One Piece: A King's Path Anew

Above the vast, white expanse of the White-White Sea, a lone pirate ship sailed. This was the Donquixote Family, recently departed from Birka and heading towards Angel Island.

"Ibes, what do you think? Do you like it?" Doflamingo asked, holding a glass of red wine and sitting in a deck chair, watching Ibes's excited expression at the ship's bow.

"My God, it's so beautiful! I'm so happy! I never thought I'd see such a gorgeous view," Ibes replied, her face beaming with a joyful smile, her arms outstretched as if to embrace the white sea and blue sky.

But moments of joy are often interrupted. Just then, a gigantic creature from the White-White Sea lunged at Ibes at the bow.

Ibes's heart nearly leaped out of her chest. Of course, Doflamingo wouldn't stand idly by. After all, Ibes was... very useful, and quite capable.

"Beast, you're looking for death!" Doflamingo teleported to Ibes' side in a flash, one arm wrapping around her slender waist, the other blocking the monster's attack.

"God's Punishment!"

A powerful bolt of lightning instantly engulfed the creature, charring it black. The intense heat even cooked it thoroughly.

Ibes, nestled in Doflamingo's embrace, felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and security. She almost didn't want to leave.

But that wouldn't do. Doflamingo was a man of principle. Without any lingering attachment, he released Ibes and gently asked, "Are you alright, Ibes?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine," Ibes stammered, her face flushed, her heart pounding like a trapped rabbit. She quickly excused herself and hurried away.

"What's wrong? Am I that scary? Or was my tone too gentle? That's not like me at all," Doflamingo wondered, watching Ibes's retreating figure.

The brief interlude didn't disrupt the rest of the crew. Everyone continued with their tasks. The craftsmen from Birka were also experiencing their first sea voyage, and they were filled with curiosity about the outside world. However, they didn't have the same privileges as Ibes and didn't dare wander around the ship freely.

Enel was also training with renewed vigor. He considered himself no less capable than Doflamingo, yet he couldn't even defeat Pica. This was unacceptable to the proud Enel. He refused to admit defeat, and Pica, of course, wasn't about to back down from being slapped around by the "big-eared punk." Trebol and Diamante had found quiet spots to relax. Vergo was undergoing rehabilitation training. The ship was a picture of quiet serenity... and utter boredom!

The endless expanse of white, while resembling a paradise, could become monotonous even after prolonged viewing. However, the journey was finally coming to an end. Ahead of the Donquixote Family lay a verdant island, a different kind of beauty compared to Birka.

"Land ho, Young Master! We've reached Angel Island!" The monotonous voyage had driven the crew to shouts of excitement.

"Fuffuffuffu... Finally! Ibes, Enel, come and see another sky island," Doflamingo called out, smiling.

Hearing his call, Enel and Ibes quickly made their way to the bow. The sight of Angel Island filled them with excitement.

"It's beautiful! Is this Angel Island? It's even bigger than Birka," Ibes exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she gazed at the island.

"Yahahaha! Angel Island, huh? Doffy, it seems this place will be ours too," Enel said, his voice brimming with excitement, but his eyes revealing his ambition. Sky island or not, angels or not, they all needed to get out of his way. Your Enel-sama has arrived.

"It is a beautiful place. But after today, it will be ours," Doflamingo responded.

"Men, prepare to land!"

Doflamingo then led his crew onto the shores of Angel Island once more. Their previous departure had been hasty, but this time, they would settle the score from their last encounter.

A gentle breeze, a white sandy coastline, a lush green forest, and birds soaring in the sky – it all formed a picture of tranquil beauty. Unfortunately for Angel Island, its peace was about to be shattered.

