Chapter 15: Robin's Touch
"Master, this Sky Island isn't easy."
At dusk, Robin finally emerged from her book-filled world, her face full of amazement.
She glanced at Kahn, who was sitting nearby, fiddling with the image shell and secretly taking pictures of Robin and the three Boa sisters. She said seriously, "There's a land island at an altitude of 10,000 meters."
"Land islands?"
Kahn hadn't responded yet when the three Boa sisters, who were cleaning and learning housework, widened their eyes in surprise.
Mary, looking at the pure white sea and the white Angel Island, asked in a daze, "How does land grow at a height of 10,000 meters?"
"Stupid, how can there be land growing in the sky?"
Hancock rolled her eyes at her sister and complained, "This is basic common sense."
"That's right. That land island actually came up from below Blue Sea."
Robin nodded slightly, pointing down. "Below Angel Island, where we are, there's a massive water column that rises into the sky every year."
"This water column, known as the 'sky current,' varies in intensity. Some years it reaches 7,000 meters, other years over 10,000 meters."
"And the land island that appeared at 10,000 meters was washed up hundreds of years ago."
Robin pointed in a direction and continued, "That's where the land island is located, now called 'Island of the Gods Shandora' by the Sky Island people."
"As the name suggests, it's the residence of the God of Sky Island, the ruler here."
"Exactly..."
Kahn nodded and said, "When I first came to Sky Island, my Haki detected that island."
"Rest tonight; tomorrow, we'll explore it."
Kahn chose to stay on Angel Island for a few days to prepare for the trip to Shandora. His goal was the Golden Bell and the Golden City.
Despite their ship's lower cabins being filled with treasures, Kahn wanted to raid the Golden City for more wealth.
To become a top power in the New World, you need a strong base camp, which requires a lot of money.
Even though there were many treasures behind their ship's treasure room, it was nothing compared to the Golden City.
Once they moved out of the Golden City, the Cross family would have enough funds for the next ten years.
After finding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit on Birka Island, Kahn didn't return the same way but directly descended to the Blue Sea.
So before leaving, Kahn decided to raid the Golden City and reward Robin for her service over the past two years.
"Yes."
Hearing Kahn, the three Boa sisters suppressed their curiosity and prepared to explore tomorrow.
Robin's beautiful eyes also held a rare look of anticipation.
...
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Kahn and his crew quietly arrived at the Island of the Gods, Shandora.
But the three Boa sisters who boarded the island quickly showed disappointment.
Much like Amazon Lily, most of Shandora was primitive.
The golden town of Shandora had turned to ruins over the past few hundred years.
Apart from a palace where the Sky Island gods and guardians lived, the island was a deserted place inhabited by wild beasts.
Compared to Shandora, Amazon Lily Kingdom is at least a country with its own city and people.
"...I found something amazing. I'll show you."
After landing on the island, Kahn used his unique perception and soon located one of the objectives of their trip. He then addressed the four women next to him, though his gaze was mainly on Robin.
Under the curious gazes of the women, Kahn used his telekinesis to lift them up and flew toward the sky-reaching vine in the centre of Shandora Island.
Soon, Kahn brought Robin and the Boa sisters to the top of the vine. Passing through a white cloud, a huge golden bell hidden in the cloud came into view.
"What a big bell!"
"Wait... the bell is covered with gold?"
"Is it gold-plated or pure gold? If it's pure gold, how much gold would it take for such a big bell?"
The three Boa sisters were amazed at the sight of the massive golden bell.
"This is..."
Robin, who was unfazed by money despite the ship full of treasures, immediately noticed the historical text under the golden bell. To others, it might look like meaningless scribbles, but to Robin, it was a familiar ancient script, making her face light up with surprise.
Three years!
She had finally found a piece of the historical text.
"Go on, this is what you've been searching for!"
Kahn patted Robin gently on the back and used his telekinetic power to place her in front of the golden bell.
"Thank you, Master."
Floating in the air, Robin looked at Kahn with gratitude.
It was clear that Kahn's "good thing" was not the giant golden bell itself but the historical text beneath it. He had brought them here not to take the golden bell but to let Robin read the historical text. This thoughtful gesture made Robin, already devoted to Kahn, even more convinced of his care.
"Master, has Robin been looking for that golden bell?" Hancock asked, puzzled by the exchange.
"No, what she's looking for is the base of the golden bell," Kahn explained.
"The stone with those special symbols on it?"
"Yes, that stone is called a Poneglyph, and the special symbols are ancient characters. Robin is one of the few scholars in the world who can understand them."
While Robin was deciphering the Poneglyph, Kahn explained its significance and the ancient characters to the three Boa sisters.
"I see."
The three Boa sisters were intrigued.
Seeing their curiosity, Kahn used his telekinetic power to lift them up and flew them to the golden bell.
So, while Robin earnestly deciphered the historical text, the three Boa sisters surrounded the golden bell, curiously inspecting and occasionally touching it.
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