Chapter 84

The air was thick with tension as Luffy's declaration hung heavily in the very sky, even though the recruits, except for the Strawhats, have moved on, to either start a bonfire or gather food or huddle together to discuss the absurdity of the situation in which they found themselves trapped in.

For the Strawhat crew, time felt as it had paused, allowing them to gather their broken bits to process what Luffy had just said.

"L-Luffy..!" Nami was the first to break the silence, her voice sharp and frantic. "Stop making things up!" She demanded but she knew that Luffy was the worst liar in the world. "You're just a kid! You can't be.." Her words faltered as her eyes darted around as if searching for some shred of reassurance. "A god..?" She shook her head, trying to dismiss the notion but deep down a knot of fear twisted in her guts. The sun had set and the air around them—near Luffy—was too warm but in a good way. She could feel the heat practically radiating off Luffy, his golden glow lighting up the night like a bonfire. "Is this even for real..?" Confusion was slowly but surely replacing her fear.

Luffy, unfazed by her outburst and swirling emotions, simply grinned back at her. "Yeah, it's real! But Nami just doesn't get it! No one's supposed to get it!" He shrugged, his voice carrying a strange, carefree warmth, though beneath it there was a flicker of emotions—hard and unrecognizable. His red and blue eyes gleamed brighter as the glow around him flared, the heat from his body keeping them all comfortably warm in the chilly night.

"Luffy.." Robin called out, standing a few steps away, as her arms hugged herself in reassurance. Her face was unreadable but her eyes betrayed the shock in them. She couldn't believe that the child before her is a god of all things. 'The Sun and Sky god..' Her mind provided as Saul's words to keep believing echoed in her mind. "Did you hear my prayers.. Nika..?" She asked, her voice steady but laced with emotions. "Is that why you saved me? Why you've treated me so differently even when I was your enemy?"

Luffy blinked at her, surprised by the question. "Prayers?" He repeated, his grin faltering just slightly, reminding him of his handful of devotees whom he hadn't been able to answer. "I didn't hear any.." He muttered in a low voice. "I just do what I feel like doing." His voice shifted to that usual carefree tone as he gave a reassuring smile to Robin. "But.. ever since I saw Robin's bounty, I wanted Robin in my crew!"

Usopp, who was standing a bit farther from the group, could only stare at Luffy with wide eyes and slack jaws. His mind was trying to make sense of everything—his captain, his kid-like, food-obsessed, naive, childish captain, his friend, is actually a god?! The strangeness, the uniqueness of his captain was finally making sense as realization was settling in.

"T-This is crazy!" Usopp's voice cracked as instances of Luffy's relation to divinity flashed in his mind—the horrifying incident in his village, the strange, soft, otherworldly glow emanating from Luffy every night without a fail, his ability to swim in waters, his control on the weather, his authority among the sea kings, his being stuck at his 20's when everyone aged due to Bonney's fruit powers.. There were so many signs before him, which he blatantly refused to acknowledge but among them was one which could topple all the reasons. Luffy had fallen sick. He had been treated by Chopper!

"You—you can't be serious, right? Luffy, a god?" Usopp questioned, his eyes darting to the otherworldly form of Luffy–no, Nika. "What if you lose control again?" He panicked, his mind flashing back to where it all started, the memory of Luffy transforming to something terrifying and capable of destruction. "Didn't you say that you lost t-this power?"

Luffy took in a deep breath, as he felt the light of the moon shine over him. "Being closer to the sky and sun did this." Luffy answered, once again trying to remove all otherworldly traces from himself but it seemed impossible even with the night reaching its peak. It was like his powers didn't want to leave him after centuries of separation... But did he too not want to be separated from it?

Meanwhile, Sanji had already disappeared into the kitchen by the time the air began to slightly settle with the Shandorians and Skypieans starting to make their dinner, though his thoughts remained a whirlwind. His body and soul itched for a cigarette yet he didn't light it, even if the nicotine was required for the absurd information that was dumped on them. Time seemed to pass by so quickly yet it was so devastatingly slow.

'Cyra, the Red Maniac, then, the god of sun and sky!' His mind provided, repeating the sentence over and over as if trying to make any sense of it or trying to pick it apart to find the lie and truth hidden in it.

