Alright everyone, I present to you, chapter number the fourth one. I have no idea how I got so many ideas for the third one but I had a couple decent starting points in terms of bringing the story ahead. The plot thickens, as they say. As I said, the relatively minimal information on the sky islands and Enel's past presents a wide array of opportunities to create a story that is both fanfiction and can canonically function as a part of One Piece.
My notes are helping me so much, and I can only thank my good author friend for his tips. Getting some worldbuilding done, I feel confident enough to get into the meat and potatoes of the story now. Hope you all enjoy, even if there aren't that many readers at this point, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 3: Uploaded on 9/12/2024
Chapter 4: Started on 9/16/2024
With the dates out of the way, let's get into the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece. One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda.
Keeping a steady pace, Entle walked towards the town hall after a long day of fishing. The temperature had been fairly decent, but it was soon to change.
Winter would be approaching the island, the cold temperature would hit hard. He'd heard it had even once formed a coat of ice on the island at one point in time, though times like those were far and few in between. A downside to being so far from the center of the Imperial Cloud that Birka and Skypiea inhabited. They generally experienced a warm to cool climate all year long while a third of the year was cold here. 'Though we are too high up from the lower seas to experience rain or snow thankfully. Otherwise we'd have abandoned the island centuries ago. The combination of the winter cold and snow or rain would be devastating,' he thought.
Packing his supplies away in his backpack, he took a drink from his flask which was connected directly to a water dial. It was a rather smart invention, to regulate an almost too great to hold water supply in a small shellfish dial to a simple flask. The center of the shell reacted delicately to the pressure applied on it to release a small amount of water for the flask that the holder could then regulate. He chuckled.
'I think this model came from Skypiea in one of its last official trades with Birka before we cut off from them and adopted isolationism in general,' he pondered. 'And if I remember correctly, this technology was originally from Skypiea. The water dials are a must to survive as rain clouds in theory are too dense and thick to exist on the White-White sea. Thankfully we found our own water dial supply to draw from to keep Birka supplied. We aren't dependent on Skypiea for that.'
Continuing his pace toward the town hall, down the market, he passed by some villagers, whispering and waving their hands, trying to get their points across. But there was a considerable amount of folk nearby. 'I wonder what that's all about,' he silently asked himself.
When he finally arrived at the hall, he placed down his equipment and took a seat. Rimbert was nearby, in a quiet conversation with Sahatori and some other people, most likely collectors as well. He gave a small nod to him as Rimbert passed by and he returned it back to Entle. This went on for a couple more minutes until the servants received the signal of approval by Rimbert and closed the doors shut. The spurious meeting was now in session.
"My fellow Birkans, I have important news to share with you all today." The others now having taken their seats paid all their mind to him now. Rimbert continued.
"This news in fact, is rather urgent but pleasant, dare I say great news in fact!" They each raised a collective eyebrow. "I have recently spoken with my fellow monk over in our neighboring settlement and we've reached a conclusion to the dilemma we found ourselves in.
"Oh," Fuza started. "Did the ultimatum for the capital expansion rescind already?" Rimbert shook his head. "No, not quite. But, to have an opportunity to raise your voices has arisen. One that does not require physical force but a subtle bulwark of sorts." He saw the confused expressions of his villagers. He smiled and went on. "Adam and I have reached a solution which can work perfectly for us all and I'm quite pleased that the Councilman Unni has accepted our proposal."
"Proposal?," Entle asked. "Of what sort?"
"The sort which will give you all the opportunity to approach him directly, of course. You see, I, along with Adam, have proposed to have Unni visit our fair villages. This is the olive branch we've extended to him and now that he's accepted it, we can voice our disagreements, plights, and solutions to his offer and work out the best possible course of action of both worlds so that we may keep our way of life, the Councilman his respect, and the peace between our opposing stances intact. As all I've offered is fair game, so to speak. So, what's say you all?"
