. The going merry, setting sail once more, felt exceptionally light.Luffy stood excitedly at the bow, spreading his arms to feel the high-altitude airflow:"As expected, the going merry is the most comfortable!"After docking, the team immediately split into two groups:House Repair Team:Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper volunteered to help Conis and her father Pagaya rebuild their home destroyed by Eneru.Usopp held the blueprints given by the Sky Islanddesigner and directed with great importance:"This side needs more reinforcement!"Luffy ran around happily carrying timber larger than himself, while Chopper busied himself handing out tools.Meanwhile, Zoro demonstrated his amazing strength and control, using his swords to precisely chop wood and even carrying the heaviest main beam by himself.Conis looked at them touched: "Thank you all so much..."Uncle Pagaya's eyes were even more filled with tears: "You are not just the benefactors of Sky Island, but our friends."Procurement Team: Nami, Robin, and Sanji headed to the market on Angel Island.Nami carefully selected delicious fruits unique to Sky Island, bargaining with the vendors from time to time: "This price is too expensive!"Sanji carried bags of all sizes for the two ladies while frantically buying specialty ingredients from Sky Island: "This will definitely be perfect for a new dish!"Robin quietly browsed stalls selling ancient books and handicrafts, searching for traces of Sky Island's culture and history.When she discovered a book recording ancient legends of Sky Island, a look of joy flashed in her eyes.Meanwhile, Mark met with Gan Fall alone.In the shrine at the highest point of Angel Island, the two sat opposite each other.Mark didn't waste time on pleasantries and directly fulfilled their previous agreement.With a wave of his hand, a massive amount of fertile, nutrient-rich soil, synthesized by the Trash-Trash Fruit's power, piled up in the plaza before the shrine.Gan Fall looked at the soil radiating the breath of life in shock, his hands trembling slightly."This soil is rich in various elements and is more fertile than ordinary soil."Mark explained, "I believe it can revitalize Sky Island's agriculture."In exchange, Mark obtained Sky Island's core specialties:Boxes of Breath Dials, Jet Dials, and other types of Dials, along with a complete scroll on Island Cloudmanufacturing technology.Finally, Mark gave a significant amount of nutrient soil as an extra gift of peace:"Take these as a congratulatory gift for Sky Islandwelcoming true peace."Gan Fall solemnly promised to fairly distribute the life-bearing soil among the residents of Angel Island and the Shandians.When the Sky Islanders also had land where they could grow Blue Sea crops, the root of the war that had lasted four hundred years was finally completely eradicated.A true, stable peace descended upon this land of the sky.At dusk, everyone gathered again by the going merry.The setting sun dyed the sea of clouds gold as Markgathered his companions together.He said seriously:"Eneru's Ark Proverb is still with me.The 'Fairy Vearth' he always wanted to go to—which is the Moon, might hide unknown secrets."He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice becoming deep:"Moreover, when I decomposed Eneru, I felt that his bloodlinemight have some unknown connection to my origins. I want to go there and take a look."This proposal, combining grand adventure with personal exploration, was full of temptation.Luffy was the first to jump up in agreement: "The Moon! How interesting! Let's go!"Zoro nodded while holding his swords: "I wonder if there are any Moon people who can make me use all three swords."Sanji blew a smoke ring: "There might be Moon beauties on the Moon."Although Usopp was a bit scared, he still puffed out his chest:"Since Merry is all fixed up, of course I'm going!"Chopper hopped excitedly: "Moon adventure!"Nami calculated: "I wonder if there are special minerals and gemstones on the Moon..."Robin said with a smile: "It's very likely that ancient civilizations left traces on the Moon. I'm all for it."After reaching an agreement, Mark used his ability once more.With a rainbow halo, that massive, magnificent ancient warship cast entirely from gold—the Ark Proverb, appeared above the Sea Clouds of Angel Island like a myth come to life.Its golden face and propeller structures exuded an ancient and powerful aura under the setting sun. The hull was hundreds of meters long, comparable to a mobile castle.Everyone boarded the giant ship to explore.Nami used her newly acquired Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers to inject lightning energy into the golden power furnace in the center of the cabin, which was covered in ancient inscriptions.With a low hum, the patterns on the proverb's hull lit up in sequence, proving that the ship could be controlled."It's amazing,"Nami felt the trajectory of the lightning flowing through the hull, "This ship is practically tailor-made for someone with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability."After finishing their research and familiarizing themselves with the basic structure, the Straw Hatcrew made a collective decision—they carefully and securely placed the going merryat the very front of the proverb's incredibly wide deck.The small going merry, covered in patches of love, formed a sharp yet harmonious contrast with the massive, glorious golden ark.This silently declared:No matter how powerful their future vessel might be, the going merry, this first ship with a soul, would forever be the irreplaceable home and heart of the Straw Hat crew.The Sky Island residents held a grand farewell banquet for them.The people of Angel Island and the Shandians sat together for the first time, sharing food around a bonfire, with laughter and song echoing through the clouds.Conis and Pagaya brought special Sky Islandsnacks, and Gan Fall was elected by everyone as the new "God," symbolizing peace and protection.During a break in the banquet, Gan Fall specifically sought out Robin and took her to see a piece of gold engraved with ancient script:"This was left many years ago by a pirate named Gol D. Roger."Robin softly read the words on it:"I have come here and will lead this passage to the farthest ends of the world." A light of understanding flashed in her eyes.After the banquet ended, it was time for the real farewell.In the morning light, the Straw Hat crew boarded the Ark Proverb.Nami stood before the magnificent golden helm, feeling the resonance between the power of lightning and ancient technology.Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper leaned excitedly over the going merry's railing, waving to those below;Zoro and Sanji patrolled the deck of the proverb;Robin and Mark performed a final check of the information on the control console."Set sail!"Luffy raised his arm high, his rubbery vitality infectious to everyone, as he pointed toward the boundless, twinkling starry sky above,"Target—Fairy Vearth! The Moon!"Amidst the sincere blessings and waving of all the Sky Island residents, the massive golden Ark Proverb,carrying the home-like going merry on its deck, its propellers turned, and it slowly ascended.It passed through the clouds, leaving the bells of peace and the warmth of friendship behind,resolutely sailing into the vast, boundless universe, heading toward an even more magnificent Moon adventure.The Sky Island Arc has officially come to an end.
