The golden bell's echo still lingered in the sky.
It rolled through the clouds like a living thing
across Angel Island, over the Upper Yard, through Shandian lands long scarred by war
and far, far below, where the Blue Sea lay unseen.
For four hundred years, the sound had been silence.
Now, it was promise fulfilled.
Luffy stood beneath the towering bell, straw hat tilted back, arms raised in victory, laughter still ringing in his chest. His joy was simple, pure, and utterly genuine—like a child who had just proven that dreams really did reach the sky.
Around him, emotions overflowed.
Aisa cried openly, her small hands clutching her chest as though the sound itself had wrapped around her heart.
Wyper knelt before the bell, head bowed, shoulders trembling—not in defeat, but in relief. His ancestors' voices, long buried beneath cloud and blood, finally had an answer.
Nami wiped her eyes furiously, pretending it was just dust.
Sanji turned away, lighting a cigarette he didn't really need, exhaling slowly.
Chopper sobbed without restraint.
Zoro stood with arms crossed, a faint grin tugging at his mouth.
Robin smiled softly, eyes shining—not just at the bell, but at the boy who rang it without hesitation, without doubt.
The promise between Mont Blanc Noland and the Shandians—
After four hundred years—
Had finally been kept.
Luffy let out one last happy laugh.
Then he turned.
And pointed.
Straight at Enel.
"Alright!" he said cheerfully. "Now that we rang it… we're gonna head out!"
The Straw Hats visibly relaxed.
"THANK GOD," Usopp gasped, collapsing onto the cloud ground.
"I was THIS close to dying of emotional overload!"
Nami nodded rapidly. "Yes. Leaving. Immediately. Before anything else happens."
Then Luffy added— "But before that—"
Every Straw Hat froze. "I wanna fight you."
The sky went quiet.
So quiet that even the wind seemed to hesitate.
"…Huh?"
Nami's head snapped around so fast it nearly cracked. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Usopp screamed. "WHY?! WHY IS IT ALWAYS A FIGHT?! CAN'T YOU JUST SAY GOODBYE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON?!"
Sanji grabbed Luffy by the shoulders. "Luffy! You already rang the bell! You don't need to provoke the lightning god!"
Zoro, however, said nothing.
He simply looked at Enel.
Wyper stiffened, eyes narrowing.
Aisa's wings drooped. "Luffy… why?"
Enel blinked once.
Then slowly—
He laughed.
Not a cruel laugh.
Not a mocking one.
But a deep, rolling sound of genuine amusement.
"Hah…"
He tilted his head slightly, lightning humming softly around his body like a living heartbeat.
"And why," Enel asked calmly, "should I accept your challenge?"
Luffy stepped forward.
The grin on his face wasn't reckless.
It wasn't arrogant.
It was certain.
"Because," Luffy said simply, "I'm gonna surpass everyone."
He jabbed a thumb at his chest.
"You."
"And your captain—Ada."
The name struck the air like a bell of its own.
For half a second—
Nothing.
Then—
"LUFFY!!!"
Nami spun on him so fast her ponytail snapped through the air.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" she shrieked. "YOU DON'T JUST SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT!"
Usopp went pale. "W-W-WAIT—HOLD ON—TIME OUT—BACK UP—"
He jabbed a shaking finger at Luffy.
"You mean that Ada?! The one with the terrifying reputation?! The one whose name makes Marines cry in their sleep?!"
Chopper grabbed Luffy's arm, eyes huge.
"L-Luffy! Challenging someone like that is really dangerous!! People like that don't lose!!"
Sanji stared at Luffy, cigarette frozen between his fingers.
"…You idiot," he muttered, half-awed, half-horrified. "You don't even understand what kind of monster you just invited into your future."
Zoro didn't shout.
He didn't panic.
He simply narrowed his eyes, hand resting loosely near his swords. "…You're picking one hell of a summit to aim for."
Robin watched Luffy closely.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Just recognition.
So this is how far his ambition stretches…
Even Wyper stiffened.
"Captain Ada huh…" he muttered. "That name carries weight—even here."
Aisa swallowed. "She's not someone you just 'surpass,' Luffy…"
The sky crackled.
Enel stepped forward, lightning rolling lazily across his shoulders.
His expression wasn't mocking.
