Chapter 58: The Golden Bell and Hikari’s Pact

"Ha!" Gan Fall exhaled. "You wish to trade dials? On behalf of the Skypieans, I accept. As for the Golden City…"

He glanced at Wyper uneasily, unsure how to continue.

"I know the history of Shandora and Skypiea," Hikari said calmly. "Four hundred years of war and hatred—yet even now, you talk peace. That speaks well of you."

"You flatter me," Gan Fall replied modestly. "I only wish to end this pointless conflict. Both peoples deserve a future without bloodshed."

Hikari turned to Wyper, her gaze steady.

"I understand why the Shandians wish to reclaim Upper Yard. I can help you find the Golden Bell—to ring it once more and calm the spirit of the great Kalgara. I'll even bring Mont Blanc Cricket, the final descendant of Noland, to witness it. The truth will be heard."

Wyper's eyes widened. "You… You know where the Golden Bell is? And Noland's descendant?!"

"I do," Hikari nodded. "If you agree to two terms, I'll lead you there. I haven't met Cricket yet, but I've seen far enough into the future to know—seven years from now, he will come here from the Blue Sea, searching for the bell. He wishes to clear his ancestor's name."

Gan Fall's expression grew grave. "Is that why they called Noland a liar? Because the bell and city were carried into the sky by the Knock Up Stream? And no one believed him…"

"Yes," Hikari confirmed. "The king executed him for failing to show the Golden City. Cricket seeks to redeem his family's name."

She paused, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"If Noland had succeeded in bringing his king, it would've been a massacre. The Shandians would've died defending the bell, and your ancestors would've been slaughtered for their gold. Perhaps it was fate. Noland didn't deserve death, but… he wasn't a saint either."

Gan Fall said nothing. Wyper looked shaken, absorbing the weight of history.

"This changes everything…" he muttered. "We Shandians owe Noland. I want to meet his descendant. Apologize. Prove he was no liar."

He straightened. "Name your terms, Hikari."

She nodded. "Two simple conditions: First, the gold of the city—excluding the bell—is mine. Second, the Shandians and Skypieans must reconcile. Share Upper Yard. Let peace return."

Wyper blinked. "That's all? No demand for power?"

"I want neither throne nor tribute. Once the bell rings and peace is restored, I'll be seen as a benefactor by both peoples. That's enough. The Uchiha clan may one day call this sky island home."

Gan Fall smiled, deeply moved. She seems so fierce… but she's kind.

"I'm in favor," Wyper said. "But I must consult our chieftain."

"Then go," Hikari said. "Bring him here. We'll talk together."

Wyper groaned as he turned—his burn still raw from their earlier battle. "Hiss…"

"Let me help," one of the warriors said, rushing to support him.

A few minutes later, a flying waver skimmed the clouds, carrying an elder with wise, weathered eyes.

"Ehh… No need to explain," he said before Wyper could speak. "You must be the warrior known as Uchiha Hikari. I've heard everything. We accept your terms and thank you—for the bell, for peace, and for Noland's descendant."

Hikari smiled, relieved. A wise elder indeed.

"Then it's settled," she said. "We'll retrieve the bell now. Seven years from now, Cricket will come. And with him, the truth."

They journeyed to the massive central vine that pierced the clouds above Upper Yard.

"The Golden Bell," Hikari said, pointing upward, "is hidden atop this vine—in a floating cloud."

The Shandians gasped.

"No wonder we never found it," the elder said, astonished. "We never thought to look higher."

They laughed softly, embarrassed by the simplicity of their oversight.

Then—RRRAAAGHH!

A thunderous roar split the sky. From the cloud below, a monstrous serpent lunged, jaws wide.

"What is that?!"

"It's Nola—the descendant of the sky god Kashigami!" Wyper shouted.

A massive tongue lashed toward them. Hikari acted instantly, releasing her Fourth-Stage Susanoo. A towering skeletal titan formed around her, punching the serpent and launching it hundreds of meters back.

She stopped short of killing it—remembering Gin's advice.

"This serpent is sacred," Wyper explained breathlessly. "Allow us to calm her!"

Hikari nodded.

Once pacified, Nola allowed them to climb the vine. Higher and higher they ascended, into the thinned air near the upper clouds.

At last—they saw it.

A cracked, weathered bell of pure gold, still shining after four centuries. It rested on a small floating isle, cloaked in mist and silence.

"The Golden Bell…" whispered Wyper, tears in his eyes.

"It's real…"

"The ancestors… they'll hear it again!"

Shandians wept. Gan Fall stared in reverent awe.

Hikari wasted no time. With Susanoo's power, she moved the bell onto Nola's back and descended. The bell was carefully lowered into the ruins of Shandora—its rightful place.

And finally, Hikari turned toward the city of gold.

Her breath caught.

"How much gold…? Tens of thousands of tons?" she whispered.

"It's yours," the chieftain said. "We do not value gold. The bell, and our home, are our treasures."

Hikari hesitated. This feels… excessive. But their sincerity left no room for argument.

"Then I'll accept," she smiled. "Though I feel a little guilty!"

"We'll help you move it—"

"No need." With a smirk, Hikari summoned Susanoo once more, using its mighty arms to gather the treasure into her space-time gate.

There wasn't enough room for all of it.

She sighed and activated her communicator.

"Gin, come quick. I need help."

On the other side of the dimensional rift, Gin's eyes widened.

"Already? You're amazing, Mom! Just a second!"

Within moments, Gin teleported in—bringing Mikoto, Minato, and Kushina along.

"You couldn't wait, huh?" Hikari grumbled playfully, flicking Gin's forehead. Susanoo dissolved around her.

They all laughed.

The Golden Bell had been found.

The war had ended.

The sky was theirs.