Chapter 155: Enel!

In 1498, the public execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, marked the dawn of the Great Pirate Era. Now, 14 years later, the death of 774 Celestial Dragons heralds another monumental shift—the end of an eight-hundred-year-old world order and the rise of the Coalition Government Era.

One Month Later

Grand Line—First Half, Calm Belt

A breathtaking sight unfolded as Fish-Man Island rose slowly from the ocean depths to rest on the water's surface, its ascent marking a historic moment. Within the Ryugu Palace, Princess Otohime stood before three of the Earthly Branches—Zishu, Yuji, and Usagi—her eyes brimming with gratitude.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Yuji, the clone of the Golden Lion and wielder of the Float-Float Fruit, replied calmly, "If you wish to express gratitude, offer it to Heavenly Father. We merely carry out his will."

Yuji gestured toward Zishu and said, "My task is done. Now it's your turn."

Currently, the island floated precariously on Yuji's powers. The Fish-Man Island required stabilization before it could become a permanent sanctuary.

Zishu, donning an Ability Ring: Island, stepped forward with a confident shrug. "Brace yourselves—there might be some shaking," he warned.

Planting his palm firmly on the square's ground, Zishu activated his ability. Beneath the island, the seabed seemed to awaken. Four colossal "tentacles" of earth emerged, extending upward to cradle the island. Amidst slight tremors, these formations solidified, anchoring the island securely in its new location—a shallow sea area only 100 meters above the seabed.

"Done," Zishu declared with a clap of his hands.

Usagi stepped forward, her demeanor playful yet determined. With a serene breath, she released a series of invisible thoughts, summoning an entourage of Sea Kings to the island's shores.

The gathered Fish-Man citizens gasped in awe as the enormous creatures appeared, their size dwarfing the coastline. After a moment of silent communion with the Sea Kings, Usagi turned to Princess Otohime and announced, "The Sea Kings will now guard Fish-Man Island. You're safe under their protection."

"Thank you, Miss Usagi!" Otohime exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

"All thanks to Heavenly Father's orders," Usagi replied with a warm smile. "Mission complete. Let's go."

Yuji snapped his fingers, and the ground beneath the trio lifted into the air. Rising effortlessly, the Earthly Branches departed as the crowd below erupted in cheers and heartfelt waves of farewell.

Princess Otohime clutched her daughter Shirahoshi's hand tightly. Her sons and husband, Neptune, stood by, watching the trio ascend. Otohime's voice broke through the crowd's exuberance.

"Please thank Mr. Edie for his kindness! Fish-Man Island will never forget this!"

As the Earthly Branches disappeared into the horizon, Neptune turned to Otohime, his deep voice laced with emotion. "Otohime, your dream—no, the dream of our people—has finally been realized. What Joy Boy couldn't accomplish, Dr. Edie has."

Otohime, her expression radiant with hope, gently stroked Shirahoshi's head. "Shirahoshi," she began softly.

"Yes, Mother?" Shirahoshi asked, her large eyes curious.

Otohime's smile widened. "We must now extend a hand of friendship. Shouldn't we visit our nearest neighbors, the people of Amazon Lily?"

Shirahoshi nodded eagerly, her excitement mirroring her mother's hope. Neptune, however, chuckled. "Men aren't allowed in Amazon Lily, so I suppose you'll have to go alone."

"Indeed," Otohime said with a laugh. "To live in peace with humans, we'll start with our neighbors. It's time to forge bonds of trust and friendship."

With her daughter by her side and hope guiding her, Otohime set her sights on the future, determined to pave the way for harmony between Fish-Men and humans.

One month after the World Summit, a historic transformation reshaped the oceans. The Fish-Man Island, once hidden deep beneath the waves, had ascended to the surface, marking the dawn of a new era. The kings of over 170 nations, escorted by the Marines, returned to their respective kingdoms. Meanwhile, pirates across the first half of the Grand Line found themselves in chaos, as the seabed coordinates to the New World had vanished along with the great hole where Fish-Man Island once lay.

