Chương 41: Golden Bell
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The Golden Bell is an enormous bell housed in the Great Belfry of Shandora along with the Shandorian Poneglyph. When it is struck, it plays a beautiful song, called the "Song of the Island" and The name given to the bell by the locals is "The Light of Shandora".
"What a breathtaking sight!" Hancock exclaimed. Even she, known as the most beautiful woman in the world, was captivated by the grandeur of the massive golden clock. Its brilliance went beyond the gold itself—this was history, a piece of ancient civilization preserved in shimmering gold.
The Golden Bell radiated a sense of timelessness, something that seemed to resonate even with those who couldn't fully comprehend it.
Akira smiled, watching Hancock's reaction. "Beautiful, isn't it? Do you like it?"
"Like it? Yes!" she replied, her voice softening with awe.
"Then, it's yours if you want it."
Hancock blinked, surprised. "What… did you say?"
"I said, I'll give it to you," Akira repeated, pointing to the Golden Bell.
Her heart raced, faster and faster. "Why… why would you…?"
"It's just a gift," he said, smiling playfully. Back in my previous life, he mused, no one would give away even a trinket made of gold, let alone something this grand. But here, wealth had new uses. And besides, only the wealthiest could afford such extravagance.
Akira had made simple plans for Hancock but had its effect.
Akira lifted himself up, hovering under the Golden Bell as he tugged the chain, inviting Hancock forward. "Come here. This bell, which hasn't rung in four hundred years, will now ring for you."
Suppressing the excitement welling up inside, Hancock climbed the steps to the altar and firmly pulled the golden chain.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
The deep, resonant sound echoed far and wide. As the bell rang out, it filled the air with a stirring, almost otherworldly quality.
"Could it be…" someone muttered from below.
"It is!" another whispered in awe. "The legendary Golden Bell!"
"It's the Light of Shandora"
Akira tapped his foot lightly, causing the entire altar to rise and slowly float downward. Shisui and the others were awestruck by the ancient treasure—a remnant of human civilization so grand it made Enel's elaborate golden face sculpture look comically inferior.
"Brother Akira, is that…" Shisui began.
"Yes. The Golden Bell," Akira confirmed, enjoying the reactions around him.
Suddenly, a sharp voice pierced the air. "Blue sea people! Get away from that bell! It is the sacred object that belongs to the Shandians!"
A group rushed forward, led by Wyper, the warrior who had clashed with them back in the White Sea. He and his companions spotted the fallen Enel and froze, their shock clear.
"Enel… defeated? By them?" they murmured.
Hancock stepped forward, looking down upon them with regal authority. "Yours? No. From this moment, this Golden Bell belongs to me alone."
Wyper raised his weapon. "Attack! Take back the Golden Bell!"
At his command, the Shandian warriors charged. The female warriors of the Kuja Pirates leapt into action, having waited impatiently for a chance to fight. The Sandians fought valiantly, wielding shell weapons unique to Sky Island, but they were no match for the elite warriors of Amazon Lily, who countered with Haki and refined battle skills. Within moments, several Shandians had fallen, leaving only Wyper and a few others still standing.
"Where do these powerful women come from?" Wyper muttered, frustrated. Realizing he needed to turn the tide, he aimed for the leader.
"Take my Flame Bazooka!" Wyper shouted, readying his weapon for a massive attack.
One of the Shandians quickly attached a Wind Shell to the bazooka, giving Wyper an edge as he powered up the weapon. With the added force, the Flame Bazooka roared to life, fueled by the Wind Shell's energy.
A colossal blast of white-blue flames erupted from the barrel, igniting the surrounding gas as it surged forward. The searing, intense flames lit up the space around Akira and Hancock, casting everything in a fierce, blazing glow as the firestorm charged toward them.
"Careful! This looks dangerous," Itachi murmured, catching the acrid scent in the air.
Just as Wyper's rocket launcher fired, Shisui flashed beside him, kicking the launcher upward. The blazing flames exploded harmlessly into the sky.
"Let's deal with you," Itachi added calmly, moving behind Wyper in a blur and striking him back down. As Wyper staggered, Shisui pressed a blade to his neck, steady and unyielding.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Stop!!" An armored figure descended from above, riding a pink-feathered Pegasus.
"Isn't that…" one of the Kuja warriors murmured.
"Yes," Akira confirmed, recognizing the Sky Knight who had appeared back in the White Sea. "Gan Fall."
The Shandians and Amazon Lily warriors alike recognized him, and Wyper hissed, "Old man, why meddle again?"
Gan Fall ignored the jab, looking pleadingly at Akira. "If I may request… let these people go. Four hundred years ago, the Shandians' ancestors were forced from this land, which was their homeland. I hope you can understand this bell's meaning to them."
Akira's gaze sharpened, amusement flickering in his eyes. "That's all in the past. If they were strong enough, they could've defeated Enel and taken it back. But we defeated him, and that victory belongs to us. Or do you expect us to surrender what we've rightfully earned?"
Gan Fall hesitated. Wyper and his warriors looked on, clenching their fists.
Akira's voice grew cold. "Besides, they've attacked us—twice now. Their plight may deserve sympathy, but not from us. If we were weaker, they wouldn't have hesitated to kill us. Show mercy to the enemy, and you show cruelty to yourself."
Gan Fall lowered his head, seeing that his appeal had no effect. Realizing they were outmatched, Wyper and the Shandians reluctantly retreated, carrying the weight of another loss.
As the dust settled, Hancock glanced at Akira with admiration. "Strength and wisdom together… it's no wonder you command such loyalty."
Akira smirked. "Strength inspires fear. Wisdom is what builds loyalty."
Watching the Shandians, Hancock felt an unspoken pull towards the man who had the power to shape both fate and people's hearts. In time, Akira knew, Amazon Lily and its formidable queen would become an essential piece in his plans. But for now, he'd let Hancock believe she was simply following her heart.
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