"Phew, that should do it!"
On the deck of the Leviathan, Sakura wiped sweat from her brow.
Before her lay Enel, trussed up like a rice dumpling.
During the earlier fight, multiple bones in his body had been broken. Without nutritional replenishment, Sakura didn't dare recklessly repair them.
She could only immobilize his body for now, waiting for Kuina to finish preparing food in the cabin before treating him.
"Sakura, the Waver is secured on Leviathan's sterncastle!"
At the stern, Tiger, brushing off wisps of cloud clinging to him, called out.
"So, my esteemed Captain~, where to next?"
The petite ship spirit poked her head up from below deck as if swimming up.
"Let's go! I'll show you one of the three great legends… the City of Gold, Shandora!"
Sakura walked to the bow, forcefully turning the helm.
Under her guidance, the Leviathan's shark-like prow quickly adjusted course towards the forbidden land in the Skypiean's eyes… the Island of Gods, Upper Yard.
The ship slowly sailed into Upper Yard's crescent-shaped island base. Standing at the bow, Sakura rapped on the helm. "Leviathan, transform into a bird and fly in!"
"You got it!"
In a crisp reply, the ship's hull sprouted black wings. It leaped high into the air, transforming into a massive Night Sparrow.
Following Sakura's guidance, Leviathan flew towards the central ruins of the Island of Gods.
Finally, she pierced through the thick layer of island cloud, diving into the ancient city buried beneath… Shandora.
Within the space enveloped by dense clouds, a vast, magnificent city unfolded before their eyes.
Golden radiance perpetuated the legend. Expansive temples touched the firmament. Towering lighthouses stood guard around them. Buildings constructed of gold bricks surrounded a solemn plaza. Vines silently crept along quiet streets. Lush greenery grew between brick crevices. Even this legendary place couldn't withstand time's erosion.
Shattered gold lay scattered on the ground. Monuments whispered history. In the long bird call brought by the intruders, everything seemed to return to its original state… children's laughter, bustling gateways, a breeze carrying moist, cool flowing clouds. The people who forged this miracle seemed to still be praying by the altar. The clamor spread. On the broad roads, the splendor remained.
Alas, dreams must end. The lingering echoes had been severed eight hundred years ago.
Only gentle, broken lights remained, proof of their past existence.
"Holy... holy crap... it's the City of Gold!"
Kuina, the swordswoman with limited formal education, could utter nothing besides expletives at this moment.
But her excitement was understandable. After all, children growing up on these seas were raised on stories of the three legendary lands.
Now, witnessing the City of Gold, a place as famous as Laugh Tale and the Emerald City, it was only natural to lose control.
Leviathan landed before a resplendent golden sacrificial altar, spitting the crew out onto the ground.
Seeing the gold piled throughout the entire city, Enel's eyes were completely replaced by Berry symbols.
Trussed up in bandages, he struggled to inch forward, opening his mouth to bite a gold brick. "It's real gold!"
Sakura walked over, pressing a hand down on Enel, who was about to get drunk on gold. "I know you have the Maxim blueprint. I'll handle collecting the gold. Don't get any ideas about this place!"
"Why not? Why not use the gold left by those fools?" Enel was baffled. "With my lightning ability and knowledge of the Maxim, you know its power. Don't you want such-"
Thump!
The girl punched Enel on the head, cutting him off.
Leviathan and the others, who were moving drinks and food behind them, also turned their gazes towards the two.
"Idiot! This is proof that others existed!"
Sakura's sharp emerald eyes sparked with dark lightning. "Those who don't respect history will one day be struck down by forces from the past. Understand?!!"
"Hmph!"
Sulking, Enel bit his lip and turned his head away.
"Alright, alright."
Tiger stepped in to mediate, pulling Sakura away from Enel. "We came here to hold a welcome party for him. Let's all relax. No need to be so stern."
"Okay, Mr. Arrogant, don't make Sakura-nee angry. I made some good food for you."
Kuina also wheeled over a food cart, placing a large plate of fried rice in front of Enel.
"Who are you calling arrogant, you death-aura girl!"
Enel bared shark-like teeth, roaring at Kuina.
Being unable to suppress Muramasa's death aura for now struck a nerve with Kuina. The two immediately started arguing.
"Yeah! Fight, fight!"
Leviathan, ever eager to stir things up, transformed into her smaller Yatagarasu form and flitted between them, fanning the flames.
In the distance, Tiger placed two wooden cups before Sakura, filling them with liquor bought from the sky island.
"Why so angry at the newcomer? That's not like you."
He raised his cup, clinking it with the one in front of Sakura.
"Sigh. I was reminded of some things from the past. Got a bit carried away."
The girl raised her cup and took a deep drink, her voice tinged with melancholy. "Thirteen years ago, I came here once. On the Oro Jackson."
"Roger Pirates? That pirate crew you sailed with?"
Tiger pursed his lips, listening to her continue.
"It was so much fun. Those days sailing with them."
Sakura lowered her head, gazing at the liquor dispersing into mist. "I was still very weak back then, always wanting to grow stronger quickly to keep up with them."
"But by the time I actually became strong enough to influence the world's currents, my former crewmates were scattered to the winds, leaving only faint traces across the seas."
"No wonder!" Tiger let out a deep breath. "Seems this place holds special meaning for you."
"Just a bit of nostalgic sentiment, nothing more."
Sakura held her empty cup out to Tiger. "Anyway, I overreacted. Sorry."
"No problem. It's not a bad thing."
Tiger laughed heartily as he refilled her cup. "Feeling sorrow, getting angry, making mistakes, and apologizing for them… this Sakura feels more like a flesh-and-blood person. Honestly, it puts my mind at ease."
"Being your captain is truly hard work!" The girl huffed, giving him a sidelong glare.
Tiger, who had been drinking deeply, pushed a newly filled cup towards her, gesturing towards Enel. "Hahaha, that's what you get for being the captain!"
"Fine, I get it!" Sakura sighed softly.
Carrying her cup, Sakura walked over to Enel's side.
He, who had been arguing noisily with Kuina and Leviathan, had already been fed quite a bit of food. His belly was bloated like a ball as he lay on the ground.
"Drink up. Today's your welcome party. And also..."
Sakura placed the liquor before Enel.
"Sorry." x2
The simultaneous apologies made Sakura blink in surprise. "Wait, what are you apologizing for?"
"I just want to apologize! Is that not allowed?!"
Snatching the cup from Sakura's hand, Enel tilted his head back and downed the liquor in one go.
Instantly, his pale skin flushed red. He swayed unsteadily before collapsing to the ground.
'Tsundere, a light drinker... what kind of romance anime heroine script did this guy get?'
Shaking her head helplessly, Sakura could only raise her cup towards her companions behind her.
"Everyone! To welcome our new crewmate, and to celebrate us witnessing the legendary City of Gold… cheers!!!"
"Woo!" x3