But like everyone gathered on the deck of the Merry, Sanji also knew that their captain can't lie to even save his skin. Honestly, he wasn't sure what to make of Luffy's claims yet. He needed to think. He needed a break. Though his traitorous mind refused to provide him one as it flashed the incident of Baratie where he had felt Luffy looking through him, like he had already seen every part of him—the past and the present, his wishes and dreams, his lies and truth. Luffy's words, actions and that strange pull he'd felt when his captain offered him a place on the crew. It all made too much sense now.

Sanji exhaled deeply, trying to steady himself and stop the slight tremble in his hands to light a cigarette finally to soothe his frayed nerves. Smoke swirled around him but his mind was too preoccupied to even take a swig or find solace in it. He wasn't just following someone overly powerful, or in the ranks of the legendary 3C's but a god. But how was he supposed to feel about that? Did it change anything?

Sanji ran a hand through his hair, groaning softly. Luffy never acted like a god; he wasn't distant, untouchable or cruel. Instead, he's clingy, carefree, impulsive and endlessly kind though with several of his screws loose.

But he was just.. Luffy.

Sanji smirked bitterly to himself, gazing at the bonfire where Luffy was dancing happily with Aisa, Chopper and a.. pack of wolves. The little girl was laughing as Luffy twirled her around, his grin wide and carefree. Chopper was clapping along to the funny drumming sound which was emerging from.. an unknown source (though he is sure the sound is coming from none other than Luffy) while the wolves were howling in time to the beat too.

A snort left Sanji's mouth at the sight, leaving a smile on his thoughtful face. 'Guess it doesn't matter. He's still the guy I swore to follow.. to the ends of the Earth.'

But there was also no sign of tension, no trace of the gravity of Luffy's earlier declaration or the challenge awaiting them. Luffy radiated a warm, golden glow that lit up the night around them and prodded the onlookers to join, which some Shandorians and civilians were already doing, losing themselves in his infectious joy.

'Does that idiot even realize how much weight he carries?' Sanji wondered, his heart feeling strangely heavy.

The meal was ready and he soon started handing out dinner to everyone. He noticed Nami and Usopp hurdled far away in the corner, their faces slightly pale and distant, while Robin and Zoro stared at Luffy, with the former having questions clear as day. The former three even took their plates without a word but as he turned to hand Zoro his plate, he caught the swordsman staring at Luffy intently. There was no doubt or confusion on his face. Following Zoro's line of sight, Sanji's breath hitched. The faint glow he had seen in the mornings on Luffy's back, was glowing softly in the flickering firelight.

Sanji didn't even have to squint to realize that it was that tattoo which he had seen when he had handed Luffy his coat and seen its fleeting view. Right now, though, it was shimmering with red and gold, its shape now discernible—a sun and moon entwined, their edges swirling together like an eternal dance.

"Zoro." Sanji began, his voice quiet as the realization struck him and he took a seat beside the mosshead. "You knew, didn't you?"

Zoro didn't look at Sanji immediately, his gaze still fixed on Luffy with an unreadable expression. "Yeah," He said finally, his voice low. "I found out after he fell sick."

Sanji's eyes widened, remembering the distant yet curious look on Zoro's face during their way to Alabasta.

While Nami turned to Zoro, disbelief painted across her face. "You knew about this? And you didn't say anything?!" She was on the verge of shouting, her hands thrown up in frustration. "You're just going to let him walk around saying he's a god and you say nothing?" Nami still wanted to believe that someone had played a prank on Luffy, saying that he's a god but she knew, her mind and heart knew, that it was nothing but a lie to assure herself. "..Even if he truly is a god.. We had a right to know, Zoro!" Nami spoke, her tone sharp.

"A right?" Zoro shot back, his voice rising slightly in disbelief. "And what would you have done with that? Ask him a hundred questions he doesn't have the answers to? Freak out like you're doing now with Usopp?!" His gaze swept over Nami and Usopp, who flinched under his scrutiny. Honestly, Chopper, Robin and Sanji were handling way better than the others but he can blame it on one's naivety, other's inquisitiveness and the last one's cigarette.

"Moreover, he wasn't ready to tell us!" Zoro spoke, his tone almost of dismission but there was a hint of something deeper in his voice, like hurt. He had known about Luffy more than he let on, and had lived with the burden of Luffy disappearing someday. Though the latter wasn't known to anyone except him, it had crushed his heart. The only assurance he had was that Luffy was going to fight for his place on Earth. But with whom? Which god? How many even exist? And.. what if Luffy lost?

