Boom!
Boom!
The moment Leo finished speaking, deafening thunderclaps erupted in the distant sky.
"It's God!! Who has angered God?!"
"God is going to punish us!!"
Countless Skypieans looked up in panic, a familiar fear causing them to tremble.
Conis's face turned deathly pale. "God is coming! Big Brother Leo, you all need to run!!"
"Escape? It's too late!!" an arrogant, conceited voice rang out from the sky. "You lowly Blue Sea dwellers dare to speak ill of God behind his back? Only death can cleanse your sins!!"
In the next instant, accompanied by flashes of lightning, a shirtless man holding a golden staff and with large drums on his back appeared before them.
"God!!" The moment the Skypieans saw Enel, they seemed to lose all strength, collapsing to the ground.
Enel raised his head triumphantly. This was the reaction mere insects should have when in the presence of a god!
"Enel, you've been following us for so long. Aren't you tired?" Leo felt like laughing. He had noticed Enel sneaking around behind them long ago. Surprisingly, the guy hadn't jumped out immediately. It was a bit out of character.
"You actually know God's name?!" Enel stared at Leo in shock. So they had come prepared. He had hidden himself precisely because he was wary of that ship that could block his Mantra. That feeling of being out of control was deeply unpleasant! He had planned to probe their capabilities first, never expecting to be discovered. But... it didn't matter.
"God, they didn't mean it! Please forgive them!" Conis pleaded frantically for Leo and the others.
"Forgive?!" Enel sneered, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "What they said just now was a great disrespect to God! Not only must they die, but you will also be punished!!" As God, his dignity absolutely could not be offended. Even a single word of doubt required payment with one's life. "30,000,000 Volts: Raiju!"
Losing patience, Enel sharply struck the drum on his right shoulder with his golden staff. A massive thunder bird, shrieking with energy, materialized and shot toward Leo's group, carrying Enel's towering rage.
Conis's face was as white as paper as she collapsed to the ground. It's over. Everything is over!! Everyone will suffer God's punishment!!
"Don't be scared, Conis. I'll teach him a lesson for you." After comforting Conis, Nami turned and waved her hand. A wall of cloud, compressed multiple times, erupted from the ground, successfully blocking Enel's lightning. Simultaneously, with arcs of electricity leaving afterimages, Nami's figure vanished from the spot.
"Thunder power? How is that possible?!" Enel's pupils contracted, his expression shifting dramatically. This Blue Sea woman had actually used an ability that belonged solely to God?! "God will kill you!!" A vicious glint flashed in Enel's eyes. No one but him had the right to wield the power of lightning!
"You talk too much!!" Nami flashed in front of Enel as if teleporting, a jet-black fist smashing toward his face.
"Ridiculous! Your attacks are usele—"
A sickening thud.
The fist, imbued with Armament Haki, landed squarely on Enel's face.
Pfft—
Enel's face instantly distorted, several teeth, mixed with blood, flying out of his mouth.
"Take that for bullying Conis! And that for bullying the people here!!" Nami was furious. Before Enel could even hit the ground, she chased after him like a streak of light.
The scene left all the Skypieans utterly stupefied, their faces filled with disbelief. Some even rubbed their eyes, thinking they were seeing things. But it was real.
"That Blue Sea woman... is beating up God?!"
"God is no match for her?!"
"How is this possible?!"
The Skypieans were shocked into silence, but secretly, they were all ecstatic. If this Blue Sea woman could really take down God, they wouldn't have to live under his tyranny anymore. They could have real freedom. With nervous, apprehensive hearts, they all subconsciously clenched their fists.
"Nami, teach that bastard a good lesson!!"
"Nami, don't hold back!!!"
"Go, Nami!!"
Vivi, Tashigi, and the other girls cheered Nami on, cupping their hands around their mouths. They couldn't stand bullies like Enel who picked on the weak just because they had a bit of power.
Conis was completely stunned, staring blankly at the sky where Nami was violently venting her anger on Enel. Jet-black fists mercilessly pummeled Enel's face, and kicks aimed at his crotch made every man watching wince in sympathetic pain. Against Nami, Enel had no power to fight back.
