The thunder drums roared, amplified by lightning, seizing hearts and souls. Deafening thunderclaps engulfed the entire palace.
Wild currents wrapped around Enel's body. His lightning form expanded, instantly transforming into a massive blue thunder giant.
The thunder giant was slightly plump, with a noticeable beer belly.
◆ Goro Goro no Mi ⥤ 200,000,000 V Amaru ◆
His voice came from the thunder god's mouth, reverberating in everyone's hearts like a divine proclamation.
Enel looked down at Noyer, small as an ant, and laughed maniacally, "Mere mortal! Let me show you the power of a god!"
With his wild roar, the lightning giant's palm crashed down toward their heads. The tremendous force and electric current left the Shandian warriors stunned.
Was this Enel's true power?
This one strike might destroy the entire Upper Yard in an instant!
Noyer gazed calmly at the lightning palm. In his deep black eyes, a sharp purple gleam flickered to life.
His Armament Haki had almost solidified, converging entirely onto Rasetsuō. The already sinister demon blade appeared even more eerie.
Ever since fusing two Gold Sword Talents and through rigorous training, swordsmanship had become Noyer's strongest attack!
Flames rose and swirled from beneath his feet. He rode the towering fire tornado, drawing his blade to meet Enel's lightning hand head-on.
The sky filled with blue lightning now contained only ink-black sword light!
Wielding Rasetsuō, the heaven-splitting slash cleaved through the Thunder God's body. The lightning power filling the air seemed to vanish entirely.
Noyer stood in mid-air — a being who had defied heaven and slain a god!
Wyper stared at him in shock, his mouth gaping wide enough to swallow an Aisa whole.
If instantly killing the priests wasn't enough, even Enel fell to a single strike?!
Noyer landed gracefully from the air, sheathing Rasetsuō. He stylishly swept back his black hair, looked at the blood-spitting, unconscious Enel, and began to think.
Should he kill him and take the Goro Goro no Mi?
But the large ship Noyer had his eye on — the Ark Maxim — still required massive electrical power. He was only one person, and besides, he would definitely need to swap out talents later.
Aside from appearance, swordsmanship, the three types of Haki, and physique — six slots that could be permanently fused — Noyer still wanted to fuse three Devil Fruit abilities into the remaining four slots.
Two Logia types, one Zoan or Paramecia fusion each — that would give him three overpowered Black Gold Rank Talents. He'd be both omnipotent and unbeatable, plus he'd have one remaining slot to swap in talents from the compendium.
Hmm… a perfect plan!
Thinking of it that way, he might as well keep Enel around as a power bank. Take this guy down to the Blue Sea, knock him down a few pegs, and there should be no problem.
Of course, he still needed to collect the Goro Goro no Mi talent.
After copying two talents from Mihawk earlier, he'd used up all his Copy Cards. Fortunately, after building a good relationship with him, he'd gotten another one.
Now it was gone again…
He'd replace the Kuma Kuma no Mi, Model: Brown Bear with the Rumble-Rumble talent. This kind of fruit ability that merely enhanced physique wasn't something Noyer needed right now.
The Kuma Kuma no Mi, Model: Brown Bear had only been useful in helping him get through his beginner phase. Now though…
Not to mention the Mane Mane no Mi — the three Logia Devil Fruits of Fire, Lightning, and Sand were each among the very best abilities on the seas.
While he was delighted to acquire Enel's ability, Wyper walked up beside him.
"What should we do with this guy?"
Noyer picked up Enel and asked, "Don't you want to kill him for revenge?"
Wyper shook his head, "I can tell he's useful to you. Whether I kill him or not doesn't matter to me. Those who have wronged us Shandians aren't just Enel — it's all of Skypiea's gods."
Noyer nodded. He'd been thinking about this wrong.
The Shandians had lost their homeland, but not because of Enel.
Four hundred years ago, when Upper Yard was thrust into the sky, Skypiea's rulers seized the land and declared war. Enel was just like the gods before him.
Wyper probably hated Enel and Gan Fall equally.
Hmm?
Noyer's gaze shifted to the side, and he chuckled, "Speak of the devil."
Wyper froze, turning his head to look. His nerves tensed again.
"The former god, Gan Fall. That detestable fellow is here."