Chapter 105: Starry Sea and the Moon's SurfaceThe massive golden ark, [proverb], driven by Nami's precise lightning power, displayed an amazing flying posture.The oversized main propeller at the stern began to turn slowly, emitting a low hum as it churned;The three smaller propellers at the bow worked simultaneously, precisely adjusting the flight altitude and angle;Meanwhile, dozens of oars at the bottom of the ship paddled rhythmically like a giant bird's webbed feet, providing stable auxiliary power.This ancient masterpiece, which Eneru had poured his heart and soul into creating, was carrying the Straw Hat away from Sky Island and toward the vast starry sea in its unique way.Space travel was full of mystery and laughter.On the spacious golden deck, Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were fascinated by the huge propellers and paddling oars, watching how they worked together to change direction."Look! Stars! So many stars! It feels like I can catch them if I just reach out!"Chopper's entire face was pressed against the cool porthole, shouting excitedly as he gazed at the brilliant galaxy outside that seemed within reach."...And so, the great warrior of the sea, CaptainUsopp, steering the legendary golden ark, began his grand undertaking of conquering the sea of stars!"Usopp stood on the mast of the going merry and began his impromptu speech.Zoro sat down in a corner of the deck with his swords in his arms, closing his eyes to rest,seeming uninterested in the cosmic wonders, but the slight upward curve of his mouth betrayed his good mood.Sanji had already begun planning how to use the space on this large ship to create a perfect kitchen,and was making space-themed special drinks for the two ladies using Sky Island fruits.Robin and Mark focused on studying the ancient inscriptions and patterns carved on the inner walls of the cabin, trying to decipher more secrets about the "Birka" civilization."It's amazing; there's no need for a steering wheel. It can be controlled by thought and the flow of lightning!Moreover, it seems to automatically draw faint energy from space, so the consumption for me is much smaller than I imagined!"In front of the control console, Nami marveled as she felt the resonance between the power of lightning and this ancient creation.A week later. (Approximate time recommended by netizens)"Everyone, we're almost there! Prepare for landing!"Nami's voice rang across the deck through some kind of sound-transmitting device.She concentrated and carefully controlled the energy output.The rotation speed of the huge propeller at the rear of the proverb gradually slowed down, and the three propellers at the bow tilted downward,providing reverse thrust, while the golden oars at the bottom also adjusted their angles, swaying as gently as feathers to provide cushioning.This behemoth landed smoothly on a vast, cratered lunar plain with an agility that belied its size.The hatch opened, and everyone stepped onto the moon's surface.A unique scent, a mixture of metal and ancient dust, filled their nostrils.Thanks to the massive root system of the Sunlight Tree Eve, which meandered across the lunar surface like planetary veins,and even broke through the ground in some places, there was a thin atmosphere sufficient to sustain life.The sight before them shocked everyone: extreme desolation and magnificence.The boundless gray desert stretched to the end of their vision, so silent that one could hear the sound of their own blood flowing.Huge craters, like footprints stepped on by gods, cast deep, cold shadows.Above them was an ink-black sky, with stars pinned to it—cold, sharp, and not twinkling at all.And their distant home, that magnificent blue planet, hung quietly on the black velvet, bringing an indescribable nostalgia and awe for the universe."This place... is the Fairy Vearth."Nami said softly, her voice filled with shock."Hey! Everyone, come look! There's a strange guy here!"Luffy's energetic shout broke the eternal silence.At the edge of a huge crater, he found a robot wearing a green helmet, a matching military uniform, and carrying a rifle. It lay motionless in the moon dust, like a forgotten soldier's statue."It looks like a robot! Is it broken?"Although Usopp felt a bit creeped out, his curiosity as an inventor ultimately prevailed.He approached cautiously and, relying on his years of experience tinkering with gadgets, found a hidden compartment like a maintenance panel on the robot's back."Let me see... Huh? A few energy transmission lines have come loose. They probably got shaken loose during the fall."He skillfully plugged several differently colored wires back into their corresponding interfaces."And then? Why is it still not moving?"Luffy leaned in and poked the robot's metal head with his finger."According to this Great Master's diagnosis, its mechanical structure is basically intact, but its core energy is exhausted,just like a battery that's completely dead! What it needs now is—charging!"Usopp checked it again pretentiously and then patted his chest confidently.Everyone's eyes naturally focused on Nami, who had just obtained the power of lightning."Charging? Me... I'll do it?"Nami was stunned for a moment, and then hesitation and worry appeared on her face."Using lightning? What if I can't control the voltage, the current is too high, and I burn it out completely? It looks quite precious...""It's okay, Nami!"Usopp put on an expert-like air and patted his chest in assurance."Try using the weakest current first. Don't worry! I'll guide you!"Under Usopp's encouragement