Four hundred years ago, when Jaya Island was still intact and Shandora had not yet arrived on Skypiea.
At that time, the explorer Mont Blanc Noland from the North Blue accidentally arrived on Jaya Island while trying to avoid a storm. He saved the Shandians, who were suffering from the “Tree Fever,” and made enormous contributions to Jaya Island.
He also formed a deep friendship with the great warrior Kalgara at that time.
However, they had a conflict due to the cutting down of trees, which the Shandians believed housed the souls of their ancestors. When Kalgara discovered the truth that those trees were causing their illness, it was already too late.
Noland’s ship had already set sail.
Kalgara made a vow to ring the Golden Bell every day to guide Noland back with its sound.
Shandians also crafted a special memorial statue for Noland.
“It was because of the ocean current that we arrived on Skypiea. Those Skypieans took away our land. It has been hundreds of years, and we still haven’t been able to reclaim our land or ring the Golden Bell once again.”
While the chief continued to recount the history of the Shandians, Yamato’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.
“Noland, Noland. I seem to have heard that name somewhere. Where was it?”
“It’s a fairytale from the North Blue, King of Liars, Noland. My mother used to read us storybooks about him.”
Maria reminded Yamato, as the famous fairytale of the North Blue could naturally be found in the Beasts Pirates, and the children had heard similar stories before.
However, when these words reached the chief’s ears, it took on a different meaning.
“King of Liars? How could Noland be King of Liars?”
And when he heard Maria and Yamato briefly tell the story of the Blue Sea, tears welled up in his eyes.
“So… that’s how it is. Because of our incompetence, our benefactor suffered such great injustice.”
“Dad, why don’t we help them?”
“Why should we do that?”
“Because… because I feel sorry for them. They can’t even protect their own home.”
“Yamato, do you know? After hundreds of years, those Skypieans also consider that place their home. If we did that, it means we are taking away their homeland. Do you understand?”
Yamato’s thinking capacity seemed to have reached its limit. She initially thought the Shandians were pitiful, but now it felt strange after hearing this.
“Even for Wano Country, we are outsiders. Even if we could make life in that country better,it still cannot hide this fundamental truth. The common people may not care because they benefit from it. But for those in power, we are invaders, plotters and enemies.”
“Dad, I don’t understand.”
“You will understand in the future. Right now, you need to realize that this world is cruel. Without power, everything is just empty talk. Only the strong can help the weak however they like.”
“What you said earlier about wanting to help them, now you see that everything you want to do requires strength. So, Yamato, you must also strive to become stronger. Do you understand?”
Seizing this opportunity, he began educating Yamato. She was too naive at the moment, and perhaps she might not remember these words, but this seed would gradually influence her.
Before Kaido’s training began, he needed Yamato to develop the desire to become stronger on her own.
“Understood. I will become stronger.”
However, in the end, Arceus still decided to help the Shandians reclaim Upper Yard. But, the reason was not as pure as Yamato’s, and it was also not because he felt they were good people.
Firstly, Shandians did indeed safeguard his plate for several hundred years, honoring their promise from years ago. Additionally, his recent display of intimidation had a significant impact, so this can be considered as some form of compensation.
On the other hand, he became interested in the Dials of Skypiea. The Dials here have various effects and were widely used in daily life and as weapons. Surprisingly, the Shandians, with their tribal civilization, managed to DIY handmade bazooka using these Dials.
These Dials have high strategic value. Helping the Shandians take back their territory was one thing, but he also intended to plant the flag of the Beasts Pirates here.
The flag was to deter other outsider pirates. Essentially, they would not interfere with the management of this place, leaving everything to the Shandians themselves, only requiring them to provide some Dials from time to time.
Similar to other affiliated islands taken in by powerful pirates, many sovereign countries in the New World operated this way, enjoying autonomy while receiving protection from other forces.
Two opposing forces exist here, and he had no intention of directly governing this place, so it was best to choose one side.
Due to these reasons, he chose the Shandians. However, when Mandrell proposed this matter to the chief, it was rejected by him.
“Why? Grandpa, we want to help you.”
“Little girl, this is our Shandians’ own matter. You are our friends, and we cannot let our friends shed blood because of our issues.”
“Safeguarding that thing was a promise to our ancestors. Your wine, food, and medicine are enough for us. So, let’s not dwell on what happened yesterday. After all, it was just a misunderstanding.”
He had already decided that once the Beasts Pirates left, he would lead his tribe to attack Upper Yard and reclaim their homeland, but he didn’t want outsiders to get involved.
“You don’t have to worry about bloodshed. If the Skypieans’ strength is at this level, we won’t have any problems.”
At this moment, a Shandian warrior approached the chief and whispered a few words, causing his expression to change once again.
The warrior told him that at the end of the banquet yesterday, Shandians and Beasts Pirates engaged in a friendly competition, and Mandrell single-handedly defeated all the warriors here.
“What will you gain from this? Do you want Shandora’s gold?”
Although Shandia wasn’t much developed, he didn’t believe that anyone would fight for someone else’s sake for no reason. Gold was the most direct thing he could think of, but if they could reclaim Upper Yard, gold didn’t matter.
“This is the will of Lord Arceus, a reward for you honoring the promise for hundreds of years. Moreover, compared to gold, we desire the Dials more, the special product of Skypiea.”
“So, after reclaiming Upper Yard, every year you will gather Dials for us. We will also provide you with essential supplies, and we request that our flag be hung at the entrance to Skypiea.”
Mandrell laid out the conditions, which were relatively easy for the Shandians.
“What is the meaning of hanging the flag?”
“It means that this place is under our protection. If any troublemakers from the Blue Sea come up, just contact us, and we will drive away those enemies for you. But don’t worry, we won’t interfere in your internal affairs.”
“So, you want to occupy the entire Skypiea?”
Mandrell mentioned hanging the flag at the entrance to Skypiea, and the chief noticed this point.
“You could say that Upper Yard will be returned to you, and Skypiea will be occupied by us, while you will manage Skypiea on our behalf.”
“Chief, don’t hesitate. This is the best opportunity to reclaim our homeland. Have you forgotten? Our benefactor in the Blue Sea has endured injustice for hundreds of years!”
While the chief was still contemplating, the other members of the war faction who heard the news couldn’t contain themselves and expressed their willingness to reclaim their homeland.
For most Shandians, the Skypieans were their archenemies, so they naturally didn’t worry about the fate of the Skypieans.
Encouraged by his tribesmen, the chief finally accepted the conditions of the Beasts Pirates. He mobilized all the adult warriors within the tribe, preparing to reclaim their homeland.
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