Chapter 54: Leaving the Sky Island

After the morning meeting with Koa's original crew, Enel began to grow more comfortable around them. He quickly came to admire Kuzan and Joichiro, seeing them as elder figures worthy of respect and guidance. But it was Greenbull and Urf who made him feel the most welcome, aside from Koa himself.

"Did Koa really give you money after you stole from him?" Enel asked, trying to confirm the story Greebull had just shared.

Greebull nodded proudly. "Uh-huh! Not only that, but Boss made me stronger and took me on a journey across the world. It was amazing. On one of our adventures, we got stuck on an island where there were these two giants—Brogy and Dorry. They fought every single day, from dawn till dusk, for over 60 years!"

Enel's eyes widened in disbelief as Greebull continued, "They were huge. Like, bigger-than-Boss huge—multiple times over. But even then, Boss defeated both of them without even using his full strength. That's how incredible he is."

As Greebull went on, telling more stories from their adventures, Urf listened with wide eyes and a smile. He admired Koa just as much—maybe even more—and dreamed of becoming just as strong one day.

The more stories Greebull shared, the more Enel's eyes sparkled with wonder. Each tale lit a new fire in him—he was now genuinely excited at the idea of joining the crew and experiencing those adventures for himself. As the kids chatted animatedly, the scene shifted to another part of the area, where Kuzan, Jhin, Joichiro, and Koa sat drinking with Ganfall.

"Yo, Jhin," Koa said, casually eyeing the weapon slung across his crewmate's back, "your gun looks different. Did you change something?"

Jhin nodded. "Yeah, Boss. I modified my rifle with a Jet Dial that Ganfall gave me. Now, I can fire bullets over 100 kilometers before they start losing velocity."

"Impressive," Koa remarked, leaning in to examine it.

"But there's a problem," Jhin added, showing the weapon's surface. "The rifle's frame can't handle the force. After ten shots, it starts cracking."

"Have you found a solution yet?" Koa asked, intrigued.

"I heard we're heading to Water 7 after this," Jhin said. "I'm planning to consult the shipwrights there—see if they know of any material that can handle the stress."

"I'm no expert," Koa said thoughtfully, "but Adam Wood could be a good choice. Or maybe a material with high viscoelastic—something that can absorb the shock generated by the Jet Dial."

Kuzan, Joichiro, and Jhin all turned to stare at Koa.

'Where the hell did he learn these things?' they each thought simultaneously.

Koa noticed the looks and frowned. "You're all so rude. I am smart, you know."

He smacked each of them lightly on the head, leaving matching bumps.

"Ow…" Kuzan muttered, rubbing the sore spot. "So when are we leaving for Water 7?"

"Tomorrow. At dawn," Koa declared, raising his voice so the rest of the crew could hear.

With that settled, the crew spent the rest of their final day exploring more of Skypiea—soaking in the wonders of the sky island one last time before their next journey began.

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The next morning, Koa woke up earlier than usual. The sun had not yet risen, but someone else had already beaten him to it—Enel. He was used to waking up early to start scavenging for food, a habit born from necessity.

As Koa stepped onto the deck, he spotted Enel sitting alone, quietly staring into the clouds. Curious, he approached him.

"What are you thinking about?" Koa asked suddenly, causing Enel to jolt in surprise.

"WAHHHHH—Boss, you scared me!" Enel exclaimed, turning to see Koa behind him.

Koa raised an eyebrow. "Sorry about that. So, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much," Enel replied, eyes drifting back to the horizon. "I'm just wondering whether I'll be helpful in our adventure. I don't want to be a burden."

Koa didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached into the bag where he had kept the Devil Fruit—the Goro Goro no Mi—and, with a subtle gesture, brought it out using his abilities.

The fruit floated gently toward him. Koa caught it and placed it in front of Enel, who looked at it with confusion.

"Why are you giving this to me?" Enel asked, glancing from the fruit to Koa. "It looks like something poisonous…"

"Just eat it," Koa said calmly, encouraging Enel to take the first bite of the Devil Fruit.

Enel hesitated, then opened his mouth and bit into it. Immediately, his face twisted in disgust. He gagged, nearly vomiting. "Ugh! This tastes like—mud soaked in poison!"

