Chapter 106 The Miraculous Sky-Piercing Current
Luffy scratched his head, not understanding at all, and foolishly asked, "So... this water column will wash us up?"
Nami helplessly put a hand to her forehead, "Idiot, were you even listening to me?!"
"Of course it will! But if we don't handle it well, we'll be directly smashed to pieces!"
Usopp's eyes widened, and he cried out in terror, "Wait, wait a minute! If this Knock-Up Stream is formed by a volcanic eruption, wouldn't we be boiled alive if we get caught in it?!"
Nami shook her head and patiently explained, "No, Usopp."
"Although the temperature underwater is extremely high, by the time it breaks through the surface, it will have cooled rapidly in the atmosphere!"
"So the water temperature won't be too high, but the impact of the current is the truly terrifying part!"
Zoro frowned and asked, "Then how is the appearance of this current determined? How do we know when it will erupt?"
Nami pointed to the clouds in the sky, "That's where we observe the weather!"
"When a volcano is about to erupt, the heat from underground will cause drastic changes in the atmospheric pressure above the sea area."
"At this time, the clouds in the atmosphere will thicken rapidly, and strong updrafts will appear."
"This is also why we can know in advance that the Knock-Up Stream is about to erupt!"
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression subtly changed, and he said in a deep voice, "Miss Nami, listening to you, this thing... it's even more terrifying than a tsunami."
"So how do we safely enter the Knock-Up Stream?"
Nami nodded, her expression extremely serious, "There is only one correct way to enter—"
"Before the Knock-Up Stream erupts, accurately steer into the center of the current and use its kinetic energy to shoot straight into the sky!"
"If we miss the timing, then we're finished!"
"If the entry angle is wrong, then we're also finished!"
"If the ship isn't sturdy enough, then we're still finished!"
Everyone's faces immediately darkened upon hearing this.
"That's too difficult!" Usopp nearly jumped up.
Nami put her hands on her hips, a confident smile on her lips, "So, this requires the command of me, the Genius Navigator!"
"Don't worry, Sky Island, we're definitely going!"
Luffy laughed excitedly after hearing this, "Hahahahaha! That's great!"
"Then let's do as Nami says!"
Sure enough, the clear blue sea surface underwent drastic changes in just a few minutes.
"Hey, everyone! Look over there!"
Sanji stood on the deck, suddenly pointing into the distance, a rare look of shock on his face.
Everyone looked in the direction Sanji was pointing, only to see that sea area.
The originally calm sea was violently churning, like boiling water, stirring up huge waves!
Giant waves rolled, as if the sea was enraged, and the currents in the entire area became incredibly violent!
"It's coming! Just as Nami said—"
Nami gripped the railing tightly, shouting excitedly, "The underwater volcano is about to erupt! The Knock-Up Stream is about to form!"
"Everyone, quickly, we must get there immediately!"
However, her excitement did not infect everyone.
Usopp's face instantly turned pale, and he shook his head repeatedly, saying in terror, "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait—"
"Nami, you're not joking, are you?! The waves in that sea area are almost swallowing the sky, wouldn't our going merry be smashed to pieces if we go there?!"
Zoro grinned, his eyes gleaming with fervent Battle Intent, "Heh... this is getting more and more interesting."
Luffy, even more excited, clenched his fists, suddenly jumped up, and loudly ordered, "going merry, full speed ahead!"
At Luffy's command, the going merry bravely headed into the violent waves!
The sea surface trembled violently, the waves roared like ferocious beasts, and towering waves swept over, causing the ship to constantly sway and pitch!
Everyone on board stumbled, unable to stand steadily, but Lin Ning stood firmly on the deck, unmoving.
He narrowed his eyes, looking at the surging waves, and said in a deep voice, "The waves... are getting higher."
"This is too exaggerated!"
Usopp's face was ashen, his hands gripping the mast tightly, as if he was about to be flung off!
"Hey, hey, we really won't sink, will we?!"
Chopper, even more frightened, hid in Usopp's arms, covering his head with his hands, shivering and crying, "No—I want to go home!"
Robin, meanwhile, stood calmly to the side, asking faintly, "Navigator Young Miss, what is the log pose pointing to?"
Nami raised her wrist, glanced at the log pose, then looked up at the sky, frowning as she said, "...It's still pointing to that cloud."