Wyper shouldered his Burn Bazooka, aiming at the person riding a pegasus through the air.
The Sky Dot Bird that had eaten the Uma Uma no Mi spread its wings, and the old man riding it looked like a sky knight.
{T/N: Just to be clear, it's a bird that transforms into a horse, not a pegasus in the original sense of the word, which would be a winged horse.}
Gan Fall stared in disbelief at the Sky Palace, murmuring, "Enel… has been defeated?"
He'd come after hearing the commotion above Upper Yard. He never expected Enel would actually be defeated — and by someone from the Blue Sea carrying him around?!
Noyer tossed Enel to Wyper, hugging his blade and shouting at Gan Fall, "Old man, don't just hover up there staring at me — come down and talk!"
Gan Fall furrowed his white brows, his thick beard twitching, "Who are you? Why are you with the Shandians?"
Wyper narrowed his eyes, about to shout at the old man, when Noyer suddenly moved.
Black sword light flashed toward Gan Fall with annihilating power. The slash flew past him, obliterating every hair on one side of his white beard.
Cold sweat broke out on Gan Fall's body as an icy voice reached his ears:
"I said, get down here!"
Unlike Enel or previous gods, Gan Fall wanted to end the war between the Shandians and Skypiea.
Unfortunately, the Shandians' hatred ran too deep. Time and negotiations couldn't heal the wound of losing their homeland.
In the original story, peace only came after Enel tried to destroy Skypiea and both sides survived that catastrophe together.
But now, with Wyper as one of his own, Noyer didn't mind helping him vent some frustration — even if he didn't want the war to continue.
Threatened with death, Gan Fall said nothing more and obediently rode his pegasus down.
He dismounted and bowed respectfully, "Sir, Enel is…?"
Noyer cut him off, "Defeated. I'm taking him with me. He won't trouble you anymore."
Gan Fall glanced at Enel draped over Wyper's shoulder, "May I ask your purpose in doing this?"
Noyer gave a cold laugh, pointing at Wyper, "I made some agreements with this Shandian warrior. There's also one more thing."
He looked between Wyper and Gan Fall, his tone unquestionable.
"From now on, Upper Yard belongs to the Shandians. Skypiea will continue under your rule, Gan Fall. Trade and communicate or remain enemies — I don't care. But war must never happen here again!"
Gan Fall hesitated, but Wyper agreed instantly, "The Shandians only want their homeland. As long as no one tries to seize Upper Yard, there's no need for war!"
Seeing the old man's hesitation, Noyer's gaze turned dangerous, "What are you thinking? Still want to wage war?"
Gan Fall shook his head, "Of course not. War only leads to tragedy. But Upper Yard has already risen to the White Sea and become part of Skypiea. If we divide and rule separately, for everyone on Angel Island…"
Noyer cut him off, "I don't care about that. Besides, the Shandians' home was stolen by your ancestors and forcibly made into your territory. What are you playing the victim for?"
He waved Rasetsuō, his tone carrying a subtle threat.
"Wyper will become my companion, and I'll help him with his affairs. If I return to Skypiea in the future and find things unchanged…"
Gan Fall finally understood. Noyer sided with the Shandian warrior, but on the issue between the two nations, he remained neutral — helping neither side.
Very well. Though Angel Island and Upper Yard had been bitter enemies for generations, at least they could now try to communicate as equals.
At the very least, this formidable person — strong enough to defeat Enel — hadn't helped the Shandians take revenge on the Skypieans.
Noyer thought of something and patted Wyper on the shoulder, "Your homeland's Light of Shandora — the Golden Bell — should be around here somewhere."
Wyper's eyes lit up, "Where?!"
Ringing the Great Belfry to comfort the spirit of the great warrior Kalgara while informing Noland, the great warrior's dear friend in heaven — this was the mission he'd carried since birth.
It was also his ultimate goal in fighting until now!
Noyer held his face in thought. Oh right, where was it found in the original story again…
"I've read the text at the Shandora ruins. Based on my deductions, it should be higher up on the vines."
A voice carrying unique feminine charm rang out. Robin led Raki and Aisa, elegantly crossing the battlefield to Noyer's side.
Noyer looked up. Higher up on the vines? Enel was so close and never noticed?