"Eat the whole thing," Koa insisted.

Reluctantly, Enel forced himself to finish it, gagging through every bite. As he swallowed the last chunk, sparks suddenly crackled across his body. Lightning danced from his fingertips—he was now unconsciously using the powers of the Goro Goro no Mi.

Enel's eyes widened in awe. "What… what is this?!"

He began testing the strange energy, attempting to control the surges. The more he used it, the more confident he became. Power surged through him like never before. In a burst of excitement, he transformed entirely into lightning and zipped forward, so fast he slammed into a tree. But to his shock, he wasn't hurt.

"A-Am I… invincible?" he muttered, eyes gleaming.

Meanwhile, the commotion woke the rest of the crew. One by one, they emerged from their quarters, only to be met with arcs of lightning dancing across the ship's deck. A bolt struck the center, and when the light faded, Enel stood there, crackling with energy.

Greenbull and Kuzan stepped forward, surprised.

"That's… a Logia," Greenbull muttered.

"Enel, where did you get your powers?" he asked.

"The boss gave me the fruit. Tasted awful, but after I ate it—bam! Powers! Cool, right?" Enel said with a grin as he showed off.

Greenbull crossed his arms, unimpressed. "That's nothing. Watch this."

He took a deep breath, and his body began morphing—his legs extended and twisted into thick roots that stretched over the side of the ship to avoid damaging the deck. His upper body bloomed with bark and leaves as he transformed into a towering tree.

Enel's jaw dropped, eyes wide with admiration. "That's insane!"

What followed was a chaotic but friendly contest between the two newly bonded Logia users. Lightning flashed, roots shifted, and the deck sparked with life.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew busied themselves with final preparations for their departure from Sky Island under Koa's orders. Amid the commotion, Koa sat quietly, sipping from a cup, until Kuzan walked over and sat beside him.

"You sure Enel's the right person to have that kind of power?" Kuzan asked quietly, watching the two young users show off.

Koa didn't look away. "I don't really care."

Kuzan raised an eyebrow. "What if he turns on you?"

Koa finally turned to him, smiling faintly. "Aren't you here if that happens? And Greenbull too. Besides, do you honestly think anyone here can beat me?"

Kuzan didn't respond. He simply watched the display in silence, thoughtful.

'I hope we never reach that point, Enel…' he thought. Though he had been dragged into the crew by Koa, over time, the crew had become more than pirates—they had become family.

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"Thank you for the blueprints, Ganfall. We'll definitely return after we've finished our business in the Blue Sea," Koa said, offering a respectful nod as he stood on the deck of his ship. Behind him, his crew was also saying their goodbyes, some waving and others offering warm words to the former God of Skypeia.

"No, it is I who should thank you," Ganfall replied with a kind smile. "You helped solve a problem we once thought was impossible. You and your friends will always be welcome here."

Koa smiled in return, then pulled something from his coat—a worn but intact wanted poster. He handed it to Ganfall.

"Anyway, keep an eye out for this man. I owe him a huge favor, and I trust you'll show him the same hospitality," Koa said.

Ganfall examined the poster—Gol D. Roger. His eyes look at the poster with understanding. "You can count on me. If they come, I'll see that they're treated well."

Koa chuckled, folding his arms. "Just make sure no one provokes them. Roger's strength is… overwhelming. If anyone here were foolish enough to pick a fight, it wouldn't end well for them."

Ganfall nodded seriously. "I understand."

With that, Koa stepped toward the helm. "Then this is where we part, Ganfall. Take care of your health."

"And may your journey be blessed, Koa," Ganfall responded sincerely.

As Koa gave the order, the crew prepared to set sail. Final goodbyes echoed across the deck. Greenbull, Urf, and Enel leaned over the railing, waving enthusiastically at Ganfall, who was flying alongside them on his trusty Pegasus, waving back with a gentle smile.

'Water 7, here we come,' Koa thought to himself, his heart beating with excitement at the prospect of meeting Tom, building a real ship, and crafting something worthy of their growing crew.

The sky began to brighten as the ship descended slowly from the clouds, carrying with it new dreams—and the spark of legends yet to be born.