Sanji also looked up; in the deep sky, thick white clouds were layered.
They formed a strange spiral shape, as if a mysterious force in the sky was attracting everything.
"Is Sky Island really up there?" Sanji asked in a deep voice.
Nami stared intently at the sky, her eyes sparkling, and said excitedly, "The wind direction is very stable! The Cumulonimbus clouds are continuously gathering at the center of the vortex!"
"At this rate, the Knock-Up Stream will appear very soon!"
"The vortex?! Where's the vortex?!"
Luffy looked left and right, shouting excitedly.
Just at this moment—
"Rumble—!!!!"
An earth-shattering roar erupted from the depths of the sea!
The next second, the entire sea area seemed to be violently stirred by some invisible force, and a terrifying giant vortex suddenly formed!
The vortex was bottomless, hundreds of meters in diameter, as if the sea had opened a giant swirling maw, ready to devour all life that entered it!
The waves spun wildly, and huge waves swept the going merry, as if it could be dragged into the abyss of the vortex at any moment!
"Waaahhhhhh!!!!"
Usopp and Chopper immediately hugged each other, crying out, "No—don't! Turn back! Let me go back!"
Zoro, however, looked at them with a cold expression, a look of "life and death are trivial, if you don't like it, fight" on his face, and said faintly, "Give up, Usopp... it's too late."
Usopp's face was pale, his mouth wide open, almost on the verge of tears!
"Hahahahahahaha—!!!!"
Just as everyone was terrified and uneasy, Luffy's excited laughter echoed across the deck!
He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the sky-devouring vortex, a wide grin on his face, and shouted excitedly, "Sky Island, here we come—!!!"
"Hahahahaha!!!"
The going merry sailed into the vortex without hesitation!
As if entering a giant abyss maw, the entire ship trembled violently, being frantically pulled into the center of the vortex!
Just at this moment—!!!
"Boom!!!!"
An earth-shattering roar exploded from the depths of the sea!
Accompanied by intense tremors, a towering current of water shot up from the seabed, like a pillar supporting the sky, piercing through the heavens!
The going merry was right in the terrifying center of this Knock-Up Stream!
The violent current instantly enveloped the going merry, waves crashed onto the deck, and the entire ship was carried straight into the sky with the water column.
Everyone was blown around by the strong winds, and the whole world seemed to be violently churning!
Nami desperately clung to the railing, her face full of excitement and surprise!
"We succeeded!! We've been caught in the Knock-Up Stream!!!"
Luffy laughed excitedly, raising his hands high and shouting, "To Sky Island!!!"Chapter 107 Arrival at the Sky Island
"Boom—! ! ! !"
A colossal water pillar, reaching from the earth to the heavens, erupted before everyone's astonished eyes.
Like a roaring Water Dragon, it shot straight into the sky, connecting the sea and the heavens!
This scene was heart-stopping.
The going merry was sailing atop this earth-shattering water pillar.
Waves crashed against the hull, the sea wind howled, and the immense water pressure made the entire ship tremble violently!
—This wasn't merely being pushed into the sky; it was about continuing to sail on this vertical water pillar!!
"So, we're not just being directly propelled upwards?"
Lin Ning stood on the deck, as steady as a mountain, watching the rapidly flowing seawater around him. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing an excited smile:
"Interesting... It's getting more and more exciting."
"Wh-what the hell is this, ahhhhhh!!!"
Usopp's shriek instantly echoed across the entire deck. He clung desperately to the ship's rail, his face pale, completely terrified out of his wits!
Sanji also gasped, "Hey, hey, are you kidding?! We... are sailing vertically?!"
Luffy, instead, laughed excitedly, raising his hands high and shouting against the strong wind, "Fun! What's the principle behind this?!"
Nami's voice rang out in the wind, her tone tinged with awe:
"It's the wind!!"
"This strong updraft is formed by the geothermal heat from a volcanic eruption and the explosion of underwater steam!!"
"The water pillar isn't just water, but a violently ascending ocean current!!"
Luffy excitedly waved his fist, "Great! If that's the case, we can go to the sky!!"
"Charge! going merry!!!"
"Wait!!"
At this moment, Robin suddenly spoke, her brows slightly furrowed, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes.
"Things aren't that simple."
Usopp immediately shrieked, "What is it?! Don't scare me!!"