and guidance, Namitook a deep breath and calmed her mind.She extended her index finger, and a tiny arc of electricity, almost imperceptible to the naked eye like a firefly, gathered at her fingertip.She carefully pressed her fingertip against a groove on the robot's chest that looked like an energy interface."Yes, that's it, hold it... very slowly, increase the output just a little bit more..."Usopp stared nervously at the robot's reaction, guiding from the side.As the extremely gentle sparks of electricity flowed in, the robot's cold metal shell seemed to warm up slightly.Its circular sensors, which were originally completely dark, began to flicker very faintly, like breathing.After a few cautious attempts, the robot suddenly jolted, and the light in its eyes finally stabilized completely.It stood up briskly and, with a "snap," gave the Straw Hat a standard military salute."Lieutenant Spacie! Thank you all for the rescue!"The electronic voice said clearly and powerfully.Before everyone could react to this sudden formal etiquette,Lieutenant Spacie suddenly turned around and began digging frantically at the nearby lunar soil with his hands."Everyone... everyone must be here!"He shouted with a sob while digging.Soon, he dug out four more robots from the soil with similar designs but different clothes, also lacking power.He hugged these companions."Waaah... it's all my fault! Because I was too weak and retreated in battle, I caused everyone... it's all my fault!"The electronic voice was full of self-reproach and sadness."Um... they just seem to be out of power, not sacrificed..."Chopper reminded him in a small voice.Lieutenant Spacie was stunned, stopped crying instantly, and looked at Nami with hopeful eyes.Nami looked at the five robots "depending on each other," sighed, and gave a helpless but smiling look."Alright, alright, I really can't do anything about you guys."She charged the other four robots with energy one by one.All five robots were reborn, hugging and jumping around each other; the scene was a bit chaotic for a moment, yet very warm and touching.After calming down, Lieutenant Spacie told his story:His creator was Professor Tsukimi, a kind scientist.The professor loved to watch the moon through a telescope on full moon nights while eating his favorite glutinous rice balls.However, a tragedy occurred—Through the telescope, the professor witnessed a large explosion of unknown cause on the surface of the moon.The extreme shock caused him to choke on the rice ball in his mouth, and he unfortunately suffocated to death."The Professor... was my father..."Spacie's electronic voice carried deep sorrow."I cannot forgive the culprits who caused that explosion! They are Space Pirates!""They want to blow up the moon to find ancient ruins! I swore to come here and avenge the Professor!"Relying on the blueprints left by the professor, he and his companions came to the moon on hydrogen balloons,but their energy was exhausted because they were no match for the pirates.As if to confirm Spacie's hatred, a piercing and malicious engine roar approached from afar!Three dilapidated, roughly styled spaceships arrived. Chimneys of old-fashioned steam engines stood on the decks, and a conveyor belt was continuously feeding black blocks into the boilers.The pirates on the ships had all sorts of strange appearances:Leading them was one that looked like a standing white dog, wearing a top hat, holding a white spear, and with a weight scale plate pattern on its chest;Behind it followed those with rectangular or square bodies;There were also pirates with various strange body types, such as those with extremely long necks like giraffes."It's them! Space Pirates!"Lieutenant Spacie's voice was full of anger and a hint of fear."It seems we have some uninvited guests."Sanji threw away his cigarette butt, his eyes becoming sharp."Perfect, I'll see what it feels like to cut an alien."Zoro snorted coldly, his hand already on the hilt of his sword."Just blow them all away!"Luffy grinned, his rubber arms already poised for action.The first conflict between the Space Pirates' vanguard and the Straw Hat on the desolate lunar surface was imminent.The magnificent lunar adventure officially began in this sudden conflict.(Referring to Eneru's cover story; readers, please don't relate this to the real moon. Even the ridiculous setting of flying to the moon with hydrogen balloons exists, so don't worry about the details.)
Chapter 106: The Awakener of the Ancient CityLieutenant Spacie's warning had just fallen when three dilapidated Space Pirate ships approached, trailing black smoke.The pirate at the head, who looked like a white dog, waved his spear, and several cannonballs came whistling toward them!"Gomu Gomu no Balloon!"Luffy's body instantly expanded, easily bouncing the cannonballs away.Taking advantage of the gap, Zoro rushed out like an arrow from a bow,"One Sword Style: Iai - Lion's Song!"The blade light flashed like a line, and one of the pirate ships was actually cut in half!"Collier Shoot!"Sanji used the low gravity to leap into the air, delivering a powerful kick that sent the rectangular pirate crashing through the deck,"Oi, oi, this is way too weak! It's not even enough for a warm-up!"He hadn't even used five percent of his strength.Usopp's "Sure Kill: Rapid-Fire Fireworks" had already been launched,Fireworks mixed with ordinary bullets exploded on the enemy ships, the blinding flash making it impossible for the pirates to open their eyes,Only to be mowed down by the barrage that followed.Chopper transformed into Horn Point, headbutting the square pirate like a rubber ball toward Luffy,The two of them actually started playing a game of catch.Nami did not attack directly but observed calmly. She discovered that the opponents relied heavily on steam boilers.Seeing her chance, she waved her hand, and a precise, small bolt of lightning hit the main ship's boiler valve with a'Snap!'"Snap!"The valve failed, and the boiler screeched to a halt.Within a minute, the battle had become completely one-sided.Having trained on Sky Island, the Straw Hat's strength was already far beyond that of mere grunts.Lieutenant Spacie and its companions watched with sensors nearly popping out of their heads,The enemies they had struggled against were so fragile before the Straw Hat Crew."So... so strong!"Spacie's electronic voice was filled with admiration and hope.Silence returned to the lunar surface, leaving only a few smoking wrecks."Powerful warriors, please follow me!"Lieutenant