Battles were raging in other parts of Skypiea as well.
Kamakiri and the remaining Sandora warriors, alongside Gan Fall, relentlessly attacked Priest Shura, their fight locked in a fierce deadlock.
However, Shura was a formidable opponent. He had already defeated many Sandora warriors in quick succession, leaving only Kamakiri and Gan Fall standing against him.
The difference in their power was stark, making a breakthrough seem impossible.
While Gan Fall himself could contend with Shura, his previous injuries prevented him from fighting at his full capacity.
After a grueling exchange, Shura gained the upper hand. The Sanzhang Bird unleashed a torrent of flames, severely wounding Kamakiri. With that attack, the Sandora's fighting force was essentially decimated, leaving only a struggling Gan Fall.
"Hahahaha!" Shura roared with laughter. "Old God Gan Fall, did you truly believe you could defeat me by gathering a rabble? How utterly self-deluded! Apaya has no need for two gods! Today, I'll relieve you of your duties… permanently!"
With that, he spurred the Sanzhang Bird forward, charging directly at Gan Fall.
Gan Fall had no choice but to meet the attack head-on, his knight spear clashing repeatedly against Shura's in the air.
But it was clear to any observer that Gan Fall was at a severe disadvantage, completely overwhelmed by Shura's Mantra.
Suddenly, the Sanzhang Bird spewed another blast of flames, this time catching Pierre in the blaze. Seizing the opportunity, Shura knocked aside Gan Fall's spear and lunged, aiming a fatal blow at Gan Fall's heart.
Pierre was caught off guard, and the situation looked dire.
Gan Fall even closed his eyes in resignation, bracing for the inevitable.
However, just as Shura's spear was about to strike, it was deflected by a sudden explosion. A figure then swiftly moved in, pulling Gan Fall and Pierre out of harm's way.
"You… a youth from the Blue Sea?" Gan Fall was astonished that someone from the surface world had saved him.
"Uncle, you left that whistle to help us. Even though we haven't blown it until now, we're answering your call. Besides, Pagaya-san and Conis have also looked after you. I won't let you die, Uncle!"
Usopp declared firmly, "Leave this to me!"
Gan Fall remained silent, at a loss for words.
Shura, clearly infuriated, glared coldly at Usopp.
"That long-nosed pest! He's interfered with my plans multiple times! I won't let him get away with this again!"
Just then, the sound of sheep bleating echoed through the forest. A dozen or so God's Soldiers appeared, moving in to capture the remaining Sandora. Kamakiri and Gan Fall tried to move, but their severe injuries and exhaustion left them immobile.
"Usopp, you can face the enemy without worry. I am here."
Jango adjusted his heart-shaped glasses, striking a flamboyant pose.
"Then I'm counting on you, Grand Hypnotist of the Straw Hats!"
Usopp chuckled, then silently stowed his Kabuto. He stretched out his hands in front of him, as if grasping two strands of air. These strands seemed to take the shape of a massive bow.
He reached over and plucked a feather from Pierre's wing, placing it on the invisible bowstring.
"I am a tengu! I command the wind! All the wind bends to my will! Using the wind as my bow and feathers as my arrows, I have earned the name… Sogeking!"
As Usopp declared his alter ego, he powerfully drew back the phantom bow.
Shura couldn't help but gulp. Through his Mantra, he saw a vivid image of himself being pierced by a feathered arrow.
In the forest below, Jango flung out two spinning circular saws.
As the saws returned to him, the God's Soldiers around them began attacking each other in a chaotic frenzy.
"Honestly," Jango muttered, sounding dejected, "when will I ever get a promotion from hunting these small fry? Can't a cadre handle this for once?"
Jango felt underappreciated. As one of the early members of the Straw Hat crew, he had only truly shone in Loguetown, and since then, he'd mostly been dealing with weaker opponents.
"Ah, well," he mused, "I'll learn from Mr. Carl. Start unknown, then shake the seas when the time is right!"
Usopp, oblivious to Jango's inner turmoil, focused intently on the enemy.
Shura didn't dare to move. He sensed a palpable danger from Usopp, a feeling that any rash action would lead to his demise.
But then, Usopp moved!
The feather arrow shot forth with a resounding whoosh, moving faster than the eye could track. Shura, terrified, tried to dodge, but in the next instant, he felt a sharp pain as the feathered arrow pierced his chest.
The wind blade within the arrow tore through his internal organs, and blood splattered across the sky.
"Your… Mantra… is sharper… and stronger… than mine…"
Shura gasped out his final words before plummeting to the ground. The Sanzhang Bird let out a mournful cry and frantically tried to catch its master… but both crashed to the earth, unable to rise again.
Jango clapped his hands together.
Unexpectedly, Usopp's earlier claim had been true. The sniper had quietly awakened Observation Haki.
Usopp immediately struck a triumphant pose, as if he had accomplished a monumental feat.
Gan Fall couldn't help but marvel, "Is this the power of the Blue Sea? To defeat Shura with a single blow… it's unbelievable!"
Kamakiri and the other Sandora were equally astonished. Remembering their earlier hostility towards these Blue Sea natives, they couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines. If these powerful strangers were to become angry, would it spell disaster for their entire village?
"Ah, it was nothing! I'm a pretty big deal on the ship, you know. A mere priest is no match for the great me!" Usopp boasted shamelessly.
"Oh? I beg to differ!"
Little 3 arrived on the scene with Xia Qi and Pekoms, immediately deflating Usopp's ego. "On this ship, I only acknowledge the Captain, Mr. Carl, Zoro, and Luffy! I won't concede the next strongest position so easily! Under Big Mom's crew, there was Cracker, the Biscuit Man! I will become the Wax Man Kanban of the Five Emperors Straw Hats!"
Usopp, unwilling to back down, glared at Little 3. "Oh yeah? It seems you have your own ambitions. But you're still leagues behind me!"
"Usopp," Little 3 retorted, adjusting his glasses, "confidence is good, but arrogance is unbecoming. If you disagree with my assessment, perhaps we can settle this with a friendly spar sometime."
"Little 3, I think your head has gotten too big! Let's spar right now! We can ask Mr. Carl to be the referee!"
Xia Qi and Pekoms exchanged awkward glances, unsure how to intervene. They could only look towards Jango for guidance.
Jango simply shrugged, offering no comment.
This only amplified Jango's internal praise.
Neither Usopp nor Little 3 had grasped the true essence of Mr. Carl's way.
Concealing one's strength was paramount.
If he wished to become a frontline force for the Straw Hats, he needed an opportunity to truly shock the world.
He was patiently gathering his power, waiting for that perfect moment.
"Ahem, excuse me for interrupting," Gan Fall interjected suddenly, "but shouldn't we be doing something?"
"Ah, right! The Merry!"
Usopp and Little 3 finally remembered their urgent task: catching up with their ship.
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