Robin looked at the direction of the water pillar's flow, her voice grave:
"The ship... is starting to float upwards."
"If this continues, we'll be flung out!!"
Usopp and Chopper's faces instantly turned pale, and they hugged each other, letting out heart-wrenching screams:
"What?! Nooooo!!!"
Sanji looked at Robin in surprise, unable to resist asking:
"How can that be?"
Nami stared intently at the wind direction and ocean current, her mind racing, calculating the optimal way to navigate.
A moment later, her eyes sharpened, and she suddenly shouted loudly:
"Quick! Hoist the sails!!"
"Immediately!!"
Usopp was nearly fainting from fear, trembling as he shouted:
"Why?! If we hoist the sails now, won't the ship be blown over by the wind?!"
Nami said firmly:
"Wrong! This water pillar isn't ordinary water, but a violent ascending ocean current!"
"And the wind blowing up from below is a strong updraft formed by geothermal heat and steam explosions!"
"As long as we control the wind and the current, we can sail safely!!"
"As long as the opponent is wind and sea, leave it to me!!"
She clenched her fists, her gaze sweeping over everyone with determination, and shouted loudly:
"Who is the Navigator of this ship?!!"
Sanji was the first to respond, shouting with adoration:
"It's Miss Nami!!!"
"Brothers!! Immediately do as Miss Nami says!!"
"Quick!! Hoist the sails!!"
Zoro, Lin Ning, Luffy, and Chopper all sprang into action, quickly adjusting the going merry's status!
"Starboard wind! Turn to port rudder!!"
"Align the ship with the current!!"
Nami's commands were precise and accurate, and everyone cooperated fully!
In the very next instant—
The ship suddenly shuddered, detached a few meters from the water pillar, and the entire going merry actually floated completely in mid-air!!!
"Hey, hey, hey—!!!"
Usopp and Chopper immediately shrieked!
"We... are flying?!!"
Nami shouted excitedly:
"It worked!!"
Sanji was dumbfounded, unable to help but exclaim, "Miss Nami, you're so cool!!!"
He took a deep breath, and said with a loving expression:
"Miss Nami... I really like you!!!"
Nami's lips curved slightly upwards, her eyes full of confidence:
"As long as you can control the ocean currents and the wind, you can go anywhere..."
As everyone was excited, Luffy suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on the sky ahead.
"Nami, are we almost at Sky Island?"
Nami followed his gaze, pointing ahead:
"If there really is a Sky Island..."
"Then it should be on the other side of that cloud!!"
Everyone followed her Guidelines to look, and saw a vast expanse of huge white clouds in the sky ahead, spanning across their path.
This was no ordinary cloud, but the legendary "Cumulo-Nimbus Cloud"—a special cloud formation that only appears in the ocean currents leading to Sky Island!
Luffy grinned, excitedly clenching his fist and shouting:
"What's on the other side of the cloud?!"
"Whatever it is, we'll know once we charge in!!!"
Nami shouted loudly:
"Prepare to charge into the Cumulo-Nimbus Cloud!!!"
The going merry was flying!
Destination—Sky Island!!!
The speed of the ascending ocean current was faster than anyone had imagined. The going merry, like an arrow released from a bowstring, broke through the thick cloud layer, soaring into the unknown sky.
The strong wind howled in their ears, and the ship rocked violently, almost knocking people off the deck!
Nami, Chopper, and Usopp were almost collapsed on the deck, panting heavily, trembling all over, as if they had just narrowly escaped death.
In contrast to them, Luffy stood at the bow, facing the wind, his eyes wide open, with an incredibly excited smile on his face.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he abruptly turned his head and shouted loudly:
"Hey, everyone! Look outside the ship!"
Zoro, Sanji, Lin Ning, Robin, Nami, and the others all looked up, only to see pure white all around them, as if they were in an endless white sea.
"What is this place?!" Zoro frowned, looking around with awe, feeling somewhat disoriented for a moment.
"It's so magnificent..." Lin Ning also couldn't help but exclaim, having never seen such a sight before.
It was as if the sky inherently contained a "Heavenly Realm," and they had now intruded into this unknown world.
Chopper's round eyes widened, his voice excited and surprised, "It's clouds! We're actually floating on top of clouds!"
Nami was also full of disbelief, her pretty face filled with shock, "What's going on? Why are we floating on the clouds?"
