《One Piece: Magma of Absolute》Chapter 44: Island of God and Cloud Hidden Village

Island of God, Upper Yard.

Sakazuki and Cricket followed the Divine Guard along a winding path toward the temple. Towering trees stretched skyward all around them, their trunks so massive they seemed to pierce the clouds themselves.

"Amazing… I never thought a sky island could have real soil, let alone trees this gigantic," Cricket murmured in awe, trailing behind Sakazuki. The Divine Guard ahead glanced back, his voice filled with reverence:

"Sky islands didn't always have land. This soil is a blessing from God."

"Four hundred years ago," Sakazuki added quietly.

Cricket blinked in surprise and shot a look at Sakazuki.

"You know about this in the Blue Sea?" the Guard asked.

"Not really. I just heard a bit on the way here," Sakazuki replied.

Cricket listened, wide-eyed, turning slowly to take in every detail as if burning the scenery deep into his memory.

Soon, a palace of pure white appeared before them. Unlike the castle-like buildings of Angel Island, this grand hall was built in a classical style—solemn and imposing.

A man in flowing robes, his beard long and silver, stood at the entrance. The Guard began to speak, but the man waved a hand. The Guard fell silent and bowed, then withdrew.

The white-robed man approached, extending his right hand.

"Welcome, powerful adventurers from the Blue Sea. I am Gan Fall."

Sakazuki regarded the frail-looking man before him, then extended his own hand. His voice was deep and steady. "Sakazuki."

Inside the hall, after they were seated, Gan Fall looked at them both.

"Adventurers from the Blue Sea, I know you must have many questions. But… may I tell you a story first?"

Sakazuki nodded slightly, signaling for him to continue—he already had a good idea what was coming.

Gan Fall gazed down at a map spread across the table. His voice was rough, tinged with sorrow.

"It happened about four hundred years ago. Back then, the Land of God was a peaceful place. The people were innocent and kind. Now and then, the sky dwellers would salvage whatever little supplies the Knock Up Stream brought us. Every scrap was treasured as a gift from the heavens.

All the Vearth—the precious soil—on the sky islands arrived like this, by chance. For a landmass as vast as Upper Yard… it should have been impossible for it to reach the sky.

But miracles do happen.

The sky people believed this was a sacred blessing, a holy land from the gods. They rejoiced. But… that Vearth already had its own people. The Shandians.

Back then, the God and the sky dwellers saw Upper Yard as a divine gift—a place only gods deserved to live. Greed filled their eyes as they gazed upon that massive land.

And so, the battle for Upper Yard began.

For four hundred years since, the war between the Shandians and the sky people has never ceased.

Somewhere along the way, an ancient legend began to spread among the sky people. It is said that on the day the holy Island of God was born, its beautiful song echoed throughout the land. That was when the war began—as if the song itself was the signal for battle.

And the legend claims: when the island's song is heard once more, the war will finally end."

He fell silent, the weight of centuries hanging in the air.

Meanwhile, in the Shandian tribe's Hidden Cloud Village…

On a massive vine leaf, Wyper, descendant of the great warrior Kalgara, stood gazing toward Upper Yard. His two children, Braham and Genbo, listened as he spoke:

"Do you know, my children, our Shandian ancestors once lived in the Blue Sea—in the sacred city of Shandora. The great warrior Kalgara defended our homeland with his life.

But four hundred years ago, the Knock Up Stream swept Shandora into the sky. We could never return to the Blue Sea. That alone was painful enough.

But then… those sky islanders had the nerve to call it a blessing—a holy land. They stole our homeland, drove our ancestors out, and barred us from even touching the sacred soil of our city.

For four centuries, we Shandians have endured humiliation. Upper Yard is ours. We will take it back.

Our homeland… our honor… all of it…

We must relight the Lamp of Shandora!

And slaughter every last one of those damned sky people…"

His voice, thick with hatred, echoed through the sky.

Back on Upper Yard…

"For what our ancestors did—stealing the Shandians' homeland—how could we ever truly atone?"

Gan Fall bowed his head, voice heavy with regret.

"I've spent my life searching for an answer, but all I can do is watch time slip by. I am powerless.

If I could, I would bow to every last Shandian, apologize for the four hundred years of suffering and the countless lives lost in their quest for home.

But the hatred between sky dwellers and Shandians runs too deep. Despite all my efforts to ease the pain, it's never been enough. Communication is impossible.

So… I beg you, powerful adventurer.

Please—go to the Shandian stronghold.

Deliver my wish for peace and coexistence."

Gan Fall stood and bowed deeply to Sakazuki.

"Please… I'm counting on you."

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