As soon as Takumi's feet landed on the ground of Upper Yard, a long-awaited system notification echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully arriving at the sign-in location: Sky Island, Upper Yard. Sign-in progress +10%. Current total progress: 10%. You've been granted the 'Insulated Body' ability and the beginner-level skill, Chidori (Lightning Cutter).]
Takumi: "!"
The 'Insulated Body' was self-explanatory; it granted a body immune to electrical conduction, making it the nemesis of lightning-type attacks.
As for the new skill, Chidori (Lightning Cutter), it was an S-rank Lightning Style ninjutsu from Naruto, capable of cutting through lightning itself.
In short, it was a very powerful ability.
Based on Takumi's understanding of the system, the initial sign-in rewards were never random.
In Windmill Village, he had received the Haki abilities, which were related to Shanks, who possessed all three types of Haki.
In Shimotsuki Village, he had been granted the Tōyako Sword and swordsmanship skills related to Isshin Dojo.
At Baratie, he had received Soru and Night Guy because of Zeff and Sanji's martial arts skills.
In Loguetown, he had been given the God's Avoidance technique due to Gol D. Roger.
On Drum Island, the reward had been the Healing Palm technique, as Drum Island was renowned for its medical expertise.
In Alabasta, he had received the Infinite Sandstorm technique, which aligned with Alabasta's desert environment.
Thus, the reward of 'Insulated Body' and Chidori here on Upper Yard was definitely not coincidental.
Takumi recalled that on Sky Island, the only person heavily associated with lightning was Enel, the self-proclaimed God of Thunder.
This meant that his next sign-in progress task might be linked to Enel.
However, at this point in time, Enel had not yet come to Upper Yard and defeated the current 'God' to take over Sky Island...
Takumi was lost in thought when Buggy's voice suddenly interrupted, "Hey, brat, why did you land here?"
Takumi glanced at Buggy, whose upper half was floating in the air, and replied calmly, "This is where we part ways."
"Huh?" Buggy was taken aback. "Here? Aren't you after the gold in Shandora as well? Do you even know how to get there?"
Smiling faintly, Takumi turned and walked deeper into Upper Yard's dense jungle, saying over his shoulder, "I'm not interested in gold."
Buggy watched Takumi's figure disappear into the trees and then returned to the ship, laughing maniacally. "Hahahaha, that's great! If you're not interested, then all the gold is mine! Hahahaha…"
Buggy followed the cloud river that Roger had taken years ago. Soon, he encountered the current ruler of Upper Yard, the much-loved 'God' of Sky Island, an old man named Gan Fall.
Since Buggy's crew had entered legally, Gan Fall welcomed them warmly. When he learned that Buggy had visited Sky Island more than a decade ago, he became even more hospitable.
Meanwhile, Takumi, after parting ways with Buggy, ventured alone into the jungle filled with towering trees. He pressed forward using his instincts.
The animals in this forest were massive, just like the trees, and they were far more vicious and powerful than the creatures Takumi had hunted in the mountains around Windmill and Shimotsuki Villages.
These beasts were perfect for honing his combat skills.
After trekking through the jungle for nearly five hours, Takumi finally arrived at an ancient ruin. Deep within these ruins stood a massive vine that reached high into the sky.
Just as Takumi set foot in the ruins, he heard a rustling noise coming from the nearby forest, as though something heavy was being dragged across the ground.
A giant green snake appeared, lunging at him with its mouth wide open.
This was the Sky Island's revered "Lord of the Sky," a snake over 400 years old. Its external skin and internal flesh had become incredibly tough over the centuries, rendering most attacks ineffective.
Takumi leapt high into the air, positioning himself above the snake's head. Without hesitation, he coated his right hand in Armament Haki and delivered a powerful punch directly to the snake's head.
A thunderous boom echoed as the snake's head was slammed into the ground, burying it several meters deep.
Ordinarily, a creature hit by Takumi's full-powered Armament Haki punch would either be dead or severely injured.
Yet, aside from a large bump forming on its head, the snake was completely unharmed.
With teary eyes, the snake pulled its head from the ground. Seeing Takumi calmly walking toward it again, it quickly spun around and fled, its tail wagging like a frightened rabbit.
Takumi watched the snake's rapid retreat with an amused look. Not bothering to chase after it, he turned back toward the massive vine.
He remembered that high up on the vine rested a giant golden bell.
The Golden City of Shandora, the treasure Buggy was so eager to find, was also located near this area.
As Takumi reached the base of the vine and prepared to ascend, a voice, regal and authoritative, called out, "Are you the boy who came from the Blue Sea with Buggy and his crew?"
Takumi turned to see an elderly man with long white hair, dressed in white robes and a light gold cloak. Beside him stood a large, pink bird covered in purple spots, and behind him were a group of attendants, all dressed in pure white garments.
This man was Gan Fall, the current ruler, or 'God,' of Upper Yard.
Takumi nodded slightly in acknowledgment, confirming that he had indeed come with Buggy.
Seeing this, Gan Fall's expression softened, and his tone grew lighter. "I never imagined that the little red-nosed brat from Roger's crew would grow up so much. Since you came with Buggy, you are also an honored guest of Upper Yard. Buggy and his companions have gone to the Golden City. Aren't you going to join them?"
Takumi shook his head.
Gan Fall, somewhat surprised, remarked, "To us, the gold holds no value, but to people from the Blue Sea, it seems priceless. Buggy and his two companions looked like their eyes were about to pop out at the sight of gold. But you, you don't seem interested at all."
Before Gan Fall could finish speaking, one of his attendants rushed over, alarmed. "Lord God! The Shandians are attacking again!"
The Shandians were the original inhabitants of Upper Yard, forcibly displaced four centuries ago when the Sky Islanders coveted the land of Upper Yard. Since then, the Shandians had been fighting to reclaim their homeland.
Although Gan Fall had attempted to negotiate peace with the Shandians, they were determined to reclaim their land and had no interest in coexisting peacefully with the Sky Islanders under the rule of a 'God.'
To the Sky Islanders, the land was a divine gift, and they had no intention of giving it up.
Thus, with no possibility of peace, the war had to continue.
Gan Fall's expression grew solemn as he ordered, "Take this boy to the God's Palace," before following his attendants to the battlefield where the Shandians were attacking.
******
Support me on Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/gered to read up to Chapter 132