Chapter 138: Unexpected Bargains and Cake Island Arrivals
by xennovel“So, you’re telling the truth.”
“Of course, Captain.”
Beehive Island.
Rocks felt a surge of disbelief at Kurozumi Murasame’s claim.
He’d been searching for God Valley for ages, never finding a single clue, and yet Murasame had actually been there.
“Can you still remember exactly where it is?”
Rocks struggled to believe Murasame could possibly know God Valley’s location.
“Absolutely!”
“I was fortunate enough to visit God Valley once, delivering slaves to the Celestial Dragons.”
Kurozumi Murasame quickly recounted his story.
He really had gone in with the slave hunting crew, and the place was dazzling. Six Devil Fruits sat on display atop a gilded platform, practically irresistible.
Ever since hearing Rocks wanted God Valley’s location, he and his sister had been desperate to join the Rocks Pirates.
They couldn’t wait to spill the news and muddy the waters.
If they could get their hands on a top-tier Devil Fruit, it could help the Kurozumi Family reclaim their homeland.
As for whatever would happen to Rocks, that was none of their concern.
It was the classic case of clashing rivals letting a third party reap the benefits.
Who knows—maybe that phantom beast Zoan-type Devil Fruit from the original story came from God Valley.
“Captain Rocks, the Celestial Dragons hold their grand ceremony at God Valley every four years.”
“The next one should be in 1484, right on schedule.”
He wasn’t lying about that.
The Celestial Dragons really did hold a rite at God Valley every four years; their last visit had been at the very start of 1480.
Back then, the seas were still divided into three powers, and Karl hadn’t even crossed over to this world yet.
“Hahahahaha!”
“Now that is incredible news!”
“All right, tell me—what do you two want in return?”
Rocks wasn’t stupid. If Murasame was offering up this kind of information, he was bound to want something.
He’d suspected the siblings were up to something the moment they showed up.
But with absolute strength on his side, their schemes didn’t worry him.
Rocks was sure he was the one holding all the power now.
“We’d like to pick out one Devil Fruit.”
Murasame spoke up, choosing his words with care.
They hoped for a Devil Fruit from God Valley—just a chance to restore their family’s kingdom.
But with their own strength being so pitiful, getting one was just a wild fantasy.
They had happened to learn that Rocks was after God Valley’s location.
And knowing Rocks, it was obvious what he wanted with God Valley.
“Hahaha, of course. I’ll allow it.”
“When the time comes, you two can pick a Devil Fruit.”
Few survived after striking a deal with Rocks.
The question was, would they even live to claim any Devil Fruit at all?
“Thank you, Captain Rocks.”
“All right, you can go now.”
Kurozumi Murasame and Kurozumi Semimaru bowed repeatedly.
Exchanging a quick glance, the siblings ducked their heads and hurried out of the meeting room.
Rocks watched them leave, hand tightening into a fist.
“Celestial Dragons…”
……
“So this is Cake Island?”
Gan Fall and the others maneuvered Skypiea down, landing at the shore of Cake Island. They descended from the floating island using a lift.
The massive cake-shaped building at the island’s center set off a flurry of excited chatter among the children.
It was the first time any of them had seen a house shaped like a giant cake.
“This is where you’ll all be living from now on—go on down.”
Charlotte Linlin was waiting for them below.
She’d heard from Karl all about the special talents these children had, so it was only natural she took an interest.
If they nurtured these kids well, they’d become the backbone of the crew someday.
Gan Fall was the first down the stairs with Borsalino and the others following behind.
“Cake Island really lives up to its name.”
Gan Fall led the way, his first time seeing Cake Island for himself.
“Mama mama mama!”
“You must be Gan Fall, right?”
Linlin fixed her gaze on the leader, guessing this had to be the Skypiea chief, Gan Fall.
Skypiea was a critical part of their future plans.
With the sky island, traveling to the Four Seas or even the first half of the Grand Line would let them slip right past the Navy’s watch.
It was just like with the Ope-Ope Fruit—if a Yonko could sneak into North Blue undetected, who could say who would claim it?
And the sky island’s mobility might help them claim most of the New World after those great wars.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Linlin.”
Gan Fall had already seen Charlotte Linlin’s true face on her Wanted Poster.
And a woman over eight meters tall—there was only one in the New World.
Feeling the sheer aura Charlotte Linlin radiated, Gan Fall found himself nearly breathless.
He thought to himself, no wonder she was on par with Lord Karl—a true emperor of the seas. Just her presence alone was enough to make him want to kneel.
“Vegapunk, if you would.”
Linlin turned to the right, looking at Vegapunk.
If anyone could unravel the secret of making all of Skypiea mobile, it was Vegapunk.
After all, having resources of your own always beats relying on anyone else.
If she didn’t master the sky islands’ secrets herself, what if she ever got betrayed? She’d risk losing control over them all.
“Understood, Lady Linlin.”
Vegapunk ascended to Skypiea with his two assistants, Quinn and Caesar.
They immediately started researching what allowed Skypiea to move so freely above the sea.
“Perospero!”
“This way, Gan Fall.”
With Linlin’s signal, Perospero guided Gan Fall and the others to another building beside Cake Island.
This cluster of buildings had a classic feel, modeled after ancient Blue Star courtyards.
It was built especially for the crew’s core members and exceptionally gifted children.
“Kuwainai.”
Borsalino adjusted his glasses, a sly grin flashing across his face at the sight of gigantic Fishmen passing by.
It was the first time he’d seen a race besides humans.
Aside from their skin and features, Fishmen looked a lot like people—one head, two hands, two legs.
“If I’m not wrong, almost everyone on this island seems friendly.”
Issho was born with a talent much like mind reading.
But he could only sense surface thoughts. From what he felt, both Fishmen and humans here had none of that usual malice.
“Ha!”
“Ha!”
“Ha!”
Following Perospero, the group continued deeper into the building complex.
Across a huge plaza, they spotted countless children training together.
“Five Elements Fist?”
“Five Elements Fist is a basic style anyone can practice for free. Chances are, you’ve all tried it before.”
Hearing some of the kids nearby question it, Perospero quickly explained.
That was one of his jobs—helping everyone adjust to life on the island as fast as possible.
“So that means there are even more advanced techniques, huh.”
Despite being young, Sakazuki already had that warrior’s edge.
The Five Elements Fist was nice, but he felt it wasn’t destructive enough.
Learning there were higher-level styles out there, he couldn’t help but get excited.
“Of course there are, but you’ll have to earn them with contribution points.”
They all followed where Perospero pointed and spotted a giant screen in the distance.