Fortunately, Gan Fall's pegasus was requisitioned by Noyer, and the group was easily carried flying upward.
Above the lonely island clouds stood a massive golden bell covered in green moss and vegetation, tilted to one side. Directly beneath it, a familiar stone monument was embedded.
Robin's beautiful eyes brightened, "A Poneglyph?!"
Wyper gazed at the Golden Bell with deep emotion — his homeland's national treasure, the Light of Shandora, had finally returned to the Shandians' embrace after four hundred years!
Noyer stayed by Robin's side, quietly waiting as she deciphered the Poneglyph.
After a while, amazement spread across her face. She murmured to herself, "The Pirate King and Laugh Tale, the true history…"
She collected the wonder in her heart, emotions unknown to others dancing in her lively eyes. Excitement and hope.
Noyer looked at the beautiful woman beside him and smiled knowingly.
This was one of his purposes in bringing her to Skypiea.
The previous Robin, though mature and strong, always seemed to carry a heavy air of death and confusion whenever Noyer was with her. So he gave her a goal, helped her find direction, and decided to work toward it together with her — that was the best way to help her escape that entanglement.
Robin looked joyfully at the ancient scripts before her. Glancing to the side, she suddenly caught sight of the gentle smile at the corner of Noyer's mouth.
Her heart trembled, and a brilliant smile spread across her gorgeous face, "Thank you, Noyer."
Noyer shook his head and smiled, "Don't mention it. We're in this together."
As he spoke, Robin unconsciously observed his expression — a motion practically carved into her bones.
In the end, she couldn't help but ask, "You… don't want to know what it says?"
Noyer shook his head decisively.
"Not interested. Besides…" He grinned, shamelessly cuddling up to her, "If you don't want to say, just tell me whenever you feel like it."
Robin blinked, the smile on her face full of tenderness and helplessness.
She'd almost forgotten — this guy was a dense blockhead. He wouldn't try to figure out what she knew at all.
After thinking quietly for a moment, Robin tilted her head and stood on her tiptoes, reaching toward Noyer.
However, the height difference between them was honestly quite adorable.
Helplessly, Robin puffed out her cheeks and said huffily, "You, bend down."
Huh?
Noyer froze, then instinctively bent down. As he did, a pair of delicate arms wrapped gently around his neck.
A cool, soft sensation bloomed against his cheek — fleeting but unmistakable. Warm breath fell upon his skin, and an alluring fragrance lingered at his nose.
In that instant, half his face went tingly and numb. The feeling was more intense than being hit with Conqueror's Haki.
He stayed frozen in his bent posture, standing dumbly in place.
Robin had already released her hands, clasped them behind her back, and walked away with light steps and a radiant smile.
"This is your reward…"
It took a long while before Noyer came back to his senses.
If nothing unexpected happened, this was definitely an unexpected development.
He jumped excitedly on the spot — he never expected bringing Robin to see the Poneglyph would have bonus rewards!
Touching his face foolishly, Noyer grinned like an idiot, muttering who knows what, "Ha… hehe… ohhh… yohohoho…"
Wyper had been immersed in the excitement of finding the national treasure, but when he turned his head, he saw Noyer acting like a husky, rolling on the ground with a silly laugh.
His face filled with black lines. This was his future captain?
Mental illness isn't contagious… right?
After laughing for what felt like forever, Noyer finally noticed Wyper's gaze. He hurriedly got up from the ground, cleared his throat, and asked with forced seriousness, "So… what do you plan to do with this thing? Ring it now?"
Though Wyper's expression carried excitement, he shook his head, "I need to bring the news to everyone first. Let Shandora's glory be restored under the gaze of all Shandians!"
Noyer shrugged, "Up to you. But get ready quickly — I'm leaving as soon as I find a ship."
Wyper nodded, then asked in confusion, "A ship? Where would you find a ship on Skypiea?"
Noyer was about to speak when Enel, who'd been tossed at their feet, began to wake up.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face, "The person who knows where the ship is has just woken up, hasn't he?"
Enel endured the severe pain throughout his body and forced his eyes open, staring blankly at the two men. With his headband destroyed and his auntie-like hairstyle revealed, he trembled.
Why were they looking at him with those eyes?
◈◈◈
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $5 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations (free or starting at $1.5): MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)