Spacie puffed out its chest and pointed toward a distant crater,"The entrance to the ancient city of Birka is right there. That was also the pirates' goal; we must get there first!"Led by Spacie, the Straw Hat reached a massive arched entrance in the crater wall.Entering the passage, they found broad stairs extending downward, the walls smooth and covered in inscrutable patterns.After walking for a long time, the view suddenly opened up. Even though they had seen the Shandora ruins, everyone still held their breath in shock at the sight—A massive underground metal city. Towering buildings were made of strange metals, with bridges and pipes crisscrossing everywhere.On the streets, dense crowds of little robots stood still like an army; in the distance, huge conveyor belts and mechanical arms were frozen in mid-air.Everything was frozen in absolute silence."Is this... the city of the Moon People?"Usopp's voice echoed in the open space, filled with awe."The scale is incredible."Robin lightly touched markings even older than a poneglyph, her eyes shining.Luffy looked around: "What a huge place! And so many robots, they're just too small!"(It seems only a large robot like Franky could make his eyes turn into stars).Lieutenant Spacie explained: "The city has been asleep for a long time. The Professor's data shows that a massive energy shock is needed to activate the core."Everyone's eyes turned toward Nami.This time she had less hesitation and more confidence. Walking up to an energy receiver that looked like a giant crystal cluster in the city center,She asked, "How much electricity is needed?"Spacie retrieved the data: "At least... a very powerful current."Nami nodded and raised both hands. Dazzling golden lightning erupted from all over her body, the tips of her hair moved of their own accord, and purple lightning flowed in her eyes."Then let's have something exciting—50 Million Volts: Charge!"A roaring Thunder Dragon was poured from the clima-tact into the device!In an instant, the blue energy flow raced along the ground, walls, and pipe patterns like reviving blood vessels!A low rumble came from underground, as if a sleeping heart had begun to beat again!The entire city was instantly lit up!Luminous minerals emitted a soft glow, conveyor belts creaked into motion, and mechanical arms slowly lifted.Most shockingly, the countless stationary little robots on the street all had their eye sensors light up with white light in unison,"Buzzzz"They hummed and began to move!They gathered around curiously, but without hostility,Their gaze focused mostly on Nami, as if sensing the lingering power of lightning within her.They made chirping electronic sounds, cleared a path automatically, and made guiding gestures."They... treat you as one of their own?"Usopp was surprised.Spacie analyzed: "It is very likely because Ms. Nami's energy is of the same source as the city's startup power. They see you as the 'Awakener' or 'Guider'.""Awakener""Guider"At that moment, Mark's body shuddered.An invisible wave swept through his body, especially as he approached the tallest pyramid deep within the city,The resonance between his body and the Garbage Recycling System was exceptionally strong. That building's gate held an irresistible attraction for him."I feel... it's calling me over there."Mark pointed toward the pyramid.Robin said thoughtfully, "Perhaps that is the city's control core.""As companions of the 'Awakener', we have been permitted to enter.""Awakener"Under the respectful guidance of the crowds of little robots, the Straw Hat walked toward that silent pyramid, carrying curiosity and expectation.The ancient secrets of Birka were waiting for them.
Chapter 107: CielGuided respectfully by countless small robots, the Straw Hat crew walked inside the most magnificent pyramid-shaped building.The space inside was exceptionally vast; the walls, the dome, and even the floor were covered in incredibly complex and ancient murals and inscriptions, and a solemn and mysterious aura permeated the surroundings.Robin's breath nearly stopped, her gaze instantly and firmly captured by the murals all around."This... this is practically an encyclopedia recording lost history!"She couldn't wait to start deciphering them; in her excitement, she didn't even know where to begin until she found the largest mural:"Look here! What's depicted on this mural is the history of the rise and fall of the 'Birka' people of the moon.They once possessed a highly advanced civilization. See, these figures with wings and antennae are what they looked like."Usopp compared them to the appearance of the Sky Islanders and exclaimed:"Wings! They look just like Sky Islanders!""Exactly,"Robin nodded, pointing to the subsequent murals. "It was precisely because the moon's resources were gradually depleted that they had to leave their homeland.Look, they built giant, balloon-like ships and migrated as a whole race to—our Blue Sea world."The murals clearly showed the branches after the migration:One group arrived above the clouds and became the Sky Islanders, retaining the white wing decorations.One group continued sailing and landed on Jaya Island, establishing the Golden Land of Shandora.And the most mysterious group came to the Red Line. Their form seemed different from the other Sky Islanders—Their hair was white, and their wings were much larger and pitch black—They are very likely the ancestors of the race known as the Lunarians!"No wonder..." Nami realized, "The Dial culture and cloud technology of Sky Island originated here."Luffy picked his ear and summarized:"Oh! So you mean the Sky Islanders and the Shandians all came from the moon!Speaking of which, the moon really is an interesting place!"Zoro crossed his arms and sized up the surroundings. "Are these squiggly symbols the same script found on the poneglyphs?"Robin replied, "Well said. It's very likely that the moon is the birthplace of the poneglyphs."Robin brushed her fingers over the script on the mural, a light of absolute certainty flashing in her eyes:"The poneglyphs are very likely the records and information transmitted by the lunar civilization in a script only they could understand,thereby avoiding the prying eyes of the current World Government!"Just as everyone was immersed in the historical revelation, Mark seemed to be pulled by some invisible force,unconsciously walking toward the solitary cylindrical platform in the center of the hall.When he stepped within three meters of the platform, a sudden change occurred!The surface of the platform instantly lit up with a soft white glow, and a visible ripple swept across his body.The murals and inscriptions of the entire hall seemed to be infused with life, beginning to flow with a faint blue light.A very low hum came from the ground, as if the entire pyramid was awakening from a deep slumber."Mark? What's wrong?"Nami was the first to notice his abnormality and asked worriedly.Luffy stopped laughing and looked at Mark and the glowing platform with a rare serious expression.Zoro's hand silently rested on his sword hilt, his eyes sharply scanning the surroundings, alert for any possible danger.Usopp and Chopper huddled together, both afraid and curious:"It... it's glowing! Is it a trap?"Robin looked thoughtful and said softly, "He seems... to be resonating with this city."