The golden radiance filled everyone's vision.
Though they instinctively wanted to shield their eyes from the sudden brightness, the light was so gentle and warm that they couldn't bring themselves to block it.
The next moment, whether it was the Shandians or the Sky Islanders, they all looked at Jake, then at their companions and family members whose wounds were visibly healed at an astonishing speed before their eyes!
The gashes that had split their skin now seemed to reverse time—within mere seconds, the injuries were completely healed, without even a trace of a scar left behind.
An elderly man who had been on the verge of death, after being bathed in the Holy Light, saw his pale face gradually regain color and vitality.
His life force slowly returned and the beating of his heart grew strong once more.
Someone who had been bedridden due to illness, under the Holy Light's purification, found the sickness expelled from their body.
Trembling, they slowly stepped down from the bed, tears streaming down their face.
Pain, wounds, suffering—under the radiance of that light, it was as if they had encountered a blazing fire in the darkness, vanishing into ashes in an instant.
At the same time, the luminous wings behind Jake expanded to their fullest, golden light and feathers stretching out from his back.
Against the backdrop of the clouds surrounding Sky Island, he appeared like a true deity!
Witnessing this scene, nearly everyone on both sides instinctively fell to their knees.
If there was a god, then at this moment, it could be no one but Jake.
As the crowd knelt, whether it was the elder of the Shandians or Gan Fall, who commanded the divine soldiers, they all stood frozen, momentarily unsure of what to do.
Even Wiper, the most hot-tempered among them, softened his stance after personally witnessing Jake's miraculous act.
He shouted at him.
"I don't know how you did this, but thank you—thank you for saving so many of my people. However, if you also want to end this war, there's no other choice but to make those damned Skypieans leave this place. Even if it means death, I won't take a single step back!"
Wiper's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm.
Jake's pale golden eyes fixed on him, giving Wiper an overwhelming sense of pressure.
After all, infused with the Holy Light, Jake's appearance bore little difference from that of a god.
"I'm not here to end the war. My only purpose in coming is for the gold within the City of Gold."
Hearing Jake's words, both the Sky Islanders and the Shandians let out a sigh of relief.
To them, the pressure Jake exuded was far too intense.
No matter which side he stood on, it wouldn't be an outcome they wished to see.
But upon hearing that the place he sought was the City of Gold, even the elder of the Shandians was momentarily stunned.
He shook his head gently at Jake and said.
"The City of Gold... it has been lost for a very, very long time. In the prolonged war with the Skypieans, that legendary land has faded into the dust of history. If you wish to search for it, we won't stand in your way."
Though Wiper was displeased at the idea of outsiders entering the Shandians' sacred territory, given that Jake had saved so many of their people, he chose to remain silent.
Thus, under the watchful eyes of both sides, Whitebeard and his entourage marched grandly towards the heart of the sacred island.
Meanwhile, the divine soldiers and the Shandians glared at each other, poised to launch their attacks the moment Whitebeard and his crew departed.
But then, just as they were about to leave, Whitebeard suddenly stopped.
He turned to Jake and laughed heartily.
"Gurarararara! Kid, I'm feeling a bit tired. This Sky Island really makes it hard to breathe. I'll wait here for your return."
As he spoke, his booming laughter shook the skies, causing the surrounding clouds to tremble and tilt.
Amid the rolling clouds, everyone struggled to keep their footing—both Shandians and divine soldiers tumbled to the ground.
Jake looked at Whitebeard, understanding his intention.
The Skypieans and Shandians would undoubtedly clash once they left.
Though it had little to do with them, Whitebeard would never stand idly by.
He was less than a pirate and more like a true hero.
The terrifying spectacle froze everyone in place.
They stared at the towering clouds overhead and the colossal man seated between the two factions.
None dared move in his presence—his mere sitting form exuded an overwhelming, mountain-like pressure.
Seeing this, Jake nodded and proceeded deeper into Sky Island with the remaining Whitebeard Pirates.
In the original story, the City of Gold lay hidden beneath the ruins of the divine trials, buried within the island's clouds.
Since Enel hadn't arrived yet, the gold remained untouched.
The beasts lurking in the forest might have posed a threat to the early Straw Hat crew, but to the Whitebeard Pirates, they were no more troublesome than stray dogs—easily dealt with.
They soon located the ruins.
However, as they approached, Jake spotted a vaguely familiar figure.
Long earlobes dangling to his chest, a slender frame, and a faint smirk of disdain.
The man eyed Jake and the others mockingly.
"So, you're the ones trying to steal my treasure, aren't you?"
Marco glanced at Enel, puzzled.
"Your treasure?"
"Correct! From this day forth, all ruins here belong to me, God Enel. If you swear allegiance now, I may mercifully spare your lives."
At Enel's declaration, Marco's lips twitched slightly.
Ignoring him, he continued towards the City of Gold.
Enel sighed regretfully and raised a finger.
A dazzling azure current crackled in his palm before a bolt of lightning—several meters thick—struck Marco from the sky.
Without bothering to glance at the explosion, Enel calmly addressed the Whitebeard Pirates, smiling faintly.
"Submit, or perish."
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