Luffy, however, stood with his hands on his hips, a nonchalant expression on his face, and said as a matter of course:
"Of course we'd float on top, because they're clouds!"
Upon hearing this, Nami's mouth twitched, and she immediately gave Luffy a sharp rap on the head, roaring:
"You can't explain supernatural phenomena with common sense, you idiot!"
Just as everyone was immersed in shock and excitement, Chopper's face suddenly changed drastically, "N-no! Usopp... Usopp isn't breathing!"
"What?!" Everyone was startled and turned to look at Usopp.
Usopp lay stiffly on the deck like a corpse, his eyes rolled back, his mouth wide open, completely motionless.
Luffy stomped his feet in a hurry, waving his hands and shouting, "Quick, think of something! Chopper, quickly give him artificial respiration!"
Chopper immediately jumped onto Usopp's chest, frantically pressing on Usopp's chest, desperately trying to resuscitate him.
"Wake up! Usopp! You can't die!"
Just then, Sanji suddenly had a flash of inspiration, abruptly looked up, and shouted loudly:
"Alright! Then I'll give Miss Nami artificial respiration!!"Chapter 108 The Gates of Heaven
Everyone immediately had dark lines on their faces.
"You damn cook!!" Zoro roared, directly punching Sanji's head.
"Get out of the way! Usopp is the one who needs treatment the most right now!"
Nami's face instantly darkened, and she stomped on Sanji's head with a "bang," saying viciously:
"Sanji, do you really want to die?"
And just as Chopper was frantically trying to save him, Usopp suddenly opened his eyes, sat up, gasping for air, his face filled with terror.
"Ugh ah ah ah—!!" Usopp looked at the vast expanse of white clouds surrounding the ship, his face changing drastically, and he instantly jumped up, looking around frantically in terror.
"This... isn't this clouds?! Where exactly is this place?!" Usopp shouted, clutching his head, his eyes full of panic.
Nami rubbed her forehead, saying helplessly, "So... this must be the 'Sky Sea.'"
"Sky Sea..." Chopper murmured, repeating the words, looking at the floating clouds around them, his eyes filled with wonder.
Nami glanced at the log pose, finding that it was still pointing higher, and she frowned, murmuring:
"But... the log pose is still pointing upwards."
Hearing this, Robin looked thoughtfully at the sky, and said softly:
"It seems... this is only the middle layer of the Cumulus Cloud."
"We have to go even higher?!" Chopper and Usopp exclaimed in unison.
Usopp's face was full of terror, and he immediately hugged the mast, "Wait! We're already in the sky, aren't we?! Where else can we go higher?!"
Although Nami was equally surprised, she quickly adjusted her thoughts, "Anyway... let's get the ship moving first!
The airflow here seems very stable, we should be able to find a route."
Luffy laughed excitedly, "Alright! Then let's go up and see!"
Zoro shrugged, looking nonchalant, "We're already here anyway, so let's keep going."
Sanji lit a cigarette, "Since the Captain has given the order, let's charge forward."
Lin Ning stood on the deck, looking at the endless sea of clouds, a slight smile playing on his lips, "An unknown world... truly exciting."
"All hands on deck!" Nami stood at the bow, her gaze firm, "Target—the higher sky!"
Enveloped by the sea of clouds, the going merry rode the wind and waves, continuing to sail into the deeper Sky Sea.
The going merry slowly advanced across a pure white sea of clouds, the surroundings as silent as a dream.
Only the faint sound of the ship cutting through the clouds echoed in this mysterious Sky Sea.
Just then, Luffy suddenly pointed into the distance and shouted:
"Hey, Nami! Look, there seems to be a gate ahead!"
Everyone looked up at his words, only to see a massive, towering gate beneath a giant cloud current that resembled a waterfall!
Nami's eyes widened, and she said in shock, "There's actually a gate in a place like this?"
Robin crossed her arms, a playful smile on her lips, "It seems nothing is surprising in this sea."
"Haha, no matter what! We'll know once we pass through there, right!" Luffy excitedly waved his fist, looking at the mysterious gate with anticipation.
Usopp squinted, pointed at the words on the gate, and read aloud, "Gate of Heaven...?!"
In an instant, Usopp's face turned pale, "Th-this is too ominous!! It sounds like we're going to die!"
