One Piece: Burning the Sun God to Ash

Angel Island.

The soldiers were loading supplies onto the warship.

These past two days had gone smoothly with the residents of Angel Island, and they had exchanged many Sky Island specialties and shells.

After returning early in the morning, Cricket stood on the prow deck of the ship, staring off in the direction of the Shandian encampment, lost in thought.

Sakazuki, meanwhile, was speaking on the deck with the waiting Gan Fall.

"Your intentions have already been conveyed to the Shandians."

"And they..."

"A grudge lasting four hundred years isn't something that can be easily resolved."

"I understand..."

Gan Fall gazed silently in the direction of Upper Yard.

After a moment, he gave Sakazuki a brief apology, turned, and walked away. His back seemed even more hunched than before.

...

Shandian encampment

It was rare that no one was training today. Everyone sat in the plaza, looking dejected, lost in their own thoughts.

Since the two had left that morning, the village had remained in complete silence.

The chieftain stood at a distance, sweeping his eyes over the faces of his clansmen one by one, especially the children, and sighed inwardly.

Great Warrior Kulon sat slouched beside the chieftain, his face full of reluctance.

But when he looked at the people, his expression softened slightly. Closing his eyes, scenes began to flash through his mind.

Childhood memories, the chieftain, his brothers, the children...

"Kulon, Daddy will tell you the story of Great Warrior Kalgara today."

"Four hundred years of humiliation—and he thinks saying one word of reconciliation is enough to pretend nothing happened?!"

"Cough... cough... Kulon, you must... must take back Bas..."

"You must... reignite... Shandora..."

"Sid!!!!!!"

"Kulon-sama, can you tell us the story of Great Warrior Kalgara?"

A long silence...

When Kulon opened his eyes again, they were filled with determination. He rose, slung the Flame Launcher over his back, and walked toward the plaza.

The chieftain looked at Kulon with some surprise in his eyes.

"Warriors, take up your weapons and follow me."

Everyone stared at him in confusion, but obediently grabbed their weapons and followed Kulon.

"Kulon!"

The chieftain called out, and Kulon's footsteps faltered for a moment. Then, without turning back, he continued forward with firm resolve.

...

God's Island, Upper Yard.

Just as Gan Fall returned to the palace, a guard came rushing in.

"My Lord, a large force of Shandians is charging toward the Holy Land!"

"What?!"

Gan Fall quickly donned his armor, grabbed his spear, and mounted a winged horse of strange color. He soared into the sky.

When he reached the battlefield, he saw that the Shandians did not appear to be fighting desperately.

They were simply charging straight toward the giant vine at the island's center, ignoring everything else.

Gan Fall didn't know what the Shandians were after, but he gave the order anyway.

"Everyone, stand down!"

At the sound of the god's voice, the soldiers of the God's Guard instinctively froze and turned to him.

"Let them through."

"But..."

The God's Guard looked at each other in confusion. How could they allow the Shandians to step foot on this sacred land?

"Let them through!!!!!!"

Gan Fall's shout forced the guards, though reluctant, to open a path.

The Shandians glanced at Gan Fall, then continued chasing after Great Warrior Kulon in the lead.

Gan Fall watched silently as they disappeared into the depths of the island.

Great Warrior Kulon charged at full speed toward the enormous vine.

"Four hundred years... Kalgara's final wish... the Light of Shandora..."

"Wait for me, Cricket..."

...

Angel Island, harbor.

As the supplies were finally loaded and a detailed chart of the White Sea had been purchased, they pinpointed the location of that island and prepared to set sail.

The soldiers waved goodbye to the angels they'd befriended over the past few days. Just then—

DONG—! DONG—! DONG—!

A magnificent bell rang out like a hymn, washing over the entire land of the gods, as though purifying the soul.

"What is that?"

"The Song of the Island!!!"

"It's so beautiful..."

"Do you all remember the legend?!"

"Could it be!!!"

"Uuuuuhhhhhh!!!!"

"This is amazing!!!!!!"

Everyone aboard the ship listened closely to the glorious ringing of the bell. Sakazuki looked toward God's Island, Upper Yard.

"The Light of Shandora..."

Atop the massive vine, Kulon knelt before the lit Light of Shandora, his face drenched in tears, choking uncontrollably. Four hundred years...

He stood and looked in the direction of the Heaven's Gate.

"You must come again!!!!!!"

As if transcending four centuries, his silhouette merged with the memory of Kalgara.

...

Extra – Four Hundred Years Ago, Jaya Island

A powerful figure sprinted through the jungle at blinding speed.

He was impossible to miss: a tall man with hedgehog-like red hair down to his knees and red tattoos on both shoulders.

Bare-chested and holding a spear, he blurred through the trees toward the shore.

"What unforgivable sin have I committed..."

"Wait for me, Noland!!!!!!"

On the shore, Noland stood on the deck, gazing at Jaya Island in silence. Finally, he turned back to his crew.

"Prepare for departure."

"All hands to positions."

"We're now returning to the Kingdom of Lvneel."

"Aye aye!!!!!!"

As the sails dropped, Noland's bold, booming voice rang out:

"Set sail!"

DONG—! DONG—! DONG—!...

Noland turned back to look at Jaya Island.

"Why is the bell ringing..."

"Admiral! Look over there!!!!!!"

A fiery red figure burst from the jungle and reached the shore.

He charged into the sea, halted, panting heavily, and then took a deep breath—

"NOLANDDDD!!!!!!"

Noland gripped the railing tightly, staring in disbelief at the figure.

"Kal...gara..."

Kalgara looked at the ship slowly sailing away, recalling every moment of their bond—how they met, became sworn brothers...

And the pain of that terrible misunderstanding. Tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Come back again someday!!!!!!!!!!"

"Noland..."

After shouting, it was as though all his strength left him. He collapsed in the sea, sobbing, voice choked with emotion.

Then Kalgara suddenly raised his head and shouted with all his might:

"I'll wait for you on this land!!!"

"I'll keep ringing the bell!!!"

"So that if you ever return, you won't get lost at sea!!!"

"So that even in a storm, you'll see this island!!!"

"I'll ring the bell and wait for you forever!!!"

"We will meet again one day!!!"

DONG—!

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