For a pause, no one spoke. No chatter, whispers, or even odd faces. They simply stopped and thought to themselves, silently pondering their own individual approaches. Finally, someone spoke up. It was Fuza. "So…this is a rather intriguing surprise. I'd wager the rest of you all would agree." Some muttering and nodding of heads. He spoke once more. "An opportunity. One to tell…one to blast this councilman. Or to intimidate. Or confront…I like it," he finished with a sinister grin.
Then, the chattering resumed. Ideas were thrown around, some shot down, others elaborated. Rimbert smiled, this had been his intent. To find the best response among them and at a perfect middle ground with his current position between the council and himself. Monks couldn't oppose the council's orders but this was a special case as the capital expansion had been proposed to the villages themselves, not necessitating a monk's approval or decisions, just acting as the village head and mediary between the two. But this offer to invite the Councilman Unni was well within his rights as in Rimbert's view as the monk and intermediary between the village's will and the Council's offer, he used his position to have an in person discussion. The villagers would in earnest disagree, very strongly, against his frankly ultimatum of borrowed labor from the workers here and Unni would naturally have to defend his offer in a way that would most likely force him to concede some ground and organize a more efficient and agreeable order that both the coastal villages could agree to and he himself could as well.
While the townsfolk discussed and argued back and forth, Entle walked next to him and asked, "Rimbert, this is without a doubt a most intelligent play by you and Adam, but do you think it'll be enough to sway Unni?"
Rimbert thought for a moment. He'd been serving Sigtuna when Unni had risen to prominence and his pride for the city had been well meaning enough, he'd never seen anything wrong with it. But, Unni had also publicly defended the decision to have his and Adam's home villages be integrated into the city despite popular dissent. Ultimately, it was a "too good to pass up" offer by the Council to their then village heads and soon Hamburg and Bremen were no more. Granted, the same people still continued on but life there, it just wasn't the same. Perhaps he'd preferred his way of doing things rather than the newer way but it wasn't how he wanted it to be for himself.
And now, a seemingly knowing effort to slowly do the same to the outer villages, such as his own, which many had chosen to make their lives here for, strictly to stick to an older way, this was problematic.
Especially since it was their choice.
Rimbert blinked and noticed Entle had been awaiting his response. He coughed and scratched his chin, as if to imply his response had been well thought. Entle sweat dropped and looked away for a few seconds before asking, "So, what do you think then? Will Councilman Unni be swayed by this upcoming visit or not?"
Rimbert hummed and closed his eyes. "It is hard to say. Unni has been wildly popular within the capital and it is there where he draws most of his support. The other council members don't seem to have any ire or discontent with him. However, it is the divide between city folk and village folk that draws our fundamental disagreements with him. We both want what's best for Birka, we only have differing views on how to achieve it." Entle gave him a quizzical look and beckoned him to continue.
"Put it this way, to my understanding, he believes that the modernization of our lands will help place us in a position of power and ultimately, peace. Birka is acknowledged as having the strongest warriors of the sky. But Skypiea is the dominant political and military power on the cloud sea. They simply hold all the cards. Upper Yard, the main Dial deposits, and most territory. While we may have one or two other smaller sky islands under our control, they are out of necessity of resources. Skypiea is not relegated to Angel island and Upper Yard as you know. They are more akin to an archipelago of scattered sky islands but close enough to them that they can readily defend."
Entle hummed in agreement. "Yeah, I know. Skypiea holds the Heaven's Gate which leads to the White-White Sea and from the High West Summit, they have more sky islands on the White Sea which offer the extol exchange and the like. Along with holding nearly 1,000 soldiers of the Divine Squad under the thumb of their God of Skypiea. Meanwhile, Birka, resides on the very edge of the Emperor Cloud. We rarely get visitors and most assume that travelers only visit Skypiea."
"Indeed," continued the monk. "Though we have gotten some visitors, as rare as they were, before. Though they were mostly pirates…In any case, we're getting off topic. Unni wants to spread safety for his subjects through technological advancements, to the detriment of others freedoms. We like how we live, no matter what the city becomes. We like that which separates the city from us here. Unni will most definitely attempt to persuade the villagers of why it should happen. You'd all have to reason or stop his advances, because in his eyes, any step towards that end is justifiable. The means justify the ends, in other words. He'll need to learn through peace or through confrontation that the risk is worth more than the reward."