It wasn't angry.
It was serious.
"Beat her?" Enel repeated slowly.
He laughed once—short and sharp. "Straw Hat… while you are strong—"
His eyes gleamed.
"Ada is a different matter entirely."
The air grew heavy.
"That woman," Enel continued, "stood at the center of storms long before you ever set sail."
He glanced at the clouds, at the horizon, at the sky itself.
"She doesn't just fight."
"She decides battles."
Aisa nodded fervently. "She's scary in a different way!"
Wyper crossed his arms. "Power alone won't be enough."
Luffy listened.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't argue.
Then he grinned wider than before.
"Good."
Everyone stared.
Luffy rolled his shoulders, eyes burning with excitement. "Then that means when I beat her…"
He laughed.
"…I'll really be the strongest."
The sky rumbled.
Enel stared at him for a long moment—
Then smiled.
Wide.
Ferocious.
You really are her son.
His expression had changed—not mockery, not arrogance.
Recognition.
So this is it…
Ada's blood. Ada's will.
That reckless certainty that doesn't bend, doesn't hesitate.
No wonder the sea is already moving around him.
If this boy keeps walking forward… this era won't survive him.
Enel exhaled slowly, the thought fading back into the storm where it belonged.
Out loud, he only asked—
"Tell me something, Straw Hat."
Luffy looked up at him.
"Why do you want to be the strongest?"
The wind stirred.
The Straw Hats held their breath.
Luffy didn't think long.
He didn't posture.
He didn't grandstand.
He just answered.
"To become King of the Pirates."
Nami's chest tightened.
Usopp swallowed.
Zoro smirked faintly.
Luffy continued, scratching the back of his head with a grin. "And so I can protect my friends. If I'm the strongest, nobody can take them from me."
Silence followed.
Not awkward.
Not tense.
Just… heavy.
Then Enel laughed.
A deep, rolling laugh that crackled with thunder.
"Ha… hahahaha!"
He shook his head, lightning sparking brighter.
"How noble," he said, amusement clear in his voice. "So simple. So absolute."
He looked at Luffy again—really looked this time. "A foolish dream."
Then his grin sharpened. "…And the kind that reshapes the world."
The clouds churned above them as Enel raised a hand, lightning humming eagerly.
"Very well, Straw Hat."
"If you want to test yourself against the sky—"
Thunder boomed.
"—then show me how far your resolve can reach."
The storm answered his call.
Lightning surged.
Aisa's eyes widened. "He really said it…"
Wyper exhaled slowly. "This kid…"
"How interesting," Enel said, eyes gleaming.
"Very well, Straw Hat."
He stepped forward, lightning tracing elegant arcs along his arms. "I accept."
And the challenge began.
————————
Luffy didn't hesitate.
"GOMU GOMU NO—!"
His arm stretched back—
But Enel vanished.
A flash of light.
A crack of thunder.
Luffy's punch tore through empty air. "Huh?!"
Enel reappeared behind him.
Then to the left.
Then above.
Each time Luffy moved—
Enel was already gone.
Zoro narrowed his eyes. "He's not just fast."
Robin's voice was quiet but sharp. "He's reading him."
Luffy skidded across the clouds, stopping hard.
"Oi!" he shouted, spinning around. "How are you doing that?!"
Enel tapped the side of his head with one finger.
"Haki," he said calmly. "Observation Haki."
Wyper's breath caught.
Aisa's eyes widened.
Enel continued, voice steady. "It allows one to sense intent. Movement. The moment before action."
He glanced at the Straw Hats. "You'll need it—every one of you—if you want to survive the Grand Line."
Usopp gulped. "T-There's MORE stuff like this down there?!"
Luffy scratched his head mid-fight. "I don't really get it."
Then his grin returned. "But I'll try anyway!"
He lunged again—
But this time, he didn't aim where Enel stood.
He aimed where Enel would be.
Enel's eyes widened—just a fraction.
Too late.
BAM.
Luffy's fist connected.
Solid.
Real.
Enel flew backward, boots carving a long trail through the clouds.
The world stopped.
Aisa gasped. "HE HIT HIM—?!"
Wyper stared in disbelief. "…He actually touched him.
The Straw Hats erupted.
"LUFFY?!"
