Wyper and the others left with their heads lowered, each of them feeling utterly defeated. Their clash with Rojen's group had completely shattered their confidence.
In all their previous battles against God's Army, they had rarely won outright, but whenever it came to smaller skirmishes, they usually came out on top. Those victories had gradually inflated their egos until they started believing the great warriors of Shandia were unbeatable.
Now they understood just how wrong they were.
There were countless powerful people in this world, and they had simply been too arrogant.
Silently clenching his fists, Wyper recalled the indifferent looks in his opponents' eyes, the way they had looked down on him as though he wasn't even worth noticing. The cold man who could transform his body into blades. And the carefree-looking fighter who had knocked him unconscious with a single punch.
Only now did Wyper truly understand that he hadn't stood the slightest chance against either of them. The gap between them was simply too great, their strength on a level he couldn't even comprehend.
"I'm still too weak..."
"I have to become stronger."
His fists tightened even more.
---
Only after Wyper and the others had left did the chief let out a quiet sigh and turn toward Raki.
Surprisingly, he was smiling. "Those brats finally learned their lesson."
Raki looked at him in confusion. "Chief... aren't you angry?"
"Angry?" The chief burst into laughter. "They weren't seriously hurt. Their pride just took a beating. Why would I be angry?"
He smiled as he continued, "Those youngsters have exceptional talent. They've crushed ordinary soldiers from God's Army so many times that they've become arrogant. If this continued, sooner or later they'd run into someone they couldn't handle. Today's defeat was exactly what they needed. It taught them they aren't the strongest, a warning so that from now on, they'll be much more cautious."
Raki listened quietly.
"Wyper is an outstanding warrior," the chief added. "His personality is actually quite steady. If he's guided properly, he'll become Shandia's greatest warrior someday. Once he overcomes this setback, he'll become even stronger."
Raki nodded thoughtfully. Then a strange thought occurred to her. "...Chief. You didn't send them there on purpose last night... did you?"
The chief burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha! I knew it. Out of all of them, you're the quickest to figure things out."
He stroked his beard with a grin. "I don't know exactly how strong people from the Blue Sea are, but anyone capable of reaching Skypiea is definitely beyond Wyper and the others. And Garrido invited them to meet Gan Fall, which made them allies, at least for the time being. So no matter what happened... Wyper's mission was always going to fail."
Raki stared blankly at the short old man before her. For some reason, she suddenly felt a chill run down her back.
"So I borrowed the hands of those outsiders to teach those kids a lesson," the chief laughed happily. "I'm sure they'll remember it for the rest of their lives."
"Chief... you really are..." Raki didn't even know what to say anymore.
The chief continued, "Several years ago, another group from the Blue Sea came to Skypiea. They were incredibly powerful. Very few people from the Blue Sea ever make it here, but anyone who does is never ordinary. They should never be underestimated."
Raki hesitated before asking, "And... what about that request?"
"If it's something we can do... the Shandians will cooperate," the chief answered without hesitation.
Only he knew how terrifying that group from years ago had truly been. Their strength had been enough to shake all of Skypiea.
---
Meanwhile, Rojen's group continued riding their Wavers along the cloud road toward the Upper Yard.
Before long, everyone was staring ahead in amazement as the enormous Giant Jack vine towered into the heavens.
"It's so huge!" Chaporos exclaimed. "We can't even see the top from here!"
The colossal green vine twisted upward through the sky, disappearing into the White Sea far above. It looked endless.
"The Divine Shrine is built up there," Garrido smiled, pointing toward a broad stretch of white cloud beside the vine. Amid the clouds, golden buildings could be seen faintly in the distance.
"What an incredible place..." Daz Bonez couldn't help sighing. He had traveled the Grand Line for years, yet he had never imagined a place like this could exist.
Following Garrido's lead, the group piloted their Wavers along the Giant Jack toward the shrine. About half an hour later, they reached the island of clouds where the Divine Shrine stood.
"Wow... What an impressive palace."
Everyone looked around in admiration. Golden buildings rose and fell among drifting white clouds, appearing and disappearing like a dream. The entire place radiated mystery and grandeur.
Knights clad in steel armor guarded every corner. Some even flew patrols through the clouds on their Wavers, looking every bit like heavenly soldiers. Everything about the place made it feel like a true palace in the heavens, majestic, yet strangely welcoming.
"The God is waiting for you. Please follow me."
Seeing everyone's expressions, Garrido smiled. His own injured squad was taken away by members of God's Army for treatment.
Rojen and the others followed Garrido deeper into the palace. Along the way, they saw countless winged soldiers standing guard before the various buildings, their expressions solemn and disciplined.
Even Rojen found himself repeatedly marveling at the sight. The original story had never described the Divine Shrine in much detail, but seeing it with his own eyes was an entirely different experience. The realism of it all struck him again and again.
For a moment, it reminded him of the Heavenly Court from 'Journey to the West' in his previous life. The two were different in scale and magnificence, yet somehow, they shared a similar atmosphere.
Soon, Garrido led them into the main hall. "The God is inside," he said, gesturing toward the entrance.
Without hesitation, Rojen and the others walked in.
Despite being called the Divine Shrine, its audience hall wasn't all that different from the throne rooms of kingdoms on the Blue Sea. Officials and generals in various uniforms and armor stood in two orderly rows. At the very end of the hall, seated upon the throne, was a dignified middle-aged man.
As Rojen's group entered, the man straightened his posture and smiled.
"Welcome, travelers from the Blue Sea," he spoke with calm authority. "I am the God of this land... Gan Fall."
(End Of This Chapter)
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