He was silent for a moment before nodding. "I see. Thank you for the insight as usual, Rimbert," Entle finished with a smile. Rimbert returned it. 'Well, time to get things started.'
He cleared his throat and grabbed their attention back to him as he beckoned them to return to their seats at the table. "Brothers and Sisters, let us commence our discussion. Firstly, how do the concerns of the village relate to the councilman and secondly, how is a middle ground reached for both parties?"
Hands shot up.
He began to call on them.
"Well then, this is it then," Sahatori said as he collected his belongings for the evening. The meeting had gone on well he'd heard from Fuza and Entle responded in kind when he'd crossed paths with and spoke for a bit. It'd been two weeks or so since then. "Hopefully everything is smooth sailing from here."
Footsteps padded the doorway. "Sahatori, are you ready yet?"
He smiled. "Just about. Is MY dinner ready yet? I can't depart without it of course." She opened the door and confirmed. "Thanks, Kosin. You're always a help around here. Goodness knows what I would be doing without anyone to assist me."
Kosin giggled into her palm. "Well I noticed you were in town and since you usually forget to make yourself food, I thought I'd help you as well as clean a bit 'round here. Since you mostly travel to and from the various hotspots for trade." Sahatori grinned. "You have my thanks as always Kosin."
As he took his backpack and suitcase, he checked to make sure he had all his safety measures. 'Axe Dial, check. Lamp Dial, check. Meals, check. Water I have in my backpack and my extols are in my belongings. Good then,' he mentally checked off. As he headed to the door, he called out to Kosin. "Kosin, I have everything, I'm about to leave, come on."
"Coming!," she said. Once they were both outside, he closed the door and thanked her for her help. "I know you don't get much out of helping me but I must thank you regardless, Kosin. You should head back to your parents." She rolled her eyes but nodded. "I will, naturally, and it's not a bother." He chuckled. "You know, if you're ever interested in going out on a voyage outside Birka, you can always count on me. I can't even begin to recall how much I owe you." She patted his back as they walked to the coast where all the boats were docked. "It's fine really, and I will, one day, hopefully." He laughed. "Ya know, if you weren't such a sweetheart to the elders around Sigtuna, you'd probably be the best wife ever." She coughed and looked away, her cheeks seemingly pink. 'Huh, she must be getting tired now, I think I'll make my way out then.'
Once she recovered, she looked down and merely said, "T-Thanks Sahatori."
As he placed his supplies onto his boat he gave her his farewell and revved up the Breath Dial and it whirred into life. "Well, I'll be seeing you and the others once I return! Say hi to the others for me will ya." He waved and with that, the Dial roared and he sped off into the night sky. The cloud waves gently swaying against the shore and Kosin waved goodbye. She sighed. "That idiot, I've told him to stop leaving at night. He can't keep winging things like this, not to mention how he almost met with danger on his last trip. I just hope he keeps a lookout for any sharks or lamprey." She walked back to the village center and most were in their homes by now, the few outside keeping watch and the local Vassal watching from the front entrance of the settlement. "Though…," she recalled how he said she'd make a good wife. She chuckled. 'Oh Sahatori, you don't know how much that means to me'.
"Hmmm? What's got you giggling like a lovestruck schoolgirl?" She yelped and looked up to see her father approaching with an inquisitive look. O-Oh, it's n-nothing. Just got back from-" "From helping that Sahatori brat, I know my feather." She rolled her eyes but said nothing as they walked back from the coast. 'He's not a brat, father.' "I'll have you know he's very polite. He's one of the few traders who aren't a bore."
Her father grumbled. "I'm sure. In any case, come now. Your mother has been waiting for you." His eyes twinkled. "Perhaps this little interaction will cheer her up since she's been waiting for you this whole evening." Her eyes widened and protested the idea. "You'd better not!"
He only laughed, even as his daughter pounded his shoulders with her fists.
"Hmmm, I see. What about this stratagem, can the current workers produce results in this approach, general contractor?"
