Another week passed.
Eli Winters called Wiper over and told him about his plan to leave.
When Wiper heard this, his voice turned anxious.
"Teacher, why are you leaving so suddenly?"
"Wiper," Eli said gently, patting the boy's shoulder, "I'm a traveler and an adventurer. The Sky Islands are a beautiful sight along my journey, but they were never meant to be my destination."
"But I… I still want to stay by your side and keep learning," Wiper said, unable to hide his reluctance.
"I've already taught you the fundamentals and the basics of the Six Powers," Eli replied with a smile. "From here on, it's about repetition and perseverance. When you turn sixteen, I'll come back. By then, I'll teach you how to train another kind of power."
Seeing that Eli's decision could not be changed, Wiper forced himself to nod.
"Then it's a promise. When I'm sixteen, you have to come back."
"Haha, I will," Eli said. "And don't slack off. Next time we meet, I'll be testing your progress."
"I won't let you down," Wiper said loudly, thumping his chest.
Eli believed him completely.
Wiper possessed an exceptionally strong sense of conviction. Once he set his mind on something, he would pursue it relentlessly until the very end.
Wiper had just turned fifteen. With proper guidance, by the time he met Luffy nine years later, he might very well beat him into the ground. The thought alone made Eli chuckle.
Not long after, Eli gathered his companions.
When they learned that they were about to leave the Sky Islands, everyone reacted differently. Their time here had been joyful, and the misunderstandings with Gan Fall had long been resolved. Still, they were adventurers at heart. Staying in one place for too long was never an option.
There was a hint of reluctance, but far more excitement and anticipation.
Just then, Robin stepped forward and grabbed the corner of Eli's coat.
Her beautiful face carried a faint trace of irritation. Her lips curved into a smile that was anything but friendly.
"Respected Captain," she said softly, "have you forgotten something important?"
Robin was clearly upset.
During this time, she had watched Eli focus entirely on training Wiper, so she never pressed him. But now they were about to leave, and he had not even mentioned that matter.
That was unforgivable.
"Forgotten what?" Eli asked, confused.
"Think again," Robin said, her gaze dangerous.
Faced with that look, Eli's mind raced. A second later, realization hit.
"Ah… the Poneglyph," he said sheepishly. "Sorry. Things have been busy. I almost forgot."
Almost?
You completely forgot.
Robin rolled her eyes at her unreliable captain.
This time, Eli did not delay. He immediately led them toward the City of Gold.
He did not bring Wiper along. Reclaiming one's homeland was something the Shandians needed to do with their own hands. Eli considered this part of Wiper's trial.
Everyone in the group was strong. Even the weakest among them, Kree, possessed strength comparable to a rear admiral. Their speed was astonishing.
Two hours later, they arrived at the City of Gold.
"Boss," Big Pan said, scratching his head as he stared at the desolate ruins, "this is the City of Gold? Why don't I see any gold?"
Eli smacked his forehead.
Right. He had almost forgotten.
All the gold had been taken by Enel.
"It was carried off by an idiot," Eli said helplessly.
"Let me guess," Fiona said thoughtfully, "Enel?"
"Most likely," Eli replied with a wry smile.
"Brother Eli, can you get it back?" Felina asked eagerly, her eyes shining.
"That won't be difficult," Eli said. "But first, let's find the Poneglyph."
His gaze swept the area.
Moments later, a smile appeared on his face.
"Found it. Follow me."
They stopped beneath a towering ancient tree.
Felina looked up and asked, "Brother Eli, is the Poneglyph really up there?"
"Yes," Eli replied. "Not just the Poneglyph. The Golden Bell the Shandians have been searching for is up there too."
With that, he flew upward.
Climbing was out of the question when flying was an option.
The others followed.
At the top of the tree was a broad platform littered with collapsed stone. In the center stood a majestic Golden Bell. Several of its supporting pillars had fallen, but the main structure remained intact, standing tall despite the centuries.
Beneath the base of the bell rested a massive black stone tablet.
Its surface was carved with ancient, obscure characters.
The moment Robin saw them, she hurried forward as if possessed, quietly translating as she read.
"The ancient weapon Poseidon, held in the name of the gods, shall appear alongside the birth of the chosen one.
We are the weavers of history, united with the sound of the great bell."
Below the text was a smaller inscription.
"I came here and guided these words to their final destination.
Gol D. Roger."
Robin's breath caught.
The Pirate King had truly been here.
At the same time, a realization formed in her heart. Perhaps restoring the lost century required connecting all the Poneglyphs together.
The others looked confused.
"What's Poseidon?" someone asked.
Seeing their expressions, Robin explained, "You remember the Three Ancient Weapons, right?"
Everyone nodded. Eli had told them about it back in Alabasta.
"Poseidon is one of them," Robin continued. "It refers to the Sea Kings. More precisely, it is a mermaid princess born once every several centuries, someone capable of communicating with and commanding the Sea Kings. Whoever possesses Poseidon holds the power to dominate the seas."