As soon as Doflamingo's group entered the town on Angel Island, they attracted the attention of certain individuals. Unlike Birka, Angel Island wasn't isolated. Its inhabitants knew much about the Blue Sea. Especially since, a month prior, a group of pirates from the Blue Sea had arrived on Angel Island and vanished without a trace, taking their guard captain with them. This was a serious incident, throwing the entire island into a state of panic, and even drawing the attention of the God residing on the "Upper Yard," the God's island.

Angel Island had not been peaceful during this month. While Doflamingo and his crew's departure had left them helpless, the remaining Mont Blanc Cricket had caused considerable unrest. In his quest to find the Golden City spoken of by his ancestors, Cricket had spared no effort in his exploration. However, Angel Island, despite Cricket's thorough search, yielded nothing of what he sought. Therefore, Cricket set his sights on the "Upper Yard," the God's island. Unfortunately, the God's island was heavily guarded, and the weak Cricket was nearly captured and sentenced to "Cloud Drifting." Luckily, he received help from the Shandian warriors and escaped with them to the Hidden Village.

The Shandians, who had been constantly fighting for 400 years to reclaim the most precious resource of the White-White Sea – land – and the residents of Angel Island, were already locked in a bitter conflict. Now, their antagonism had only intensified. The atmosphere between the two groups was thick with tension and solemnity.

So, the moment Doflamingo stepped into "Lovely Street," the residents of Angel Island immediately became wary, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Meanwhile, Cricket, having received assistance from the Shandian warriors, explained his intentions. Upon learning that Cricket was a descendant of Noland, who had been friendly with the Shandians, they immediately took him to see their chief.

"Chief! Chief! Big news! Big news!" a Shandian warrior shouted as he ran towards the chief's dwelling.

"Eskal, you're a grown man! What's with all the commotion and frantic behavior?" the Shandian chief exclaimed, emerging from his dwelling after hearing the ruckus, scolding the agitated Eskal.

"Chief, it is big news! I... I... I found Noland's descendant!" Eskal gasped, out of breath.

"What? What did you say? Noland's descendant? Are you serious?" the chief exclaimed in disbelief, grabbing Eskal's shoulders, his voice filled with excitement.

"It's true! It's absolutely true!" Eskal assured him, patting his chest to emphasize his sincerity.

"Quick! Take me to him!" the chief urged, his heart pounding with anticipation.

Soon, the chief saw Cricket, wrapped in bandages.

"Greetings, Chief. I am a descendant of Mont Blanc Noland. My name is Mont Blanc Cricket," Cricket introduced himself as soon as he saw the chief enter.

"Good, good! My boy, you must have suffered greatly to get here! You have a good heart," the chief said, filled with relief and admiration.

"Chief, it was nothing. For the Golden City, to clear my ancestor's name, it was all worth it," Cricket replied firmly.

"It's all our fault. We are useless. We haven't fulfilled our promise. For 400 years, we've been stuck in this place, unable to reclaim our homeland, unable to light the Shandora's Light," the chief said remorsefully to Cricket.

"Shandora's Light... how I long to hear its sound again. But every time, we are blocked by the God of the sky island, returning empty-handed," the chief sighed.

"Is the God of the sky island so powerful? Is there no way we can defeat him? If only they were here..." Cricket said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. He had reached the doorstep of his dream, just one final step away from realizing it and clearing his ancestor's name. Cricket would never give up. He wouldn't accept this.

"They? Who are they?" the chief asked, seizing on the key information.

"They are the people who came to the sky island with me. A man who fearlessly pursues his dreams. He was the one who told me the location of the Golden City. If he were here, with his strength, I believe the God wouldn't be able to stop him. Unfortunately, he's not here now," Cricket said, his eyes filled with respect, but his words tinged with regret.

"Alright, my boy, you rest well. Rest assured, we will light the Shandora's Light," the chief reassured him.

Their conversation ended. The chief was overjoyed to have met Noland's descendant today. It would be even better if they could reclaim their sacred land.

While Cricket was recuperating, Doflamingo and his crew had arrived at Angel Island.

The clash between Gods was about to begin.

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