"Well Councilman, I would be inclined to say yes, though there is another course of action I and some of the top workers have devised that may satisfy your expectations. Given, it may take a bit longer as the winter days have already hit Birka, not to mention that the Sky Island of Molnbrott, which rests on Birka's South Eastern coast, from which we gather the mining of its cloud quarries to build this new settlement, is across the island from this point here and collecting & delivering the supplies to here requires Vassals as well from the dangerous wildlife. They don't stop hunting even during the cold times, after all."
Councilman Unni nodded to the contractor. "Of course, of course. That is known by me, the weather and the manpower are a concern which I plan to correct soon. It is why I'm here, after all. I've a diplomatic mission to attend on the far out coasts just north west from here."
The site under construction had some buildings done, but they were mostly workers' quarters to live in during the duration of the winter, or for those who'd been jobless and gladly took the work to have a place to stay. The city didn't have many homeless but the few and far in between would be helped by the expansion effort. Unni smiled. 'At least they are better off than before. May their work do well for us later on.' He trekked through the couple of men working diligently in the cold temperature and thought to consider the time.
'This is why I require Sigtuna & Hovgården's assistance. The work here is more than what they can handle at the moment, even less available with the continuingly chillier times, but with more hands on deck, this project can be finished sooner. The sooner, the better. Though…,' he stopped. "Servant, come here. I require your presence!"
The goat servant hurried over and stood tall. "Yes, sir?".
"What is the current timetable right now? I plan to make it past the forest to reach the monks ahead." 'I'm debating either making it to the villages soon or remain here for the day and head out tomorrow,' he thought.
"Well sir," the servant began. "I believe it is around evening just before the night. I would recommend you stay for the night as it would be difficult to find refuge should it be needed on the way to reach the coastal villages. Seeing as how I was chosen for my travels outside New Björkö to accompany you sir."
The councilman thought for a moment before agreeing. "Yes, I suppose that is valid enough. The other codgers at the capital should receive an update on my expansion project and I may as well give them that now. Very well, do fetch the contractor for me, and tell him to surmise a report on the work here so far. It's for the council to hear. Oh, and ask for a temporary resting stop."
The servant nodded. "Of course sir." He walked away, leaving Unni to his thoughts.
"I'll have to personally convince these village heads of my plan here, and they need something to latch on to. An incentive," he muttered to himself. " I'll have to repackage my previous rewards for the willing. Besides, the new outpost from the city will help communications and traveling for them. It is in the middle space between the capital and their villages on the edge of Birka. Why wouldn't they want something like that to be forwarded by me?"
Time passed and eventually he found his room for the night. There was no reason to worry. If anything, perhaps he could prove his status among outer villages as one who sought to unite their land as one. They'd see his efforts and be able to piece together his name as nothing short of righteous.
As he headed to bed, he couldn't help but be accompanied by the peace of mind that he had ways of aiding the people to see his take on things. Truly, one could sleep soundly knowing they had an ace up their sleeve.
"A Chub or a Tench. Oh, though there's a deal on a Pike pack nearby. What should I get…?," Khel asked herself as she perused the marketplace for fish to purchase.
Though Entle fished for them on occasion, he, as well as the rest of the fishermen, did their work for the whole village. It wasn't just their family who needed to eat, after all. And some fishermen went farther out than the coast to catch rare breeds. Skypiean law had prohibited the capture of rare sky fish and were to be released back into the sea. Birka had no such restrictions and so the far out fish were fair game to them. Khel hadn't the slightest clue as to why those laws were in place.
Besides, Birka was a much, much larger island than Angel Island. It was nearing the size of Upper Yard, though not quite. That said, the Birkans held the single largest sky island known in history. Upper Yard was merely composed of vearth and not island clouds like theirs and Skypiea's territory.
They needed all the fish they could, well, fish, in order to keep the entire island supplied. Granted, she knew of other coastal settlements around the perimeter of the island, it wasn't like theirs were the only one around. Their role was still a vital one. One that the daring councilman couldn't order about.
