The guards, upon hearing Yamato's request, were momentarily taken aback. They sized her up with curious glances. "Miss, gold isn't actually our local specialty. However, if you're looking to take a little with you, it isn't impossible."
"See that gold beam outside the Shandora Ruins over there? We originally wanted to give it to some benefactors as a thank-you gift, but they wouldn't accept it. You just need to speak with our Elder. If he agrees, he'll let you take a bit," the guard explained. The reason they were so helpful was that Yamato and Haruko didn't seem like bad people. If they had looked like vicious thugs, the guards definitely wouldn't have offered any information.
"I understand. Thanks, brothers!" Yamato said, waving her hand as she turned to leave.
Watching them walk away, the guards looked at each other in confusion. "Do you think they're pirates? Usually, only pirates are that obsessed with gold, right? They just don't look the part."
"Young Master, were you taking photos of the Poneglyph back there?" Haruko asked as they made their way toward the ruins.
Yamato shook her head quickly. "Of course not. I can't read that ancient script, and I'm not interested in history. I'm just taking photos as a simple memento of the trip."
"I see. I thought you might have wanted to study them," Haruko said with a smile.
"No way! I'm not the academic type," Yamato rolled her eyes. She had never been good at studying history, so there was even less of a chance she would start now.
After walking for about half an hour, they arrived at the main entrance of the Shandora Ruins. Skypieans were standing guard here as well.
"Hey, who are you? What's your business here?" the guards asked, stepping forward. They were surprised to see two beautiful women, especially one so tall that they had to strain their necks just to look her in the eye.
"Hello! We're here to take a bit of Skypiea's specialty gold. Not a lot—just a hundred jin will be enough," Yamato stated her purpose directly.
"Specialty gold? Since when is gold our specialty?" the Skypieans muttered, looking puzzled. As far as they knew, their specialties were unique shells and local food.
"Anyway, your people told me there was gold to be had here. Don't worry, I really only want a hundred jin. I won't take a single berry more," Yamato insisted.
Understanding finally dawned on the guards. "I see. You mean the huge gold beam. It's not that we're unwilling to give it to you, but even if we did, there's no way you two could carry it away. You should probably just give up."
"Don't worry about that. We have our ways of taking what we need," Yamato said with a confident smile.
The guards whispered among themselves for a moment. "Alright then, we'll report this to the Elder. If he agrees to let you try, then it's fine by us."
One of the men jogged into the ruins and returned shortly with a group of people. Leading them was an Elder who clearly held great authority, followed by a dozen warriors.
"Are you the two young ladies looking for gold?" the Elder asked, his eyes widening slightly as he took them in.
"That's right, Elder. I'd like to take a small amount of gold. May I?" Yamato smiled. As she spoke, her golden pupils exerted a faint, natural pressure. Everyone present felt a sudden tension in the air, especially the warriors, whose bodies instinctively braced for a fight.
The Elder stared at Yamato for a long time before slowly nodding. "Very well. But we only have that massive beam. How you manage to take it is up to you."
"Don't worry, a hundred jin is all I need to be satisfied," Yamato repeated.
Led by the Elder, they approached a massive gold pillar.
"What a huge beam! Haruko, you're up," Yamato said, still impressed by the sheer size of the treasure.
Haruko nodded and drew her kodachi in one fluid motion. A flash of blade light erupted, and a large chunk of gold was sliced clean off the pillar. With a few more expert swings, she reduced the large chunk into small, manageable pieces.
The onlookers were stunned. "Incredible swordsmanship... She actually cut through solid gold like it was paper!"
Yamato produced a cloth and packed up the pieces. She hefted the bag; it felt like nearly $200$ jin, clearly more than she had originally asked for, but she wasn't complaining. "Alright, we'll take this much. Thank you for your generosity," Yamato said, tying the bag shut.
"It is no trouble. To us, gold isn't that important," the Elder replied. He was impressed that they hadn't tried to take the whole pillar.
"Then we'll be going. By the way, I suggest you hide that thing. It's best not to let other pirates know you have this much gold lying around. It's an invitation for trouble," Yamato warned with a wave of her hand. Haruko gave a polite bow before following her master back toward the shore.
"Let's follow her advice and hide the beam. We don't need unnecessary trouble," the Elder commanded.
Meanwhile, Yamato was in high spirits. "Young Master, does this mean we're ready to head to the Sabaody Archipelago?" Haruko asked, seeing Yamato's satisfied expression.
"Mhm, let's go! We'll exchange this gold for Berries once we get closer to the surface. It'll be much easier to carry around," Yamato patted her heavy bag.
Two days into their return journey, the Transponder Snail rang again.