"Perhaps... we're already dead," Zoro suddenly said calmly, his face terrifyingly serene.
Sanji stroked his chin, nodding seriously, and added:
"In that case, all these supernatural phenomena can be explained..."
"Wh-what?! Σ(っ °Д°;)っ" Chopper's tail puffed up in fear, and he hugged Usopp tightly.
He screamed in terror, "C-could it be that we're actually already dead?!"
Just then, Lin Ning frowned slightly and interrupted in a calm tone, "Alright, stop joking around."
His voice wasn't loud, but it had a reassuring power that instantly calmed Chopper and Usopp, stopping their wild thoughts.
However, Luffy, who was nearby, listened excitedly, his eyes sparkling as he said:
"Wow! 'Heaven,' that sounds amazing! I can't wait!"
—Just as the going merry was about to approach the Gate of Heaven, Usopp suddenly cried out:
"Hey, hey! Look! Someone's appeared over there!!"
Everyone looked towards the gate at his words.
Through the swirling clouds, an old, stooped woman in a pink dress, with small white wings on her back, slowly emerged.
She held a camera in her hand and, with a "click," actually took a picture of the going merry!
Chopper pointed at her in shock, stammering and shouting:
"L-look! She has wings on her back!!"
Luffy's eyes widened, and he jumped up excitedly, "An angel! Is this an angel?!
Eh, so angels look like this... like a dried plum."
Nami rolled her eyes, speechless, and couldn't help but retort:
"Stop spouting nonsense!!"
The old woman slowly spoke, her tone flat as if devoid of any emotion:
"I am the surveillance officer of the 'Gate of Heaven'—Amazon.
May I ask, are you here for sightseeing? Or for... war?"
Her words made everyone pause.
Nami frowned, "To say sightseeing, not quite... Anyway, we want to go to Sky Island."
"Sky Island?" The old woman slowly nodded, "To go to the upper layer, please pay the entry fee—1 billion Extol per person."
"One... one billion?!?!?" Usopp's eyes nearly popped out, and his face instantly turned ashen!
Lin Ning frowned, "Extol? Is that the currency here?"
Chopper also said nervously, "No matter how you calculate it, 1 billion is too exaggerated!!"
Robin pushed up her hat brim, "1 billion per person, and there are seven of us... so that's 7 billion Extol."
"..." Zoro's eyes suddenly grew cold, and he said in a low voice, "This old woman... isn't trying to extort us, is she?"
Nami immediately switched into her calculating mode, crossing her arms and pondering for a moment before tentatively asking:
"If... I mean if, what happens if we don't pay?"
"Not paying is also an option," the old woman said airily, her tone completely unperturbed.
Everyone: "???"
"Then that's fine!!" Luffy laughed heartily, waving his hand to make the going merry move forward, "Then let's go! Off to Sky Island!!"
Usopp quickly shouted, "Right, right, right! We don't have money, we're leaving! Goodbye, old lady!"
The old woman calmly counted the number of people, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven... Hmm, seven people in total."
However, just as her words fell—
"Whoosh—!"
The white sea of clouds suddenly churned, and beneath the surface, two huge dark shadows abruptly appeared!
The next second, two massive pincers suddenly emerged from beneath the clouds, clamping down hard on the going merry's hull!
"What?! The ship's been caught!!" Usopp screamed in terror.
Zoro had already detected something approaching the going merry through his Observation Haki, and instinctively gripped his sword hilt, about to draw his sword.
But Lin Ning stopped him with a look, signaling to wait and see the situation first.
The old woman spoke calmly as before:
"A specialty of the White Sea—'Express Shrimp'."Chapter 109 Mysterious Thunder
"Express…Shrimp???" Everyone was baffled.
The giant sea shrimp was carrying the going merry.
With a "whoosh," it began to ascend rapidly along the waterfall of clouds!
"Waaahhhhhhh—!!!"
Everyone on the ship immediately lost their balance, screaming repeatedly!
Chopper hugged the mast and shouted,
"What a huge shrimp!!"
Sanji gripped the ship's rail tightly, clenching his cigarette between his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead, "Is it trying to climb the waterfall?!"
"Everyone hold on tight!!" Nami shrieked, directing everyone to stabilize the ship!
