Chapter 51: Crocus's Amazement!
Ten thousand meters above Jaya Island in the Grand Line, the other half of Jaya, known to the sky residents as Upper Yard, remains suspended.
The city of gold, Shandora, lies beneath the ground of a certain area in Upper Yard, buried deep within the clouds, unvisited for several hundred years.
And today, in the year 1510, the ancient city finally welcomed three visitors after several centuries.
Looking down from the edge of the clouds, Hancock and Sandersonia, who had come along, were stunned by the sight Buggy had revealed.
Although it wasn't dazzlingly brilliant, the city, shrouded in a hazy golden yellow, left every visitor breathless with wonder.
"Brother Buggy, I finally understand why you were never worried about the funding gap. It turns out you knew the whereabouts of the city of gold." After a long while, Sandersonia, having regained her senses, spoke to Buggy with an indescribable excitement.
It was impossible not to be excited. This city of gold, worth hundreds of billions of Berries, was part of a promise Buggy had made to Sandersonia. As long as Sandersonia transported gold blocks worth ten billion Berries to the South Blue, the rest would be entirely at Kuja's disposal.
Without a doubt, once such a massive fortune was transported back, Kuja would surely experience a great leap forward.
It was precisely because of this that Sandersonia, who had already become the empress, had come here with Buggy.
Now that the city of gold had been found, the next step was to figure out how to transport the gold back.
Buggy asked for Sandersonia's opinion. The young girl was very ambitious, preparing to pack up the entire Upper Yard and take it back to the Calm Belt.
Buggy directly vetoed this proposal. It wasn't that he was afraid of the girl causing too much of a commotion; he simply felt that moving an entire island to the Calm Belt would be too time-consuming.
After walking around the perimeter of the city of gold, Buggy used his ability to separate Shandora from Upper Yard. Sandersonia then used the city of gold to carry Buggy and Hancock back towards the Calm Belt.
However, moving the city of gold was no small feat. Although it might not affect the people of the Blue Sea, the native residents of the sky island all heard the deafening roar. All the inhabitants of the sky island, including the Shandorians, rushed towards the source of the noise.
But it was all for naught. The combined force of Buggy, Hancock, and Sandersonia against the sky island residents, who didn't know Armament Haki, was simply too easy.
Without even a decent fight, both the Shandorians and the native sky islanders, after being defeated, could only watch helplessly as the three of them left with the city of gold—oh, and the great golden belfry that produced the melodious sound—disappearing from their sight.
Half a month later, in Kuja City in the Calm Belt, the entire city was in an uproar when the warrior women saw the legendary city of gold appear outside their city.
After celebrating for three full days, the follow-up matters began to proceed in an orderly manner.
Buggy would not interfere with the matter of transporting the gold to the South Blue. The bulk of it was given to Kuja, so Buggy was not at all worried about the small portion being sent to the South Blue.
This was only natural, as Sandersonia was Hancock's biological sister. Besides, with the reward of the larger share, the members of the original Kuja Pirates, including Elder Nyon, were willing to personally make the trip to ensure the gold would be delivered into Daz Bonez's hands.
The combined strength of the old and new Kuja Pirates members was not weak in the slightest. With such a group of experts escorting the shipment by air, what was there for Buggy to worry about?
After the celebration, Buggy took Hancock and left the Calm Belt, heading directly for the entrance of the Grand Line.
It had been over four years since he pulled Law out from underground in a cemetery in the North Blue in 1506.
Unlike Betty, with whom he spoke on the phone from time to time, Buggy had paid no attention to Law at all, not even making a single phone call in four years to check on him.
When leaving Twin Capes, Buggy had told the old ship's doctor, Crocus: when he cures himself, give me a call, and I'll come pick him up.
Four years later, just recently while escorting the city of gold back to the Calm Belt, Buggy finally received a call from Crocus.
As a result, Buggy's plan for more one-on-one time with Hancock was foiled again. Truly, plans can't keep up with changes.
Using Moonwalk, Buggy and Hancock reached Twin Capes in less than five days.
Having not seen him for four years, Law had grown much taller, but his eyes, filled with resentment, made him instantly recognizable.
"Law, it's been four years. Have you been well?" Buggy asked him.
"Alright. Uncle Crocus taught me a lot of knowledge. A while ago, I finally managed to cure myself using that knowledge. Now that there are no more worries holding me back, I should probably learn some other skills, right?" Staring at Buggy without blinking, Law asked slowly.
"Even if you didn't say it, I was going to have you learn about combat. I came to take you with me this time for that very purpose. However, your ability is directly related to medical skills, so you can't neglect your medicine. You must be clear on this point. While learning to fight, you cannot neglect your medical skills. This is a prerequisite," Buggy, of course, understood Law's meaning and replied directly.
"Uncle Crocus, long time no see." After speaking with Law, Buggy turned to the old doctor.
"It has been a while. By the way, Buggy, who is this young lady with you?" Without talking about Law, the old doctor was quite interested in Hancock.
"She is my future wife." Buggy didn't try to hide it at all, but this one sentence made Hancock's face turn beet red.
"Hello, Uncle Crocus. My name is Boa Hancock. I am Brother Buggy's fiancée," Hancock took a step forward and introduced herself with a shy tone.
"Hahahaha, it's great to be young! Buggy, you must not forget me when it's time for the wedding!" Stroking his beard, Crocus said with a loud laugh.
"Uncle Crocus, I definitely won't forget," Buggy replied affirmatively with a smiling nod.
"Good, just remember that. I imagine you won't be staying here long. Regarding Law, I have nothing else to say, only one thing: I hope you can guide him well. This child is not bad at heart!" Crocus urged, his eyes full of care.
"Uncle Crocus, you can rest assured. In any case, he's considered your disciple. Well then, we'll take our leave." After speaking, Buggy grabbed Law under his arm and headed directly towards the East Blue along the Red Line.
Seeing Buggy and Hancock arrive using Moonwalk, Crocus had estimated that their method of departure would surely be unconventional, but he hadn't expected them to head directly along the Red Line towards the Calm Belt.
Buggy's strength has improved greatly over these years, Crocus couldn't help but think as he watched Buggy leave.
(End of Chapter)