Birka was a very small island, unable to conceal much of anything.
While still on the ship, Raleigh had scanned the entire island with his Observation Haki.
To his great curiosity, however, Enel was not on the island.
Unwilling to give up, Raleigh used his Observation Haki to scan Birka repeatedly.
Only after sweeping across the island three times did Raleigh finally show a defeated expression.
"This doesn't make sense! By all accounts, Enel should be on Birka at this time."
"Besides, if he were truly leaving Birka permanently, he would surely destroy it before heading to God's Country."
Unable to find his target, Raleigh could only sit under a large tree to rest.
Before long, an elderly resident with graying hair approached, giving Raleigh a curious look as he sat on the ground.
"Young man, you look like an outsider."
"I advise you to leave this place before Enel returns. That lad Enel doesn't like outsiders coming to Birka."
Raleigh, who had been nearly dozing off, suddenly became alert upon hearing the old man's words.
'So, Enel hadn't permanently left Birka—he had only gone out temporarily.'
'Judging from what this old man said, it seemed likely Enel would return soon.'
"Old sir, this is indeed my first time visiting Birka Island. May I ask who this Enel you mentioned is?" Raleigh asked.
"And why doesn't Enel like outsiders coming to Birka?"
As it happened, the old man had nothing else to do.
Hearing Raleigh's interested tone about Enel, he simply sat down beside Raleigh, preparing to tell him the story.
"That lad Enel drifted to Birka from elsewhere when he was young. I remember he was only five at the time, as thin and small as a three-year-old child."
"Grandma Elyssa took pity on Enel and adopted him. Though mischievous during his youth, Enel wasn't fundamentally bad in character."
"One particularly strange thing was that Enel seemed naturally able to sense things from very far away, just as all the children who played with him on the island mentioned."
"But what truly changed Enel was an incident a few years ago. At that time, a group of adventurers calling themselves a pirate crew came to Birka Island."
"Enel had gone with Birka's hunters to hunt in the White Sea. Grandma Elyssa was killed by the pirates because she resisted them."
"That expedition gave Enel a special ability—he gained the power to control lightning in the sky."
"When Enel learned that Grandma Elyssa had been killed by pirates, he lost control. Ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him, he took a small boat and charged into the White Sea."
"Seven days and seven nights later, Enel returned covered in blood, carrying the pirate captain's head."
The old man's expression turned nostalgic here, suggesting he must have had deep feelings for this Grandma Elyssa as well.
After pausing briefly, the old man continued:
"Since then, no one on Birka has been able to match Enel's strength. Enel's personality became increasingly withdrawn, and he grew more hostile toward outsiders."
"However, Enel still remembers Grandma Elyssa's teachings. Usually, for first-time visitors to Birka, Enel only gives minor punishments before driving them away."
"He only truly takes action against those outsiders who pose a threat to Birka or refuse to leave."
Having said this, the old man got up, preparing to return home. Before leaving, he turned back to warn Raleigh:
"Young man, you don't seem like a bad person to me. What I've told you is the truth. Leave Birka Island before Enel returns, so you can avoid physical suffering."
Raleigh smiled broadly, his eyes narrowing as he spoke to the old man.
"It's already too late, old sir. I can sense an aura has locked onto me. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the Enel you mentioned."
"Alright, old sir, you should head home now. What happens next is between me and Enel."
Looking at Raleigh's faintly smiling face, the old man silently evaluated him in his heart.
He didn't consider Raleigh to be a bad person; having lived this long, he could easily distinguish good people from bad.
"I haven't seen Enel in a long time either. Since Enel is coming, I might as well meet him here."
Upon hearing the old man's words, Raleigh's expression shifted slightly, then he smiled and said.
"Alright, let's wait here for Enel to arrive."
....
Meanwhile, in the waters surrounding Birka Island, a small boat was struggling to make its way toward the shore.
"Dammit, since when did Birka get such an unfathomably powerful man?"
A sturdy young man on the boat grumbled in frustration.
He was Enel, an Ability User of the Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Goro Goro no Mi).
Earlier that day, he had explored ancient ruins and found a weapon that would greatly enhance his combat prowess.
Before even returning to Birka, he sensed an overwhelmingly powerful presence casually wandering around his homeland.
Initially, Enel wanted to avoid this individual, but he soon realized through his Mantra that the strong man was accompanied by Elder Bradford.
Bradford was practically the person who treated Enel the kindest after Grandma Elyssa.
Overwhelmed by fear, Enel immediately steered his boat toward Birka Island. He never wanted to experience the pain of losing loved ones again.
Almost the moment the small boat reached the shore, Enel transformed into a bolt of lightning, tracing a graceful arc across the sky.
...
"This guy's talent for Observation Haki is truly remarkable!" Raleigh murmured to himself.
Raleigh current combat level, fell between Vice Admiral and Elite Vice Admiral.
Moreover, his Observation Haki enhanced the range of his Logia-type Storm-storm Fruit.
In a way, Raleigh's Observation Haki already placed him among those with the widest sensory range in the world.
Yet, Enel's innate talent for Observation Haki was no less extraordinary than Raleigh's own advantages.
Despite being several kilometers farther away, Enel had detected Raleigh's presence.
By any measure, this made him a prodigious genius. It was worth noting that the current Enel was merely a teenagers.
With a sharp crackle of thunder, lightning tore through the air , carrying irresistible force as it materialized between Raleigh and Bradford.
Enel stared warily at Raleigh, who sat cross-legged under the tree.
In an accusatory tone, he demanded, "Outsider, what is your purpose in coming to Birka Island?"
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