"YOU GOT HIM?!"
"HOW DID THAT EVEN WORK?!"
Enel straightened slowly, touching his cheek. "…Interesting."
He looked at Luffy now—not amused.
Intrigued.
"How did you do that?"
Luffy blinked. "I dunno. I just punched you."
Enel smiled. "Then let us escalate."
Enel raised one hand.
The sky darkened instantly.
Clouds twisted.
Lightning screamed.
"EL THOR."
The bolt crashed down like judgment itself.
"LUFFY!!!"
"He's gonna die!!"
The explosion swallowed Luffy whole.
Smoke.
Static.
Silence.
Aisa covered her mouth.
Wyper clenched his fists.
Then—
"Oi."
The smoke parted.
Luffy stood there.
Hair smoking.
Clothes scorched.
Perfectly fine.
"…That tickled."
Enel froze. "…What?"
Another bolt.
Stronger.
Direct.
Luffy didn't fall.
Didn't scream.
Didn't burn.
Enel's eyes widened—just a fraction. "That's… impossible…!"
Luffy shook out his smoking arm, then grinned wide, teeth flashing beneath his straw hat. "That won't work on me!"
The words landed like a cannonball.
For half a second, the sky itself seemed to freeze.
"…Naniiiii?!" Enel shouted, genuine disbelief cracking through his thunderous voice.
The Straw Hats finally snapped out of their shock.
"WAIT—WHAT?!" Usopp screamed, pointing wildly. "WHY DIDN'T LUFFY GET FRIED?!"
Sanji's cigarette dropped from his mouth.
"He took that lightning head-on…"
Zoro narrowed his eye, staring hard at Luffy's arm. "…Tch. So that's it."
Nami's jaw fell—then she smacked her palm into her forehead.
"Of course!" she shouted. "LUFFY IS MADE OF RUBBER!"
Everyone turned to her.
She gestured frantically at Luffy like the answer should've been obvious. "Rubber doesn't conduct electricity! Lightning is basically useless against him!"
Chopper's eyes went huge. "THEN THAT MEANS—!!"
Robin's gaze sharpened, interest flaring.
"This is… an almost impossible matchup."
Nami nodded, still stunned. "Do you have any idea how rare this is?! This is like a one-in-a-million chance—someone naturally born as a perfect counter to lightning!"
Usopp dropped to his knees. "S-So Enel finally met his natural enemy?!"
Wyper let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "…So even Enel can bleed."
Aisa slapped her forehead hard. "ENEL-NIIII!!! YOU IDIOT!!!"
She pointed furiously. "Ada-sama TOLD you! She said someday you'd meet someone who counters your fruit!"
Wyper let out a sharp laugh. "So this is it…"
Aisa's wings fluttered excitedly. "Enel-nii… you finally met someone you can't just zap!"
Enel stared at Luffy—really stared now.
Not as an intruder.
Not as a challenger.
But as something unnatural.
"…Rubber," he repeated slowly.
The storm around him crackled harder.
Then his lips curled upward.
Not in fear.
In exhilaration.
"So this is it," he said softly. "A power born to mock the heavens themselves."
Lightning roared louder—
But for the first time, it carried uncertainty.
Enel stared at Luffy.
Then laughed louder than ever. "So THIS is the man she meant."
He cracked his neck, lightning blazing brighter. "Straw Hat Luffy…"
The sky trembled. "This fight just got fun."
————————
The clouds were in ruins.
Scorch marks spread across the white expanse, lightning scars branching like veins through the sky. Broken pillars of gold and cloud stone lay scattered, still humming faintly with residual electricity.
Luffy was on one knee, panting hard.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, sweat dripping from his chin. His arms trembled—not from fear, but from exhaustion. Rubber or not, the fight had pushed him to his limits. Observation he barely understood. Movements he was only just starting to feel.
Across from him, Enel hovered lightly above the ground, drums of thunder circling behind his back.
For the first time since he'd descended from the heavens—
Enel was breathing harder too.
"…Hah," Enel let out a short laugh, wiping a streak of soot from his cheek. "You really are troublesome."
The Straw Hats watched from a distance, hearts lodged in their throats.
"Luffy…" Nami whispered.
Usopp was biting his nails so hard they nearly snapped. "He's gonna pass out—he's totally gonna pass out—!"