"But weren't you," He pointed his finger toward Nami, "Sanji and Usopp the most curious about knowing what the deal with Luffy was?!" He questioned, his eyes narrowed. He had heard Nami and Usopp speculating about Luffy's weirdness more than once even if they pretended to be not interested in knowing. He had heard Sanji directly questioning every absurd thing Luffy does. "And when you guys get the truth—look at yourself! Scared, confused, questioning everything. You think that's what he needed? Wanted?" He spoke, gazing deep into everyone's eyes to make his point clear. "Hell, he probably thought you'd reject him. Shun him. Be afraid of him."

The crew was stunned to silence, each brooding in their own thoughts about the still naive, playful, and cheerful Luffy, their captain whom they have swore to follow, playing and dancing, not even bothering them after the revelation he dropped.

Zoro stood up, taking a bottle of sake and walking towards Luffy, to join him, to assure him that even if the idiots he chose were confused, he was still by his side and will always be. But before he left, his eyes flickered from Nami, Usopp, and Robin. "I don't want Luffy to be Nika.." He spoke, his voice low and hiding the hurt in his voice. "I don't want him to be a god either."

'Because there's a chance he might lose and be forced to leave. And I'm not ready for that. None of us are.' His eyes softened slightly as he glanced at Luffy, now laughing as he fell onto the grass with Aisa landing on top of him and a wolf licking his face playfully. "But even if I don't want it, it doesn't change anything. He's still Luffy. He's still our idiot, impulsive, selfish and selfless captain. And that's all that matters."

Sanji exhaled a long breath, running a hand through his hair before pulling out a cigarette. He lit it with a flick of his lighter, the flame dancing briefly before he took a slow drag. "Tch. You think I'm scared?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "I don't give a damn if Luffy's a god, a devil, or the king of the freaking universe. If anything, it just means he's even more of an amazing idiot than I thought."

He took another puff, his sharp blue eyes flicking toward Luffy, who was now a laughing mess on the ground. "Hell, it's a damn blessing. Look at him—he's still the same idiot who steals food, makes us chase after him, and grins like the world ain't crumbling around him." His lips curled into a smirk. "So what if he's Nika? He's still our captain. That's all that matters."

Sanji's expression darkened slightly as he turned his gaze to Zoro. "But what pisses me off," He muttered, voice dropping with irritation, "is that mosshead over there knew before me." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You trusted him with this, but not me?" He clicked his tongue. "Damn it, Luffy. I thought we were closer than that."

Zoro, who had just taken a swig of sake, snorted at Sanji's irritation. "What, you jealous, love-cook?" He shot Sanji a lazy smirk. "Maybe if you spent less time flirting and more time paying attention, you'd have figured it out yourself." He took another swig, tilting his head back. "Besides, it ain't my fault Luffy told me first. Maybe he just thought I'd handle it better."

Sanji twitched. "Handle it better? You?" He scoffed, taking a sharp drag of his cigarette. "Like hell. You probably just stood there and grunted like the emotionally constipated idiot you are. Or hell, maybe even fled!"

"Better than throwing a fit because I got to know first," Zoro shot back, rolling his eyes.

Before Sanji could snap a retort, a small excited voice cut through their bickering.

"Ahhh! That's why!!"

Both of them turned to see Chopper bouncing on his hooves, eyes sparkling with realization.

"I always felt this immense respect for Luffy! Like, not just because he's our captain, but something deeper—like my soul already knew him! It makes sense now!!" Chopper exclaimed, ears twitching with excitement. "I felt it the moment I met him—like I was always meant to follow him! Because—because he's—"

"Oi, oi, don't say weird stuff, Chopper," Luffy suddenly interrupted, still sprawled out on the grass with Aisa and the wolves. His voice was light, but his gaze flickered toward Chopper with something softer, unreadable. "You don't need some big reason to follow me, y'know?"

Chopper blinked, momentarily thrown off. "But... It's not weird! It's true!"

Luffy grinned, reaching over to flick Chopper's hat playfully. "You follow me 'cause you want to, right? That's all that matters."

Chopper's ears twitched, and he suddenly looked a little sheepish. "Well... yeah."

"Then that's it!" Luffy stretched his arms behind his head and flopped back onto the grass. "No need to think about it so hard, Chopper."

Zoro smirked, taking another swig of sake. "See, curly-brow? Not everything's about you."

