Chapter 19: Braving Fire and Water

Sky Island, the Gate of Heaven.

Over the endless white sea, Saint Saint Saiwen was seeing off his only crewmember: First Mate Jorul Mihawk.

"Misan, take this gold as travel expenses."

Sky Island, or rather the Golden Land, had no shortage of gold—otherwise Saint Saint Saiwen wouldn't have used gold to pave the way and strike a deal with Huang Yuan.

Mihawk took the bundle: "Captain, when do you plan to set sail?"

Having witnessed the legends of Sky Island and the Golden Land, it was time to resume training—especially after losing to Huang Yuan, which only strengthened Mihawk's resolve.

Yet for some reason, he felt inexplicably melancholy.

After just two months together, Mihawk only now realized: he truly accepted Saint Saint Saiwen.

Saint Saint Saiwen paused to think: "Two years from now."

"I'm fifteen now; when I turn seventeen, I'll return to the sea to find you, and then we'll sail together again, searching for the rest of our crew."

Though Saint Saint Saiwen could form a crew all by himself.

But to establish himself on this sea, just him and Mihawk… the difficulty was too great.

He needed to find more crewmates who shared his ideals.

Like Big Mom, Jinbe, and the future Marine Admiral Master Tenghu—all must join his ranks.

"Misan, during your training, if you meet anyone you like, don't forget to invite them on behalf of your captain—I'll handle the ship."

Mihawk nodded: "See you in two years."

Mihawk joined the Morning Star Pirates because it was convenient—having a nearly all-powerful captain like Saint Saint Saiwen meant no trouble at all.

With that, Mihawk turned without looking back and leapt straight down from ten thousand meters high.

Saint Saint Saiwen seized the moment, pulled out an Image Shell, and frantically snapped pictures of Mihawk's figure—click, click, click.

Pity—Misan always wears his hat, hiding his flying bamboo dragonfly…

From Twin Cape, where he met Mihawk, to Loguetown, where they saw off Captain Roger's final journey, then fleeing pursuit and purchasing Dream Yixin, Saint Saint Saiwen rushed straight to Sky Island.

This journey had been too hurried.

He never properly admired the scenery along the way.

Now, finally, the pace slowed.

Saint Saint Saiwen strolled along Sky Island's land, hands in his pockets, occasionally greeting the locals he passed.

"My lord Lei Shen."

If not for the tiny wings growing on the backs of Sky Islanders and Shandians—making them look slightly off—Saint Saint Saiwen would have renamed Sky Island to Wano.

Why insist on this?

Because it's interesting.

In the entire Pirate World, the nation most suited to the name Wano is undoubtedly Wano Country.

Unfortunately, Wano Country has caught the attention of Kaido.

With his current strength—even with Mihawk—Saint Saint Saiwen still couldn't defeat the Kaido Pirates; the gap wasn't just in individual power, but also in crew numbers.

Fourteen years have passed since the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates after the God Valley battle; Kaido, now thirty-five, is in his prime.

Saint Saint Saiwen is only fifteen, still undeveloped—he's not ready to face Kaido.

That's how Saint Saint Saiwen operates: take one step, look two ahead, think three ahead—just securing Sky Island, he's already planning to bring Wano under his control.

This is because, geographically—

Sky Island floats ten thousand meters above sea level; only those with abilities like Saint Saint Saiwen's or Huang Yuan's can travel to and from without difficulty.

Suitable as an early base, but unsuitable as the main headquarters for an entire pirate crew.

Unless Saint Saint Saiwen has so many points that he can't spend them—all giving every crewmember a flying bamboo dragonfly and a flying cloak.

What about Wano Country?

Located in the New World, access is only possible through treacherous waterfalls—easy to defend, hard to attack, effectively blocking external forces.

It's also the sole source and processing center for Seastone, controlling a strategic resource and technology.

Far more suitable as the Morning Star Pirates' headquarters.

The only challenge: how to defeat Kaido?

"Let's wait a few more years."

As soon as Saint Saint Saiwen returned to Lei Shen Palace and sat down, the former Sky Island faction led by Gan Fuer and the former Shandia faction led by Karpa flooded in to pay homage.

"My lord Lei Shen…"

Saint Saint Saiwen waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit.

"I already know why you've come."

The fundamental conflict between Sky Islanders and Shandians lies in insufficient land resources.

Of course, there's also a lack of mutual respect.

Sky Islanders view Shandians as savage invaders; Shandians see Sky Islanders as shameless plunderers.

"Land allocation will be handled by a Sky Island Committee composed of elders from both sides, distributing residential and farmland according to population."

"The two races will live and farm intermixed."

"Sky Islanders will provide shells and cloud-sea technology; Shandians will provide farming knowledge; they'll form cooperatives to jointly develop efficient agriculture."

"The war-torn lands are fertile but have been isolated by conflict—now they must be properly utilized, made to grow food to feed everyone."

"The former 'God's Squad' and Shandia warriors will be reorganized into the Thundercloud Guard, responsible for overall security, law enforcement, and suppressing rebellion."

"Peace Day will be established as a legal holiday."

"I have only one demand: fairness, fairness, and damn it—fairness."

As Saint Saint Saiwen spoke, a series of alert tones rang out, making his head buzz.

"Ding, your consigned item: Pajie Shell, has been purchased by a Hammer user, earning you 9,000 points. Current point balance: 11,916."

"Ding, your consigned item: Penfeng Shell, has been purchased by a Hammer user, earning you 900 points. Current point balance: 12,816."

……

"Ding, your consigned item: Octopus Hot Air Balloon, has been purchased by a Hammer user, earning you 900 points. Current point balance: 15,966."

Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen stared in shock: No wonder he was a god among those who crossed into the Hammer world—he'd just cleared out every single item Barzab had listed on the trading platform.

True #1 Patron.

Hammer Brother, you're willing to walk through fire and water!

Barzab took a deep breath to steady himself, then solemnly instructed: "Old Gan, Old Ka, you two put in extra effort."

"Yes, my lord Lei Shen."

After everyone dispersed, Barzab began to ponder how to maximize his own strength with this massive sum of 15,966 points.

The safest method was to purchase Armament Haki and Observation Haki, requiring a total of 10,000 points.

With the Rumble Fruit's enhancement, awakening Observation Haki would give him even more confidence against enemies.

Armament Haki not only compensated for Barzab's greatest weakness—defense—but also served as the foundation for reaching the higher tier, Flowing Cherry.

There was another option.

Iron Balloon—the same body type as the Four Emperors' Xia Luote Charlotte Lingling—cost 20,000 points.

Barzab rubbed his temples; he already had a plan: Armament and Observation Haki could be gained through cultivation, but Iron Balloon could not.

Iron Balloon was an innate physique, independent of Armament Haki, and their defenses could stack.

It was an inborn, extraordinarily powerful natural body defense, impervious to ordinary blades, swords, bullets, or gunfire.

It was the foundation of Big Mom's status as a born destroyer, perfectly matching Barzab's innate divine strength.

Which one to buy was obvious.

Although he didn't have enough points now, only three days remained until the next monthly refresh of listing slots.

This time, Hammer Brother bought six items: four types of shells, all preemptively purchased by Endgame users and Naruto users.

Given Hammer Brother's wealth, the other four shells—Water Shell, Flame Shell, Laser Shell, and Flash Shell—were also highly likely to be bought.

Each priced at 1,000 points, plus the remaining six items, were enough to purchase Iron Balloon.

"Let's wait a little longer."