"Wait, wait—"
Shiki didn't expect Enel to be this aggressive.
He quickly floated backward to create distance.
"Enel, forget whether you can even defeat me—even if you could, killing me wouldn't do you any good."
"Because down in the Blue Sea, there's a group of so-called 'gods'—the Celestial Dragons."
"They would never allow you to proclaim yourself a god. Before long, they'd storm this Sky Island and drag you to the execution platform."
"So instead of fighting me, what you should do is join forces with me. Together, we'll descend to the Blue Sea and crush those false gods beneath our feet."
Having said his piece, Shiki looked at Enel with hopeful anticipation.
It wasn't that he feared fighting Enel—it was simply that he was short on manpower.
If he could persuade Enel to become his right-hand man through words alone, swallowing his pride was a small price to pay.
Enel remained unmoved.
The ball of lightning condensed between his hands flashed brilliantly before suddenly shooting out, instantly enveloping Shiki completely.
"Two Million Volts!"
BOOM—
A thunderous explosion erupted as the lightning sphere burst apart, releasing countless bolts of electricity.
Despite Shiki's precautions, his speed couldn't match the lightning, leaving him charred and writhing in agony, unable to suppress his screams.
"I have no interest in the Blue Sea you mentioned!"
Watching Shiki smoking from the lighting assault, Enel's eyes flashed with disdain as he said coolly.
"As a god, I naturally belong where gods reside..."
Before Enel could finish, Shiki—who had been howling in pain just a second ago—suddenly dashed out of the lightning's grasp.
His lion-like mane, now completely frazzled from the attack, floated hundreds of meters away.
"Enel, you don't actually think I fear you, do you?!"
Having retreated, Shiki lost all patience, glaring at Enel with killing intent.
"The only reason I've been civil is because we share common goals! But if you disregard me entirely, I'll throw this Sky Island down to the Blue Sea before I kill you!"
Before the words faded, Shiki vanished in a flash.
When he reappeared, he was on the ground, slamming his palm downward.
Hum—
A faint hum resonated as the ground beneath Shiki trembled violently.
Soon after, Angel Beach began rising into the air amidst the tremors.
"Hmm?"
Watching this, Enel froze momentarily before retracting the lightning gathering in his palm.
He observed Shiki with newfound interest.
"What ability is this? You can make an entire beach float?"
"Just the beach?"
Shiki grinned savagely. "You underestimate me, Enel. Not just this beach—I can lift the entire Sky Island. To be precise, aside from living beings, whether it's islands, towns, or even warships and pirate ships, a single touch from me sends them all soaring into the sky!"
Enel's interest piqued.
"Even ships?"
"Are you even listening?!" Shiki's eyes widened.
Shedding his earlier arrogance, Enel looked down at Shiki.
"You're useful. Stay and become one of my priests. I plan to build an Ark to reach the Endless Earth—your ability could make the task far easier."
"Become your priest?" Shiki's lips twitched violently.
What's with the youth these days?
Each one more arrogant than the last, with no respect for their elders?
Enel dug his ear lazily. "This is the greatest blessing a god can bestow. Choose, Shiki—become a priest, or die."
In response, Shiki bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin.
"I choose to beat you into submission."
*****
Meanwhile.
Holy Land Marie Geoise.
After staying briefly in the Chamber of Flowers for two days and hearing no updates about Shiki, Orion stood alone in the garden, gazing at the sky and muttering to himself.
"No news of Shiki in the Grand Line... Could he have been killed by that bamboo skewer two days ago?"
After some thought, Orion found it impossible!
Though they had been several kilometers apart at the time, with his max-level Observation Haki, he was certain that Shiki had been hit but not critically wounded.
"Could it be—"
Suddenly, a not-so-absurd thought popped into Orion's mind.
"Could this guy have gone to Sky Island? Based on the current timeline, Enel should already be ruling Sky Island. If Shiki went there, he'd likely cross paths with him."
Just then, Imu approached him accompanied by Gunko.
Spotting Orion standing alone in the garden gazing at the sky from afar, Imu also glanced upward and asked.
"Still thinking about that figure that appeared over the Holy Land two days ago?"
"He is just an insignificant insect, not worth your attention!"
Orion shook his head with a smile.
"Shiki isn't important. I was just wondering if he might have accidentally ended up on Sky Island."
"And then?" Imu looked puzzled.
"That just proves how unqualified you are as the so-called leader of the World Goverment!"
Orion habitually reached out and patted Imu's shoulder before continuing.
"Everywhere touched by the sun and moon should fall under the World Government's jurisdiction."
Though Imu didn't anticipate Orion's gesture, she merely glanced sideways without much reaction.
However, while Imu remained unfazed, Gunko standing nearby widened her eyes in surprise.
Noticing his own action now, Orion naturally withdrew his hand and clasped it behind his back when he saw Imu's lack of reaction.
Casually, he added, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not referring to the previous World Government, but the future one!"
"Whether above the skies, below the earth, or beneath the seas—wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever rivers and oceans reach—all shall be... ahem... all shall fall under the governance of the World Government I oversee."
Imu understood.
"You want the nation on Sky Island to join the World Government?"
Orion nodded. "Sky Island has Skypiea and they ruled by a god you know?."
"Skypiea, God?" Imu's eyes flashed, their voice turning low.
Without waiting, Imu immediately looked up at the sky and ordered Gunko.
"Gunko, take two members of God's Knights and depart for Sky Island at once. Upon arrival, I'll show them what true God really is."
Caught off guard by Imu's strong reaction to the term 'God' Orion blinked in surprise.
"Imu, has your eight-hundred-year menopause been particularly intense?"
"They may join the World Government, but they cannot have a ruler called 'God'!" Imu glared fiercely before adding.
"On this matter, I won't compromise."
Orion chuckled. "As you wish."
"Once Skypiea joins the World Government, we'll abolish the title of God."
Hearing this, a sly smile flickered beneath Imu's veil and the chill in her crimson eyes vanished abruptly.
To Imu, the so-called God meant nothing.
What mattered was Orion's attitude.