Gol-Gol Fruit can not only control gold but can also modify it. The texture of gold itself is not hard, but when manipulated by the Gol-Gol Fruit, it can exceed the hardness of regular steel.
However, Gol-Gol Fruit can only transform the body into gold; it cannot allow the body to disperse itself to avoid damage, or else it would be classified as a Logia-type.
To obtain a large amount of gold, making a trip to Skypiea is necessary. However, he chose to take the normal route, gradually sailing up from the Sea Clouds at the Summit of High West. He has no interest in experiencing the thrilling sky adventure.
“Sky Island, isn’t that… a fairy tale legend?”
“You mean Liar Noland? I remember that’s a fairy tale from North Blue. You’ve heard of it in the West Blue too?”
This story is well-known in North Blue, but Cindry was born in West Blue, so Tesoro was curious.
“I heard it from my father when I was young. Many of the fairy tale books in my home are from North Blue.”
Due to the existence of the Red Line and Grand Line, each of the Four Seas has developed unique regional cultures. Among them, North Blue’s fairy tales and novels are the most developed. Although most are popular locally, people with means can still obtain special local products from other seas.
The Victoria family is also a noble family in West Blue, so it’s not strange for Cindry to have read these during her childhood.
“So that’s how it is. Although most people don’t believe in Sky Islands, they really exist, and coincidentally, we’re heading to the City of Gold.”
Cindry was a newcomer, but Tesoro didn’t hide anything from her. Beasts Fruits are developing at an accelerated pace, and he also needs more time to train after obtaining the Gol-Gol Fruit.
So he doesn’t have time to slowly examine whether Cindry is a qualified person. Taking her with him to the City of Gold is the simplest way to verify.
…
Summit of High West, Tesoro and his group followed a safe sea current to reach Skypiea, gradually ascending along the Sea Clouds.
As a dancer, Cindry maintained a high-intensity exercise routine, so she didn’t experience any signs of oxygen deprivation, just finding the Sea Clouds here unbelievable.
“Is this…the Sky Island?”
“Yes, but also not quite. This is the White Sea, and our destination is the White-White Sea above, but we’ll be there soon. Tanaka, change the flag to Lord Arceus’ flag!”
Upon arriving, Tesoro’s ship quickly changed its sails to display the symbol of Thousand Arms, which stood out prominently. Shortly after they changed the flag, a few Shandians arrived.
“Are you the divine envoy this time? The items requested by God are ready.”
Arceus had become the new god of the Shandian tribe. Tesoro came here under Arceus’s direction, so in their eyes, he naturally became the divine envoy.
Watching the Shandians, Cindry felt a strange sensation.
The Shandians still maintained their ancient style of dressing, but some things were quite advanced, like the weapons they were carrying, which seem out of place when grouped together.
“Don’t be surprised. We sell these things to them. You’ve just joined; our business scope is broad. Later, you’ll see more exciting things.”
Cindry didn’t understand what Tesoro was saying, but when City of Gold appeared before her eyes and the enormous Serperior surrounded them, she felt like she had truly entered a fairy tale world.
Tesoro was here only to retrieve gold. Under his ability’s control, massive shattered gold chunks transformed into golden spheres, queuing up to roll onto the carts they brought.
Meanwhile, not far below on Jaya Island, a group of pirates had arrived.
However, their leader was quite special. His name was Mont Blanc Cricket, a direct descendant of Noland. His purpose for this trip was to clear his ancestor’s name.
He believed that Shandora truly existed but had sunk to the bottom of the sea due to some accident.
But, even after a long search, it yielded no results. Cricket’s companions had already left him, and only he stayed behind to stubbornly search for traces of Shandora.
Due to the exhaustion from the long journey, he decided to take a brief rest in Mock Town. Over a decade had passed, and nearly everyone here had changed, but Dort’s pub still stood strong.
Cricket sat at the bar, drinking quietly. After a few drinks, he started chatting casually with Dort.
Time had left its marks on Dort’s face, but his body was still strong.
“Boss, have you heard of the City of Gold?”
He was prepared to be ridiculed, as had always been the case in the past. However, this time, he heard a different answer.
“I have heard of it. It might just be on Sky Island right above us.”
“Hey! Dort, you’re cracking jokes again!”
“Yeah, there’s no such thing as Sky Island in this world; it’s just a story to deceive children. Stop using that old photo to fool people and bring the drinks over already!”
The other customers clearly didn’t believe in such things, and there were also no witnesses to what happened back then, especially after so many years had passed. But Cricket’s interest was piqued.
When Dort delivered the drinks and returned, Cricket immediately grabbed his wrists and asked; “You said City of Gold might be on Sky Island?”
“No, I just said it’s possible. It’s just my guess. If you’re interested, I can tell you more. These young folks don’t believe me anymore.”
Dort then retrieved a box from the counter containing some yellowed old photos.
“These are from over a decade ago, back when Roger wasn’t yet the Pirate King. A group came here searching for Sky Island, and they really found it. This is a gift from a little girl because I was the only one who believed in them.
Now that girl must be a young woman.”
Dort then placed the photos taken by Yamato in front of Cricket. Although the photography wasn’t great, it still showed a unique scene.
“It’s said that this is Sky Island. If the City of Gold truly exists, it might be up there in the sky.”
Yamato hadn’t revealed information about the City of Gold back then, and the photo only showed the silhouette of a giant snake and the Sea Clouds of Skypiea. So, City of Gold was Dort’s own speculation. But for Cricket, Dort’s words were like a revelation.
“In the past few years, you’re the only one who has been willing to listen to me ramble on about this. So, I’ll let you take a look at my collection.”
Dort instructed his assistant to continue watching the pub while he led Cricket to the back room to show him the Vision Dial Yamato had given him years ago.
From that moment on, Cricket seemed to have a new understanding. While continuing his salvage work, he also began to ponder how to go to the Sky Island. Meanwhile, within Onigashima, Omanyte once again obtained a very important piece of information from its relatives.
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