Sanji clicked his tongue, blowing out a slow stream of smoke. "Tch. Whatever." But despite his grumbling, there was the tiniest upturn of his lips.

While Nami's mind raced with memories of her adventures along with Luffy, the countless times Luffy had risked his life for them, for her. She clenched her fists, battling the turmoil within her heart. Didn't she consider Luffy as her younger brother? Didn't she swear to follow Luffy? Didn't Luffy free her from her chains? But what did she do? What could she do? '..Accept him the way he is..' Nami's mind provided and she knew that this was what she needed to do. This was what her mind and heart needed to understand. Moreover, wasn't Luffy hypnotised to be the incarnate of destruction back in syrup village? So, there isn't a chance that Luffy would repeat it all over again, right..?

Robin had delved into the darkest corners of history, chased the truth behind the void century, and read tales about the gods who descended and blessed mankind; she had heard secrets that would break lesser minds. Yet, Luffy's secret was one she welcomed.

But in that soft interplay of shadow and light, Robin not only saw the remnants of ancient legends unfolding but also the vulnerability of a child unburdened by doubt and sparked by curiosity. Her smile was quiet yet reflective—a silent acknowledgment that fate, in its endless mystery, had placed both beauty and sorrow in the same luminous hand.

The deck creaked as Luffy bounced over with Chopper in tow, his stomach grumbling, demanding to be fed but instead of asking for food from Sanji, Luffy's carefree grin faltered slightly as he saw and sensed Nami's and Usopp's inner turmoil.

"Why are you guys so quiet?" Chopper questioned, his innocent eyes gazing in the confused ones of the crew. "You didn't even join us in the bonfire party, Usopp!"

Meanwhile, Luffy glanced towards Zoro for support. He could sense the way Zoro was already looking intently towards everyone.. Perhaps, this truly wasn't the right time for him to reveal who he was? "I know things are confusing right now." Luffy started, his voice wavering and uncharacteristically vulnerable. "I didn't mean to hide anything from you guys.."

The crew stayed silent, letting Luffy complete his words.

"..But if I said anything back in the blue sea about this.. Chances were someone would know." Luffy uttered, his guts screaming that if he did tell his crew then something bad was prone to happen. Or someone would know. "And they would target you all." 'Like it happened many eons ago.'

Sanji's eyes narrowed, the glow of his cigarette casting shadows across his face. "You hid this to protect us?" Sanji asked, his voice tinged with hurt. "We may be humans—mortals—but we aren't weak Luffy!" He gritted the cigarette between his teeth. "We can fight. For you. For our captain, dumbass!"

Luffy's gaze dropped, the weight of Sanji's words pressing upon him. "I... I didn't mean to imply Sanji or anyone here is weak," Luffy murmured, knowing that his friends had strengths which rivalled the best in their own way. Moreover, he was there to help them shape their abilities, their Hakis. "It's just... I don't have all my memories. They come in small bouts, fragments of a past I don't fully understand. It's confusing and.. scary." Luffy murmured the last part, his voice barely above a whisper, heard only by the wind, Zoro and Sanji. "I was scared that if I told you half-truths, it would scare you guys too—or worse, put you in danger."

Usopp flinched at Luffy's words, his own fear gnawing at him. His fingers curled into the fabric of his pants, his mind refusing to move away from the incident in syrup village. But Luffy had never hurt them. Despite the chaos, despite the god-like power, despite the storm of destruction he had nearly unleashed, Luffy had fought for them, not against them. And when Usopp had been too weak to stand, too afraid to move, Luffy had reached out to him with the same carefree grin, the same warmth that had made him want to set sail in the first place.

He had been afraid of Luffy after the revelation but hadn't he been afraid before too? Hadn't he feared the sea, the Grand Line, the foes they faced? Hadn't he fought past that fear because Luffy believed in him?

Usopp let out a shaky breath, tears stinging his eyes. "Luffy's a god..." He started, his voice weak yet steady. "But he's still the same reckless, passionate Luffy who'd risk everything for his friends, for us." He wiped at his face furiously. "He's our captain." It felt like he was saying this more to himself than the others to reassure his heart. "But if you believe in us, Luffy," Usopp finally glanced at Luffy, wiping his tears and snot. "Then.. then we can believe in you too, right?"

Nami, however, wasn't as quick to let go of her emotions. Her nails dug into her arms, her body rigid with anger she didn't fully understand. "You idiot," she snapped, her voice shaking. "Do you have any idea what it felt like to be afraid of you?"

