NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Raki had vanished, and upon descending from the cloud, she was brimming with bitterness.
Arthur had stopped her from ringing the Shandora bell, citing that it must be rung at a crucial moment, which hadn't yet arrived.
Upon her return, Raki recounted the entire incident, sparking excitement among everyone present.
Later, Raki asked Wyper and others about what was discussed after she and Arthur left. It turned out that Arthur's words matched their companions'.
Upon hearing this news, Wyper and the rest observed Arthur conversing with Gang Cole while eating, their expressions complex.
The prolonged absence of Raki was reiterated word for word, causing concern. Wyper and others knew about the Heart Net, a formidable talent, leaving no doubt.
What puzzled them was their belief that Arthur could have found the tribe's location independently but chose not to, seemingly out of goodwill.
Despite Raki's departure, Wyper and the others stayed behind, anticipating the chief's arrival later.
Back in the concealed Cloud Shinobi Village in Shandia, all tribespeople approached Raqi, who bore visible burns, seeking details.
"You mean that deity named Arthur, hailing from Bika, possessing the Logia Devil Fruit? Can he control thunder?" The chief's expression was grave, his knowledge as the tribe's leader evident.
Regarding the Logia Devil Fruit, the chief had learned about it from ancient records, knowing it could control thunder and lightning, making it a top-tier Logia Devil Fruit.
"Yeah!" Raki affirmed.
"What happened next, Raki?" the chief inquired again.
"Then..." Raki explained Arthur's intentions and more.
"What!?" The Shandia people who were listening nearby exclaimed in surprise.
"He actually wants us Shandia to surrender!? Even with his Devil Fruit powers, we Shandia will never yield!"
"That's right!"
"Without consent, one day we will reclaim our homeland! If not now, then in the future, a true strong warrior will arise. Raijin Island ultimately belongs to us!"
The Shandia people were accustomed to this sentiment. While they could imagine coexisting peacefully with the ruling party in Raijin Island, surrender was against their nature.
"But he showed me the Shandora bell! I saw it! It holds the aspirations of generations! If we refuse to surrender, then the Shandora bell will remain silent," Raki dropped the bombshell.
A heavy silence followed, even the usually composed chief widening his eyes in shock.
"The... the Shandora bell!?!?!" he exclaimed.
"Eh!!!"
The chief stuttered and repeated what he thought were misheard words, while the surrounding Shandia people displayed shocked expressions and gestures like stars.
"Yes! The Shandora bell!" Raki affirmed with determination.
"Well! Don't speak so rashly about surrendering for the sake of Shandora's Bell, Raki!" the chief scolded him, his tone softer than before.
"That young man, I mean let's acknowledge his divine status, what's the harm!"
"Hmm!" Those around them also changed their expressions, dismissing Raki's words as childish nonsense.
Silently, Raki rolled her beautiful eyes. Despite the slight humor with her burnt face, she remained overall very cute.
"The lighting of the Shandora bell is indeed significant. Acknowledging his divine status and accepting his leadership isn't a big issue. After all, the spirit of the Shandia is enduring," the chief's words swelled with conviction.
"Yes! Our spirit is paramount for the Shandia people. It's not crucial who leads as long as the spirit remains strong. Moreover, the Shandora bell symbolizes our spirit!"
"Exactly!"
Everyone spoke their minds freely.
"Let's go!" The chief stood at the exit of the island's cloud space, looking back at Raki still in the crowd.
"Where are we going?" Raki was surprised, not expecting this sudden turn of events.
"Take me to meet the new deity! Since they can find us but haven't arrived yet, it shows goodwill to not keep others waiting," the wise chief explained.
"Alright, I understand," Raki nodded and led the chief towards the shrine, following everyone's instructions.
"So, there won't be any changes?" The chief gazed at Arthur in astonishment.
"That's right, nothing will remain the same! Of course, change is inevitable. History moves forward, and we can't cling to old customs forever. We must progress," Arthur replied, sitting in the shrine and conversing with two elderly men.
With Arthur's persuasive skills honed in the 21st-century Youth, it was effortless to sway the simple-minded elderly men.
Meanwhile, Wyper and the others listened intently to the discussion.
"This is the best path to peaceful coexistence. I believe the people of Jaya will also be pleased," Gang Cole remarked with a contented expression.
He never anticipated that the peace he yearned for would be ushered in by the Bika deity whom he initially deemed an intruder. As for no longer being seen as a deity, it mattered little to Gang Cole; he cared more about achieving harmony.
"Therefore, although I've arrived to assume the role of a deity here, I won't disrupt the lives of the people. Moreover, my presence will usher in a new era for everyone! While it may not happen immediately, in due time, everything I've promised will come to fruition," Arthur spoke earnestly to the chief and Gang Cole.
If these two individuals could be allies for the future, then that would be ideal. Arthur was not a tyrant; he was heavily influenced by old philosophies like Marxism and Lenin, with a deep respect for ordinary people.
"In that case, we Shandia are willing to surrender and acknowledge you as a deity, entrusting you with the authority over Raijin Island," the chief declared sincerely, embodying the Shandia's customs.
Immediately, Gang Cole echoed a similar sentiment, representing the sky people.
"So..." The chief's eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at Arthur. "The Shandora bell..."
The eyes of the Shandia people and the guards of Gaya Island were all fixed on Arthur.
However, at that moment, a deafening roar echoed across the island...