[Special life frequency detected... Analyzing genetic sequence...]An ancient, majestic mechanical voice, seemingly from the depths of the starry sea, not only rang through Mark's mind,but also echoed deeply throughout the hall, letting everyone hear it clearly!Mark's body jolted! The interface of the garbage system inside him completely crashed into garbled code.At the same time, a beam of pure white light, as solid as if it were physical, shot down from the pyramid's dome, completely engulfing him![Warning! Highest priority target found! Genetic sequence comparison... Match rate 99.98%... Confirmed as:][Pure-blooded last descendant of the Birka Imperial Family!]The ancient mechanical voice carried a hint of indescribable excitement and solemnity, like an oracle being proclaimed.Within the light pillar, Mark uncontrollably manifested his crystal-clear blue Slime Form,his entire body like the most perfect sapphire, emitting gentle yet powerful energy fluctuations."Mark!" Nami covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes full of disbelief."What!" Luffy's eyes widened and his mouth hung open.Zoro's brow furrowed, but his hand on the sword hilt relaxed slightly; he sensed this power was "legitimate" rather than "hostile."Usopp and Chopper were already so scared they sat on the ground, pointing at the light pillar and unable to speak.Robin's eyes burst with unprecedented brilliance, as if she were seeing living history.[Beginning system authority authentication... Deep connection with unknown auxiliary system... Data synchronization and upgrade...]Mark's consciousness was thrown into a sea of data stars.His garbage system was completely shattered, then reconstructed by countless streams of light from the lunar civilization's data.[Deconstructing old system architecture... Loading 'Birka' core protocol... Fusion beginning... Progress 10%... 50%... 100%...][Notice: System fusion complete. Intelligent Auxiliary System—Pending Naming.]The ancient mechanical voice gradually faded, and finally, a clear, intelligent,and new voice with a trace of imperceptible warmth and absolute loyalty rang steadily in the depths of his thoughts:[Welcome home, my King.]The pure white pillar of light transformed into a blue pillar shooting toward the heavens, and all the lights of the entire underground city flickered in synchronization, as if paying homage to their king!Countless starlight-like data streams surrounded Mark, finally all sinking into his body.The light gradually faded, and Mark slowly landed, returning to human form.He opened his eyes, and deep in his pupils, a flash of azure data light passed through; his entire temperament had become calm and profound.In an instant, the entire hall, and even all the small robots outside the pyramid that could receive the signal, stopped all movement!With incredible uniformity, they turned toward Mark, and with a "shua" sound,like the most elite army, they knelt on one knee, their metal heads bowed low!The entire world fell into an absolute, awe-filled silence.This silent submission was more impactful than a mountain-shaking roar!"You... you're still... Mark, right?" Chopper's voice trembled, filled with both fear and worry."Of course!" Mark gave a sweet smile to reassure his companions.Usopp was already incoherent: "They... they all knelt?! Mark, have you become their king?!"Nami and Robin looked at each other, both seeing extreme shock in the other's eyes.Luffy, however, burst into laughter, slapping Mark's back hard (nearly sending the newly ascended Markstumbling):"So cool! Mark! You look super cool right now!"Zoro also finally showed a hint of a smile: "Looks like we have quite an incredible fellow among our crew."Mark felt that loyal and powerful consciousness in his mind, and a name surfaced in his heart.[From now on, I'll call you Ciel.][Notice: Intelligent Auxiliary System—Ciel, at your service, my King.]Just then, Lieutenant Spacie's alarm broke this sacred moment:"Not good! A large number of Space Pirates are approaching!"Mark calmly closed his eyes.[Ciel, activate defense mode... Let the guests witness Birka's way of hospitality.][Command confirmed. Executing 'Guardian' awakening protocol. Starting unit connection program.]Under everyone's shocked gazes, the thousands of small robots outside the pyramid converged frantically toward several central points like a tide!"What... what are they doing?" Usopp asked, stammering.The next second, a jaw-dropping scene occurred! Those small robots' body structures rapidly deformed and disassembled,fitting and linking together as if they were alive! The "clanging" sound of metal colliding and reorganizing was constant.In almost the blink of an eye, three massive, majestic, giant robots full of lunar technological beauty rose up,standing like mythical giant guards in front of the ruins' entrance!Absolute Defense—The most heavily built, its arms were two giant diamond-shaped shields shimmering with the metallic luster of Moon Marrow, like an insurmountable city wall.Melee Execution—With an agile build, its arms extended into massive, high-frequency vibrating Moon Marrow blades, the edges emitting a cold light.Aerial Suppression—With a large wing-like structure on its back, it hovered in mid-air; several energy cannon ports opened on its chest and shoulders, condensing blinding white light.This was no longer engineering work, but the instantaneous arrival of weapons of war!"The... the robots... combined?! They turned into such big robots?!"Usopp's eyes were nearly popping out, his jaw hitting the floor.Nami covered her mouth to keep her exclamation from being too loud:"This... this isn't just like a god... this is simply creating a myth!"Chopper hid behind