In reality, ascending the massive beanstalk didn't require climbing like a rock face. At the time when Gan Fall still ruled over Angel Island, as the "Benevolent God," he didn't harbor the lofty ideals that Enel would later possess.
A spiral of wooden ladders wound its way up around the massive bean, connecting the ground to the sky.
Adapting to local customs, Rowen didn't Blink directly to the top. Instead, he advanced slowly alongside Gan Fall and the others, making their way up the lengthy wooden stairs.
When they reached the middle of the bean, from this height, the entire Angel Island lay beneath their gaze.
Clusters of white clouds carried elegant, snow-white houses that floated in the sky, decorating the vast, azure heavens like stars. Below was the boundless White Sea, with rolling clouds creating a vivid spectacle. Unique to Skypiea, flatfish leaped into the air, leaving trails of rainbows in the sunlight.
"What a beautiful sight!" Rowen exclaimed sincerely.
Although he had initially arrived at Skypiea, at that time, he didn't have the leisure to appreciate the scenic beauty of Birka. Unable to distinguish between the Island Cloud and the sea of clouds, he nearly fell off and drowned in the sea.
"Thank you for the praise…"
Gan Fall modestly responded, but the clear satisfaction in his smile couldn't be hidden.
He had a mount named "Sky Dot Bird" named Pierre, who had consumed the Horse-Horse Fruit, Model: Pegasus.
After establishing trade relations with the Marines, Gan Fall flew to the Blue Sea multiple times to learn about the customs of the various islands there. The result was that no matter how much Vearth the Blue Sea had, the beauty of Skypiea was unparalleled and incomparable in the world!
This was their homeland.
He took pride in it!
"The scenery is excellent, but the people… may not be as much!"
Suddenly, Rowen's tone changed, causing Gan Fall's expression to become solemn.
There was a deeper meaning behind Rowen's visit.
Continuing upward, after advancing along the long wooden stairs, the entire group finally arrived at the space above the bean, interspersed with large patches of Island Cloud.
This section of Island Cloud was actually no different from the one where the Shandians currently resided beneath the bean. Four hundred years ago, it was just like the Island Cloud seen all over Angel Island. However, as the bean grew, these clouds were gradually pushed to this position.
As a result, successive rulers built the Divine Palace here as the abode of the gods.
Real clouds supported extensive divine residences, and tall white walls with red cross-shaped curtains every few dozen meters provided an expansive view. Looking out, there was a feeling of being at the summit and seeing all, a realization that one could stand above all mountains.
As a symbol of the gods, it had to be said that this place indeed possessed a majestic aura.
Unlike the Marineford Headquarters Fortress, which was imposing and inviolable, it exuded a misty, ethereal atmosphere, inspiring a sense of reverence that was hard to suppress.
Henry and the Marine soldiers accompanying them were visiting this place for the first time, and they stared in awe at the scene before them.
"Incredible! What a huge architectural complex!"
"Is this Heaven?!"
Although they knew not to mess with the Marines, seeing them so shocked, the accompanying God's Officers still wore proud smiles.
Even the last Great Staff Officer from the Marine Headquarters, an old lady named Tsuru, couldn't help but be amazed. Let alone the ordinary soldiers.
"Vice Admiral Rowen, please follow me."
A God's Officer at the door pushed open the gate, and Gan Fall took a step forward, leading everyone into the interior of the Divine Palace.
The soldiers were left outside standing at attention, while Rowen only brought Henry with him to follow Gan Fall to the center of the Divine Palace, an open pavilion without walls on all sides.
It's worth mentioning that the strict discipline and no-nonsense demeanor of the Marines seemed to make the God's Officers a little nervous, a stark contrast to their devout worship of the gods, displaying an instinct to simply follow orders.
So, the God's Officers, who had always tried their best to impress Gan Fall, now stood tall and proud, alongside the Marine soldiers, outside the door, motionless in the surging cold wind.
Both sides had entered a standoff!
Inside the pavilion, after a simple tea, Rowen got straight to the point: "I believe Gan Fall-San should already know the purpose of my visit… That's right! We must take action to suppress the smuggling of Dials in Skypiea!"
"Oh? Has it already become so serious?!"
Gan Fall's genuine surprise caught Rowen off guard. Turning back, he asked the lone God's Officer who remained in the pavilion.
"McKinley, didn't you say it wouldn't be a problem?!"
"I… I'm sorry, God!"
The robust man before them was none other than the original Skypiea's White Berets commander, McKinley. He was a good man who had tried his best to protect the residents of Skypiea under the oppression of Enel. At this moment, he knelt half in fear, recounting the situation.
"Pirates who have smuggled in from the Blue Sea have almost been unable to obtain any Dials under our suppression. However…"
McKinley hesitated for a moment and then sighed, "However, except for specially regulated Dials, regular Dials do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Divine Palace. This includes most of the Heat Dials and Wind Dials that we trade with the Marines— they are purchased from our compatriots who possess the Dials."
"The laws of Skypiea give them absolute control over their own Dials. In reality, most of the smuggling… is actually supported by them behind the scenes."
What's the best way to make money in the world?
The answer is war profits!
The friction between the Skypieans and Shandians had lasted for a full four hundred years. While it couldn't be considered a bone-crushing war, it had led to an extreme shortage of supplies.
During the preceding period of warfare, Skypiea's wealthy merchants made a fortune from the war. They even had the laws modified by the gods to place the right that originally belonged to the gods into their own hands, controlling the supply line of Dials.
At first, Gan Fall didn't pay much attention to it, considering it as simply doing business with them. The wealthy merchants were happy to fulfill large, long-term orders.
However, the Blue Sea's demand for Dials made them dissatisfied with just doing business with Gan Fall. Their gaze turned toward the Blue Sea, engaging in smuggling activities against the gods' will, and even taking risks.
Bang!
"Nonsense!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gan Fall slammed the table, causing it to resonate loudly.
"Do these assholes not realize they're inviting enemies to Skypiea?!"
Not to mention the Marines' need for a large number of Dials, just the fact that these Dials were freely flowing into the Blue Sea would attract countless prying eyes to Skypiea.
Their interactions with the Blue Sea were like walking on thin ice, every step taken with utmost caution to avoid making mistakes. But these merchants, far from being cautious, were throwing open the doors, practically telling the scavengers and vultures outside, "Come quickly, I have treasures here!"
One misstep and a full-blown war would erupt!
"Merchants seek profit. Even though there are wise individuals who still stick to their principles and dare not step over the line, when faced with profits that double, increase by tenfold, or even multiply by a hundred, it's perfectly normal for some to take risks."
Rowen took a sip of tea, his expression calm. The information exchanged between the two wasn't extensive, but it revealed a lot to him.
"As Justice warriors maintaining peace in the Sea, if it's within reason to eliminate criminals, but since your Skypiea's laws make this matter legal, then this time… the Marines can't help you."
Upon hearing this, Gan Fall paused, hesitating as he looked at Rowen.
"Is Vice Admiral Rowen implying…"
If the Marines couldn't intervene, then what was the purpose of Rowen's visit? Gan Fall couldn't believe that Rowen would go to such lengths. In the information about Rowen, his cunning and treacherous nature were the most frequently mentioned traits.
Such a person would never engage in futile efforts!
"I can inform the Fleet Admiral of Skypiea's difficulties, mobilizing various Marine branches in the Grand Line to coordinate with you in pursuing those Skypiean merchants involved in smuggling. But this is only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. To thoroughly resolve the issue, Gan Fall-San…"
"Act decisively!"
A smile played on Rowen's lips as he uttered a resolute phrase: "Reform!"
(End of this chapter)
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