Chapter 79: Enel's Gaze

Chapter 79: Enel's Gaze

Reiner looked towards the enemy who had fired the cannonball at them. The figure wore a four-sided mask painted with ancient, mysterious patterns. Their clothing was simple, just a grass skirt covering the lower body, with numerous tattoos covering their brown skin.

Clearly the attire of a primitive person, yet they held a bazooka – creating a strangely discordant feeling.

At this moment, the attacker stood on the sea of clouds, propelled forward by jets emanating from the scimitar-shaped skates on their feet.

Reiner instantly recognized them as a descendant of the Shandian people. Before the crew could react, another figure, riding a large bird and clad in silver knight armor, flew rapidly towards them.

However, this newcomer's target wasn't the crew, but the Shandian warrior who had attacked first. A battle between the two was imminent.

Sanji came to the ship's rail, watching the fight unfold, and asked puzzledly, "I say... what exactly is going on?"

"Who knows? Anyway, it's got nothing to do with us, right?" Zoro replied nonchalantly.

"Then let's go."

"Yeah, let's go."

Reiner had the undead resume rowing, and the Merry turned towards the distant gate.

Leaving the two figures battling behind.

Attacking without a word right off the bat? That's crazy.

His Skypiea journey hadn't even properly begun; he had no desire to get entangled in their disputes for now. Besides, I'll have to fight Enel sooner or later anyway.

"How bizarre. Feels like this Sky Island isn't as simple as it seems," Sanji lit a cigarette, looked around, and added, "If the earlier guess was right, that part of Jaya Island was blown up into the sky... but I don't see any island around here at all."

"You must be talking about 'Upper Yard'. It's further up," an aged voice drifted down from above. The knight figure from earlier descended from the sky.

"Hm? Finished already?" Reiner couldn't help but look back towards where the fight was; the figure who attacked them earlier had already departed.

"He didn't wish to fight me, so he left," the newcomer stated coolly.

As he spoke, the crew got a good look at him. A flowing white beard and a face full of wrinkles clearly indicated he had entered his twilight years. He wore worn-out armor and carried a long lance.

Reiner remembered this person: Gan Fall, the original God of Skypiea. After being defeated by Enel, he had been... emmm, doing what exactly? Ah, whatever.

"You can call me the Sky Knight."

"Sky Knight!" Hearing Gan Fall's title, Luffy immediately rushed forward excitedly, circling around him curiously.

"You are Blue Sea people, aren't you? This is the White Sea, located 7,000 meters above the Blue Sea. Another 3,000 meters higher still is the White-White Sea."

"Blue Sea?"

"Mm, that's what we call the world below..."

Through Gan Fall's explanation, the crew learned a bit more about Skypiea. On the higher White-White Sea lay Angel Island.

Angel Island was one of numerous sky islands. Along with the 'Holy Land' (Upper Yard) he mentioned, it belonged to the 'Godland' ruled by Enel. The person who attacked them earlier was part of a 'guerilla force' composed of Shandians.

Gan Fall called himself the Sky Knight, a mercenary wandering between the White Sea and White-White Sea.

"One whistle blow costs just five million Extol, and Old Me can come to your aid anytime, just like moments ago."

Gan Fall produced a whistle and showed it to the crew. "Of course, that last one was free."

"Eh!? Five million is way too expensive!"

"Nani!? Five million Extol is already very cheap! Old Me needs to eat too!"

"Mister, we use Beri. What's the conversion rate to your Extol?" Reiner suddenly asked. He remembered Skypiea's currency having very low purchasing power.

"Eh? You don't know?" Gan Fall looked puzzled. "Coming from the Summit of High West, you should have passed several sky islands, no? Wait... how did you get up here?"

"The Knock Up Stream."

Gan Fall: "..."

"Wait a minute! Are you saying there are other routes to get up here?!" Nami couldn't help but shout.

"Mm. There's a route leading up from the Blue Sea to the west below. It's certainly dangerous too, but far safer than that monster current."

Hearing this, Nami turned and grabbed Reiner by the neck, shaking him furiously as she roared, "What kind of damned method did you teach us!? There was a normal route we could have taken!?"

"How was I supposed to know!? You saw the situation on Jaya Island! No one even believed Sky Island existed! Where was I supposed to get intel!?" Reiner felt utterly wronged; he truly had no idea about this.

"Ahem... Anyway, converting to your Blue Sea currency, one Beri is roughly ten thousand Extol," Gan Fall explained.

Nami quickly calculated in her head. "So five million Extol is five hundred Beri... A newspaper costs one hundred Beri..."

The crew exclaimed in unison: "So cheap! How do you even support yourself!?"

Just earning enough for one meal!? Risking your life for that!?

"Ai, forget it. Anyway, thanks for the information."

Reiner couldn't stand it anymore. He took out his wallet, pulled out several 1,000-Beri notes, and gave them to Gan Fall. "Poor old man. Don't they have retirement benefits in Skypiea?"

Gan Fall's old face flushed red, but he still allowed Reiner to stuff the money into his hand. He truly was poor enough that finding his next meal was becoming difficult.

"Ahem... Rarely see Blue Sea people as generous as you. Since that's the case, I can't just take your money for free."