Luffy stood excitedly on the deck, spreading his arms and laughing wildly into the wind:
"Wahahaha! So amazing!!!"
—The going merry, gripped by the "Express Shrimp," sped along the cloud path in the sky!
Carried by the Express Shrimp, the going merry traversed the winding cloud path and finally arrived at an island floating in the sky.
This place was unlike any island on the ground; its sky was exceptionally blue, and clouds layered and intertwined.
And the "land" beneath their feet was surprisingly also made of clouds—soft as cotton, so light that one doubted its reality.
—This was Sky Island, a miraculous place known as the "Land of God."
The going merry slowly sailed to the shore, and Zoro dropped the anchor to secure the ship.
Everyone on board eagerly peered out at this magical land, their eyes filled with wonder.
Luffy had long since run to the front edge of the deck, shouting excitedly:
"Woah! What kind of place is this?! It's full of adventure!"
Lin Ning stood on the deck, holding his halberd, and gently poked the ground with its tip.
The "land," which resembled both cloud and sand, trembled slightly, as if ripples had spread across water.
He raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips, and murmured,
"This island…is made of soft clouds?"
Chopper was so excited he bounced around, waving his short legs and shouting loudly:
"So cool! I want to go see! I want to go see!"
Nami, however, rolled her eyes and, with her arms crossed, reminded everyone,
"Wait a moment, let's figure out the situation here before we act." But the next second, she turned to go back into the ship's cabin, muttering to herself,
"But first, I need to change clothes…"
Usopp had already rushed off the deck, and after stepping onto the cloud beach, he shouted in surprise to Zoro on the ship:
"Zoro! This beach is so soft, it's just like cotton candy!"
Zoro slowly walked off the ship, feeling the peculiar sensation under his feet, and couldn't help but exclaim,
"The scenery here is truly astonishing…it's like a dream."
Seeing his companions one by one immersed in this magical environment, Sanji, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, leaned against the ship's rail with his arms crossed.
He watched the excitedly running Luffy and Usopp, a doting smile on his face:
"Sigh, seeing them so happy, there's really nothing I can do…"
No sooner had he spoken than he unhesitatingly took off his shoes and, with a serious expression, joined the ranks of the "explorers."
He leisurely strolled on the soft cloud beach, fully enjoying this magical land.
Zoro, standing nearby, saw Sanji, who had just moments ago adopted an attitude of "I'm an adult and won't mess around with you guys."
The next second, he naturally started playing, and Zoro couldn't help but curl his lips in exasperation, a bead of cold sweat trickling down the back of his neck as he retorted,
"Huh? You're no different."
Robin stood on the deck, smiling faintly, her gaze distant as she looked towards the depths of the island, and softly said,
"What a dreamlike world…"
Everyone excitedly ran around, exploring this miraculous island floating above the clouds.
Zoro slowly walked over to Luffy and Lin Ning, crossing his arms and frowning as he said,
"This place would be even more wonderful if it weren't for those repeated Observation Haki probes."
Luffy stopped playing, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
—Ever since entering the Gate of Heaven, he had already sensed that someone in the distance was repeatedly probing them with Observation Haki.
Again and again, without restraint, as if looking down on prey.
Sanji slowly ambled over, lit a cigarette, looked into the distance, and said with a cold gaze,
"Luffy, it seems someone doesn't welcome us."
"Should we go say hello to him?"
"Of course." Luffy chuckled, the playfulness in his eyes instantly vanishing, replaced by an intense sharpness.
Lin Ning smiled calmly, his halberd resting on his shoulder, and said with a laugh,
"It's a minor matter; Luffy will handle it."
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper looked at the three of them discussing amongst themselves, their faces full of confusion, and quickly asked,
"What's going on? What are you talking about?"
However, Luffy did not answer.
He raised his head, his eyes cold, and the moment that Observation Haki probe swept over them again—
Boom—!!
A violent Conqueror's Haki surged out like a raging tide!
This time, Luffy was not simply releasing Haoshoku; instead, through the opponent's Observation Haki,
He directly poured the might of his Haki into the opponent's consciousness!
—"Constantly peeking at others with Observation Haki isn't a good habit, you know."
Luffy's lips curved slightly, his gaze overwhelmingly domineering.
—On a distant high platform, a tall figure suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils slightly constricted, his heart feeling as if it had been tightly clenched!