"Don't be afraid. Nami will teach him a lesson for you." While Conis was dazed, a warm feeling suddenly spread over her head. She looked up to see Leo.
"Conis, you've lived on Skypiea your whole life. Have you ever thought about visiting the seas below?" Leo glanced at the one-sided fight, quickly losing interest. To him, the matter at hand was more important.
"The seas below?!" Conis's eyes lit up. Of course she had. Whenever people from the Blue Sea came, they would tell her interesting stories, making her yearn to see it for herself. But without a guide, she didn't dare leave Skypiea alone. Plus, with Enel monitoring their every move, anyone caught trying to leave would face severe punishment. So, Conis had given up on the idea. Until now. "Big Brother Leo, are you... asking me to leave with you?!" she ventured, a guess forming in her heart.
Leo smiled and nodded. Not only pretty, but a smart little angel too.
"Conis, join my crew. Then you can play with all these big sisters, and I'll take you to many interesting places." Leo could tell Conis yearned for the sea. She was only stuck on Skypiea due to circumstances beyond her control.
"Conis, it's because Nami followed the Captain that she became so strong. You can too," Robin said softly, gently stroking Conis's forehead, providing a timely assist.
Leo shot her an appreciative glance. Robin always knew how to read his mind.
Conis slowly looked up at Enel, who was howling under Nami's assault, and murmured, "Could I... really become as strong as Sister Nami one day?"
"Of course you can," Leo stated with certainty. This wasn't an empty promise. Given enough time, every girl on his ship could develop constitutions rivaling Big Mom's. They could awaken Observation and Armament Haki at any time. Coupled with the three Haki training manuals, he could guarantee everyone could train to at least Vice-Admiral level, or even Admiral level. By then, a mere Enel would be as easy to handle as beating a dog.
"Big Brother Leo, if you can really make me as strong as Sister Nami... I'm willing to leave with you." After a moment of contemplation, Conis finally made her decision. Every time she recalled the dark times under Enel's rule, the innocent residents who had died by his hand, her heart felt like it was being gouged. Pain was etched on her gentle, lovely face. If she had strength like Nami's, she could have changed things.
"You won't be disappointed, Conis. Welcome to the Leo Pirates." Leo naturally spread his arms.
Conis was taken aback. Was... was this a necessary ritual for joining a pirate crew? How novel. The innocent little angel Conis broke into a smile and gave Leo a big hug. "Captain, I'll be in your care from now on."
Robin shot Leo a knowing look from behind, to which he responded with a thumbs-up. His little贴心 (thoughtful one) was always looking out for him. Since gathering so many girls, aside from the daily joys, whenever Leo wanted to recruit another beauty, the others would always help move things along, making the whole process remarkably smooth.
Just then, a loud thud came from nearby.
Conis turned to look and was startled. The being before her... this... this was no longer recognizable as human. His face was swollen like a pig's, his nose bridge broken, all his teeth knocked out, his large eyes narrowed to slits, blood streaming from his mouth. Beyond that, he had multiple fractures, his arms twisted like pretzels. The drums on his back had been kicked off by Nami during the fight, who knew where. What made Conis swallow hard was that Enel's lower body seemed... probably useless now. If anyone still called this a god, they'd be a laughingstock.
Nami dragged Enel over like a dead dog and tossed him in front of Conis, who quickly hid behind Leo for protection.
"Don't be scared, Conis. This guy's been dealt with. He won't bully you anymore." Nami dusted off her hands, her voice gentle again, a complete contrast to her ferocious, brutal image from moments before.
"Sister Nami..." Conis bit her lower lip, moved to tears. They were practically strangers, yet Nami had stood up for them just because she couldn't stand Enel's actions. Her impression of Nami +1! Her impression of the Leo Pirates +1!
Leo walked up to Enel and looked down on him like an emperor gazing at an insect. "Do you still dare call yourself a god now?!"
Enel struggled to look up, but could only manage a slit. He shrank back, shaking his head like a rattle drum, his words slurred. "I d-don't dare... never again."
Leo pulled Conis to his side. Out of fear, she instinctively took a step back. Even though Enel was defeated, it had happened so suddenly that the fear of him still lingered in her heart.
