With Enel's submission secured, affairs on Skypiea were largely settled. Under his lead, Buggy and his crew headed toward Apayado, the Upper Yard.
The Four Priests, however, were left behind on Angel Island. Their task was twofold: to proclaim Buggy as Skypiea's new ruler and to soothe the shaken populace. Additionally, Buggy entrusted them with a mission—carry his goodwill to the Shandians.
The Shandians were a formidable force on Skypiea, rich in warriors and talent. Buggy had no desire to annihilate them. If he could win their allegiance, so much the better. And he possessed the very thing they had long yearned for—he would allow them to live in Apayado, the land they had fought to reclaim for centuries.
Such an offer, Buggy reasoned, they would find irresistible. To him, Apayado was of little consequence—he would not remain on Skypiea forever. The island would require joint stewardship, managed by both the Shandians and Enel's former followers, forming a stable rear base for the Yanhuang Pirates.
The Priests carried out their orders. After calming Angel Island's citizens, they declared that Skypiea was now under Buggy's rule. The news stunned the people at first. But having so recently endured one transition of power—from Gan Fall to Enel—another change did not throw them into chaos. Anxiety lingered, yes, but not revolt.
Reading the unease on their faces, the Priests reassured them: life would go on as before, untouched by oppression. In fact, under Buggy's reign, life promised to become better.
Reassured, the citizens let go of their fear. If their daily lives were safe and even promised improvement, they cared little for who ruled them. They accepted the departure of "God" Enel, and they accepted Buggy's dominion.
Having handled Angel Island, the Four Priests next journeyed to the cloud island where the Shandians lived. There, they met the tribe's chieftain, a man in his prime wearing a dog-head headdress, and explained the situation on Skypiea.
"What? You're telling me—you four Priests, and even that bastard Enel—were all defeated by a group of Blue Sea people?"
Beside the chief, a tall but youthful warrior's face twisted in disbelief. This was Wiper, hot-blooded as ever. The idea that Enel and the Priests, who had plagued them for years, had been "easily" defeated was beyond his imagination.
The chief, too, was taken aback. He knew well the strength of Enel and his servants; they had long been Shandia's bitter enemies. To hear they were all subdued in one stroke by outsiders—it was staggering.
"Chief, we mustn't trust their words lightly. This could be one of Enel's tricks."
Wiper's suspicion hardened. For all he knew, this was just another trap.
Shura scoffed, casting him a disdainful glance.
"Lord Buggy doesn't need to deceive you. His strength is unquestionable. He offers you what you've sought for centuries—a return to Apayado, freedom without oppression, and shared governance of Skypiea. Tell me—what more proof of sincerity do you need?"
With that, he lifted his shirt, revealing wounds still raw from battle. Blood stains lingered faintly. "Would I bleed like this just for a trick? We fought, we lost. That's the truth."
The chief and Wiper both fell silent. The injuries were real.
"Scars don't prove trust. For all we know, you show us wounds only to lure us into Apayado—so you can finish us all in one strike," Wiper shot back bitterly.
The Priests exchanged weary looks. Were it not for Buggy's orders, they would have abandoned this argument long ago.
Finally, Ohm stepped forward.
"If you doubt us, then send one or two of your warriors to meet Lord Buggy yourselves. To prove our sincerity, one of us Priests will remain behind here, as a hostage."
It was the only way forward. Seeing Buggy in person would settle matters.
The Shandian chief and his people glanced at each other. Perhaps the Priests spoke the truth. Perhaps, just perhaps, Apayado had a new ruler—and with goodwill enough to offer them peace. Could their centuries-old dream finally come true?
The chief's eyes hardened. "Very well. I'll go see this Buggy myself."
But Wiper stepped forward immediately.
"Chief, no! Let me go. It's too dangerous for you to risk yourself."
Others echoed him at once.
"Yes! If something happens to you, the Shandians would be crippled. Even with a hostage, we can't take that chance. Let us go instead."
The chief hesitated, their words sinking in. His desire to reclaim Apayado nearly blinded him to the risk. But they were right—if he fell, the tribe's future would collapse with him.
Wiper met his gaze with fiery determination.
"Chief, I'll go. If danger comes, I have the strength to fight free. And even if I fall, it won't cripple our people. This chance is worth taking."
The chief looked into Wiper's eyes and slowly nodded. The boy's conviction was unshakable.
This was a chance the Shandians had dreamed of for generations. Even if slim, it had to be grasped.