The moonlight was like water, and the cold wind was howling.
Shano walked into the deep pit of the ruins at a leisurely pace, looking at the dead Golden Lion, and was silent for a while.
He stretched out his right hand and helped him close his eyes.
This guy...
was indeed a notorious pirate, but he also had the ambition and courage to change the world. He was a well-deserved legend of the old times.
It was not shameful to die in his hands.
Shano stood up immediately, glanced at the two broken famous swords, and then looked at the blood-stained rudder next to him.
Comparing the two...
it felt like the latter was more valuable. After all, it had become the image symbol of the Golden Lion.
This is it!
Shano picked up the rudder and started the sacrifice.
\[You sacrificed the Golden Lion's Rudder and received 6,000 points.]
\[Golden Lion's Rudder]
\[Quality: Legendary]
\[Value: 6,000 Points]
\[Appraisal Comment: This symbol of Golden Lion Shiki carries the unique historical significance of the Battle of Edd War. Without that storm, without this rudder that fell from the sky, Gol D. Roger would have been defeated, and who would have succeeded him as Pirate King?]
Hmm?
Six thousand points?
Shano was surprised.
It was worth far more than the trophies of the current Four Emperors and the Three Admirals.
While this trip wasn't entirely enjoyable, resolving the hidden dangers of his hometown and having this added bonus made it a worthwhile experience.
"I hope my colleagues in the Dragon Ball world will be able to find it next month,"
Shano closed the system panel, feeling relieved and wishing for the best.
Rumble!
At this moment, the ground beneath his feet suddenly began to shake.
Shano had anticipated this. He leaped out, returned to the ground, and looked around.
Sure enough, it was happening.
Without the sustaining power of the Float-Float Fruit, both the island he was on and the surrounding islands plummeted towards the sea below like giant birds with broken wings.
Shano, using his Moon Steps, reached a higher point and glanced towards the village in the distance. Noticing the panicked figures fleeing, he was startled.
Why hadn't the villagers on the island evacuated yet?
Hadn't they been specifically instructed to do so?
What on earth was Aokiji doing?
Shano frowned and was about to use his Moon Steps to rush over to investigate.
Suddenly, he noticed something. His Moon Steps landed on the edge of the floating island and he looked down.
Ten thousand meters above, he saw dozens of massive ice pillars, seemingly unseen, connecting heaven and earth like pillars of jade.
The tops of the ice pillars spread out like umbrellas, with a slight depression in the middle, like giant trays.
The archipelago had barely fallen for a few seconds, before its acceleration could surge, when these trays held it firmly in place.
"Ah, don't be so impatient,"
a lazy voice called from behind him. Shano turned to see Aokiji, his hands in his pockets, sauntering towards him.
"I'm an admiral, after all. Since I've been entrusted with this little matter, I can handle it."
He gestured at the icicles and shrugged.
"Ever since you challenged Golden Lion to a duel, I've been preparing for this. After all, if so many islands were to fall, this area of the East Blue would likely trigger a devastating tsunami."
"That's pretty reliable,"
Shano grinned, sizing Aokiji up and down.
He appeared calm and composed, but his breathing was noticeably heavier than usual, and his shirt collar and armpits were soaked with sweat.
Tsk, even the ice machine sweating like that...
It must have taken a lot of effort and hard work to create icicles of this magnitude. Despite all the effort, they'd managed to keep the villagers' homes intact, which was definitely far superior to the disaster relief solution he'd proposed.
Would Akainu and Kizaru do the same thing?
"Hey."
Aokiji was so unsettled by his stare that he couldn't help but say, "What are you doing? What's with that look in your eyes? Stop it, stop it, I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense."
This kid...
He didn't know why, but he always felt like he was naked in front of him, everything inside and out was being seen clearly.
It was just like that in the Food City last year.
He had clearly taken the initiative to approach them, but in just a few words, they took advantage of him, and it almost broke his heart.
On the way back, his bicycle inexplicably disappeared and fell into the sea, taking a long cold bath.
It was unbearable to look back.
"Stop being so narcissistic. Do you think I'm trying to recruit you?"
Seeing through his thoughts, Shano snorted.
"Just be an admiral. I'm not short of men for now. But if you ever feel you can't continue..."
He grinned at Aokiji, "Come to the New World and have a drink with me. I won't mind."
Will that day ever come?
Aokiji remained noncommittal.
He glanced down. "I just requested support. It looks like the warships have arrived. Golden Lion's pirates are numerous. Leave them to me?"
"No problem,"
Shano laughed. "Just pay me the bounty. Golden Lion's head is worth a fortune."
"Do you think that's possible?"
Aokiji glared at Shano.
The Emperor of the Seas was demanding a bounty on pirate heads. He was quite the thinker.
Why don't you just ask the Holy Land for Heavenly Gold?