Zoro's grip tightened on his swords. "…Don't you dare fall now."
Aisa clutched Wyper's arm. "They're both hurting… really bad…"
Luffy forced himself to stand, legs shaking. He rolled his neck once, grinning through the pain.
"Hey… Enel," he said between breaths. "You're really strong."
Enel raised a brow.
"But," Luffy continued, eyes burning with stubborn fire, "I'm not done yet."
Lightning crackled instinctively around Enel—but then stilled.
He studied Luffy carefully.
Not as a god.
Not as a ruler.
But as a warrior.
"…Straw Hat," Enel said calmly, descending until his feet touched the cloud again. "If this continues… one of us will fall. And today—"
His gaze drifted briefly toward the distant horizon, toward matters far beyond Skypiea.
"—I have other things I must attend to."
The Straw Hats tensed.
"What…?" Sanji muttered. "He's backing off?"
Enel lifted one hand.
"But," he continued, eyes sharpening, "I will not leave this unfinished."
Luffy grinned wider, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Good."
Lightning erupted.
Rubber snapped.
Enel launched forward in a flash of gold and thunder.
Luffy roared back.
"GOMU GOMU NO—"
"—RAIGO FIST!"
Their attacks collided mid-air.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A shockwave detonated outward, ripping through the clouds, splitting the sky itself. Wind howled violently, knocking everyone watching flat onto the ground.
For a heartbeat—
Nothing existed but light.
Then—
The explosion faded.
Both figures were blown backward, skidding across the clouds in opposite directions.
Luffy slammed down hard, rolling once before stopping flat on his back, staring up at the sky.
Enel landed on one knee, one hand braced against the ground, lightning flickering weakly around him.
Silence.
The wind calmed.
Slowly… Enel stood.
Luffy tried to move—
And laughed weakly. "Hah… guess… guess that's it…"
Enel looked at him for a long moment.
Then turned away.
"This ends in a draw," Enel said plainly. "For now."
Aisa's wings fluttered wildly. "Enel-nii…"
Wyper exhaled sharply. "…You didn't lose."
Enel paused, glancing back once over his shoulder at Luffy.
"No," he said. "But neither did he."
He smirked faintly. "Straw Hat… learn haki. If you don't—this sea will devour you."
Luffy closed one eye, smiling. "Then next time… I'll win."
Enel chuckled under his breath. "…I look forward to it."
Lightning wrapped around him once more.
In a crack of thunder—
Enel vanished into the sky.
——————
Later
The Going Merry drifted gently at the edge of Skypiea, sails full, clouds glowing gold beneath the sun.
The Straw Hats gathered on deck.
Luffy sat against the mast, bandaged, grinning lazily. "That was fun."
"FUN?!" Nami shrieked. "YOU ALMOST DIED!"
Usopp sobbed openly. "I SAW THE AFTERLIFE—IT HAD CLOUDS TOO—"
Chopper scurried around Luffy. "You need rest! And medicine! And MORE rest!"
Robin smiled softly, gazing back at the sky islands shrinking in the distance. "Skypiea… a land of gods, legends… and fulfilled promises."
Zoro stared ahead, arms crossed. "…Tch. The enemies just keep getting worse."
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Heh. Wouldn't have it any other way."
Aisa and Wyper stood at the shore, watching the ship leave.
"Will we see them again?" Aisa asked quietly.
Wyper nodded. "Those pirates… they'll shake the seas."
The Merry sailed onward—
Down from the sky.
Back toward the Blue Sea.
Toward new enemies.
New legends.
And a captain whose rubber fists had just challenged the heavens themselves.
And somewhere far away—
A storm was already waiting.
————————
Author's Note
Hello guys! Sorry for the late chapter update this week. I had a lot of things to do since Christmas is almost around the corner. Still unemployed lol 😭
Hope you guys are doing well. I'm doing fine too just really busy with life lately.
Also, just to clarify. Enel did go easy on Luffy, which is why the fight ended in a draw. That was intentional for the plot, especially since Luffy is the child of destiny in this story 👀
I'll continue with the next chapters later this week. I'm most likely starting the Water 7 arc next, so feel free to drop your ideas or things you'd like to see!
Thank you so much for reading and for sticking with the story.