"Don't be afraid." Leo gave Conis an encouraging look, then swept his gaze over the stunned Skypiean residents. Their inner shock was no less than Conis's.
Leo looked coldly at Enel, who was trembling on the ground. "Now! Immediately! Apologize to Conis! Apologize to all the people of Skypiea!! Repent for your actions!!"
His powerful voice reached everyone's ears. It was as if Leo's voice held a magic that snapped all the dazed Skypieans out of their stupor.
Gasp!
They opened their mouths in disbelief. Under Enel's long-term tyranny, they had progressed from superficial compliance to genuine, deep-seated fear. They wouldn't dare speak ill of Enel behind his back; they wouldn't even dare think it. And now, Leo was forcing Enel to apologize to them?! The turn of events was too fast for their minds to process. Not just them, even Enel was disoriented, not yet having shed his god complex.
"What?! You're unwilling?!" Leo narrowed his eyes slightly.
In that instant, a long sword was placed against Enel's neck, making him flinch violently. The cold steel against his throat made him tremble even more violently. Devils! These people were all devils! They were all so beautiful, yet they struck even harder than he did.
"S-sorry..." Enel's lips twitched as he forced the words out.
"I can't hear you!!" Leo's face turned colder. The Wado Ichimonji pressed closer!
Cold sweat mixed with blood dripped continuously. Time seemed to stand still. The area was dead silent. Conis and the Skypieans watched nervously, their fists clenched.
"SORRY!!!" The next moment, a low, hoarse voice echoed throughout Angel Island. With resentment and humiliation, Enel finally uttered this long-overdue apology. "It was my fault!! I deserve to die a thousand deaths!! I am beyond redemption!!!"
Conis and the Skypieans' minds went blank. They couldn't hear anything Enel said after that. The only word in their minds was "Sorry." God... no, Enel!! When Enel said that word, everyone felt the shackles in their hearts finally shatter.
"BWAHAHAHA! God?! There is no god in this world!!"
"Enel, you have today!!"
"Enel, you bastard! Back then, my brother just complained about you once, and you killed him!!"
"To think you'd be reduced to begging for mercy!!"
"How ironic, Enel!!!"
All the Skypieans cursed at Enel, venting their pent-up frustrations. They had waited for this day... no, they had never even dared to dream this day would come. They never thought Enel could lose!! They never thought anyone could defeat Enel!! But today...
After cursing Enel out, all the Skypieans turned toward Leo and his crew and bowed deeply, their voices firm and powerful: "Thank you, sir! Thank you for saving Skypiea!!"
"It is your presence that has changed our destiny!!"
The (fervor) of their emotions continued to rise, their grateful cries echoing across Skypiea, lingering for a long time.
"Please, rise. This is Enel's just deserts. From now on, you can live peacefully." Leo smiled and nodded to the crowd. Given Skypiea's unique location, 99% of people couldn't reach it, and aside from Enel, anyone who could wouldn't do something so stupid. The residents rose, tears in their eyes, bowed to Leo once more, and then ran off to spread the news of Enel's defeat.
"Thank you, Captain." Before Leo could react, a petite figure threw herself into his arms. Conis was already in tears. If not for Leo's appearance, who knew how long Skypiea would have remained under Enel's rule? They would have lived forever in the shadow of God's (taboos).
"Do you still believe there are gods in this world?" Leo teased with a smile.
Conis stuck out her tongue and shook her head firmly. "There are no gods in this world. Only people who pretend to be gods."
"That's right." Leo reached out and gently booped Conis's nose.
Ahem, ahem... An untimely cough broke the beautiful atmosphere, and the faces of Leo and the girls instantly darkened.
"I've done everything you asked! Please, let me go?! I'll leave Skypiea from now on." Enel's expression was full of pain. Even breathing sent stabbing agony through him.
"You remind me. You're of no use anymore. You can go now." Leo placed his hand on Enel's head. Thunder power instantly surged into it.
CRACK!
The lightning exploded. Enel's pupils dilated wildly, and his body stiffened before collapsing backward, dead on the spot
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T/N :
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