Realization dawned on their faces.
The idea of commanding Sea Kings alone was enough to make anyone's blood boil.
Only Simon and Doute exchanged subtle looks.
A mermaid princess.
Was that not the princess of Fish Man Island?
Since when did Fish Man Island become this terrifying?
"Well, that's everything," Eli said with a smile. "Time to go."
He had known all of this already, so he remained calm, quietly watching his companions discuss it.
"Heh, Boss," Big Pan said with a mischievous grin, "even Roger left a message saying he was here. Don't you want to write something too?"
"You can write if you want," Eli said, amused. "I'm not interested."
"Great," Big Pan said happily.
He squatted in front of the Poneglyph and transformed his Dragon Coil Staff into a thin needle. Just as he was about to carve his message, he hesitated.
His handwriting was terrible.
He turned to Robin with an ingratiating smile.
"Robin, could you write it for me?"
Robin, ever the gentle one on the surface, did not refuse. She took a carving knife and neatly inscribed the ancient script.
Big Pan was here.
The characters were round and elegant.
Big Pan admired it with satisfaction, his fluffy face breaking into a delighted grin.
His childlike behavior sent everyone into laughter.
Afterward, they collected the fallen pieces of gold and jumped down from the tree.
Eli did not take the Golden Bell.
Its meaning was far greater than its value. It belonged to Wiper.
Besides, Eli was not short on money. He was about to reclaim all the gold Enel had hidden anyway.
As they descended, a massive snake head suddenly rose from the ground, its jaws opening wide.
What the hell?
Why did this thing show up now? Was it trying to swallow them whole?
Eli recognized the creature immediately.
Was it not supposed to be friendly?
Big Pan raised his staff, ready to smash the snake's head.
"Spare it," Eli shouted.
If Big Pan struck seriously, the snake's head would explode into a cloud of blood. This creature was not evil. Eli had no intention of killing it.
Big Pan immediately changed his attack, sweeping instead of smashing and greatly reducing the force.
With a loud crash, the giant snake was sent flying and slammed into a collapsed structure.
"Boss, why didn't you let me kill it?" Big Pan asked curiously.
"It doesn't mean any harm," Eli replied briefly.
The snake coughed up blood, shakily lifting its head and hissing at them.
No one understood what it was saying.
But somehow, it looked… wronged.
"Oo oo."
Baize, who had been held by Qian Dai the entire time, suddenly called out.
Eli instantly understood.
He was surprised that Baize could communicate with the snake, but thinking about it, it made sense. As a mythical auspicious beast, knowing a bit of snake language was hardly shocking.
Unlike Big Pan.
Useless.
Apparently, the snake had merely been woken up by the noise. It had come out of its cave, yawned beneath the tree, and was promptly struck by a bear.
Unjust did not even begin to describe it.
When Eli relayed this, Big Pan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well, that's because of your posture," Big Pan said irritably. "I thought you were about to eat us."
Baize faithfully translated.
The snake hissed excitedly in response.
"What did it say?" Big Pan asked.
"It says it opened its mouth but closed it immediately," Eli replied. "It never intended to eat us. It also says it has never eaten a human in its entire life."
Big Pan thought about it.
That was… true.
He walked up to the snake and bowed apologetically.
"Sorry, Snake Brother. That was rough of me. Please forgive Old Pan this once. I'll treat you to a roast lamb."
He pulled a whole roasted lamb from his storage token and tossed it over.
The snake swallowed it in one gulp.
"Hiss. Forgiven."
"Haha, good," Big Pan laughed. "What's your name?"
"Hiss. Nola."
Nola.
Hearing the name, Eli recalled something.
There had been many things inside this creature. And the missing chunk of land on Birka.
Could it be?
"Nola," Eli asked, "have you ever been to a place called Birka?"
"Hiss. Yes. Why?"
"Did you bite into a giant stone covered in writing there?"
"Hiss. Not sure. Sometimes I swallow other things while eating."
"Do you still have them inside you?"
"Hiss. Some I spat out. Some are still in my inner space."
"May I take a look?"
"Hiss. Sure."
"Thanks," Eli said, patting Nola's head. "I'll treat you to a feast tonight."
This time, Eli brought only Robin inside Nola. More people would just get in the way.
Nola opened her mouth.
There was no foul smell.
Inside was a dark passage. Without hesitation, they walked in.
It was dry and spacious, likely separate from the digestive tract.
Soon, they reached a space the size of two rooms.
Gold glittered everywhere.
But Eli ignored it.
In the corner stood a stone slab made of a special mineral.
Covered in dense writing.
He looked at Robin.
She shook her head.
"I don't recognize this script."
Eli felt disappointed.
Then Robin smiled sweetly.
"I can't read it yet, but I've seen this script before. Give me some time. I can translate it."
Eli immediately knew.
He was being punished.
All this because he forgot the Poneglyph.
He did not touch anything else. Whatever Nola kept was clearly dear to her.
Eli took the stone slab and left with Robin.