"You want to compare troop numbers with me?" Bege chuckled softly. Five castle gates opened in his chest, and disciples dressed in identical suits emerged, fully armed, from his internal castle.
The ranks of disciples stood in perfect formation, weapons in hand, facing off against the Skypiean warriors. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife; a major battle was imminent.
"Hehehehe, when it comes to manpower, I'm not afraid of you," Bege laughed arrogantly.
Just then, a group of a dozen or so individuals approached. Flanking them were Skypiean warriors in the uniform of High Priests, escorting an elderly man in armor, his build slender and his steps firm and powerful.
This slender, elderly man was followed by a peculiar pink-spotted bird.
Bege narrowed his eyes. If he wasn't mistaken, this slender old man was Skypiea's God, Gan Fall, and the pink-spotted bird was his mount, Pierre, a sky-bird that had eaten the Horse-Horse Fruit.
"Blue Sea dwellers, what is your purpose in coming to Skypiea?" Gan Fall's expression was grim as he looked at Bege and his crew. His voice was heavy. He already knew that two of his God's Guard units had been defeated. This group of pirates was incredibly strong.
Bege took a deep drag from his cigar, a smile playing on his lips. "Gan Fall, we've come to end Skypiea's four-hundred-year war."
Gan Fall's frown deepened. "And how do you intend to do that?"
"By me becoming the God of Skypiea. I will ensure that the Skypieans and Shandians live in peace," Bege declared.
"Insolence...!"
"How dare you...!"
"A mere Blue Sea dweller covets the position of God! He should be subjected to Cloud Drifting!"
The High Priests beside Gan Fall erupted in fury, pointing at Bege with murderous intent, ready to kill him. The atmosphere on the battlefield became even more tense. Both sides' warriors were on edge, their breathing almost audible.
Gan Fall was much calmer than his High Priests, his face expressionless, but his gaze dark. "Our war with the Shandians is an internal matter of Skypiea. It was born from a misunderstanding, and we will resolve it peacefully. We don't need your interference. Skypiea does not welcome you. Please leave immediately."
Bege stared intently at Gan Fall. He actually admired the man. Gan Fall was a God who loved peace, always striving to resolve the conflict with the Shandians peacefully. Given time, he might have actually achieved a peaceful resolution to the four-hundred-year war. Unfortunately, the rise of Enel later would shatter his plans for peace and exacerbate the conflict.
Gan Fall's expression was resolute. "If you wish to start a war, we Skypiean warriors do not fear it. No one will invade our land."
"You won't be able to resolve it peacefully. Since you're so stubborn, we'll have to resort to force," Bege said, shaking his head with a cold expression.
Gan Fall remained impassive as he accepted a spear from a High Priest. He met Bege's gaze without fear. The battle was about to begin.
"Gan Fall, to avoid unnecessary casualties, how about a one-on-one duel?" Bege suggested with a faint smile.
"No, God! You mustn't duel him! We Skypiean warriors will annihilate these invaders!" a fat, round-faced High Priest exclaimed urgently.
"That's right! A mere pirate is not worthy of God's attention," a tall, thin High Priest responded coldly.
Gan Fall raised an eyebrow, not answering immediately, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.
Bege gave a wicked smile, his tone filled with disdain. "You misunderstand. I meant that I would fight all of you alone. If I win, you willingly cede the position of God to me. If I lose, I'll leave Skypiea immediately, without lingering."
"Captain, your injuries haven't fully healed. You shouldn't fight. Leave these guys to me. I'll take care of them properly," Riki said, clearly eager.
"Bege, let me do it. I haven't had enough of a fight yet," Moria stepped forward, not wanting to be outdone.
Modi's eyes flashed, also showing his interest.
None of them took the Skypiean warriors seriously.
Gan Fall was both shocked and furious, and the other Skypiean High Priests and warriors were even more enraged, believing that Bege and his crew were looking down on them.
"Fighting many against one violates the code of chivalry. I, Gan Fall, challenge you in the name of the Sky Knight," Gan Fall retrieved his spear from Pierre, stepped forward, and declared solemnly.
"Suit yourself."
Bege shook his head with a chuckle, paying no mind to Gan Fall's little trick.
Gan Fall had challenged Bege as a Sky Knight, not as the God of Skypiea. Even if he lost to Bege, Gan Fall would have an excuse not to relinquish his position.
Gan Fall's expression turned grave. His spear quickly turned red-hot; it was also a Heat Spear.
Taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination, Gan Fall charged forward. Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind erupted from his elbow. His Heat Spear shot towards Bege with unimaginable speed.
Bege's pupils contracted. He swiftly dodged the Heat Spear, appearing three meters away.
He looked at Gan Fall's elbow. The clothing at the joint was torn, revealing a Dial.
Bege realized, "A Wind Burst Dial! So he installed a Wind Burst Dial. No wonder his speed increased so suddenly."
The Wind Burst Dial was a rarer and more advanced type of Wind Dial, capable of emitting a much stronger blast of wind. Installed at the wrist, it could enable high-speed strikes.
Gan Fall, having missed his first attack, charged again, launching another high-speed thrust. The red-hot spear burned the air, turning into a fiery lance.
Clang!
The incredibly fast fiery spear was blocked. Bege's long sword intercepted the attack.
"Is this the extent of your power, Gan Fall?" Bege mocked, swinging his sword to force Gan Fall back.
Gan Fall's face darkened. He glanced back at his mount, Pierre. Pierre quickly transformed into his Pegasus form and galloped forward. Gan Fall performed a backflip, landing on Pierre's back, and then they soared into the sky.
"You're a knight of the sky, so I'll defeat you in your element." Bege leaped into the air, stepping on the air itself, chasing after Gan Fall. Geppo.
Gan Fall rode Pierre higher into the sky, then abruptly dove, intending to use gravity to increase his attack power.
"Sky Combat Spear Technique—Fire Dragon Spear!"
As Gan Fall plunged downwards, the Jet Dial activated. The spear, already burning with flames, surged downwards, the flames trailing behind it, forming a fire column resembling a fiery dragon.
"This is a little more interesting."
Bege didn't dodge. His arms suddenly bulged, and he slashed at the fire column. The violent sword energy instantly split the column. The attack continued, striking the fiery spear, sending a tremor through Gan Fall's body. Bege shot forward, his long sword instantly colliding with the Heat Spear. Flames erupted between them.
Gan Fall grunted, the force of the blow sending him flying backwards. His mount, Pierre, immediately flew upwards to catch him.
Bege, stepping on air, ascended even faster, directly slashing at Gan Fall.
Gan Fall, horrified, swung his spear to block. However, this time, Bege had put his full strength into the blow. The immense force sent Gan Fall crashing to the ground, shattering the stone pavement upon impact.
Both Gan Fall and Pierre coughed up blood, utterly defeated.
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