Super Card System - Chapter 455
Chapter 455: Forbidden Land
Driving the waver requires finesse, for one must not only heed the winds but also possess a deep understanding of the ebb and flow of the sea.
However, this is not a problem for Nami. In just a short while, she has mastered the control of the waver. At least, when Ian stood behind her, he felt that the ride was very smooth.
“Yahh!” Nami joyfully felt the rushing airflow and couldn’t help but shout out loud. She even performed a few special maneuvers with the waver.
Ian, who stood behind her, was having a hard time. The waver doesn’t have seats, and even Nami, the driver, must rely on the stability of her own two feet within the confines of this small raft, resembling a small boat. Nami’s daring acrobatics nearly topple Ian from his position, compelling him to instinctively reach out and secure his grasp around her waist.
Clad in a scanty bikini, more akin to a mere wisp of fabric, and with Ian’s embrace, his hands naturally rest on Nami’s smooth abdomen.
“Hehe, dear brother Ian!” Nami coyly turned her head, grinning, revealing her white teeth, and her voice carried a mischievous tone as she teasingly asked, “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
“No! No! Never!” As soon as he saw her smile, Ian suddenly became alert and quickly shook his head to deny it.
However, Nami didn’t let him off the hook. She controlled the waver with her right hand and reached out her left hand, drawing circles on Ian’s chest, with a shy look, teasing him, “It’s okay, you can touch anywhere you want!”
Ian looked at her pretending to be shy and said, “Next, you’ll surely demand a fee of a hundred thousand berries for a mere touch, won’t you?”
“How can that be possible!” Nami said with a look of grievance, “That’s the price for others, but for you… let’s make it one million berries!”
“Why!?” Ian’s eyes widen in astonishment, his brow furrowing in perplexity, “Why did the price increase tenfold for me?”
“Because, dear Ian, you are a man of opulence!” Nami’s laughter cascaded through the air, laced with mischief.
Ian found himself rendered momentarily speechless. Nami’s statement represented a complete reversal of his expectations. He had dared to entertain the notion that she might grant him this privilege free of charge! Alas, he realized he had allowed his imagination to run wild. Given Nami’s obsession with wealth, how could he have expected such magnanimity?
“You impish minx! Just focus on navigating!” Ian jabbed a finger at her forehead, playfully redirecting her gaze, causing her head to swivel back into place, “Be careful not to let the boat of our friendship capsize, because I’ll deduct your share…!”
“Share!?” Nami’s eyes sparkle with newfound enthusiasm, “You mean to share the spoils with me!?”
“Hehe! I possess exclusive information, my dear!” Ian playfully pinches Nami’s silky waist and winked at her, as he whispered, “It is believed that this Sky Island harbors the remnants of Shandora, the fabled golden city!”
“Really… Really?!” Nami’s eyes widened, reflecting an unmistakable glimmer of curiosity and longing. She eagerly leaned back for more information. “Is your intelligence reliable?”
Ian smiled and said, “The reason you all sought out Skypiea was because you heard the legends about it back on Jaya, isn’t it?”
“Yes, indeed, that’s right! We even encountered a man named Montblanc Cricket there,” Nami explained. “He claimed to be a descendant of the notorious Noland, known as the liar. Four hundred years ago, Noland supposedly discovered the golden city of Shandora. However, the city inexplicably vanished, and Montblanc has spent all these years searching for traces of the golden city to restore his ancestor’s reputation. He was the one who informed us about Skypiea.”
“You’re referring to the popular children’s picture book about the notorious trickster Noland, right?” Ian asked.
Seeing the flickers in Nami’s eyes, Ian smiled and continued, “Well, have you ever considered that these so-called picture book stories might have a historical basis?”
“What do you mean?” Nami asked in puzzlement.
“Since you know about Noland’s picture book, you might have come across the one about the villainous army, Germa,” Ian said. “And I’ll tell you this—I have encountered the Germa Corporation myself!”
“You… you mean, Noland’s tales might be true?” Nami exclaimed in astonishment.