"This…power?"
He abruptly stood up from his seat, his face ashen, his heart filled with immense fury!
He had originally thought these outsiders were merely lowly "Blue Sea people," ants that could be crushed with a flick of his hand.
But at that moment, the opponent's overwhelmingly domineering Haki, transmitted through his Observation Haki, pierced directly into his will.
It made him almost believe he was in an abyss, being stared at by a terrifying beast!
—This Aura was completely unlike that of lowly Blue Sea people!
He was immediately enraged and humiliated, surrounded by crackling electricity, and roared,
"Turn to ash beneath the thunder!"
Before Nami and the others could even figure out what was happening, a bolt of lightning tore through the sky!
"Hey, hey, what's going on?!" Usopp screamed in terror, his eyes wide as he looked at the sky, his face pale.
A chilling energy rapidly gathered in the air, the atmosphere seemingly ignited by high temperatures, hissing and crackling.
A colossal pillar of lightning suddenly formed, descending like divine punishment towards them!
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper's faces instantly changed; they didn't even have time to react.
The intense electric current had already exploded in the air, and the entire world was swallowed by dazzling lightning!
The electric light reflected in Luffy's pupils; his gaze suddenly turned cold, a dangerous red glow flickering in the depths of his eyes.
—"Observation Haki…saw the future…"
The very next moment, his pupils contracted violently, and his heart jolted!
—In the future vision, the figures of Nami and Usopp were engulfed by the lightning, instantly turning into charcoal, without even time to scream!
Luffy's gaze instantly became ferocious, his anger burning fiercely!
"This bastard!!"Chapter 110 Enel, the God of Skypiea
The Sky Island sky instantly lit up like day.
A thick bolt of lightning, like the wrath of a Heavenly God, tore down from above the clouds, striking directly at the group!
The lightning covered everything, unstoppable!
At this moment, Lin Ning stood there calmly, holding his halberd, his eyes slightly narrowed, without a hint of panic on his face.
He didn't make a move — because he knew someone was already prepared.
"Swish—!!"
Just as the lightning was about to strike the group—
Zoro moved!
A sharp, unparalleled Aura suddenly erupted, his right hand already firmly gripping the wado ichimonji at his waist!
"Swish!"
A flash of white sword light was fleeting, like a meteor streaking across the night sky!
Zoro drew his sword with one hand, the blade sweeping gently, as if cutting through water, and that thick bolt of lightning was directly severed in half by this one strike!
Boom—!!!
The lightning exploded in front of Zoro, turning into countless tiny electric lights, dissipating into the clouds.
Everything was completed in a flash of lightning.
Usopp and Nami still stood in place, looking at the terrifying lightning from a moment ago, stunned and confused.
Usopp, still shaken, gasped for breath, patting his chest and saying:
"You scared me to death!! What happened!? Why did lightning suddenly strike out of nowhere?"
Nami also frowned, looking seriously at the distant sky, muttering:
"This weather... it's not right..."
Chopper looked at Usopp, then at the sky, utterly bewildered, and asked foolishly:
"Huh? What just happened?"
Meanwhile—
Zoro had already slowly sheathed his sword, calmly returning the wado ichimonji to its scabbard, his gaze on Luffy, his voice deep and full of Battle Intent:
"Luffy...?"
Luffy didn't speak, he just lowered his head, slowly pressing down on his straw hat.
His fingers slowly tightened, the smile on his face completely gone, replaced by a chilling killing intent.
—At that moment, Nami and Usopp really almost died.
This wasn't a game; it was an attack on his companions!
Luffy slowly raised his head, his eyes sharp as blades, and said coldly:
"...Of course, we can't pretend nothing happened."
Zoro's lips curved slightly upward, revealing a bloodthirsty Battle Intent: "Heh... Exactly."
Sanji also grinned, took a puff of his cigarette, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light: "Yeah, how can we just tolerate it."
Nami and Usopp were stunned.
—They finally realized that in that instant, they really almost died.
Nami's face instantly turned pale, she looked at Zoro incredulously, and asked with lingering fear:
"So... that lightning just now, was meant to kill us?"
Zoro didn't answer, he just quietly gazed at the sky, the Battle Intent in his eyes already ignited.
Usopp was drenched in cold sweat, trembling as he said:
"Are you kidding me!? Who would use lightning to strike people right away!!"