"Hello, Maria! Missing me already?" Yamato laughed.
"You could say that. But listen, something major has happened. 'Fire Fist' Ace has been captured by the Marines. They've already published it in the papers—they plan to publicly execute him in one week," Maria said, her voice turning serious.
"Hmm?" Yamato raised an eyebrow. So it happened after all. Had her previous interference not been enough, or was Blackbeard simply too powerful? There were too many variables at play.
Haruko was visibly shaken. "Lady Maria, is this true? Isn't that a direct declaration of war against the Whitebeard Pirates? Do the Marines actually want a full-scale war?"
"It seems so. Marine forces across the New World are being mobilized and sent to Marineford. It's clear they are preparing for a massive conflict. The news broke two days ago, which means the execution—and the battle—will happen in just five days," Maria confirmed.
Haruko was speechless. A war between Marine Headquarters and a Yonko like Whitebeard was no small matter. It would change the world forever.
"Maria, is the execution taking place at Marineford?" Yamato asked.
"Correct. The Marines want the home-ground advantage to lure Whitebeard in and annihilate his crew. They have a massive appetite for destruction this time, and with their strongest forces gathered, the odds are in their favor. Whitebeard isn't as young as he used to be..." Maria trailed off, clearly doubting the pirates' chances.
"What's my idiot old man's reaction to all this?" Yamato asked.
"Lord Kaido hasn't made an official move yet, but I suspect he has something planned," Maria replied.
"I know exactly what he's thinking. He wants to launch a surprise attack on Whitebeard while he's distracted by the Marines," Yamato said without hesitation.
"Really?" both Maria and Haruko asked, stunned.
"Don't doubt it. If Whitebeard goes to Marineford, he's doomed. My idiot father would want to be the one to personally send him off. Even though they don't get along, there's a history there. He'd want to give Whitebeard a 'dignified' death in battle," Yamato explained slowly.
"You really do understand Lord Kaido well, Yamato," Maria laughed softly.
"I just inferred it from how he operates. It's not that hard to guess," Yamato huffed.
"If Lord Kaido attacks Whitebeard from behind, then Ace is definitely lost, right?" Haruko asked.
"Don't forget 'Red-Haired' Shanks, Haruko. He won't just stand by. The balance of the sea depends on Whitebeard's existence. If he falls, chaos will follow. Honestly, I don't think this war is a good idea for anyone," Yamato's expression turned uncharacteristically serious. She knew how fragile the peace of the world truly was. "And if this world is ever going to change, it needs the strength of the younger generation—both in the Marines and among the pirates."
At that moment, Yamato's Haki flared slightly, causing her golden haori to flutter.
"Young Master... are you planning to...?" Haruko's voice trailed off as she realized what Yamato was thinking.
"Hahaha! Haruko, you're sharp. You saw right through me," Yamato laughed.
"Yamato, that is an incredibly dangerous idea. Do you really have to do this?" Maria asked, having reached the same conclusion.
Yamato scratched her head. "Am I really that easy to read? How did you both guess?"
"Think about how long we've known you. You let Ace go last time for a reason, didn't you?" Maria's voice was gentle but knowing.
"Guilty as charged," Yamato admitted. She had tried to tell herself to stay out of it, to let fate take its course, but she couldn't just sit back and watch the world burn. If she wanted things to get better, she had to act.
"You haven't changed a bit. If your mind is made up, then go for it. You have my support," Maria said.
"Thanks, Maria. I will," Yamato smiled.
After ending the call, Yamato noticed Haruko staring at her intently. "What's up, Haruko? Why the look?"
Haruko sighed. "So, you've really decided?"
"Yep! Besides, don't you think influencing the outcome of a massive war is exciting? It could change the far future! Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!" Yamato grinned mischievously.
Haruko's expression softened. "Then we'll do whatever you wish, Young Master."
"Hehe! I hope the Marines' eyes pop out of their sockets when they see me coming!"
Three days later, they arrived at the Sky Island closest to the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Sabaody is in that direction, very close," Haruko said, pointing toward the sea below.
"Finally! We still have two days before the big show. Let's go have some fun at the amusement park first!" Yamato said excitedly. Despite her age and power, she still had a playful heart.
"We'll leave the boat here and get it later. As for the gold, we'll just take a few pieces to spend for now and exchange the rest later," Yamato said, pocketing some gold. She then transformed into her pink dragon form. Haruko leaped onto her back, and they soared toward the archipelago.
Minutes later, the giant mangrove trees and colorful bubbles of Sabaody came into view.
"It's beautiful!" Yamato exclaimed.
"Those must be the Yarukiman Mangroves. The resin they secrete creates those bubbles. It's quite a sight," Haruko remarked.
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