An old woman, her skin wrinkled and dry like a prune, suddenly appeared before them, holding an ancient-looking camera.
"Are you planning to go to Sky Island?" she croaked, her voice gravelly and sharp.
Crocodile raised an eyebrow. "Why is the Sky Island gatekeeper an old lady?"
She leaned forward, her cracked lips dividing into a grin. "To enter Sky Island legally costs one billion berries per person."
"One billion?" Nami's eyes widened. Money was her life, and that much was nothing to scoff at.
Crocodile frowned, counting on his fingers. "Seven of us… that makes seven billion."
"Seven billion?!" Nami nearly choked, then added awkwardly, "Can we get a discount? Maybe just a thousand berries each?"
The old woman shook her head firmly. "Rules are rules. I cannot change them. You must pay to enter legally."
Nami's eyes darted frantically. "Legally? So there's an illegal way?"
The woman let out a raspy nod. "Of course. If you don't pay, there's still a way in. After all, I'm not some guard."
Without hesitation, Nami gathered the clouds beneath the ship and propelled the Ion Tempest upward.
Lina's voice trembled. "Nami, wait! Without paying, it's illegal. Someone's certainly going to stop us."
Zoro glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "Why aren't any guards chasing us?"
"Who cares?" Nami said, a grin spreading across her face. "We just saved seven billion berries."
Robin's tone turned grave. "I hope that old woman didn't curse us. If she did, this could go very badly."
Lina's eyes darted nervously, and she whispered, "Robin-san, don't scare me. I don't want anything ominous to happen."
Suddenly, a voice crackled in the sky. "Heavenly Monitor, Amazon, reporting to the Almighty God and the Gods' Assembly. There are illegal intruders in God's Domain. Please grant divine judgment."
Kuro adjusted his glasses, smirking. "Did you all hear that? Intruders? Heavenly judgment and all that?"
Crocodile took a slow drag on his cigar, exhaling lazily. "Doesn't matter who this 'God' is. If he dares to attack us, we'll send him to hell."
---
They sailed on, pushing deeper into the sea of clouds.
At last, the Ion Tempest floated into a place of breathtaking beauty. Lush trees grew out of fluffy clouds. Terraced cloud-islands dotted the white ocean, connected by rainbow bridges. It felt like a dream come to life.
Rolan stood at the rail, gazing silently. He had seen this in stories and in his memories of the anime, but seeing it with his own eyes was different — awe-inspiring.
"We'll take in the view later," he said quietly. "First, we need to meet this so-called 'God' and his priests."
Kuro nodded. "I want to see who has the nerve to call themselves a god."
Rolan activated his Super Heart Net, scanning the entire Sky Island. In moments, he pinpointed Enel's location.
"Heading for that giant vine," he said, steering the ship upward.
---
Inside a grand sky shrine, a man sat confidently on a throne carved into the clouds. He wore a turban and held a half-eaten apple. Muscular and shirtless, his long earlobes reached his chest. Four "three-tomoe" drum-like symbols were embedded in his back– unmistakably Enel, the self-proclaimed "God" of Sky Island.
He laughed, a low, booming sound. "Yehahaha, it seems a few bugs have flown over."
A red-haired, round priest bounced nearby. "God Enel, shall we stop them?" he called eagerly.
Enel snorted, unfazed. "No need. They're fast, but they're already right under the vine." He took another bite of his apple.
The Ion Tempest swooped forward, stopping just outside the shrine's main doors. With a sudden slash, Zoro shattered the entrance in a single blow.
"Zoro," Rolan scolded lightly, "when you crash into someone's house, a little courtesy wouldn't hurt."
Zoro grinned, sheathing his sword. "My bad."
Enel leaned back, studying the newcomers. "So, you're the invaders, are you? Blue Sea people, right?"
Lina frowned as she looked at Enel. "Is this exhibitionist your 'God'?" she muttered under her breath.
His lips curled. Enel slowly extended a finger, and in an instant, lightning erupted toward Lina, traveling at near-light speed. The others froze — the speed was terrifying.
Before anyone could react, lightning struck Lina. She became a ball of flames, then took her normal form again, panting.
"You frightened me," she said dryly. "You're too rude."
Enel cocked his head. "What's wrong with your body?" he asked. Disbelief colored his voice.
The priests took fighting stances.
Rolan raised his hand in a calm gesture. "You're Enel, right?" he asked.
Enel's eyes narrowed. "Correct. What do you want?"
Without breaking his casual tone, Rolan said, "How about you join me, Stop playing god, there are true gods out there"
Enel laughed incredulously. "True God? Me? I am God!"
Rolan shook his head. "Not in the way you think. You may be god of this small Sky Island, but there's a greater power beyond you."
Enel's expression hardened. He raised his hand, electricity gathering around him. "Fifty Million Volt Thunder Beast!"
Lightning crackled across his form. But Rolan did not even flinch. From somewhere, a ring of flame exploded outward, shielding him from the attack.
Enel's pride faltered. "What are you doing?" he roared.
"Just letting you know," Rolan said, calmly chomping on a piece of fruit, "there are plenty like you in the Blue Sea."
Enel froze in shock. "What?"
Rolan's eyes narrowed. He nodded to the rest of his crew. "Pick anyone. Prove me wrong."
The nearby priests began arguing heatedly among themselves.
"My Trial of Strings is most fitting!" one shrieked.
"Trial of Swamps will crush them!" another shouted.
"And I prefer my Trial of Iron!" a third yelled.
Suddenly, Zoro moved.
In a blur, he activated Armament Haki around his sword and dashed forward. One moment of Soru, and he was behind Ohm, one of the priests. With a single strike, he cut through Ohm's chest, dropping him instantly.
Before the others could react, Zoro followed with a flurry of attacks, bringing down three more priests in rapid succession.
Nami balled her fists, shaking her head. "Zoro really can't help showing off."
Enel stared at Zoro, wide-eyed and furious. Then he turned to Kuro. "Alright, you!" he pointed.
Lina covered her mouth, a tight grin forming. "Of all people… him, huh? That pervert."
Kuro adjusted his glasses, calm but ready. "So, are you ready?"
Enel nodded, lightning crackling around him as he transformed into pure electricity.
"Fifty Million Volt Discharge!" he cried, lashing out at Kuro.
The bolt of lightning pierced Kuro's body, but the pervert remained standing, his aura unwavering.
Enel back straightened, chest puffed with pride. "People fear me because I am God! The thunder they dread in their lives!"
He looked around, waiting for praise. But Lina, Rolan, Nami, and the others just stared at him as if he'd lost his mind.
His smirk faltered. "What's wrong?" he demanded, confusion and indignation mixing in his voice.
_______
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