But looking back to the fish in front of her, she thought back to the ingredients she had back at her home to think on what she could actually cook and chose a pack of trouts from a nearby vendor and the pike selection she wanted to purchase. All for a good deal and she had a few extol to spare. 'Perhaps there are some fruits available…'
After she finished shopping, heading back home was next. If she were with Entle, they may have headed down to their local restaurant to catch a meal. It was a small place given the village but it was comfortable as she knew the locals by now. But it was getting colder and most folk wanted the warmth in their homes. Another reason why she'd left her son back home where he'd be warm and resting. Entle would soon follow suit later in the evening.
Gripping her coat and scarf, she made her way back and sighed in relief once she felt the homely heat in the air. Taking her groceries to the kitchen, she went to check up on Enel and soon her cooking.
"Ahhh, that's great stuff," Entle said as he took his heavy jacket off and accepted the heat in his house, closing the door behind him.
It was courtesy to a heat dial which was activated during the winter in a low simmering cloak of warmth for the home. He'd set it up not too long ago for the winter times and Khel had been very pleased with it. A wonderful gift for their home. He grinned at the memory.
"Now then, where is Khel?" He found his meal, all ready in the living quarters where they'd eat near the heat dial for the house and chuckled.
He went to their room and found Khel asleep with their child by her side sleeping soundly as well. He smiled and carefully rubbed his son's head so as to not disturb him. He did the same for her and she muttered of his meal left ready. Thanking her, he went to pour himself a cup of water and left to eat by himself, taking in the quiet environment after a long day of work.
The sunrise was majestic as always, though not many batted an eye to it, the view from the clouds was always a perfect window to the heavens above. The bountiful sun, the virgin of space, the white star above the sky.
The Endless Vearth, Sahatori recalled, it was believed to be. Some believed it was. To the vast majority, it was a legend, a local folklore of Birka. As the waves parted and left a path from his boat, he sailed through the early morning, just past the evening. He'd been sailing through the long night.
Every once in a while, he'd do so in the winter. The summer left most drifting to sleep and while the cold, even if stiff and uncomfortable, left one awake and looking for refuge. It was his way of manning through the work.
Keeping his route straight ahead, he could make for a break before he reached Skypiea's territory. Sitting down, he thought of his concerns for his village. Hopefully, things would clear up soon and the expansion would be halted. Not everything needed to be innovated for the sake of comfort. Why couldn't city people understand that!?
Sighing, Sahatori went back to his musing. The Endless Vearth. 'An endless amount of vearth, as far as the eye can see. A land that was by its own heavenly composition, a divine realm. It was the culmination of any sky person's dream. A kingdom made of their eternal admiration which vearth was to the sky's children,' he thought.
'But there's been more than one interpretation of its nature. The more religious types believe it's more of a sort of dreamworld-like heaven. One only reachable by a being holding a divine-like status. Fit for only but a god.' He stopped to recall more.
'I remember hearing another theory, that the place where Upper Yard was birthed, was the Endless Vearth, seeing as that was the largest piece of visible, tangible, really material evidence of vearth we all know of. It's observable and could be rationally explained. For the more non superstitious types, at least. In the end, it's a very old tale. Not even the oldest records state when the legend of Endless Vearth first began, only how it had been passed down through dreams shared by us. Anyone would want to find an endless amount of vearth after all.'
Yawning, he took a small snack Kosin had prepared and enjoyed it.
He would soon reach Angel Island, where he could rest for a bit before beginning his usual rounds of trading with folks. He had a good spot that he usually did his offers on by Lovely Street, an old shop whose owners had taken pity on him when he was just starting. They'd taught him a fair bit of getting his trades organized and even had a spot for his boat to park on the small dock of the island.
Now, he was one of the best collectors there who had connections to Birka and some of his homeland's goods. Fish, treasures, etc. Since Birka and Skypiea no longer conducted official business for nigh on around three centuries, individual vendors were free to do so, thankfully. As long as you could handle yourself on the sea and had the funds to support yourself. That gave him a good reputation as he was respectful and honest in his deals but also sold exclusive items not found on Skypiea or their other territory.