Zoro, afraid yet wanting to see:"So, so amazing... but so scary!"Even Zoro's pupils constricted, and he subconsciously gripped his sword hilt:"Heh... there's actually one that uses a blade; now this is worth seeing.""What is that, it's so blinding!" Sanji, standing next to Luffy, shielded his eyes with his arm.Luffy's eyes were shining with golden light:"Waahhh! Super—super amazing!!!!""Ro... robot..." Luffy was so excited he was literally in tears.Just then, the main force of the Space Pirates bore down like a dark cloud.However, when they saw those three giant robots that had appeared like divine soldiers from heaven,their charging momentum came to a screeching halt, and their formation clearly showed chaos and panic.Mark stood at the pyramid entrance, looking calmly at the "battlefield" outside, and issued his first combat command through [Ciel]:[Wipe them out.][Command received. Executing purge program.]The cannon ports on the aerial robot's chest blazed with light, and several thick laser beams shot into the middle of the pirate fleet like divine punishment, triggering violent explosions!The blade robot on the ground turned into a streak of silver lightning and plunged into the enemy ranks; its massive vibration blade cut through a pirate ship as easily as a hot knife through butter!The shield robot stood firmly at the very front, blocking all incoming fire completely and remaining unscathed!It was a completely overwhelming performance!Only then did Mark turn around, looking at his companions who were still in extreme shock, and struck that familiar, show-off pose:"Well? Tell me, isn't this badass!"Then he walked into the middle of his companions, his tone becoming serious and warm again:"But no matter how powerful these iron lumps are, they can't compare to companions who trust each other.This power can only shine because I have you all by my side.It is meant to protect our journey and to uncover all the truths together with you."
Chapter 108: Heading to the Star CoreThe space pirate fleet bore down like dark clouds, heading straight for the ancient Birka ruins.But who would have thought that in less than ten minutes, these invaders would throw down their arms and flee back to space in a panic—Simply because they had run into the newly awakened guardians of the lunar civilization."Guardian Type-1: Aegis" was the first to move.The massive diamond-shaped shields on its arms slammed into the lunar surface, and intricate spiderweb-like patterns instantly lit up on the shield's surface;In the next second, a translucent "Absolute Protection Field" suddenly expanded, covering the entire ruins' entrance and the Straw Hat standing guard there.Zoro lightly tapped the field with the pommel of his sword, and a crisp "clink, clink, clink" sound echoed out.He narrowed his eyes. "Interesting... I wonder if I can cut through it?""You idiot Marimo! Can't you tell this is an ally?" Sanji said, a cigarette in his mouth, rolling his eyes."Stinking cook, who are you to lecture me?" Zoroimmediately glared back."Huh? You want to fight, is that it!""Stop arguing—you're blocking my view of the show!"Nami simply delivered a Thunderous Fist with each hand, accurately striking both their heads."You damn woman!" Zoro bared his teeth, clutching his head.Sanji, however, swayed upright with a doting smile. "That feeling of being shocked... is this love?""It's coming! Can it hold?" Usopp had already pulled Chopper to the back, his legs trembling.As soon as he spoke, the energy shells poured out by the pirate ships blasted toward the field—But the moment the shells hit the light membrane, it was like a clay ox entering the sea; they only stirred up a few ripples and vanished silently in the blink of an eye."Just as I expected, haha!"Usopp instantly stood in front of Chopper, completely ignoring the speechless looks from those around him.Just as the pirates stood stunned and bewildered, "Guardian Type-2: Blade Breaker" moved.The High-Frequency Vibration Blades on its arms emitted a piercing hum, and its body turned into a silver bolt of lightning, instantly penetrating the flank of the pirate fleet."Vibration Slash!"The cold light of the giant blade flashed and vanished, and a pirate ship was actually sliced cleanly in half right down its axis!"M-monster! Our attacks are useless!"A Rectangular Pirate on one of the ships grabbed the railing and screamed in terror."The flank! The flank's been breached! Evasive maneuvers, now!"A Giraffe Pirate on another ship shouted in a voice so shrill it almost cracked.At that moment, "Guardian Type-3: Sky Soarer" hovering in the sky delivered the fatal blow.The armor plate on its chest slid open, and a multi-barrel energy launcher slowly rose—"Saturation Bombing!"Countless scorching light shells poured down like a rainstorm, accurately striking the pirate ships' engines and weapon bays.Continuous explosions made the lunar surface tremble, the pirates' formation collapsed instantly, and the entire area was engulfed in a sea of fire.Robin's pupils dilated slightly—the sight of the sky filled with artillery fire suddenly reminded her of the day her hometown was enveloped by the Buster Call."Retreat! All forces, retreat!"The lead White Dog Pirate Captain shrieked in the communication channel, his top hat tilted back."This planet is the domain of a god! These guardians are not something we can mess with! We're never coming back!"The few surviving pirate ships, like stray dogs, trailed thick black smoke and fled frantically into deep space at three times the speed they had arrived.Silence returned to the moon's surface, with only the burning wreckage still sizzling, telling the tale of the overwhelming battle that had just occurred.The three massive guardians took heavy steps, slowly returning to the front of the pyramid entrance, all facing Mark.Under the gaze of the Straw Hat, they actually knelt on one knee in unison,their massive metal heads bowed low with a heavy "thud," looking very much like knights reporting back to their king."So cool!" Luffy was the first to cheer and rush forward.Using the elasticity of the gum-gum fruit, he bounced up onto Aegis's broad shoulder in a few leaps."So high! The view is amazing! Let's find a robot with feelings to be our crewmate!""If it has feelings, it's not called a robot anymore."Usopp ran to the feet of Sky Soarer with a look of obsession, staring up at the cannon structure on its chest, his eyes fixed."This is just too incredible! The firepower is so strong and accurate... is the ammo