At that moment, not only Tesoro but also Stella, Erza, Emile, Robin, and Nojiko looked at Lin Yuan excitedly.
Fresh reports came in every day about the various powerhouses fighting for the position of emperor in the New World. Aside from Edward Newgate, who had ascended to the position through his overwhelming strength, the others were still fighting for the New World.
The strongest contenders were the Big Mom Pirates led by Charlotte Linlin and Kaido's Beasts Pirates. As for Red-Haired Shanks, it would be another few years before he claimed a position among the Four Emperors.
Lin Yuan, who knew the story well, had no intention of competing for a position among the Four Emperors. It wasn't that he didn't want to. With his personal strength, he really could fear nothing in the New World.
But looking at the people before him, Lin Yuan sighed. Even with him there, he still had no powerful subordinates to support him.
If he were held up, Tesoro and the others, with their current strength, would be as good as finished.
"I understand what you mean, but let me be frank with you. These so-called emperors are just a means for the World Government to control the balance of power in the New World."
"Besides, with our strength, even if we seized some territory, it couldn't be very large. Unless I went on a killing spree, you'd be in too much danger right now."
Tesoro looked a little ashamed when he heard that. It was true that he and the others were still too weak. Apart from Lin Yuan, it would be far too difficult for him to survive in the New World.
The others lowered their heads as well, their earlier excitement vanishing.
Lin Yuan tapped his fingers on the stool, then thought of something and spoke to them.
"Tesoro, I'm going away for a while, a month at most. Don't go out while I'm gone. Protect the village."
"Brother Lin Yuan, are you going away again?"
Thirteen-year-old Robin was reluctant to see him leave. In the three years since Lin Yuan had caused an uproar on the Red Line, he had never gone away again.
Aside from training himself, he spent more of his time teaching them. Compared with her scheming and tragic experiences in the original story, Robin's personality had also changed somewhat. Despite her young age, she already had the intellectual air of a scholar.
"Mm. I'm going out to take a look. There's a place I need to visit."
Lin Yuan didn't say where he was going, and Tesoro and the others didn't ask. With Lin Yuan's strength, there weren't many people left who could defeat him. What they needed to think about now was improving their own strength as much as possible.
Lin Yuan also called Genzo and Bellemere over. After giving them a few instructions, he stepped onto his Flame Clouds and left.
This time, he planned to go to Sky Island. As he recalled, there was still plenty of gold up there, as well as a Devil Fruit.
By Lin Yuan's reckoning, Enel had yet to eat the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Thinking of the fellow who only wanted to become a god and yearned for the Endless Vearth, Lin Yuan didn't mind taking him on as a subordinate and training him.
Lin Yuan headed straight for the Grand Line. Though he had a poor sense of direction, he could still tell which way to go in general.
After flying for several days, he finally reached Jaya Island. Looking at the island, of which only half remained, Lin Yuan smiled.
Lin Yuan looked up into the sky and murmured to himself.
"Looks like Sky Island is right up there."
He didn't try to sense what was happening on Jaya Island. Instead, he controlled his Flame Clouds and flew steadily higher.
Being able to fly was convenient. There was no need to wait for a Knock Up Stream at all.
As Lin Yuan continued to ascend, the air grew thinner and the temperature slowly dropped, but he barely felt it.
With Lin Yuan's physique, this was all child's play. At last, he spotted a layer of clouds overhead, which he figured was the so-called White Sea. He also saw a river not far away.
Lin Yuan controlled his Flame Clouds and flew straight over. As for the old woman collecting tolls at the entrance to the river, he paid her no attention.
Before long, he reached God's Land, which was mainly made up of Angel Island and Upper Yard.
Lin Yuan put away his Flame Clouds and strolled across the clouds. He had to admit, the Island Clouds beneath his feet were springy, and walking on them was fun.
Lin Yuan's appearance also put the Sky Island guards on alert. As soon as he appeared, a squad rushed over.
They held weapons made from various attack dials.
"I'd advise you to put your weapons away. I don't much like having weapons pointed at me."
Although Lin Yuan didn't want to cause trouble, he still felt a little uncomfortable with a group of people aiming weapons at him.
"Are you a Blue Sea person? What are you doing here? We don't really welcome your kind!"
A man who appeared to be the captain spoke up.
Lin Yuan frowned, feeling a little impatient.
"I want to ask how to get to Birka, or have Gan Fall come out and see me."
"How dare you address god by name!"
As soon as Lin Yuan said Gan Fall's name, the guards began shouting at him.
That made Lin Yuan, who was already somewhat impatient, laugh.
"Oh, so I can't even say Gan Fall's name? God? What an imposing figure!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying aura erupted from Lin Yuan. The guards surrounding him rolled their eyes and dropped unconscious.
Lin Yuan didn't withdraw his aura. Instead, he shattered the Sea Clouds with a stomp and shouted toward the distant palace.
"God of Sky Island! Come out and see me!"
Gan Fall and his ministers, who had been enjoying fine wine in the palace, all changed expression.
Ever since Pirate King Roger had come to Sky Island with his pirate crew many years ago, no Blue Sea person had set foot here again.
Gan Fall hadn't expected someone to dare call out to him directly this time. He immediately stood up, his expression grave.
Although the Roger Pirates had been very polite, their strength was terrifying, so Gan Fall hadn't shown any displeasure.
But from the voice he had just heard, the other party was clearly here to pick a fight. There was even a hint of authority in his tone that brooked no refusal.
"Come with me. Let's see who dares cause trouble in Upper Yard!"
Gan Fall's face was ashen. Since becoming the god of God's Land, no one had ever dared challenge his authority.
He called for his mount and, spear in hand, led a group of ministers out of the palace.
The commotion Lin Yuan had caused also drew a fresh group of guards. But when the Sky Island guards saw their comrades lying unconscious on the ground, they didn't attack.
Instead, they watched Lin Yuan from a distance, waiting for their god to arrive.
As for the residents, they had long since shut their doors and windows to avoid being caught up in it.
Before long, Gan Fall arrived before Lin Yuan with his men. Looking at the tall figure in front of him, who nevertheless looked somewhat youthful, he wondered to himself.
This Blue Sea person is clearly just a boy, yet he dares challenge my authority as god like this. It seems I must deal with him.
As for Lin Yuan's strength, Gan Fall had no way of discerning it with his abilities. But looking at Lin Yuan, he didn't pay it much mind.
Lin Yuan's Observation Haki seemed to sense Gan Fall's attitude, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"So you're the god of this land!"