As the dawn light, playfully peeking through the cracks in the window, landed on a handsome young man lying by the window bed.
The man opened his eyes.
His azure pupils, initially clouded with sleepiness, gradually gained clarity under the morning sun, reflecting the emotions and desires of a human.
This transition transformed his somewhat divine gaze into one touched by earthly experiences, moving from the sacred to the mundane.
He threw off the blanket covering him and placed his feet on the floor. Kouta got out of bed.
Walking to the window, he pulled it open, allowing more of the dawn's glow to flood the slightly dim room, instantly brightening it.
His eyes gazed at the fiery horizon, his body felt the warmth of the morning sun, and the sounds of joy from the streets below reached his ears.
Kouta's lips curved upwards, a smile of pure delight gracing his face.
This was their fourth day on Angel Island.
On the first day, they had fulfilled Elder Gan Fall's request and defeated Enel, the great demon king of Skypiea.
The remaining two days were spent on exploration and adventure. Not only did they discover Shandora, the true Golden City, but under his subtle guidance, they also found the colossal golden bell buried in the clouds at the summit of the giant vine.
Perhaps it was the discovery of the Golden Bell, or perhaps it was the sincerity of Gan Fall that truly moved the Shandians. Just yesterday, the Shandians, for the first time in generations, set foot on the land their ancestors once inhabited, sharing the divinely bestowed gift of Skypiea, Alabasta, with the Angel Island residents.
As the bell's chime once again resonated through the heavens and earth, the two races, who had been at war for nearly 400 years, gathered around the ruins of Shandora and held a grand and unique celebration.
Yesterday, the bells rang all day. Kouta wondered if that man with the diamond-shaped head and a chestnut on top, whose name he had completely forgotten—a descendant of the great liar, Mont Blanc Cricket—had heard it.
He hoped that upon hearing it, the man could let go of his lifelong obsession and cease his futile search, for the "Utopia" he sought was in the heavens!
A man who fought against destiny for his dreams and his family's "curse" was worthy of respect and a better life.
He retracted his gaze, turned, picked up his shirt from a nearby chair, and put it on as he walked.
Reaching the door, he paused, waiting until all the buttons were fastened. He took the gourd from the hook behind the door, hung it at his waist, and then pulled the door open.
The moment the door opened, several maidens dressed in servant attire, who had been waiting outside, presented themselves, holding washing supplies.
It had been two days. He had told them from the start that their group didn't need any service, but they couldn't resist the hospitality of the Angel Island residents. These girls who came to serve him had all gone through internal competition for the opportunity.
This damnable, decadent life.
Kouta took a face towel from a girl and wiped his face. Then, putting it down, he accepted a toothbrush from another girl and began to brush his teeth.
After finishing his morning routine, he was led by the smiling maidens to the dining hall.
Here, he saw his companions, who were being similarly attended to.
He had to admit that such hospitality, which they had never experienced before, provided them with a dual sense of spiritual and physical pleasure, unlike anything they had ever known.
However, no matter how enjoyable it was, they had to leave. After all, this Sky Island was merely a segment of their journey. Although beautiful, its charm paled in comparison to the vastness of the sea.
So, after breakfast, under the warm farewells and profound gratitude of the Skypiean soldiers led by Gan Fall and the Angel Island residents, they once again boarded the Going Merry.
The Shandians were also present, but not in large numbers. One reason was that they had killed Weber, and another was their gratitude for being able to set foot on their long-coveted land once more after defeating Enel, leading to a sense of conflicted emotions.
However, Kouta and his crew gave no thought to the Shandians' feelings.
With a wave, the Going Merry, propelled by the wind, slowly sailed out of the harbor. Then, guided by a Waver, it headed towards the distant edge of the clouds.
A Waver was a unique mode of transportation found only in Skypiea. Powered by Vent Bonnes or Pouch Bonnes, it could travel across the sea of clouds, much like a jet ski. Its operation was notoriously difficult, requiring a keen understanding of wind direction and water currents.
They also had a Waver gifted by the Angel Island residents on their ship. Currently, only Allo and Kouta could operate it effectively. Despite numerous attempts over the past two days, others could manage to move forward but couldn't maintain speed or direction, often resulting in capsizing.
This very matter had made Allo insufferably proud when facing Ah Hua and Ah Tao for the past two days.
Perhaps it was fate, but among the maidens serving Kouta, there was one he knew very well: Conis, whom Luffy and his crew had met on Angel Beach upon their arrival on Skypiea.
She was a remarkably upright and resilient young girl. They hadn't asked her age, but she appeared to be around their own.
Through their two days of interaction, this young girl had become very good friends with Guina and Robin.
Indeed… female friendships could sometimes be quite inexplicable.
It was like Vivi from Alabasta; if they hit it off, they could become close confidantes.
And so.
It was Conis who guided them towards the edge of the clouds this time.
The one who had gifted them the Waver earlier was Conis's father, a skilled artisan who repaired Wavers.
After a short while.
Once the Going Merry had sailed so far that it was no longer visible, the Angel Island residents finally withdrew their gazes and excitedly returned to their respective tasks.
Their family had returned, the constant surveillance that hung over them was gone, and the days of carefully managing even their smiles were finally over. Thus, they were sincerely grateful to Kouta and his group, a sentiment that would likely last for a long time.
"Oh no, we forgot to give our benefactors gold."
At that moment, the Shandian chief, standing next to Gan Fall, suddenly remembered something and exclaimed with a look of regret.
"How could we forget such an important matter!"
After the banquet yesterday, he and the elders of his tribe had discussed presenting some gold today to repay Kouta and his crew. However, perhaps it was due to drinking too much last night, or perhaps old age had impaired his memory, or perhaps it was still too early and he had woken up before he was fully alert; whatever the reason, he had forgotten.
"Don't worry!"
Gan Fall turned to look at his old rival, who was also a man he somewhat admired, and chuckled, "I don't know about other things, but when it comes to gold, I believe if Kouta and his group wanted it, they would have taken it themselves at the time. The fact that they didn't means they certainly don't lack it."
"So! Don't trouble yourself over this. Think instead about how to move to Alabasta!"
"Is that so?"
The chief looked up at Gan Fall, his aged pupils filled with contemplation. Then, as if he had come to a realization, a smile returned to his face.
"Mhm!"
"You're right."
"I never thought that after fighting for almost a lifetime, you, old fellow, would actually achieve it."
"What?"
Gan Fall tilted his head, a smile playing on his lips, "You're unwilling."
"Willing, willing, how could I be unwilling! As long as a man like you, who is devoted to his people, rules Skypiea, I will unconditionally support you!"
The chief and Gan Fall exchanged glances, and as if they were old friends of many years, they both burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!!"
Their laughter drifted far, far away.
The joy conveyed in their voices was like the present state of Skypiea, filled with the delight of new beginnings.