“Indeed!” Ian nodded. “In my estimation, the fairy tale of Shandora, the golden city, does exist, and it’s highly likely it resides right here on this Sky Island!”
“But… how is that possible? According to Noland, the golden city of Shandora was on the sea surface. How could it end up on a Sky Island?” Nami asked, she was still skeptical.
“Have you forgotten about the Knock-Up Stream?” Ian mentioned. “If a ship can be propelled to a Sky Island, wouldn’t it be possible for a tremendous eruption to propel a chunk of an island into the sky as well?”
Upon hearing Ian’s explanation, Nami gasped and instinctively covered her mouth, overwhelmed by the enormity of the revelation. Honestly, she had never suspected such a possibility before, but Ian’s words made it seem plausible.
Ian remained silent, realizing that the confirmation of Shandora being propelled into the sky by the Knock-Up Stream can only be obtained with the Shandora map, which, when combined with the current map of Jaya, reveals the skeletal figure with the location of the golden city, coinciding with the right eye.
Indeed, the prophecy unfolds: “In the skull’s right eye, behold the golden sight.”
However, Ian had not seen the logbook left by Noland Montblanc. He directly said this, so Nami wouldn’t get suspicious. Therefore, Ian could only make Nami think that it was his speculation based on the circumstances of the Knock Up Stream.
When Nami realized it, she was filled with excitement. She thought Ian’s words were probably reasonable. If Shandora had been blasted up into the sky, it would explain why Montblanc couldn’t find any remains of it in the sea.
According to the illustrations, Shandora was a dream city filled with gold everywhere!
Gold equals money equals belly! Nami finally understood why Ian wanted to accompany her on the waver. He wanted to go on a search for gold and make a fortune!
Amazing! Ian is truly admirable, glowing with a charm that knew no bounds!
“Captain Ian! I shall follow your lead, wherever it may take us!” Nami saluted Ian immediately, her unwavering loyalty resolute.
Ian raised his hand to cover his forehead and looked ahead. He could see a floating island on the sea surface in the distance. It was covered with towering trees, visible even from afar.
That should be the sacred land of Skypiea, right? Enel and his devout acolytes should be on that island…
So Ian pointed ahead and said, “Let’s go there!”
“Aye, aye captain!” Nami replied, then she abruptly accelerated, stepping on the gas pedal. The waver’s front immediately lifted high and raced forward at an explosive speed.
“Slow down, slow down!” Ian almost found himself flung overboard once again. Nami, whenever she hears about treasure, she forgets about everything else!
Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of this so-called forbidden area. When they reached the edge of the island, Ian and Nami realized just how enormous the trees that surrounded them.
“Oh my, how many years old are these trees?” Nami looked up, trying to catch a glimpse of the tree’s top, but it was impossible to see its end.
Ian was equally astonished. If these trees had been growing on this island since the beginning, then the history of this sky island must be longer than he had imagined, possibly going back thousands of years…
Does this celestial land have any connection to the Balloon Terminal?
Lost in his thoughts, Ian suddenly heard a strange sound coming from within the forest.
With a quick thought, Ian said to Nami, “Stay here, I’ll go up and take a look!”
Having said that, he leaped and landed on the island.
However, right after Ian jumped up, a ragged man, gasping for breath, dashed out of the forest. He was covered in wounds and appeared to be a normal human rather than someone from the winged islanders.
When he ran out of the woods and saw Ian, he was startled and plopped down on the ground. But once he clearly saw Ian’s appearance, his eyes sparkled, and he shouted desperately, “Save me! Please, save me!”
Not only did he shout, but he also crawled on all fours toward Ian, rapidly approaching him.
Is this… a pirate? Ian guessed the man’s identity as soon as he saw him. However, before the man reached him, Ian suddenly frowned and fiercely swung the hilt of his Senbonzakura towards his right side.
Woof! A tremendously huge dog lunged out from the forest towards Ian’s position, only to collide head-on with the hilt of Ian’s sword. The hilt struck the dog’s cheekbone with great force, causing it to let out a howl and be sent flying by Ian.