infinite?""Whoa, could this be a laser cannon? So cool.""Hey! Luffy, I also think that finding a robot with feelings as a crewmate... maybe we really can find one."When Chopper approached Blade Breaker, he was still a bit timid—moving step by step, he extended his little hoof halfway and then quickly pulled it back.It wasn't until he saw Luffy and Usopp getting "hands-on" that he mustered up the courage to cautiously touch Blade Breaker's ankle.The icy metal touch made him jerk his hoof back, but then he excitedly rubbed against it."Wow! It's a real robot! So cool!""Mark! Quick, take a photo for me! I want to take a picture with it!"Zoro walked up to Blade Breaker with his arms crossed, and looking at that pair of vibration blades, the corner of his mouth twitched upward."Even though it's a hunk of iron, the stance of these blades has a bit of a master swordsman's flair.""Even vibration waves can be condensed into slashes... I'll have to try that later."Robin pulled her thoughts back, smiling as she scanned the ancient script on the torsos of the three guardians, softly interpreting them."'Guardian Type-1: Aegis', 'Guardian Type-2: Blade Breaker', 'Guardian Type-3: Sky Soarer'... The naming is straightforward, yet perfectly corresponds to their duties.""Is this what you men call romance? Boring!" Namisneered."Nami! Don't look down on robots!" Luffy jumped off the robot and shouted indignantly."Alright, alright!" Nami quickly coaxed her Captain.Mark issued a command through Ciel:"Dismissed."With a "clatter,"the three guardians immediately collapsed and then decomposed into a tide of Small Robots.They methodically cleared the battlefield, sorting and stacking the useful metal wreckage."Ink Meteor."At Mark's voice, a black shadow sped over from the distant proverb—it was Ink Meteor.It maintained its Taotie Form, bringing a gust of wind as it landed, majestically guarding Mark's side like a loyal protector.The Small Robots transported the mountain of pirate ship wreckage to Ink Meteor.Ink Meteor immediately opened its giant maw, and a powerful suction suddenly erupted;the metal wreckage, as if drawn by an invisible hand, converged into a torrent and was swallowed entirely into its belly.As Mark's companion weapon, the information and energy of all swallowed materials were being fed back to his mind in real-time.Just then, Ciel's intellectual voice rang in Mark's head:[Notice: Abnormal mineral components detected in the swallowed wreckage, conducting deep analysis...][Analysis complete. The mineral has extremely low density, extremely high hardness and toughness, and possesses excellent energy resistance, corrosion resistance, and ductility; its processing and shaping require extreme conditions.]Curiosity flashed in Mark's eyes as he slowly extended his palm.A cloud of silver powder immediately gathered above his palm;With the enhanced precision control from merging with Ciel, the powder soon condensed into a mass and was shaped into a flawless metal sphere."Here, everyone, take a look at this." He raised his hand and tossed the metal ball over.Luffy reached out to catch it, instinctively bracing for weight—but the ball was light as a feather in his hand, and his eyes widened instantly."Huh! It's not heavy at all! So light!"As he spoke, he tossed the ball toward Zoro as if playing volleyball.Zoro grinned. Facing the flying metal ball, his wrist flicked slightly, and the tip of wado ichimonji gave it a gentle toss—The ball actually landed steadily on the scabbard and spun around."No scratches, hard enough... just don't know if it's heat-resistant."As he spoke, he tossed it up and used his scabbard like a baseball bat to hit it straight toward Sanji's face."Hmph, child's play."Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, flicked away the butt, straightened his foot, and Diable Jambeinstantly ignited with blue flames—In the next second, the flames and the metal ball collided.He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? It's actually heat-resistant... and the feel is like kicking Luffy, it's quite elastic.""Sanji-kun, let me see." Nami walked over, her tone curious."Sure thing, Miss Nami!" Sanji immediately switched to a fawning expression and handed the ball over.Nami's fingertips flickered with lightning as she raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I wonder... is it afraid of electricity?""Zzz—" The moment the lightning enveloped the metal ball, the sphere slightly deformed."Look! It's deforming!" Usopp leaned in, his eyes wide as saucers.Usopp rubbed his chin and clicked his tongue in summary. "Light, hard, and elastic!And it can only be shaped with electricity... this metal is just too strange!"Mark nodded and took the opportunity to share his thoughts:"What do you say we use this new material to repair and strengthen the going merry?""That's awesome!"As soon as those words came out, they won a unanimous cheer from the Straw Hat—The going merry was their most cherished companion; repairing it with such good material was everyone's wish.But Mark then sighed and added regretfully:"However, there's too little of this material in the wreckage, far from enough."Just as everyone was feeling regretful, Spacie, who had been squatting nearby, suddenly spoke up."According to the records in Birka's core database, in the deepest part of this city, the 'Star Core Chamber',various rare mineral ores collected by the civilization are stored—there might be a large amount of this mineral there."Everyone's gaze instantly shifted toward the depths of that mysterious pyramid.The "Star Core Chamber"—not only did it hide good materials for repairing the going merry, but it undoubtedly buried the ultimate secrets of the Birkacivilization.A new exploration was already imminent.