As he looked over the horizon, the sky archipelago was in sight.
"Thank you sir," said a man as he collected his purchase.
"No problem, have a nice day," Sahatori replied to a customer as he collected his earnings and resumed work. It was a relatively moderate day with the usual customers, nothing too outstanding. 'After today, I'll head out to one or two other islands or scout for buyers. Should be back home by the end of the week. Hmm, I wonder, should I…head out to the Shandian village to scout?,' he wondered.
Another interested customer approached and asked for some fish. He went to prepare it and sold it with a good amount of extol. Rarer breeds were hard to come across, and he technically didn't break any laws here as he wasn't skypiean or beholden to their fishing restrictions. That made for a tight but manageable gray area in legality where he could operate freely. Since he was one of the very few who came this far just to sell. An exception. If there were more vendors from other islands, there'd be stricter restriction enforcements. Thankfully, it wasn't the case.
Call him selfish, he willingly made the long journey from the far south east from here to work, risking danger along the way and finding good reward to return home with. Other folk didn't make the call to it and he'd been hardened by experience to fight vicious sea predators and had the tales to prove it. Made for good campfire stories for the young ones back in Sigtuna too.
'Speaking of danger, now that I think about it, that encounter with the Shandians might've been a one off thing. Might be biting more than I can chew going back there just for a trade with them. Definitely got lucky with their chief disbursing any brawls there. Oh well.' He noticed another customer waving him down. And some white berets by his side. A couple of people waved at the man and smiled at him.
'If I ever do meet them again, it'll be fate. For now, I won't tempt it.'
"Afternoon sir, how can I help?"
The man was older than him, perhaps a decade or so. His hair tied in a knot, he gave an almost grandfatherly smile that made you want to help him and listen to his every word. He eyed his items on display and picked up a pack of fish. Fish was really popular for these people, more so than rings or clothing articles. "Young man, this is…a pack of Chub fish, correct?"
Sahatori grinned. "It is so, sir. Would you like some? They're fairly priced and I have word they aren't common around these parts."
The man nodded. "Indeed they are not. May I ask, how did you came across these particular items? There are fishing restrictions, you know."
"Of course, but I come from afar where they are fair game. A good friend supplies me with them and I can sell them here." The man raised a brow and asked inquisitively, "And how far is this 'afar' for you?"
"Birka."
His eyes widened with a slight surprise. "Oh, ah. I see it now. Your wings match theirs exactly. Well, young man. How goes the business here?"
"Pretty well, actually. Since I'm the only one I know of that journeys here, an exception can skirt the rules. I sell many items not found around Skypiea's territory and things go smoothly. Why do you ask"
The man's eyes seemed distant for a moment, the kind which hinted at an old soul who longed for a dream to come true. "It concerns my position among the people here to be, 'in the know', for foreign relations. Shandians obviously, but I hadn't heard of at all of the Birkans ever since we diplomatically cut ties. We acknowledge each other's sovereignty but that is about all we mutually recognize."
Sahatori listened to the odd customer, more interested in inquiring about his home's news than buying fish. He didn't want to be rude but had to remind himself he had a job to do.
"Sir, apologies if I interrupt you, but you…seem very well read on these matters. How do they concern you, I might ask?"
The man answered, "Because I am Skypiea's god after all. I want to know more about my people's affairs. Now, I answered your question, may I ask your name please?"
Sahatori, still stunned by the revelation, merely replied, "God Gan Fall…"
Gan Fall chuckled. "No, I believe that is my name, young man." Sahatori blinked and coughed into his palm. "Sorry, I was just…caught off guard…" He laughed and waved him down, saying it was no worry. "Sorry, I meant to say Sahatori. I'm a local Birkan collector, selling rare finds and the like are my profession. Sahatori's the name."
"Well, it is nice to meet you Satori." Sahatori corrected him, saying the h in his name was silent, but said most folk he met got his name wrong the first time around. Gan Fall nodded and they spoke a bit more and eventually sold his pack of Chub to Skypiea's god.
"Forgive me for asking, but how is the Council of Birka and their Holy Elder. Last I checked, his name was Olof, correct?"
