At the Gate of Heaven on Sky Island, above the vast White Sea, Sven stood watching his only crew member leave, Vice Captain Dracule Mihawk.
“Mihawk, take this gold for your travel expenses.”
On Sky Island, known as the Land of Gold, the least scarce resource was gold itself.
Otherwise, Sven would never have used it so casually to secure cooperation with Kizaru.
Mihawk accepted the package and asked, “Captain, when do you plan to set sail again?”
After witnessing the wonders of Sky Island and its endless wealth, it was time for him to continue his training.
His defeat at Kizaru’s hands had only strengthened his resolve.
Still, for reasons he could not explain, a faint sense of reluctance lingered.
In just two months, Mihawk had come to genuinely respect Sven.
Sven thought briefly before replying, “In two years.”
“I am fifteen now.
When I turn seventeen, I will return to the sea and find you.
At that time, we will sail together and gather the rest of our crew.”
Technically, Sven could form a crew on his own.
But to truly establish themselves in this world, relying on just him and Mihawk would not be enough.
The challenges were too great.
They needed more capable allies.
Names like Bartholomew Kuma, Jinbe, and even the future admiral Issho were already on Sven’s mind.
“Mihawk, during your training, if you meet anyone worthwhile, invite them on my behalf.
I will take care of the ship.”
Mihawk nodded.
“See you in two years.”
His decision to join the Dawn-Star Pirates had been simple.
With Sven as captain, many complications could be avoided.
Without another word, Mihawk turned and leapt straight down from ten thousand meters above the sea.
Sven immediately pulled out his Image Den Den Mushi and began snapping pictures of Mihawk’s descent.
“What a shame, he never takes off that hat.
It hides everything.”
Since meeting Mihawk at Twin Cape, traveling together to Loguetown to witness the final moments of Gol D.
Roger, and then rushing to Sky Island to evade capture and obtain Musou Isshin, Sven had barely stopped moving.
The journey had been rushed.
He had not taken the time to appreciate anything along the way.
Now, things were finally slowing down.
With his hands in his pockets, Sven wandered through Sky Island, occasionally greeting the locals.
“Thunder God.”
The small wings on the backs of the Skypieans and Shandians still looked slightly out of place to him.
Otherwise, he might have seriously considered renaming this place.
It was amusing to think about.
Across the entire world, the place most fitting for such a name was undoubtedly Wano Country.
Unfortunately, Wano was under the control of Kaido.
At present, Sven could not challenge him.
Even with Mihawk, they stood no chance against the Beasts Pirates.
Since the fall of the Rocks Pirates at the God Valley Incident fourteen years ago, Kaido had grown into his prime.
At thirty five, he was at his peak.
Sven, by contrast, was only fifteen.
Facing Kaido now would be reckless.
Still, Sven always planned ahead.
Even after securing Sky Island, his thoughts had already moved toward Wano.
Sky Island sat ten thousand meters above the sea.
Only special abilities like his own or Kizaru’s allowed easy access.
It worked as an early base, but not as a permanent headquarters.
Unless he had enough resources to equip every crew member with flight tools, it would remain impractical.
Wano, on the other hand, was ideal.
Located in the New World, surrounded by natural barriers, and accessible only through dangerous waterfalls, it was nearly impossible to invade.
More importantly, it controlled the production of Seastone.
It was the perfect future base.
The only problem was simple.
How to defeat Kaido.
“I will wait a few more years.”
Back at the Thunder God Palace, Sven had barely taken his seat when representatives from both factions arrived.
One side was led by Gan Fall, the other by Kalpa.
“Thunder God…”
Sven raised his hand, signaling them to sit.
“I already know why you are here.”
The conflict between the Shandians and Skypieans stemmed from two issues.
A lack of land, and a lack of respect.
Each side saw the other as intruders or thieves.
Sven spoke calmly and decisively.
“Land distribution will be handled by a joint council made up of elders from both sides.
Allocation will be based on population.”
“The two tribes will rotate areas for residence and farming.”
“The Shandians will provide Dials and Cloud Sea technology.
The Skypieans will contribute agricultural knowledge.
A cooperative system will be established to improve farming efficiency.”
“The former war zones are fertile but have been wasted due to conflict.
That ends now.
Those lands will produce food for everyone.”
“The former God’s Guard and Skypiean warriors will be reorganized into the Thunder Cloud Guards.
They will maintain order, enforce laws, and suppress unrest.”
“A Peace Day will be established as a formal holiday.”
Sven’s gaze sharpened.
“I have only one requirement.
Fairness.
Absolute fairness.”
[Ding.
Your consigned item, Den Den Mushi, has been purchased by Warhammer.
You gained 9000 points.
Current balance, 11916.]
[Ding.
Vent Sea Slug sold.
Gained 900 points.
Current balance, 12816.]
[Ding.
Octopus Balloon sold.
Gained 900 points.
Current balance, 15966.]
Sven paused, visibly surprised.
This Warhammer truly lived up to his reputation.
He had bought nearly everything available on the trading platform.
A true top tier buyer.
After steadying himself, Sven spoke again.
“Gan Fall, Kalpa, I will leave the rest to you.”
“Yes, Thunder God.”
Once they left, Sven turned his attention inward.
With 15,966 points now available, he needed to decide how best to strengthen himself.
The safest option was clear.
Purchase Armament Haki and Observation Haki for a total of ten thousand points.
With the power of the Goro Goro no Mi, Observation Haki would significantly enhance his combat awareness.
Armament Haki would solve his biggest weakness, defense, and lay the foundation for advanced techniques like Ryuo.
But there was another option.
Iron Balloon.
A physique comparable to Big Mom, costing twenty thousand points.
Sven rubbed his temples.
Haki could be trained.
Iron Balloon could not.
It was an innate physical trait, stacking perfectly with Armament Haki.
A body that ordinary weapons could not damage.
It was the foundation of Big Mom’s overwhelming durability and matched perfectly with Sven’s natural strength.
The choice was obvious.
He simply lacked the points.
The monthly listing refresh was only three days away.
Given Warhammer’s spending habits, the remaining items would likely be purchased as well.
That would be enough.
“I will wait a little longer.”
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100