Luffy's breath hitched, eyes wide.

"I've lost people before, Luffy.Too many times. Not because they died but because they weren't what they showed to be." Nami's voice cracked as she met his gaze, eyes burning with emotion. "And whenever I see you this way," Nami pointed to the divine form of Luffy. "I feel like I am going to lose you too. Not because you were in danger—but because you weren't Luffy anymore."

Luffy took a hesitant step forward. "Nami, I—"

"Shut up." She wiped her eyes roughly, inhaling deeply before sighing. "I hate that you hid this from us. I hate that you felt like you had to." Her expression softened just a fraction. "But I'm still here, aren't I?"

Luffy's lips parted in surprise before his face split into a small, hesitant grin. "Yeah. You are."

Robin, who had been silent through it all, finally let out a chuckle. "A storm may shake a ship," she mused, "but it doesn't always sink it."

A beat of silence passed—then Luffy threw his arms out dramatically. "Well, if you guys are done being all sappy," he whined, "come and enjoy the night! Let's drink, let's eat! Let's have fun!"

Sanji scoffed. "You just want free food."

Usopp groaned, slumping forward. "Yeah, yeah, but who am I gonna fight?! I just know I'm getting stuck with some scary monster again!"

Nami crossed her arms. "Luffy, I'm charging you interest for every time you put me in danger like this."

Sanji twirled his cigarette between his fingers. "I'll fight for Nami-san and Robin-chwan~!"

Despite their words, there was laughter, there was warmth. There was still a lingering unease, questions left unanswered—but they had time to figure it out. For now, they were the Strawhat Pirates, together as always.

And as Luffy grinned, the light of the sun and the boundless freedom of the sky reflected in his eyes, the crew knew one thing for certain. They would follow their captain, no matter where he led.

. 

The sun had barely risen over Skypiea, casting a golden glow over the sea of clouds, a soft warmth chasing away the remnants of the night. The world was still waking up, the echoes of last night's celebrations lingering in the air. Most of the warriors, whether they had been dancing around the bonfire or brooding over the upcoming battle, were still lost in slumber. The world remained still.

But on the deck of the Going Merry, the rhythmic sound of metal shifting against muscle broke the silence.

Zoro was doing push ups, his body moving in perfect rhythm, as his arms flexed with each repetition and sweat glistened against his skin. Normally, this was his personal morning ritual—just him, the open sky, the faint clatter of Sanji cooking in the galley, and the softest of snores from his ever-lazy captain, sprawled somewhere ridiculous on the ship. But today, there was an added weight pressing down on his back, light and warm, yet unmistakably there.

A weight that swung its legs gleefully with each of Zoro's reps.

It was Luffy, the young god, who sat cross-legged on Zoro's training weights, grinning ear to ear, riding the motion up and down like it was the most entertaining thing in the world.

"328.. 329.." Zoro counted, his voice steady despite the extra load of Luffy, which was usually almost nothing.

Luffy swung his legs idly, humming a tune that had no real melody and no known origin. It was just a sound that belonged to the wind, something ancient and untold. His red eyes were shimmering with mischief as he watched Zoro's muscles strain ever so slightly. He may or may not have been increasing his own weight little by little, using the air itself to make his presence heavier.

Zoro felt the shift but didn't say a word. His lips curled into a smirk. "333.. 334.." Zoro grunted, slightly annoyed at Luffy using his powers, but he didn't say a thing. He liked the challenge.

Moreover, he could feel that Luffy was oddly energized this morning than usual, his body buzzing in a way that he wasn't used to seeing. Normally, Luffy would be the last one to wake up or to be woken up since he always somehow fell asleep on the deck or the figurehead and won't wake up until someone called him for breakfast. But today, it was only 8 am in the morning and Luffy was wide awake!

'Must be due to him being this closer to the sun.' Zoro thought absently, feeling the unusual hum of energy coming from Luffy. His godly presence wasn't just strong—it was alive. The very air around them crackled, as if the sky was seemingly watching him. 'Or due to the upcoming fight.' Zoro smirked, ready for the challenge that was coming.

A loud growl broke the moment.

Zoro smirked. "You're awake early, but your stomach's still the same."

Luffy pouted, patting his stomach. "Sanji~! I'm hungryyyyy~!" He whined, his voice carrying through the ship with a childish glee.

