Since they were already ten thousand meters above the sea, perched atop the clouds, the night sky of Skypiea was devoid of any clouds.
The cool, dappled night sky was adorned with a scattering of stars. A bright, full moon hung high, casting a faint, ethereal glow. Though its light was hazy and far from dazzling, it was impossible to ignore.
The Sorcerer had not gone far. He walked to the shore of the small lake where the Going Merry was anchored and came to a halt. He gazed at the shimmering lake water, watching the soft, transparent reflection of the moon dancing on the surface. Gradually, his eyes lost their focus.
When the moon is a crescent, longing is curved; when the moon is full, longing is round. But whether the moon is a crescent or full, longing is always a poem written in pure white light.
As for his sister, Lisanna, it was absolutely impossible to say that Sherlock had never thought of seeing her again. In fact, the Sorcerer thought of going to the Holy Land Mary Geoise every single moment—just to see his sister, who was three years older than him and whom he hadn't seen in seventeen years.
However, he didn't dare go. He didn't even dare inquire about her recent situation.
Sherlock knew exactly why Lisanna's true identity had been recognized by the Sarsalian family. To put it nicely, his sister had returned to her roots; to put it bluntly, Lisanna had been dragged back by that silver-hair-obsessed family for "breeding" purposes!
Furthermore, having been a businessman for all these years, Sherlock knew exactly what kind of people the World Nobles were. He was terrified that his sister, under the influence of those scumbags, would become just like any other ordinary Celestial Dragon.
On one hand, he desperately wanted to see her; on the other, he was terrified of seeing her become the very thing he loathed. Deep down, Sherlock was trapped in a state of extreme conflict, and in the end, he always chose to escape.
However, because of that offhand comment from Blackbeard, the Sorcerer had analyzed many details he had previously overlooked. At the same time, the emotions he had suppressed for nearly seventeen years had been completely detonated!
(I actually took so much Insomna all at once... I didn't think that just mentioning Lisanna would make me so irrational.)
Touching his hair, which looked as though it had been given highlights, Sherlock sighed softly. The side effects of the Insomna left his consciousness groggy, yet he didn't feel the slightest bit of sleepiness. It was a truly grueling sensation.
(I suddenly understand why Anna did what she did back then. After all, people are capable of anything when they are being completely irrational. If even I'm like this, what about a woman like her?)
Thinking of this, Sherlock shook his head with a self-deprecating smirk. "I suppose I should thank that Blackbeard guy. If he hadn't made me realize how weak I am right now, I'd probably already be on my way to find Lisanna..."
(Whitebeard, the New World, drinking? With a Yonko?... This means Lisanna is likely in the New World right now, and she's doing quite well for herself.)
(If she left the Holy Land, those Celestial Dragons with their pathological obsession with bloodline purity would have no reason to let someone with her high-quality lineage roam free. The reason she hasn't contacted me all these years is likely to avoid involving me...)
Sherlock's expression dimmed. A cool night breeze blew past, stirring his black-and-white hair.
"Intelligence! I need more intelligence regarding the New World!"
Since Sherlock had mostly stayed in the East Blue, while he had heard rumors regarding top-secret information within the World Government, he didn't have much understanding of the Grand Line, let alone the "New World" in the second half.
"And before heading to the New World, I have to become stronger."
For some reason, Sherlock felt that his sister, who had such a bubbly personality as a child, had now grown to a height he could hardly reach. To be of any help, the Sorcerer needed more power!
(My strength mainly comes from the abilities of the Mirror-Mirror Fruit. Simultaneously, because of the existence of Mirror Entities and Mirror Fusion, obtaining powerful weapons is the fastest way for me to increase my combat power...)
Thinking of the information regarding the Blood-Soaked Moon appearing nearby, Sherlock's mind began to race.
He had a hunch. If that "Cursed Holy Sword" was truly as powerful as the records suggested, his strength would take a massive leap forward!
(As for developing my Devil Fruit abilities, I'll take it slow. That can't be rushed.)
Just then—
Splash! Water sprayed everywhere.
A ferocious-looking Sky Shark suddenly leaped out of the water. After performing a flip in mid-air, it crashed back into the lake, creating a massive splash and sending ripples outward.
At the same time, the reflection of the full moon in the lake fluctuated violently. However, within moments, it gradually returned to calm, reflecting the bright moon in the sky once more. It was exceptionally beautiful.
Flowers in a mirror, the moon in the water—everything is an illusion.
No matter how turbulent the lake became, once it calmed down, the moon in the water remained the same as the moon in the sky—equally hazy, equally pure.
"Mirror Flower, Water Moon..."
Seeing this scene, a bolt of lightning seemed to flash through Sherlock's mind. He felt a faint sense of realization, though he couldn't quite put it into words.