"Yes, Holy Elder Olof it is. As for the council…better seen and not heard."
"Oh?"
"I don't want to create any poor sentiment or spill mud on anyone's name, but yes. A particular councilman is, at least for my village, causing a bit of an uproar. Though it should be getting settled today or tomorrow. By the time I return, things should be good. Hopefully."
Gan Fall listened and thanked him for their winded conversation. Sahatori only laughed and said he'd have a story to tell once he got back.
"Well, it was nice to meet you sir. Perhaps we'll meet again someday." Gan Fall nodded and wished him a good rest of his day as he left Skypiea's marketplace. Sahatori stretched his limbs and checked for the horizon to see the time. 'About late afternoon.'
He went about his shop and checked his supplies for the leftovers of Kosin's cooking he'd left to eat later. Stomach grumbling, he closed the shop door to take a lunch break.
Enjoying his meal, he yawned and thought back to his day's events. "Heh, things went well today. Plus," he stopped as he took in the warm air. "Ahh, the warm climate here. Truly, a paradise. It'll be back to the cold once I return home. But for now," he checked through his earnings, counting them. "I can take a break. Probably open up and then close at night. I'll head out to another island tomorrow, first thing in the morning."
'Wonder how things are back in the village…'
Approaching the settlement's entrance just by the forest's edge, Councilman Unni entered Sigtuna. His servant by his side, carrying luggage as he did so too.
It was a nice view, he supposed, the sun beginning setting down, just as he arrived.
He smiled behind his scarf, coat keeping him warm from the whistling winds and with purpose, he strode through the village entrance.
'Sigtuna, here I come.'
Author's notes.
And cut. There's chapter number four, uploaded at last.
Took longer than it should have, and I acknowledge that. It's been what, three weeks? Sorry for the late update. Still adjusting to my writing schedule. It shouldn't have taken this long and at most, two weeks. But I'll continue to improve on that and on the plus side, even if only a bit, the chapter was more than what I usually try to cook up. 5k words? Yeah. I got 5,700 words packed here.
Now the plot is beginning to take off and Councilman Unni has finally arrived at Sigtuna. I'll cover that sweet treat next chapter. Hope you all enjoyed reading it.
Also, a small tidbit. In this story's Skypiea, I'm making it so that Skypiea has more than just Angel Island, Upper Yard, and Heaven's Gate. In canon, Gan Fall stated that the straw hats upon reaching the White Sea, should've known about the berry to extol exchange and also stated that they should've passed by one or two more sky islands before reaching Heaven's Gate. Probably more sky islands that Skypiea has jurisdiction over and they handle any extol conversion.
And, taking a creative liberty here, I'm including a couple more small sky islands that Skypiea is surrounded by, considering they are the dominant country there. It feels irregular that they only have one or two islands and that's it. That are controlled by their god, mind you. So they have a few more of them that are scattered about, making it more akin to a Skypiean Archipelago, but more spread out than Sabaody, down on the blue sea.
Plus, their highest commanding authority is literally called the god of their country. Of course it's explained in canon, it's merely a formal title, nothing beyond that. But you'd think they have more political dominance than just what we saw in the arc. So yeah, that's my creative liberty here.
As for ages, I'll just give a rough estimate for them here. Couldn't find a way to include them in the story so far, so here you guys go.
Entle & Khel, early 20s. (Enel is still a infant at this point)
Sahatori, 19. Kosin, 18.
Fuza & Kura, around mid 20s.
Rimbert, around his early 60s.
Councilman Unni, mid to late 20s.
Gan Fall, 29.
These are all close estimates, just so people have something to grasp onto. Take it with a grain of salt. Except for Gan Fall's, his age is technically exact. Since this fanfiction is sticking to canon as closely as possible. Any discrepancies or new information which contradicts my fanfic is fine as I'm still writing it. If we ever get more news on the canon sky island of Birka, then it's alright. I'll still continue the fic with my own writing.
As usual, here's the date placement.
Chapter 4: Uploaded on 10/3/2024
The Error Destroyer, signing out. :)
