《One Piece: Magma of Absolute》Chapter 45: Shandora and Birka

Island of God, Upper Yard.

Sakazuki and Cricket stepped out of the temple, wandering across an island transformed by four centuries of history.

"Mr. Sakazuki, when are we going to the Shandian stronghold? Do you really think peace is possible?" Cricket's voice wavered with uncertainty.

Back in the hall, Sakazuki had agreed to deliver Gan Fall's message to the Shandians. But… could a handshake truly end four hundred years of war? Even a boy like Cricket knew such deep hatred wasn't so easily erased.

"No rush," Sakazuki replied. "First, let's find the ruins of Shandora—and the Lamp of Shandora."

"Four centuries of bloodshed won't be washed away overnight. But… if we can relight the Lamp of Shandora, maybe—just maybe—there's a chance for real negotiation."

As he spoke, Sakazuki unleashed his full Observation Haki, scanning the island for their destination. He led Cricket onward.

It was almost laughable—after four hundred years of occupation, the Land of God still had no idea these ruins even existed. It wasn't until Enel arrived that the golden city was discovered, and only then was Shandora's gold plundered to build the Ark Maxim.

"I see…" Cricket murmured.

"Found it."

"Eh?!" Cricket barely had time to react.

Whoosh!

Sakazuki seized Cricket by the collar, and in a flash, the two vanished from sight.

Golden City, Shandora—Ruins.

Scattered golden buildings dotted the landscape. The sight was awe-inspiring, yet oddly underwhelming—hardly the legendary Golden City of myth.

"These golden buildings are impressive, but… is this really the Shandora from the stories?" Cricket wondered aloud.

"Of course not. Shandora is below us," Sakazuki replied.

"Below?"

BOOM!

With Cricket in tow, Sakazuki stomped down powerfully. An invisible column of force blasted open the ground, and the two plummeted into the depths. Moments later, clouds drifted in to seal the gap above.

From the air, they gazed down upon a city forged entirely from gold. Golden light dazzled in every direction. At the center, a colossal vine pierced the city, surrounded by four golden towers standing sentinel.

If not for the massive vine, the towers would have encircled the fabled Lamp of Shandora. Behind the vine, a towering altar rose to the sky—the scattered golden buildings above were merely the tip of this ancient structure.

Below, countless golden houses sprawled—some whole, others crumbled into ruins. Every inch was pure gold.

A wave of ancient grandeur washed over them. Standing amid the golden splendor, it was easy to imagine the glory and might of Shandora eight hundred years ago.

Setting down the stunned and speechless Cricket, Sakazuki strode toward the giant vine. There, shattered golden slabs were etched with square, cryptic script—Poneglyphs.

"Can't read a word," Sakazuki sighed, though he didn't seem too disappointed. The Poneglyphs only recorded the past—swords of a bygone era. After wandering for a while, he found Cricket feverishly taking notes.

Seeing Sakazuki approach, Cricket called out, "Mr. Sakazuki, I don't see the Lamp of Shandora anywhere!"

Sakazuki grabbed his collar again. "That's because it isn't here. It's up there."

With a mighty leap, volcanic force erupted beneath his feet. The two shot skyward, soaring toward the top of the massive vine—where thick clouds concealed the legendary golden bell.

Elsewhere, White Sea—Birka.

To the southeast, on a small island named Birka, the architecture was nothing like the ornate castles of other sky islands. Here, the buildings were ancient, solemn, adorned with mysterious patterns that seemed to echo from a forgotten age. The atmosphere was heavy, as if even speaking too loudly would be a sin—like trespassing in a sacred land.

But that was just first impression. Life here brought warmth and mischief, for example…

"Damn it, where's that brat Enel?!"

"Find him! He stole my apple—when I catch him, I'm gonna pound him!"

"You, you, you, and you—search over there!"

"You two, come with me this way! Don't let him get away!"

A five-year-old Angel Tribe kid led a squad of three- and four-year-olds, barking orders as they hunted for Enel. Once the little search party scattered, a white cloud behind a flowerbed shifted.

A tiny head peeked out—Enel, just three years old and, unlike the other children, wingless.

Crunch!

He took a huge bite of apple, grinning smugly in the direction of the self-appointed leader.

"Hmph, idiots. Think you can catch me? Just wait till I get a little stronger… then you'll see."

Crunch! Crunch!

"Hm?"

Enel ducked down again. A hundred meters away, a passerby rounded a corner—never noticing the small child hidden in the flowerbed.

Crunch, crunch…

Island of God, Top of the Vine.

The legendary Lamp of Shandora—the enormous golden bell—stood silently, untouched by four centuries of wind and rain. Its brilliance remained undimmed.

Two golden pillars, each eight meters thick, flanked the bell. Between them hung the massive golden bell itself.

It was a Poneglyph. It was the island's legendary song. It was the signal that began—and could end—the four-hundred-year war.

"Should we ring it?" Sakazuki asked quietly.

"Huh?" Cricket looked up, confused.

Beneath the bell, even Sakazuki's nearly three-meter frame seemed dwarfed.

"To the sky dwellers, this bell is both the call to war and the hope for peace. To the Shandians, it's a promise to Noland… and the regret Kalgara carried to his grave.

Four centuries of war. Generation after generation, blood and sacrifice.

If we ring it, maybe—just maybe—the two sides will finally have a reason to talk.

But it all depends on whether their leaders have the courage to become that sinner—the one who dares to bear four hundred years of hatred.

If we don't ring it, we can head straight for the Shandian village. Fulfill your ancestor's wish, deliver Gan Fall's hope for peace.

But… who has the courage to shoulder four centuries of hate?"

Cricket stood in silence, torn. As Noland's descendant, he could be the bridge between both sides. But he had no right to decide for the Shandians. He stared up at the massive golden bell.

"I…"

The Moon.

Underground Ruins, Birka.

The buildings and layout here were eerily similar to the sky islands of the White Sea—as if the entire city had been copied and pasted. But here, there was no sign of life.

Click! Click! Click! Click!…

A lonely little robot patrolled the empty corridors. But it was running out of power. After a thousand years of waiting, its energy was nearly gone.

Thud…

The robot collapsed, drained of its last reserves, gazing up through the ruins as if peering through layers of stone to glimpse the blue planet above. The light in its eyes slowly faded…

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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