The legendary City of Gold, while truly existing on the Grand Line, had vanished from the world's surface long ago. Because of this, many believed it nothing more than a myth. Even if someone possessed an Eternal Pose rumored to point to the City of Gold, the needle would simply stop once it reached the supposed location, leading most to dismiss it as a fabrication.
Dante, however, knew better. The legends were true. Although he lacked a Log Pose to Skypiea, the island of Jaya itself was not hard to find. Stories of its golden city still echoed across the seas, familiar even to a man like Kuma, who had traveled the world over.
Ever since he had seen with his own eyes that Bonney could truly be healed, a weight Kuma had carried for years finally lifted from his shoulders. He began to fulfill his promises with a quiet diligence, his work more earnest than ever before, and the warm, gentle smile that had long been absent returned to his face.
When he heard this expedition was to secure funds for Bonney's treatment and Vegapunk's research, he volunteered at once. As much as he wanted to stay by his daughter's side and watch her recover, he knew that, as a father, this was something he had to do.
News of the legendary City of Gold eventually reached Mock. His curiosity piqued, he abandoned his initial plan of heading for Romance Dawn and hurried back to the Marine 16th Branch, eager to see the marvel for himself. Seeing that Mock and Kuma were both committed, Dante decided to call in Kuro from his training duties as well. It had only been a few days since his last leave, but when his cadets heard that Instructor Kuro was stepping away again, their faces fell with genuine reluctance. The past few days had been brutal, but under his meticulous guidance, their skills had improved at an astonishing rate.
A slight, pleased smile touched Kuro's lips. "Upon my return," he announced coolly, "I will double your training regimen. I guarantee every one of you will see results."
Immediately, the disappointed cadets scattered, their reluctance replaced with a sudden urgency to be anywhere else. Kuro adjusted his glasses, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He had planned to visit Jango in the next few days to try and persuade him to join, but it seemed that would have to wait. Besides, he was quite curious about this fabled City of Gold himself.
In the end, however, Dante decided not to go with them. As the three prepared to depart, he simply handed them the mission details. He had absolute faith in them, with his strategy guide and the combined strength of Mock and Kuro, success was nearly certain. With Kuma accompanying them, it was a guarantee.
They did not disappoint him.
A few days later, Kuma sent back a portion of the gold. Along with it came a man beaten black and blue who introduced himself as Enel, the Thunder God. Apparently, Mock had delivered the beating personally. "That guy was even more arrogant than me," he'd explained. "My hands were itching."
The gold and their new prisoner were sent directly to Vegapunk's base. The scientist was stunned for a moment by the sheer volume of gold, then visibly relieved. The Marine 16th Branch was truly resourceful. That Munch-Munch Fruit user had also been a remarkable find, leading to the discovery of several metals alloys, some of which he had even extracted from the sea itself. The unique ability sparked a cascade of new ideas in his mind. 'Perhaps,' he thought, 'staying here won't be so bad after all!'
When he heard about Skypiea and the Poneglyphs there, Vegapunk's curiosity was overwhelming. 'What a pity,' he thought, knowing he couldn't go. His head was simply too recognizable, and the entire world was searching for him. Even with powers of Invisibility and Silence from Mock and Kuro, it was far safer to remain hidden. He sighed and patted his large head regretfully, giving up the idea for now. After writing down a list of necessary materials, he left with the enraged Enel in tow. He couldn't believe his luck, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user had fallen right into his lap. His laboratory was in desperate need of a stable energy source, and this man was the perfect solution.
Instantly, the furious captive's face turned green. "Let me go! You stand in the presence of God you deformed creature!?" Enel roared.
He had been perfectly content as the omnipotent god of Skypiea until two dishonorable mortals had launched a sneak attack. He hadn't even had time to react before something, he didn't know what, had struck him, leaving his body weak and useless. And now they weren't just content with capturing him, they planned to study him? Him, a god? It was blasphemy! He cursed Mock for his cowardice, demanding a proper duel, but no one paid him any mind. He was simply dragged away toward the laboratory, his protests echoing down the hall.
With Enel gone, Skypiea effectively became Dante's private territory. He took Robin, Nami, and Kuina on a trip to see it. Nami's eyes immediately lit up at the sight of the endless gold, glowing with the unique shimmer of Berries.
"We're rich!" she shouted, throwing her arms in the air. "We're finally rich!" She even found it in her heart to forgive Dante for his recent extravagant spending, though she sternly reminded him not to make a habit of it.
Kuina, standing nearby, was also astonished by the glittering city, but her dream was to become the World's Greatest Swordswoman, so the treasure didn't excite her in the same way. The constant fighting recently had honed her skills considerably, and she was already planning to find time to take Tashigi home, visit her father, and show the old man just how strong she had become.
As for Robin, while she appreciated the value of gold, she was far more interested in the history inscribed upon it. She soon discovered that Enel had already melted down most of the pieces bearing historical records. What remained held none of the history she sought, and she could only sigh in disappointment.
But the feeling passed quickly. She recovered her composure and joined Nami with a smile, content just to share the moment with her friends. Uncovering the lost century was her duty as a survivor of Ohara, but she had other purposes now, other people to care for. The single-minded obsession she once had was gone.
Dante half-expected her to demand they go back and give Enel another beating, but she only asked if the remaining historical pieces could be set aside.
"They still carry the traces of history," she said softly.
A little surprised by her gentle request, Dante agreed. It wasn't much gold in the grand scheme of things, and a few hundred million Berries would hardly make a difference to the 16th Branch's finances now. All in all, the trip to the City of Gold had been a resounding success.
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Late in the year 1517 of the Grand Line calendar, the furor over Vegapunk's disappearance showed no signs of fading. As news spread, the situation only grew more heated. Powers from across the world began to mobilize, each secretly investigating who had managed to kidnap the world's greatest scientist. They wouldn't usually act against the World Government directly, but if another power was responsible? They would not be so polite.
To expedite the search and restore order, the World Government officially commanded the Shichibukai to assist in the hunt. At the same time, they issued a bounty for Vegapunk: five billion Berries. Dead or alive. As the world's major forces sprang into action, the Grand Line and the New World churned with restless activity. In contrast, the East Blue, the weakest of the four seas, remained as quiet as ever. No one believed a force from such a backwater sea could possibly pull off a heist of that magnitude right under the Government's nose. Because of this, Dante's branch was completely unaffected, and their work continued to develop steadily.
Meanwhile, on a street in Cocoyashi Town, a man in heart-shaped glasses and a dancer's outfit looked around at the bustling scene, his expression weathered.
"Yo, it's really lively here," he said.
Another man dressed as a dancer performed a graceful turn beside him before looking his companion up and down.
"So now... Captain Kuro," Jango began, his tone deceptively casual. "Mind explaining something to me? We both got caught, right? So how is it that I've been hauling bricks on a construction site until my hands are raw, while you..." He gestured dramatically. "You're in a new suit, with new leather shoes, and is that gel in your hair?"
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