Sabaody Archipelago - Area 11, Lawless Zone

The former haven for pirates was now unrecognizable. Once bustling with outlaws preparing for their journeys to the New World, Sabaody Archipelago had become a site of despair and upheaval.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rocked the island, sending waves of panicked pirates scrambling for their lives.

"Run! It's the Marines!"

"They're wiping out the pirate groups on the island!"

"Damn it, that b*d Edie... I miss the Celestial Dragons!"

The irony wasn't lost on the fleeing pirates. During the reign of the Celestial Dragons, they'd enjoyed a strange kind of immunity. As long as they didn't interfere with the Celestial Dragon's whims, the Marines turned a blind eye to their activities. Now, with the Coalition Government in charge and the relocation of Fish-Man Island disrupting travel to the New World, Sabaody was no longer the gateway it once was but instead a trap.

Suddenly, a streak of golden light pierced the chaos.

"Ohohoh~ It's so scary, pirates. Where do you think you're going?"

The mocking, lazy tone of Admiral Kizaru sent shivers down their spines.

"A-a… Admiral! Kizaru!?"

The pirates froze, their faces pale with terror.

"Why? Why is the Admiral here? No Celestial Dragons have been attacked!"

One pirate's voice cracked in panic. "Wait, no… the Celestial Dragons… they're all dead!"

"Run east!" another pirate shouted.

As the group turned to flee, a sudden chill filled the air.

"Ice Time!"

The unmistakable voice of Aokiji echoed as an icy mist spread, freezing the pirates at the forefront into statues of frost. The remaining outlaws watched in horror as Admiral Aokiji stepped forward, his usual relaxed demeanor contrasting sharply with the devastation he brought.

"Alalalala~," Aokiji began, scratching the back of his head. "You know, I'd usually let this slide, but our new Fleet Admiral is a woman, and trust me, when she's angry, it's terrifying. Can't be slacking off anymore, you see."

He smirked slightly. "Especially when it's Gion, someone Edie seems to favor. And when a new official takes office, well... she likes to start with a bang. Welcome to the first 'cleansing fire.'"

The pirates groaned, despair sinking in as they realized their doom wasn't a coincidence.

From the west, another wave of Marines approached, led by Akainu himself. His expression was a mask of cold fury.

"If you want to blame someone," Akainu growled, "blame yourselves for existing...Pirate trash." His voice was like molten lava, brooking no argument.

The pirates were trapped. To their disbelief, the three Admirals had assembled to hunt them down—pirates who were once notorious, some even labeled supernovas, now reduced to fugitives with outdated bounties.

"This can't be real! Why not send them after the Pirate Emperors in the New World!?" one pirate cried in frustration.

Another bitterly muttered, "Oh, wait… the Pirate Emperors are all friends with Edie now. What a joke."

Defeated, the pirates began to drop their weapons.

"We surrender! Don't kill us! Please!"

By the end of the day, the lawless zone of Sabaody Archipelago was cleared of pirates, its infamous reputation erased. The residents, long accustomed to living under the shadow of fear, celebrated the decisive victory of the Coalition Government.

Onlookers cheered, their voices echoing across the island. "Praise to the Coalition! Long live the government! Justice has finally come to Sabaody!"

As the Admirals regrouped, Aokiji glanced lazily at Akainu. "So, what's next, Fleet Admiral's pet project?"

Kizaru chuckled, his tone still playful. "Oh~ let's hope she doesn't send us straight into the New World. Too much work for an old man like me."

Akainu, stone-faced, looked to the horizon. "This is just the beginning. The Coalition will bring order to this chaotic world, no matter the cost."

Holy Land, Mariejois

The Pangaea Castle, once the symbol of the Celestial Dragons' tyranny, had been renamed the United Nations Headquarters, representing a newfound unity among the world's powers. In one of the luxurious offices within, Edie sipped his coffee leisurely, his thoughts as sharp as ever.