Luffy slowly clenched his fist, his eyes burning, and said with a firm tone:
"We have to find him, I'm going to teach him a good lesson!"
Just as Luffy and the others decided to set off, a startled cry suddenly rang out—
"You actually defeated the Divine Punishment, that's truly amazing!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a slender, pretty Young Miss standing on the sea of clouds not far away.
She had long, light pink hair, slightly curled at the ends, and a pair of azure eyes full of surprise.
Behind her were a pair of pure white small wings, and she wore white Sky Island clothing.
She was like an angel from a fairy tale, exuding a pure and gentle Aura.
"Ah! An angel!!"
Sanji's eyes instantly turned into hearts, and he looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
He knelt on the ground, staring at the Young Miss in adoration, exclaiming fervently:
"Such a beautiful Young Miss! This must be a gift from Heaven!"
Usopp couldn't help but exclaim: "Is it real or fake? There really are angels on Sky Island!"
Zoro, however, rolled his eyes, glanced casually, and snorted noncommittally.
The Young Miss saw the Straw Hat, paused slightly, then showed a gentle smile and said softly:
"My name is Conis, are you from the Blue Sea?"
Luffy walked up with a grin, answering without hesitation:
"Yes, we flew up from below! Do you live here?"
Conis nodded, saying softly:
"Yes, I am a resident here, but... how did you anger the gods?"
Hearing the word "gods," Lin Ning's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked with a hint of confusion: "Gods?"
Conis's expression became serious, with a hint of reverence and fear, and she said in a low voice:
"Yes, the God of Sky Island, the omnipotent and omniscient 'God' Eneru."
"Heh, someone actually calls himself a God."
Zoro sneered, his hand on his sword hilt, his eyes sharp, his tone full of mockery:
"How arrogant."
"Shh!!" Conis's face changed drastically when she heard this, she waved her hands in panic, and whispered urgently:
"Please don't say that! Blaspheming God like that will lead to annihilation!"
Luffy tilted his head, asking carelessly:
"Like that lightning just now?"
Conis nodded nervously, her eyes revealing unease.
After hearing this, Luffy frowned slightly, the smile on his face gradually receding, his gaze becoming firm and sharp, and he said:
"Where is that guy?"
Conis was startled, and asked in confusion:
"Who?"
"That guy named 'Roux' or whatever."
Luffy clenched his fist, his eyes sharp as blades, his tone carrying a hint of coldness:
"I'm going to go beat him up!"
Conis covered her mouth in shock, her eyes full of disbelief.
She had never seen anyone dare to challenge God so directly. What kind of monsters were these Blue Sea people?!
Lin Ning ignored Conis's surprise, his pupils slightly red, his special Observation Haki activated.
His consciousness traversed Conis's past memories, rapidly searching for information about Eneru.
A moment later, he withdrew his gaze and said lightly:
"Is it the Forbidden Land, Skypiea territory?"
Conis's eyes widened, she covered her mouth in surprise, and blurted out:
"How do you know that place? Have you been here before?"
Lin Ning didn't answer, he just looked at her quietly, his eyes as calm as water.
Zoro's lips curved slightly, his hand on his sword hilt, his Battle Intent chilling:
"Since we know the destination, let's just kill our way there!"
Sanji elegantly adjusted his collar, smiling at Conis:
"Beautiful angel Young Miss, let's say goodbye here."
As Lin Ning informed Nami of Skypiea territory's location, the Straw Hat Pirates unhesitatingly boarded the going merry and set sail!
Conis stood on the shore, watching their ship gradually sail towards the unknown Forbidden Land, her heart filled with complex emotions.
"These Blue Sea people... they're actually going to Skypiea territory on their own..."
"Do they really... have a way to fight against God?"
Just as the going merry completely disappeared from her sight, a familiar figure appeared beside her.
"My dear daughter."
Conis was startled, she turned her head sharply, it was her father, his brow furrowed, a trace of solemnity on his face.
"Those who caused the Divine Punishment... did they go to Skypiea territory to undergo the trial, or did they run away?"
Conis looked at the going merry, gradually fading into the distance, and said in a low voice:
"Dad... I hadn't even guided them, and they already went to Skypiea territory on their own..."
Conis's father's expression froze slightly when he heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he said in a deep voice:
"Is that so..."