In the Land of God, the only stretch of solid ground upon the White-White Sea.
Four hundred years ago, this land was blasted into the sky, becoming the holy sanctuary revered by all who lived in the Sky Islands.
Lush green forests blanketed the island, the ground thick with moss and damp earth. A fresh wind blew, carrying the scent of soil — something rare and foreign in the sky.
The Going Merry, carried on the back of the Super Express Lobster, sped rapidly toward the divine island.
"So that's the Land of God, huh?" Nami squinted into the distance. Before them stretched a deep green expanse. "It doesn't really look like Jaya Island at all."
"It's been four hundred years," Reiner said as he walked up beside her. "And it's ten thousand meters higher. The climate's bound to be completely different."
Using his enhanced vision, Reiner noticed movement far away — another group gliding swiftly over the white sea. They were bare-chested, heavily tattooed, and armed to the teeth.
The Shandian guerrillas.
Reiner hadn't planned to target them, but they probably didn't share that sentiment. To them, the Straw Hats were just another invading force intruding on their sacred war.
Before long, the Merry entered the island proper — but the Super Express Lobster didn't seem intent on stopping. Instead, it continued straight into the island's interior, following a white cloud path that twisted through the trees.
"There's a cloud road here, too?" Nami stared curiously at the winding trail beneath them. "Where's this thing taking us?"
"Reiner! Dinosaurs! I want dinosaurs!" Luffy shouted, bouncing up to him, eyes sparkling.
"Don't you dare!" Nami grabbed Luffy's ear and yelled, "You idiot! You're not going off on your own again! We don't know a thing about this island — it's full of danger! You're going to stay put for once!"
The mere thought of Enel's death game still gave her chills. And Luffy being Luffy, if she let him wander, he'd definitely end up picking a fight with "God" himself!
"I don't care! I'm going exploring!" Luffy dropped to the deck and began thrashing like a stubborn child.
"I want dinosaurs! I want to catch a Hercules Beetle! Let's gooo!"
"This idiot…" Nami sighed, rubbing her temples. Beating him never worked for long — he'd be back to full chaos mode within minutes.
Just then, a white blur burst out of the jungle and shot toward the Merry.
Reiner's eyes snapped toward it — the figure had a round head, small ram-like horns, and was flying straight at the rolling Luffy.
"A hundred points! He's mine!" shouted a white-robed God's Soldier, grinning viciously as he extended his arm. A strange glow gathered in his palm.
Luffy sprang to his feet, about to punch back — but suddenly froze mid-motion.
"Crap!"
An icy chill ran up his spine. His instincts screamed danger. He twisted his body at the last second, forcing his arm and core to change direction.
Clang!
A sharp arc of energy sliced through the air — an invisible blade of light fired from the soldier's palm. Sparks exploded in front of Luffy's chest as one of Reiner's Undead Mages appeared, staff raised, blocking the strike just in time.
"Phew~ that was close!"
Luffy exhaled deeply, patting his chest.
Reiner glanced at him thoughtfully. Even if he hadn't intervened, Luffy probably would've dodged that strike anyway. Despite being a sneak attack from behind using an unknown Slash Dial, the boy's instincts and body control were ridiculous — almost superhuman.
When the soldier charged, Reiner had instantly summoned a Mage-class Undead to intercept. He knew these troops used attack Dials as weapons — things that could actually hurt Luffy's rubber body.
"Hey, you jerk!" Luffy snarled at the fallen attacker. "That was dangerous, you know that?! I'll show you what happens when you mess with me!"
He slammed his fists together and launched himself forward, arm stretching out like a coiled serpent striking its prey.
"Damn it!"
The soldier glared at the undead mage and fired another energy slash from his palm. The undead blocked it easily, but the recoil gave the soldier just enough force to backflip away—
Only for a whip-like kick to slam into his stomach.
"Pff!"
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he hit the deck hard, eyes rolling back before fainting instantly.
A small fry like this stood no chance against Luffy in a straight fight.
"What the hell is this thing?" Zoro crouched beside the downed soldier, tapping his head with his sword hilt.
"Looks weird. That slash came out of his hand, right?"
That was what interested Zoro — the ability to launch a cutting attack without a sword. It reminded him of the "Cut-Cut Man" he'd met back in Alabasta.
"He's got a Dial on his hand," Reiner said, pulling off the man's glove. Inside was a small yellow shell.
Reiner examined it, noting the slit at the top. He aimed it toward a nearby tree and pressed lightly.
Zing!
An invisible slash shot out, carving a deep gouge into the trunk.