The sound of footsteps announced Hancock's arrival. She walked in gracefully, holding a bundle of freshly printed banknotes.

"Mr. Edie, this is the money from the printing press," she said, presenting the notes.

Edie examined the intricate designs. "Good work. Is it the three-layer structure we discussed?"

Hancock nodded as Edie flipped through the notes with satisfaction. Printing money was no small feat. Even in his previous life on Earth, only a handful of nations truly mastered it. Though, Edie mused, he knew of individuals who dabbled in counterfeiting with surprising success.

The Beli, issued by the World Government's bank, had long been the standard currency. However, the new currency in Edie's hands, designed under his guidance, was leagues ahead in sophistication.

"Should we roll this version out?" Hancock asked.

"You're the chairman, Hancock. The decision is yours," Edie replied, handing the notes back.

Transitioning to a new currency would be a monumental task. According to Edie's data, over 100 billion Beli circulated globally each year. Recalling all of it would be a logistical nightmare, and outright invalidating the currency could plunge the world into chaos.

Hancock studied the notes thoughtfully. "It's good, but… something's missing," she murmured before her eyes sparkled with an idea. "Mr. Edie, we should print your face on it!"

Edie nearly choked on his coffee. 'What a brilliant and shameless thought! Beli has never featured anyone's face before, Hancock. You're ahead of your time!'

But with his characteristic indifference, he shrugged. "Do as you like. You're in charge of the small things."

Hancock smiled brightly. "Then it's decided! I'll notify the bank for the changes." She left in high spirits, leaving Edie to enjoy his coffee.

Edie's tranquility was interrupted by the ringing of the Den Den Mushi. He answered casually, only for Robin's voice to deliver startling news.

"Mr. Edie, there's a situation in the Soul Tower. The souls of 66 and 77 have been resurrected."

"I'll be there immediately," Edie said, rising from his seat.

The Hive Island, now floating above Mariejois, housed the pinnacle of Edie's scientific ambitions. Within its Soul Tower, experiments on resurrection had reached unprecedented heights.

The Soul Tower

Upon arrival, Edie was greeted by Robin, who stood before a pair of large glass chambers. Inside, two shimmering soul crystals floated, emanating a soft glow. Behind Robin stood Second Generation 66 and 77, their expressions a mixture of awe and reverence.

"Heavenly Father!" the two clones greeted, bowing deeply.

Robin pointed to the crystals. "Mr. Edie, look. The procedure was successful."

Edie's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The resurrection of souls wasn't new—Robin's mother, Olivia, had been revived earlier—but each success reaffirmed the reliability of the Soul Tower's capabilities.

"Excellent," Edie said, activating the Soul Ring to awaken the dormant spirits. As expected, the resurrected souls lacked memories initially. However, upon hearing their names from life, memories began to return, albeit faintly.

The souls of 66 and 77 were visibly shaken as their awareness crystallized. "Lord Heavenly Father… We… we performed the immortality surgery on you," one said, recalling their final moments.

Edie smiled. "Indeed, and I promised to bring you back. For now, you exist as souls. In two years, you will fully return to the world as humans."

The next step involved placing the souls into cloning chambers, where new bodies would grow.

Turning to the clones, Edie issued his next orders. "You two will perform the immortality surgery next. Don't worry—you'll also be resurrected afterward."

66 and 77 bowed. "Yes, Lord Heavenly Father."

As Robin observed, Edie turned to her with a teasing grin. "What about you, Robin? Do you want eternal life?"

Before she could respond, he added, "Forget it. It's up to you after all."

Robin chuckled softly, shaking her head. Few could resist the allure of immortality, and she wasn't about to start.

"Mr. Edie, I think Hancock and Momousagi deserve it first," she said thoughtfully. "They've worked tirelessly for the coalition."

Edie nodded. "Good point. They've earned a break. Hancock, as the chairman, and Momousagi, the Fleet Admiral, have been holding everything together. They should go first."