Gan Fall handed over a whistle. "Consider this money as prepayment for my services. Blow this whistle whenever you need help, and Old Man will descend from the heavens."

"Well, okay then."

Reiner accepted the whistle, then disdainfully tossed it casually to Chopper.

"Hey! Young man! What's with that expression!? Are you looking down on Old Man's strength!?"

"Mm."

"Don't say it so bluntly, damn it!"

Gan Fall turned away angrily, patting the large bird beside him. "Pierre! Let's go! Old Me is furious!"

The large bird Gan Fall called Pierre, entirely pink with black spots all over, let out a neigh towards the sky, then began to transform.

"Wait! This is!"

"A Pegasus!" The crew couldn't help but gasp...

"...Uh, this..."

Then they looked with utter disdain as the so-called 'Pegasus' carried Gan Fall away.

"So ugly."

"That's definitely not a Pegasus. I refuse to acknowledge it."

Black lines formed over the crew's heads as they watched Gan Fall gradually fly away until he disappeared.

Soon, thanks to the efforts of the undead, the Going Merry finally arrived at the large gate they had seen earlier.

"Heaven's Gate... Sounds like it leads to paradise."

Reiner observed the giant arched entrance. Inside, a pure white cloud road could clearly be seen, winding upwards.

Managing the gate was a short old woman. After learning the 'huge sum' required for entry, Reiner waved his hand grandly.

"Dare to charge me an entry fee!? I'll pay!"

Reiner knew they could probably enter without paying, but they'd be treated as illegal immigrants, which was unnecessary trouble.

He preferred not having enemies lurking in the shadows while they were exposed. After learning the Extol-Beri conversion rate, ten billion Extol per person amounted to 800,000 Beri for eight people – small change.

Having paid the fee, the old woman called over several Express Shrimp. They latched onto the Going Merry and began pulling it up the Milky Road.

"Such speed!"

Reiner couldn't help being surprised watching the Express Shrimp. However, this was a specialty of the White Sea. Although it looked similar, Reiner knew the sea of clouds was fundamentally different from the true sea below.

"Wonder if they'd still be this fast in the Blue Sea?" Reiner collected the template of an Express Shrimp.

The vertical distance between the White Sea and the White-White Sea was three thousand meters, but the cloud road wound back and forth. Even with the Express Shrimp, it took some time to deliver them.

Arriving at the White-White Sea, what greeted their eyes were uneven, layered island clouds of cotton white. Several giant green beanstalks were faintly visible, weaving between the island clouds, with countless buildings perched atop them.

Aboard the Merry, watching this magnificent scene, everyone felt as if they had entered paradise, utterly captivated by the view before them.

"So this is Sky Island..."

"Angel Island... It really is like heaven!"

"Angels~ There must be angel ladies here~"

"You're ruining the atmosphere, Sanji!"

"Pervy cook," Zoro muttered disdainfully, then exclaimed in surprise, "Hey! The Express Shrimp ran off!"

"Tch! So unprofessional," Reiner grumbled. The island was still several kilometers away. He waved his hand, summoning an identical Express Shrimp, saying discontentedly, "Is there a management office in Skypiea? I want to file a complaint and give it a bad review."

"The old man earlier said a God rules this place," Zoro stated coolly. "Wonder if he handles such matters."

"Hey Zoro! Don't talk recklessly!"

"Yeah, yeah! You'll incur divine retribution!"

The Cowardly Trio, online!

Soon, the Express Shrimp undead brought the Going Merry to the beach of Angel Island. The crew jumped off the ship one by one, curiously observing all the novel sights around them.

Meanwhile, deep within God's Island, Upper Yard...

"I heard... eight voices."

A man with fair skin and a bare upper body lounged comfortably on a throne crafted entirely of gold.

He wore a white bandana, his earlobes were extremely long, and four large drums with tomoe patterns painted on them were attached to his back. His low voice murmured.

"A few ants seem somewhat strong... Since that's the case..."

"Someone come."

As his words fell, an incredibly obese and tall figure, wearing loose white one-piece robes, walked in accordingly.

The Divine Soldier Captain knelt on one knee, supporting himself with one hand, head lowered respectfully. "What are your orders, God?"

"Some Blue Sea people arrived?"

"Yes. Amazon reported that a group from the Blue Sea came in," the Divine Soldier Captain replied.

"Send the White Beret Force to check them out," Enel ordered coolly, his eyes cold and emotionless.

"Th-that might not be appropriate... Amazon said they entered legally."

"It doesn't matter. I'm bored. Or perhaps... you'd like to play with me?"

"N-no, no! Understood, God!" Cold sweat continuously beaded on the Captain's forehead. He rose trembling and retreated.

Faced with this incredibly indifferent and cruel ruler, the Divine Soldier Captain dared not harbor any thought of resistance.

Alone again in the empty room, Enel shifted into a more comfortable position, murmuring to himself.

"And the Shandians are still restless... The Priests and the Divine Soldiers are ready... The Ark Maxim is almost complete too... Before leaving..."

A smirk lifted the corner of Enel's mouth. "Let's play an interesting game. Those who survive shall be granted the privilege of following me to the Endless Earth..." .

(End of this chapter)

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