From the galley, the sound of pots clanking could be heard as Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke, flipping the last of the eggs onto a plate. He had been awake for a while, but it was a real surprise when he had found Luffy up before him. It was extremely unusual. Since, even when the ship was under attack, or even when Nami personally tried to kick Luffy out of his sleep, Luffy would still be the last one to rise, blinking blearily like a stubborn kid who refused to leave the comfort of sleep.

But today it was different. The moment Sanji had stepped out on the deck, hoping to see Luffy sleeping on the figurehead or the mast, he wasn't there. Instead, the childish captain was in the kitchen, perched on the counter, bouncing his heels against the wood like a child too full of sugar.

It wasn't just that he was awake—Sanji had the distinct feeling he hadn't slept at all!

Stepping out onto the deck with a plate in hand, Sanji's sharp gaze scanned his childish, gluttonous captain, looking for anything off. The familiar dumb grin? Check. Same messy hair? Check. Ghostly pale skin and unnaturally white hair, remnants of his true form seeping through? ..Check.

Sanji frowned slightly, debating whether to ask. But knowing Luffy, it might be the excitement of the challenge waking him up earlier than usual. Hence, in the end, Sanji sighed and handed Luffy his plate. "Here, you bottomless pit. Try not to choke."

"Thanks, Sanji~!" Luffy beamed, digging in immediately, his legs swinging once more, much to Zoro's irritation. Every time Luffy shafted, his weights wobbled slightly, making Zoro's push-ups more difficult.

Sanji smirked, taking a long drag from his cigarette, enjoying the sight before him. "Y'know, I gotta say... It's kinda disturbing seeing you awake before noon, Luffy."

Luffy, with a mouthful of food, blinked up at him. "M'always awake."

Zoro snorted, "That's a lie and you know it."

"Luffy always awake," Luffy insisted, puffing his cheeks.

Sanji exhaled smoke through his nose, amused. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, 'always awake'—"

CRACK!

A sudden streak of blue lightning tore through the sky, striking the earth with a deafening CRACK, the sharp sound ripping through the peaceful morning. The ground sizzled where it hit, the force of it sending tremors through the wood of the ship.

"WAAAAAAAAH!!"

Nami, Usopp, and Chopper shrieked in unison, scrambling toward each other like frightened prey.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Usopp yelped, tripping over himself as he scrambled onto the deck.

"We're under attack!!" Chopper wailed, clinging to Usopp for dear life.

"That almost hit us!!" Nami yelled, clinging to the railing, her heartbeat hammering.

The Shandorians and White Berets, also, jolted awake at the sound, their instincts kicking in. They knew that lightning. They had lived under the terror of its wielder for far too long, awaiting for any punishments that may befall on them.

And then, a voice, smooth, arrogant, mocking and omnipresent, rang through the sky, forcing all to listen.

"You puny fools. The time has come for the challenge."

The voice belonged to none other than the self proclaimed God of Sky and Skypiea, Enel. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, surrounding them, pressing into their ears, making it impossible to pinpoint the source. For anyone else, it would feel like the voice of a true god.

But Luffy?

He just turned his head and looked directly at Enel

Floating above them, hidden in the swirling clouds, was the so-called God of Skypiea, his golden staff crackling with residual electricity, his smirk oozing confidence.

"There's the mortal." Luffy muttered, unimpressed, pointing at Enel.

Enel's voice continued, as if expecting everyone to tremble at his words and scramble to run for their life. "The rules have been decided. The challenge is set in motion. And though I, the great god of sky, Enel, would rather not waste my time with such trivial challenges, I have agreed to this—" Enel's voice edged to mocking, with a devilish smile peeking through his face. All he needed was to keep the fool of the 'god' busy in his own musings to run away to the Fairy Vearth.

There was a pause, deliberate and drawn out, letting everyone gather to connect the dots.

"—because it was YOUR idea, after all, so-called Sun God Nika."

Silence.

The sky rumbled. The clouds darkened ever so slightly, as if the heavens themselves disapproved. A breeze whispered through the trees, carrying unease. The very sun flickered, as though disgusted by Enel's words.

Luffy's expression didn't change, but his crew felt it—the weight in the air, the way the world seemed to listen—their heads snapping towards Luffy.

"HUH?!"

Luffy blinked. "Eh? I never proposed the challenge!" He retorted, not liking the fake god's intention to split his team members and his trusty crew.

"So you didn't propose this shitty challenge, did you?" Sanji exhaled, flicking his cigarette.