This mysterious, ethereal feeling was so wonderful that he fell back into deep thought, subconsciously activating his Devil Fruit ability.
A moment later.
Tap, tap, tap... A series of light footsteps approached from a distance.
"Sherlock? So this is where you were." Looking at the Sorcerer standing dazed by the lake, Nami couldn't help but reveal a sweet smile.
"Alright, alright, stop acting like a pouting child. Robin was right; sometimes you really are like a temperamental kid."
Seeing that Sherlock didn't respond, she assumed he was still sulking. She strode forward to close the distance and reached out to grab his arm.
"Let's go. The bonfire party is just missing you. Eh?"
Something that shocked Nami occurred: her fair hand passed straight through Sherlock's body without any resistance!
(An illusion?)
The navigator was momentarily stunned. She reached out again, this time patting Sherlock on the shoulder.
Slap. This time, Nami touched Sherlock's physical body.
"Nami?" The Sorcerer blinked as he snapped out of it. "Is something wrong?"
A massive bonfire was burning fiercely, the soaring flames seemingly lighting up the very night sky.
Circling the bonfire, Luffy, Chopper, Usopp, Sanji, and a pack of Cloud Wolves that had appeared out of nowhere were dancing to the beat of a drum.
Firelight and shadows intertwined; laughter and wolf howls echoed continuously. Judging by their excited expressions, they were clearly having the time of their lives.
This was the scene Sherlock saw after being dragged back by Nami.
"Don't these idiots realize they might attract the Priests? And what's with those wolves?"
Watching his companions "dancing with wolves," Sherlock's lip twitched. He then looked toward a certain black-bellied woman sitting nearby, watching the spectacle.
Nico Robin didn't say a word. She simply pointed at a certain rubber idiot who was dancing the hardest and gave a "you know how it is" expression.
"I should have known..." Sherlock's face darkened with frustration.
"Yo! Sherlock!"
Noticing the returning Sorcerer, Luffy immediately flashed a wide grin, seemingly having completely forgotten that Sherlock had lost his temper with him earlier.
He waved his hand and shouted loudly, "Come dance with us!"
"Huh?" Sherlock was taken aback. "Why?"
"Shishishi..."
The dim-witted captain gave a lighthearted, carefree smile. "Because as long as we have a banquet and dance together, all your troubles will be forgotten!"
Even though he was an idiot, Luffy wanted to use his own way to make his companion feel better.
"That's right! Hurry up, Sherlock!" Usopp chimed in, beating a waist drum.
"Yeah, yeah! Today is our Golden Eve Festival!" The little reindeer was dancing excitedly. "Tomorrow, we're going to get the gold!"
"Didn't you say you received an elite noble education since you were a kid?" Sanji laughed, waving two spatulas. "So, you should be a pretty good dancer, Sherlock."
"I can dance, but not in this kind of—"
Before Sherlock could finish, a suddenly elongated arm snatched his limb and pulled him over without ceremony.
"Quit complaining! Sherlock, let's dance together!"
Then, without even looking at the bewildered Sorcerer, the idiot captain roared toward the sky, "The treasure is all ours!"
"OH!!!! Treasure! Gold!" The other idiots roared back in response.
"Awoooo~!" A pack of clueless Cloud Wolves joined in the cheering.
"..." Sherlock turned his head with a strange expression, looking toward Robin and the others.
"Do your best~" Zoro said with a mischievous grin, raising a bottle of sake in a mock toast.
"Hehe." Robin rested her chin on her hand, her face flushed red by the firelight, smiling like a blooming flower.
"Heehee~" Nami playfully stuck her tongue out at Sherlock.
(Are these guys just trying to see me make a fool of myself?)
Looking at his friends' expressions, Sherlock shook his head with a bitter laugh. But for some reason, the Sorcerer felt a warmth spreading through his heart.
Maybe it was because the bonfire was burning so brightly, or maybe it was for some other reason—who knew?
(This is truly stupid...)
(But if that's the case, then let's all go down together!)
Sighing, Sherlock realized he couldn't escape his fate and revealed a "kind" smile from the bottom of his heart. "Dancing? Sure, let's all do it together."
Suddenly, the Sorcerer's tone shifted. "But if we're dancing together, what's the deal with those three sitting over there?"
"..."
The expressions of the three people who had intended to watch Sherlock's embarrassment suddenly froze.
"Great! Then let's all dance together! Zoro! Nami! Robin! You guys come too! Shishishi, the more the merrier!"
With that, the idiot captain's arms stretched out once more...
"What an interesting group of Blue Sea people..."
Gan Fall, who had woken up at some point, watched the Straw Hat crew "dancing like demons" around the bonfire and muttered to himself.
"Pierre~" His mount nodded its bird head in agreement.
Tonight was destined to be a truly joyous night.
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