"Zoro just learned how to do flying slashes himself, and now a little shell can do the same thing," Reiner mused. "What do you think — how's the power?"
"It's alright," Zoro replied flatly. "My flying slash isn't perfect yet, but it'd still hit harder than that."
He sheathed his blade. "I'll stick with real swords."
Bang!
Suddenly, the Merry rocked violently, throwing everyone off balance.
The Super Express Lobster had stopped abruptly, depositing the ship atop a large stone altar, then scuttled away without a care.
"Sigh, what lousy service," Reiner muttered, helping Nami back up while steadying the mast. "Guess this is supposed to be our base of operations."
"Ugh! I hate this!" Nami growled, clutching her head. "That stupid 'God' is insane! Dragging us into his creepy game for no reason — we could've just left! Why did we come here?!"
"Because I'm interested in his body."
"You're disgusting." Nami glared at him.
Reiner shrugged. "Just a reminder — everything you just said? Enel can hear it."
"Enel?"
"'God' Enel," Reiner said with a smirk. "The one who rules the Sky Islands. The old Sky Knight mentioned him."
"Wha—?! Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
Nami yelped, darting behind him, clutching his shirt as she looked around nervously.
"Oh, great and merciful God," she babbled, "please ignore what I just said! If you must smite someone, smite him instead!"
Reiner rolled his eyes.
"God does not smite people!"
The sudden voice came from above.
A familiar — if exasperating — pegasus descended through the clouds.
"God's duty is to protect his people, not rule through fear!"
Gan Fall, the Sky Knight, landed gracefully on the Merry's deck.
"Sky Knight!"
"Oh, it's the old guy," Luffy said cheerfully.
Reiner flipped through the God's Army's letter and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you're not even on the points list. Guess you're worthless, old man."
Gan Fall coughed awkwardly. "Ahem. I've already heard about this so-called 'Trial.' You've likely drawn the God's Army's attention by now."
He ignored Reiner's jab and stepped forward, his battered armor clinking with every movement. "Since you paid me handsomely, I must fulfill my duty. I can't let you be dragged into this meaningless war."
"But we didn't even blow the whistle," Nami pointed out.
Gan Fall nodded gravely. "And yet, Enel's actions are beyond reason! I cannot stand by while those meant to protect this land — the God's Soldiers — and the Shandians slaughter one another for nothing!"
"So basically," Reiner said dryly, "you weren't invited to this 'Trial,' right?"
"Enough, you insolent brat!" Gan Fall snapped, face flushing red. "Show some respect for your elders! I came here out of concern for you!"
"Yeah, yeah, we appreciate it." Reiner waved him off with a grin. "But really, at your age, maybe you shouldn't be charging into battle anymore."
"Exactly!" Chopper chimed in sincerely. "If you get hurt, it'll take forever to heal!"
"You—! I'm not that—"
Gan Fall slumped, leaning on his steed, Pierre. "Unbelievable… even my own companion agrees with them…"
Bang! Bang!
"Alright, that's enough teasing him," Nami scolded, smacking both Reiner and Chopper.
"Waaah! I didn't even say anything!" Chopper whimpered, clutching his head.
"Sorry, Chopper~" Nami said sheepishly, scooping him up for a hug.
Just then, a new voice echoed from above.
"So you're all still here. Took long enough."
They looked up to see a man in pilot goggles and a flight suit, riding a massive vulture in circles above them.
"Sky Knight!" Luffy yelled.
"I'm right here, idiot!" Gan Fall barked, then looked upward, face hardening. "That man… he's Shura, the Sky Rider — one of the Four Priests who governs the Trial of Strings."
"You Blue Sea people will tire quickly here," Gan Fall warned. "The air is thin — your stamina will fail. Leave this one to me."
"Come to think of it," Sanji said, "I did feel weird when we first got here."
"Ah, but I'm fine now," Nami added.
"Didn't notice a thing," Zoro said flatly.
Gan Fall's forehead twitched.
"That's quite the name," Reiner said, his eyes glinting. "Let's see if you live up to it, 'Shura.'"
Here, in the sky, Reiner didn't need to hold back.
"Now, which Undead should I use? Hmm… an evenly matched fight would be more fun. Let's go with her."
A petite figure stepped forward — twin white pigtails, a calm expression, and a gleaming staff in hand. She looked up at Shura, ready for battle.
Zoro gave Reiner a sideways look. "You call that evenly matched?"
I'm unstoppable, Reiner replied with a grin. He's not. Sounds even to me.