Chapter 109: The Spark and the Lunar CivilizationUnder the guidance of Lieutenant Spacie, the Straw Hat crew bid farewell to the legion of little robots gathered at the pyramid's entrance and stepped into the deep, magnificent interior of the structure.The passages were wide, and the walls were as smooth as mirrors, filled with a futuristic feel."Look at me! Rubber Giant Head!"Luffy pressed his face against the wall, the mirror reflection merging with half of his face to form a particularly comical facial shape."This is killing me!" Usopp rolled on the ground, clutching his stomach.Subsequently, Usopp and Chopper tried it one after another, but both were hindered by the long nose and antlers.When it came to comedic ability, who could compete with the gum-gum fruit?"Stinky rubber man, hmph!" Chopper declared he wouldn't play with Luffy anymore.Bickering and playing all the way like this, they arrived at the edge of a massive underground cavity.The view suddenly opened up as a massive, completely transparent spherical elevator car sat quietly beside the platform.Inside the car were sleek, ergonomic levitating seats.Small protrusions were even faintly visible on the seat surfaces, seemingly possessing a massage function.The simple touch interface reminded Mark of smartphones from Blue Star; the sense of technology and tranquility merged perfectly."Wow! A transparent ball! Are we going down in this? This is so interesting!"Luffy was the first to rush in excitedly. He bounced on a levitating seat and, finding it exceptionally comfortable, immediately flopped down."This is so comfortable! Chopper, Usopp! Come quick!""Coming... coming! Captain Usopp's End-of-the-Month World Adventure! Chapter 582!""This is truly unbelievable technology..."Nami also walked in with wonder, cautiously touching the transparent cabin wall.Once everyone had entered, the door closed soundlessly.The elevator did not have any noticeable starting vibration; instead, it glided lightly off the platform.Following a transparent track attached to the massive shaft wall, it began a spiral descent.The speed was steady, like a sightseeing train, allowing the passengers to enjoy the "scenery" to their heart's content.Through the completely transparent walls, the sight before them was breathtaking.The shaft wall itself was a massive, continuous historical gallery, with ancient murals precisely illuminated by embedded optical fibers, making the characters and scenes look lifelike.Even more shocking was that in the gaps between the murals, one could see into the deep spaces inside the shaft wall.A massive gear matrix turned slowly, and azure energy fluid flowed through thick pipes.There were also some enormous, complex mechanical arms in a dormant state, quietly telling of the past glory and power of this civilization."Everyone, look at these murals,"Robin's voice broke the silence as she intently interpreted the slowly passing images."This seems to record the core history of the Birkacivilization."Robin pointed to the first section of the murals."It depicts the ancestors of the Birka people discovering the'Star Core' inside the moon,"an energy source pulsing like the heart of a planet.They built a glorious civilization around the Star Core, which provided them with nearly infinite energy.""Unbelievable. The second section of the murals is the key."Robin's speaking speed slowed, appearing more focused."This part shows two great attempts they made using the Star Core's energy.Look here, they seem to be building a colossus, with a silhouette like a ship yet also like a fortress...Its activation requires the key energy of 'Fire' to ignite it.And the energy of the Star Core was used to simulate and nourish this 'Fire'."She pointed to another part, "And look over here, they used the Star Core and various collected 'Lineage Factors' to conduct experiments on artificial life forms.""Artificial life forms? People can actually be created?"Sanji's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief—He had no idea that this was exactly the Vinsmokefamily's specialty.Robin continued, "It seems they were creating eternal life."They created perfect consciousness containers called 'Perfect Bodies'.As long as the consciousness remains, the power of 'Fire' can be used to fuse it into a Perfect Body, bringing them back to life.""Is the resurrected person still themselves? If the body is changed, can swordsmanship be retained?"Zoro leaned back in the levitating chair, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction—he was stubborn to the core:The strong must train themselves; what kind of skill is a 'Perfect Body' created by technology?Robin shook her head; she could only interpret the content and knew nothing about the technology itself."This final section of the murals,The murals show that for some reason—possibly resource depletion or war—they decided to migrate as a whole race.They took some technology with them but sealed the most core'Star Core' and that spark of 'Fire' energy they cultivated here, guarded by an automated system."Listening to Robin's interpretation, Mark was lost in thought, especially the connection between 'Fire' and 'activating life containers,' which left a deep impression on him.Luffy wasn't interested in history, only caring about those massive machines;Usopp and Chopper were nervous about the 'monsters' that might exist in the murals.The elevator stopped smoothly.The door opened to a short passage, at the end of which was a massive, seamless white metal door.Lieutenant Spacie stayed inside the elevator and said, "Everyone, my signal is being jammed from here.There is an identification field ahead. I am not a native Birka creation; continuing forward would mark me as an intruder.I can only take you this far. Good luck!"As everyone stepped out of the elevator, the door behind them closed immediately, then vanished into the wall as if melting."Eh?! The door, the door's gone!"Usopp and Chopper panicked instantly, fumbling against the smooth wall but finding no switch.Zoro frowned and walked to the white door."Move aside."He drew wado ichimonji and delivered a sharp slash against the door!With a crisp "clang," only a nearly invisible white mark was left on the door, which remained motionless."Marimo, are you even trying? This door is clearly special."Sanji complained, a cigarette in his mouth.Nami tried a lightning strike, but the electric light hit the door like a clay ox entering the sea, completely absorbed.[Ciel] sounded in Mark's mind:"This door is cast from 'Lunar Meteoric Iron Mother' alloy, with extremely high physical and energy resistance. The only way to open it is through authorization identification."Mark nodded, his gaze falling on the protruding circular metal sphere in the center of the door.His companions' eyes were all fixed on his hand—He reached out and pressed it; the metal sphere immediately lit up with a soft blue light, scanning his palm as if verifying his bloodline.The next second, a mechanical voice rang out in the space:"Bloodline sequence confirmed—Authorization granted. Welcome home, my King."A low rumble sounded as the massive white metal door slowly lifted upward—The Star Core Sanctuary behind the door, enough to shake one's soul, was finally revealed in its entirety to everyone.