Besides, he had voluntarily given up the kill. Even if Shano hadn't come, he was confident he could have defeated the Golden Lion, who was no longer as powerful as he once was.
At most, he wouldn't have been able to die as easily as Shano...
Aokiji narrowed his eyes.
Including the time it took to get to the island, the entire battle was over in less than half an hour. That was truly terrifying.
He wondered what level this guy's strength was at the moment.
If he were to face him alone, what chances would he have of winning...
"You really don't want to pay me. Boring."
Shano, unaware of Aokiji's subtle thoughts, curled his lips in boredom. "Then I'll take my leave. Oh, and by the way, those civilians on the island..."
"Don't worry, I'll make arrangements and keep an eye on them for a while to make sure they can settle down again."
Aokiji looked him straight in the eye and said solemnly.
"Okay."
Shano nodded. Aokiji had made a promise, so he believed it.
He took one last look around the high-altitude battlefield, his gaze passing over the corpse of the Golden Lion and the navy ships approaching in the distance.
"Let's go."
He waved casually, turned, and flew off into the distance, moon-stepping. As Aokiji watched, his figure quickly disappeared into the clouds.
…
The morning breeze of the East Blue was still as gentle as it was back then.
Two days later.
Shano rode his hoverbike, passing through a route that was becoming increasingly familiar, and finally saw the outline of Cocoyasi Village in this endless blue sea.
"I'm finally back..."
The corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
Over the past year or so, although traveling on the Grand Line had been exciting and tiring,
this land covered with coconut trees was the softest place in his heart.
It felt so good to be able to take the time to come back.
After entering the dock, Shano put away the motorcycle and headed towards the village along the country road where Arlong had once been dragged into shark sushi.
He put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly, slowly enjoying the long-lost scenery on both sides.
Although he was low-key enough, there were always children playing in the fields at this time of year. When they saw him, they were stunned and then burst into shouts of surprise.
"Eh? Is that Brother Shano?"
"Really? Brother Shano is back!"
"Quick, go get them!"
Some of the more astute ones immediately rushed back to spread the news, and soon the whole village was abuzz.
Before he even reached the village entrance, Shano was completely blocked off. He was surrounded by enthusiastic villagers, many of whom were familiar faces.
For example, Uncle Genzo, the village doctor Dr. Nagao, and even Manba, Fat Cow, Skinny Monkey, and others who were practically crying with excitement.
"Shano! The big shot from our village is finally back, haha!!"
"Boss! I finally see you again, woo woo..."
Genzo parked his bike, squeezed in front with his signature windmill hat, and gave him a bear hug with a hearty laugh:
"Stinky boy, it really is you. I thought those brats were just trying to make fun of me. Don't rush to leave tonight, let's have a good drink together!"
"No problem, Uncle Genzo,"
Shano laughed heartily, his eyes lingering on the whirring windmill for a second before moving away. He patted the shoulders of Manba and several other old subordinates.
Then he looked around: "By the way, where are the CP department people? Are they still monitoring you?"
This question seemed unnecessary.
Because according to the arrangement he had discussed with Genzo on the phone, if the CP department people were still there, he would not be greeted by everyone's smiles.
Instead, he would be pelted with eggs, vegetable leaves, and driven away with brooms and hoes.
As expected.
Genzo patted his chest confidently.
"Don't worry, we've been keeping an eye on those guys. Since last winter, we've been gradually reducing our surveillance."
"Earlier this year, after news reached the New World of your battle with the navy, they completely withdrew and haven't harassed us since."
"That's good."
It seemed this year's drama hadn't been in vain.
Hmm?
That's not right.
Shano suddenly felt a sense of realization and glanced to his right, puzzled.
The drama was over, so why was there still a big white dog, still glaring at him with resentment?
"Woof!"
...
At the banquet that night, as expected, Shano was drunk.
The villagers took turns getting him drunk, leaving him dizzy. He'd consumed at least hundreds of glasses of liquor in one night, a level that even an Emperor of the Sea couldn't handle.
He simply collapsed back and fell into a deep sleep.
In the end, Genzo, pushing his bicycle, and with the help of Manba and Fatty Niu, managed to get him home.
It was noon the next day.
Shano rubbed his temples and walked out of the bedroom. The headache caused by the hangover made him feel dizzy, so he sat down directly on the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Just as he was about to lean back,
a cup of warm ginger cola was placed against his neck.
"You're finally awake. Here, drink it while it's hot. It can help you sober up."
A familiar and gentle voice came from behind. Shano froze. He was stunned for a long time before slowly looking back.
The woman with a crimson ponytail and an old apron just pulled out a chair from the dining table and sat down with her legs crossed.
She lit a thin cigarette, her eyebrows curved, and she tilted her head to look at him with a smile:
"Hey, hey, what are you doing there? Are you mute? Or have you become the Emperor of the Sea and don't know how to call for help?"