Luffy pouted, crossing his arms. "I didn't say anything! Luffy never said anything!"

Usopp, still shaking from the lightning stroke, jabbed a finger at Luffy. "Then why is he acting like you did?!" Why was the guy hellbent on making it seem like Luffy did propose everything?

Zoro snorted, seeing through the cowardice of Enel, the guy with the Goro Goro no mi fruit, giving him powers to control lightning. "Figures. He's trying to frame Luffy into playing along with whatever he's got planned."

Understanding dawned on the crew, but among the Shadnorians and White Berets, uncertainty lingered.

Enel was twisting the narrative, making it seem as though Luffy had proposed the challenge, as if he had set the stage for this fight.

"He's fooling everyone." Nami grit her teeth, noticing how some of the Shandorians and all of the White Berets were looking at Luffy with distrust.

Robin, who had been silently observing, tilted her head. "That is an interesting tactic. He's using your reputation against you, Captain."

Luffy, however, didn't seem too concerned. He simply placed his hands on his hips and puffed out his cheeks, a mix of annoyance and amusement. "That guy's dumb." Luffy declared, unimpressed. "But whatever. I trust you guys to win. So, I don't care about him playing his silly little games."

The crew tensed, their faces turning red at the sheer, blind trust he had in them.

Enel, oblivious to all the conversation, kept talking. "The first round will begin shortly. Nika, choose your first fifteen warriors."

Luffy stretched his arms behind his head, yawning lazily before hopping off Zoro's back. "Alright then."

Without hesitation, he began listing off names. "Zoro, Sanji, Chopper.." He glanced at the Shandorians and the White Berets. "Six of you guys. Wiper, Raki, Kamakiri.. and three others."

The chosen warriors straightened, their eyes gleaming with determination while the Strawhats felt amazed at Luffy remembering the names of his chosen ones.

"Very well, Sun God Nika," Enel drawled, his voice carrying effortlessly through the air even though the sky rumbled softly, a warning growl hidden beneath the morning breeze, as Enel's lips curved into an infuriating smirk and touched the ground. His golden staff gleamed under the sunlight, his form exuding arrogance as he lazily stretched his arms. "I, too, have chosen my warriors."

As if summoned by Enel's words, Shura, Fiza, Gedatsu, and Satori materialized at his side, their figures wreathed in the static hum of lightning. Further, eleven more divine soldiers followed suit, standing rigid with silent obedience, their spears crackling with the remnants of Enel's powers. They all stared forward with unwavering confidence, as if victory was already decided.

The sky dimmed slightly, as if the clouds themselves were grimacing at Enel's presence and fake confidence.

Zoro rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck with a nonchalant air, ready to fight while Sanji scoffed, flicking the ash off his cigarette. Chopper gulped but steadied himself, his small form bouncing lightly on his hooves in preparation. While the chosen Shandorians and the White Berets exchanged glances.

"Ah, but what kind of god would I be if I didn't grant my subjects a moment to prepare?" Enel's voice dripped with faux benevolence. "One hour. Rest, eat, do whatever you must. Then the game begins."

The declaration left everyone momentarily stunned.

Wyper narrowed his eyes in suspicion but his warriors welcomed the time without question, immediately setting up to eat and sharpen their weapons. The White Berets and the civilians followed suit, albeit more cautiously, still wary of what this so-called mercy entailed.

Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke. "Tch. At least we get a decent breakfast before whatever insanity happens next." With that he moved to make use of the time by serving everyone what he had already cooked.

Zoro, meanwhile, settled against a rock and shut his eyes, his hand resting on one of his swords. If there was an hour to kill, he would spend it wisely. While Chopper looked between everyone, still uncertain but relieved for the break.

Meanwhile, Luffy perched on the figurehead and leaned back, one hand idly playing with the air as if shaping the wind itself and drawing cartoons with it. His golden red eyes flickered towards Enel, his carefree grin never leaving his face.

Nika knew better.

This wasn't some kindness.

This was Enel, the fake god, buying himself time.

The Ark Maxim wasn't ready. The so-called god of Skypiea needed time to make final preparations.

Luffy drummed his fingers against the air, feeling the pulse of the sky around him. He wouldn't say anything. Not yet. He simply grinned wider, letting Enel believe that his plans were going unnoticed.

Let the false god think he had control.

When the battle begins, he would learn otherwise.

"Shishishishi!"