Ash Thalos completed the island migration arrangements and immediately descended toward Jaya Island, determined to return straight to Twin Capes.
Earlier, he had considered using this opportunity to go directly to Birka and kill Enel, preventing that big‑eared menace from bringing trouble to Sky Island later. But after thinking it through, Ash chose not to.
There were two reasons.
First, even though since crossing into the Pirate World Ash had become far more efficient at converting people into energy, he still refused to eliminate someone merely because they might become a threat later. He wasn't a sage or a saint who punished every wicked person in advance. He eliminated pirates because he needed energy and because he genuinely disliked them. His kindness toward the villagers of Diwen had come only after they showed him goodwill.
Ash also didn't believe the people of Birka were as kind as the Diwen villagers — otherwise Enel wouldn't have destroyed the island so immediately after gaining power. Good deeds yield good fruit, bad deeds yield bad fruit — that was the difference between how Ash treated the Diwen villagers and how Enel treated Birka.
The second reason was simpler: Eight days had passed since he left. If his calculations were correct, the Diwen villagers should be close to reaching Reverse Mountain by now, and he needed to return swiftly to meet them.
At that moment, Ash realized another troublesome aspect of the Pirate World: unlike the easy availability of phones in his original world, high‑tech den den mushi were scarce here. Even at the specialty shop in Yuba Port where he bought a Log Pose, the owner didn't carry advanced den den mushi.
As Ash descended toward Jaya Island, just as he expected, he saw a chestnut‑haired, strong man on the opposite side of the island facing the former site of Mock Town.
Having heard the echoing ring of the golden bell, Mont Blanc Cricket, who had been staring at the sky, naturally noticed Ash coming down.
"Mont Blanc Cricket? The descendant of the Great Adventurer Noland?" Ash asked directly.
"That's right. How do you know my name, and who are you?" Cricket asked in surprise.
"No need for introductions," Ash said briskly. "I'm pressed for time and on an important mission, so I don't have time to chat."
Interrupting Cricket's barrage of questions, Ash continued, "It was I who rang the golden bell on Sky Island not long ago. The descendants of the Shandian Warrior Calgara have long looked forward to reuniting with the descendant of the Great Adventurer Noland."
"If you want to fulfill your ancestor's hope, then don't wander. Wait for me here on Jaya Island. I have business to attend to, and I will return for you. When I do, I will take you up to Sky Island."
Ash glanced toward the vast sea and added, "It should take roughly about a month by normal ship speeds."
Cricket, already satisfied just hearing the golden bell, became genuinely excited when Ash offered to take him to Sky Island. He was not yet afflicted by last‑year's diving sickness or fixated only on proving Skypiea's existence. Being strong and vigorous, Cricket eagerly wanted to see the legendary Upper Yard, meet the Shandians, and witness the Gold City.
"You can count on me. I'll wait for you here on Jaya," Cricket said without hesitation, even addressing Ash with respect despite Ash appearing young.
"That's good. See you later," Ash said, waving once before blasting off again, a trail of golden flame forming a brilliant heat wave behind him.
Ash was improving his Saiyan‑style flight more and more with each journey.
Mont Blanc watched Ash's ascending figure, a shining golden light, and unconsciously swallowed. The questions he had wanted to ask were now answered: this fiery man must be the one who destroyed Mock Town.
Mont Blanc assumed Ash had purged the reckless pirates who insulted him, not that Ash was simply converting them into energy.
If Mont Blanc knew the truth, he might not be so startled — he already had a bounty of 25 million Berries and was a famous pirate in the North Blue, having formed the Saruyama Alliance. But for now, he waited with excitement.
Meanwhile, Ash reached Twin Capes in record time, because he no longer needed to stop at every island to leave a mental imprint. Except for a short detour to Yuba Port to pre‑order two sets of den den mushi, he had flown almost directly.
When he arrived, only five days had passed since he left Jaya.
Ash had never imagined he would reunite with the Diwen villagers just over half a month later.
Though they knew Ash was vastly stronger now, the Old Village Chief fussed over him with the same care as always — treating him almost like a child — and even scolded Pini and Dicken for letting Ash exhaust himself relocating the village.
They told Ash that Pini had already been scolded once when he returned early, and then both had been scolded again when the villagers arrived without Ash.
Now that Ash had returned, both received yet another dressing down.
The two complained that the Village Chief used to care for them deeply, but now that they were twenty and nineteen, did they no longer deserve affection?
Ash laughed heartily. The warm atmosphere made him feel a sense of belonging he had never experienced before — it eased his loneliness more than he expected.
After the excitement died down, Ash realized most villagers were still living aboard the ships. Before leaving, Ash had designed four Devil Fruits for Sali, Youki, and others, but none of the four could manipulate earth or wood elements. Knowing Ash's imminent return, they had not begun constructing new houses, only reserving the stone and wooden dwellings Ash had built at the mountain's base for the Village Chief and elders.
Fortunately, Pini had brought enough Berries, and under Ash's guidance, he purchased six medium‑sized merchant ships in the Benbona Kingdom's capital city. The cabins aboard were sufficient for the entire village.
Reunited and on the brink of settling for good, the villagers were ecstatic, and a bonfire barbecue feast was inevitable.
As the Village Chief and elders held Ash's hands gratefully, Sali and the other ability users flew out to sea to hunt Sea Kings for the feast.
Whether it was overkill to send all of them? For the past few days, they had been playing rock‑paper‑scissors: the loser stayed behind, the other three competed to catch the largest prey.
Yes, they had all listened as Crocus recounted the legendary Hundred‑Year Duel of the Giant Pirate Captains. Though Sali and the others found it foolish to elevate such a duel as honor, they used it as motivation to train.
And with Ash present, what did any of them have to fear?