Translator: PapaSmurf0700
High above the ground in the White Sea, at the very edge of the clouds, Sanji clung to the side of the ship, waving dramatically at Conis who had come to see them off. "Miss Conis, I'll never forget you~" he called out passionately.
Luffy, perched cheerily on the ship's prow, joined in with a bright smile, "Uncle Pagaya, Conis, thanks for everything these days!"
"It has been a great honor," Pagaya replied, his voice thick with emotion as he watched the Straw Hats, his eyes lingering with a touch of sadness.
Conis, running alongside as they moved, waved back energetically. "Safe travels, Luffy, Bai Ye, everyone! I'll remember you all forever!"
As they reached the very brink of the cloud's end, Conis shouted a warning, "It's almost time to land, everyone be careful!"
Usopp, confused, peered ahead into the emptiness. "Land?" he questioned, just as the ship began a sudden, heart-stopping drop through the sky. Panic seized the crew, their faces blanching with fear. "The ship is falling!!"
In that critical moment, Conis produced a slender tube and announced, "Here goes, a specialty from Sky Island—octopus balloon." With a gentle puff, she blew into the tube, and a gigantic octopus emerged, its tentacles stretching out to catch the plummeting Golden Merry. Gracefully, it began to float downwards like a balloon, easing the ship's fall.
Luffy, who'd been sprawled on the deck in terror, let out a sigh of relief. "Whew! I thought we were goners."
His curiosity returning, he asked, "By the way, why didn't white bearded uncle and the masked man come to see us off?"
Just then, the resonant sound of the golden bell tolled through the skies, as if answering Luffy's question. Bai Ye, sitting casually at the edge of the ship, smiled and explained, "They're saying goodbye with the bell."
Understanding dawned on everyone aboard, and smiles spread across their faces. Luffy relaxed back onto the deck, soaking in the sounds. "This bell... it's really nice."
Bai Ye nodded, his gaze drifting downwards, a silent thought passing through his mind: "Finally, it's time to head back."
-----
On Jaya Island, right by Cricket's house, Masira the orangutan set down his tools and grinned at Cricket. "Listen, brother, that's the sound of the golden bell."
From the other side of the boat, Shoujou poked his head out, his face lit up with joy. "Even though I've heard it before, it never gets old. I love hearing that sound!"
Cricket, standing by his residence, looked towards the sky and smiled softly. "Yes, that's the sound we've been dreaming of."
Turning to the enthusiastic orangutans, he added, "Then, let's keep working hard! We're going to Sky Island!" The orangutans cheered in agreement, "Yeah!"
In front of them, moored by the shore, was a uniquely shaped large ship—a vessel built for the journey to Sky Island. It was clear they were a group driven by genuine dreams.
-----
On the opposite side of Jaya Island, a group had gathered—individuals who had long since abandoned their dreams.
In the bustling streets of Mock Town, Bellamy was a pitiful sight. He clutched his blood-soaked scarf, which barely covered a wound on his head, his usual arrogance nowhere to be seen.
Facing him was Sarquiss, his second-in-command in the Bellamy Pirates. Sarquiss held a large knife with trembling hands, his face a mix of anger and terror. "Why... why would someone like you come to this town!" he yelled, the fear in his voice cutting through the noisy street.
The surrounding pirates, who had been watching the confrontation, turned their gaze toward a figure looming ominously behind Bellamy.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, Heavenly Yaksha, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, with a bounty of 340 million Belly!" a pirate exclaimed, drawing whispers and gasps from the crowd.
"Isn't that much higher than that Straw Hat kid from before?" another chimed in.
"Yeah, and he's backed by the World Government..." his sentence trailed off into a choked scream.
Before anyone could react, the pirate was mercilessly sliced apart by unseen threads. Onlookers could only watch in horror, knowing well who wielded such lethal power.
A hush fell over the street. No one dared to speak, fully aware that even a whisper could provoke a deadly response.
Doflamingo, for his part, paid no mind to the fear he instilled. Removing someone for saying the wrong thing was routine for him. His gaze, hidden behind his reflective sunglasses, remained forward, indifferent to the chaos he had just caused.
Doflamingo's voice was low and mocking as he echoed Sarquiss's question with a disdainful sneer. "Why why?" His laughter rang out, harsh and cold. "Fufurfurfurfurfurfurfur! Because, Sarquiss, Bellamy... you have both disgraced my flag."
He played with his fingers, manipulating Sarquiss like a puppet to walk towards Bellamy, step by step, as if controlling a mere toy. "It doesn't matter whether Sky Island exists or if it really holds a golden city," Doflamingo mused, dismissing the topic with a wave of his hand. "There's no point arguing about that, right, Bellamy?"
He didn't wait for Bellamy's response, continuing, "If you encounter someone with a differing view, you should simply beat him down! But, Bellamy..." His voice dropped, laden with cold disappointment as he stared down at Bellamy who had turned and knelt before him. "You've really let me down."
Bellamy, desperate and anxious, pleaded, "Please give me another chance! I've sworn to follow you, even though I lost to that other guy, but—"
Doflamingo cut him off, standing up to loom over Bellamy. "When did I permit you to speak?" he snapped, his tone chilling.
He laughed again, that eerie sound slicing through the tense air. "Furfurfurfurfurfur! I used to value your obedience, Bellamy."
It seemed as if he might forgive Bellamy, but then his demeanor shifted. Doflamingo's fingers hooked commandingly. "However, I have no need for a subordinate like you now."
Behind Bellamy, Sarquiss raised his heavy knife and brought it down with brutal force. Slash!
The pirates around gasped in shock: "Bellamy!!"
Doflamingo, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, walked away with haughty strides, his mind on Luffy. "I thought he was just another strong rookie, but he's grown unexpectedly fast."
He muttered to himself, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "It's a shame, really. Since you've meddled with my former underlings..." His voice trailed off as his smile widened into a crazy, bloodthirsty expression. "I have no choice but to eliminate you, Straw Hat Luffy."