In the days that followed, Hancock and Momousagi (Gion) underwent the immortality surgery, performed flawlessly by Second Generation 66 and 77. Both women, now physically immortal, were forever preserved at their respective ages—21 and 29.

Though immortality was extraordinary, the women were more thrilled about their eternal youth, a treasure in its own right.

With their newfound vitality, Hancock and Momousagi returned to their demanding roles, rejuvenated and ready to lead.

Meanwhile, Edie retreated into his laboratory, where he focused on unraveling the secrets of the Ancient Weapons—Uranus and Pluton—both now safely housed within the Hive Institute. For Edie, the path forward was clear: to reshape the world in ways none could foresee, preparing for the inevitable clash with Imu.

He smirked to himself. "When the time comes, resurrecting Roger and Joyboy will be quite the surprise for her."

Two Years Later: Sea Circle Calendar 1514

In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. The coalition government had grown steadily, with over a dozen nations joining its ranks. The once-fragmented world was gradually finding a semblance of unity under this new order.

Among the most notable entrants were Kaido's Wanokuni and Charlotte Linlin's Whole Cake Island, both becoming recognized member states on almost the same day. To achieve this status, Kaido and Big Mom had undergone significant transformations. They were no longer pirates wreaking havoc across the seas but instead leaders overseeing sweeping domestic reforms to meet the coalition government's standards.

It took a full two years of effort for both territories to gain the recognition of the world at large. Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates, always a step ahead, had already transformed their operations into the Jinkela Grain Industry Company, a global enterprise focused on transporting and selling grain. Their ventures flourished, bringing stability and prosperity to their network.

With these changes, the era of the Three Emperors had come to an end. Yet, the Great Pirate Era was far from over. The seas still held their mysteries, and the dream of One Piece continued to fuel ambition.

Beehive Island

On Beehive Island, Ginny walked into the power room of Uranus, where Edie was engrossed in his work. The once-massive magnetic field generator, as large as a football field, had been meticulously dismantled by Edie and replaced with more compact, efficient systems.

Ginny's gaze softened as she approached him. His hair was disheveled, and his face smudged with dirt. "Your face is a mess," she said with a sigh, pulling out a wet wipe to clean him up.

"How did you find me here?" Edie asked, barely glancing up.

"The matter you wanted me to monitor—it's happened," Ginny replied. "Sky Island, the Kingdom of God, has an uninvited guest."

Edie paused, his curiosity piqued. "Uninvited guest? Is it Enel?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes. The monitoring system detected anomalies on Sky Island. That man claims to be a god and has already defeated the former ruler of the kingdom. He's a Logia user, Thunder Fruit," she added with a smirk.

Edie's lips curled into a sly smile. "Interesting. He's my lucky star. I'll leave for a while to meet him."

The Kingdom of God: Sky Island

The next day, Edie arrived at Sky Island's Kingdom of God.

In the grand temple, Enel lounged arrogantly on a bed, biting into an apple. His gaze wandered, frustration evident. "Where's the gold? Was the information wrong?" he muttered to himself.

Enel's destructive path had begun in Sky Island Birka, his hometown, which he had razed to the ground. His arrival in this new Sky Island wasn't to rule its people but to claim its gold. Yet, his search had yielded nothing.

Suddenly, a calm voice echoed in the room.

"The gold has already been used up by me."

Enel froze, his pupils dilating in shock. He bolted upright, his body crackling with electricity. In a flash of lightning, he reappeared behind the intruder, eyeing him warily.

A man in white stood before him, unfazed.

"Who are you?" Enel demanded.

Edie turned slowly, a serene smile on his face. "Before asking someone's name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

Enel sneered but introduced himself regardless. "I am Enel, the god who rules the skies!"

Edie raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with humor. "If you're a god… then what am I?"

Enel's arrogance faltered momentarily as the room seemed to grow heavier with Edie's words