Chapter 505: Gold and Silver Monkey and Magic Gold Merchant Guild
Two streams of light flickered across the sky, streaking like shooting stars.
During their flight, some Contestants scattered across Mythical Beast Island caught sight of the radiant trails on the horizon.
They gazed with envy.
They already knew that one of the two streams of light was Marine Admiral Akainu, who had obtained the Mythical Beast God Killer Equipment.
Watching their retreating figures, many Contestants felt a renewed surge of motivation.
They too yearned to find the God Killer Equipment.
As the contestants on the island were swept up in a treasure-hunting frenzy, Kizaru and Akainu arrived at a forest on the northern side of Mythical Beast Island.
The Thunder Light Forest, seen from above, had green plants arranged like a gourd.
Tall trees clung closely together.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing sound that brought comfort.
"Huff, huff!" Kizaru exhaled.
"This is really pleasant! The air here is much better than the previous place."
Standing on a moss-covered boulder, Kizaru took several deep breaths of fresh air.
The air carried a faint scent of grass and earth.
A hint of water vapor, emanating from a nearby small lake, added to the freshness.
It was invigorating, making one feel refreshed upon breathing it in.
"Marine Admiral Kizaru!" a voice exclaimed.
"And Marine Admiral Akainu, who obtained the God Killer Equipment." another added.
"How did they come here? There is clearly a vast distance between this place and the main Mythical Beast Island!" someone questioned.
As Kizaru savored the fresh air, Contestants nearby were astonished to see the two Marine Admirals descend from the sky.
This location was in a different direction from the main Mythical Beast Island.
They had struggled to reach this place via the sky current at the island's edge.
They had thought this area would have less competition, allowing them to avoid the larger groups.
They had not expected the challenges here to be so formidable.
Now that Admirals were here, would there be any chance left for them?
Some wailed inwardly, while others cast greedy glances.
The greedy looks were directed at Marine Admiral Akainu, their eyes fixed on the gauntlet on his right hand.
The intense heat radiating from it seemed to ignite their hearts.
Was that the God Killer Equipment, Purgatory Cage Hand? It was thrilling!
Though tempted, they retained their senses.
The title of Marine Admiral was not mere bravado; it was not something they could challenge.
"Yo! What are you all doing? Playing a bondage game?" Kizaru asked.
"It looks quite exciting!"
Hearing the exclamations, Kizaru looked over.
Before him, he saw many people interacting with a group of apes.
These apes had golden fur covering their bodies, except for a streak of silver fur running down their backs.
They were a rare creature from an island in the Grand Line, known as Gold and Silver Monkeys.
The people and apes were either chasing each other, fighting, or wrestling.
Some people were tied up with vines by the apes and hung from trees.
Some apes even danced hand in hand around those hanging, while others cooked people in hot pots.
The scene was truly fantastical.
"Hahaha, Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Akainu, thank heavens you have come." a man said.
A man with a rat-like face crawled toward Kizaru, looking as if a savior had arrived.
"I am Datori, the steward of the Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce. Please allow me to explain!" he said.
After a while, Kizaru understood the situation.
Among those who landed in this direction was Shinko of the Yamata Sect.
Most Contestants, seeing Shinko, chose to follow him.
The reason was simple.
As a senior member of the Yamata Sect, he likely knew where the valuable items were.
With this mindset, many followed Yamata's Shinko after their ship was swept ashore by the sky current.
They trailed him wherever he went.
Thus, they arrived at this Thunder Light Forest.
In this gourd-shaped forest, a ring of rocks in the center served as a boundary, with treasures on both the left and right sides.
This was guaranteed by Shinko in the name of the Yamata Sect's senior leaders. He went to the right, leaving the left for others.
Most people respected Shinko's authority, mainly because he was strong enough.
"Admiral Kizaru, it is not easy for us!" Datori said.
"That Mink tribe claimed the test here is easier, but that is nonsense," he complained.
"My companions have all been tied up by those apes, and some are even being cooked in hot pots. These apes are very cruel!" he pleaded.
"Please, Admiral Kizaru, save them!" he urged.
Some Contestants nearby wore strange expressions upon hearing Datori's words.
Truthfully, the Yamata Sect's Shinko had said that the gold and silver monkeys, subspecies of Mythical beasts, were playful.
If one failed the test, there was generally no real danger.
They were likely to be released.
Many Contestants agreed with this.
However, the steward of the Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce had ulterior motives.
Some understood his scheme.
He aimed to capture gold and silver monkeys for sale.
The Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce's tactics were well-known.
Clearly, he had failed. Many from the Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce were captured.
Some were even being cooked in hot pots.
The apes were intelligent and sensed the malice of the Chamber's members.
Thus, their methods were somewhat harsh.
At least others experienced relatively harmonious interactions.
A corpse lay before the Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce, forced into a malicious contest.
As long as one passed the apes' approval, they could proceed to the final test with their leader.
"I will try my best, try my best!" Kizaru said.
Kizaru looked at the hypocritical short man with a strange expression.
He could sense the man's deceit.
But as a member of the Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce, such behavior was expected.
The Magic Gold Chamber of Commerce had risen from obscurity.
It gained prominence during the era of magic patterns, earning a reputation—albeit a notorious one.
They crafted beautiful decorations from gold or silver magic minerals.
Taking advantage of the public's view of magic minerals as mysterious and prestigious, they sold them at high prices.
They claimed wearing these ornaments could extend life or even awaken one as a magic pattern user.
The Chamber promoted the power and benefits of becoming a magic pattern user.
This sparked widespread desire to become one.
However, ordinary people wearing these magic mineral decorations were essentially taking chronic poison daily.
After earning vast profits initially, scandals emerged in some regions.
The Chamber became infamous in many places.
Facing such an organization, Kizaru felt little inclination to help.
As Kizaru responded perfunctorily, many began to exclaim.
A tall ape with golden fur emerged.
Its body carried a godly rhythm, and its eyes glowed with faint golden light.
It appeared truly magical.
Upon its arrival, many gold and silver apes abandoned the Contestants and gathered behind it.
Clearly, this tall Gold and Silver Ape King was their leader, a purebred Mythical beast.
The Golden and Silver Ape King approached.
Upon reaching Kizaru, it scooped up Datori beside him and tossed him into the group of apes behind.
Kizaru's face twitched as he saw this.
"Purgatory Cage Master! Purgatory, are you truly willing to submit to humans? It is laughable." the Ape King said.
"Kizaru, your mouth is still as bad as ever. I am not submitting; I am merely recognizing this person." a voice from Akainu's gauntlet replied.
Hearing the sudden conversation between the Gold and Silver Ape King and Akainu's gauntlet, Borsalino was confused.
What? This ape is Kizaru? What was his name?
Oh! He had a name, so that was fine.
( End of this chapter)