The twenty-odd Shandorians weighed down the balloon near Jaya, which was convenient; they didn't want to fly directly—too many suffered from altitude sickness; they needed to rest.
One Piece characters are incredibly resilient. Nami and Robin had no problems ascending; Luffy and his crew only experienced altitude sickness when facing the Shandorians, requiring significant oxygen.
The rapid ascent caused discomfort, but fighting in this state would be disastrous.
For safety, they needed a rest.
The Shandorians gathered, chatting with Mont Blanc Cricket.
"I thought the island sank… I was salvaging gold from the ocean floor…" Mont Blanc shook his head, seeming rejuvenated, perhaps adapting to the thin air or clearing his ancestor's name.
The Shandorians felt shame. Their initial battles against the Sky Islanders resulted in heavy losses due to altitude sickness. The survivors focused on reclaiming the Golden Bell, neglecting the possibility that half the island remained on the ground.
Until now.
This awakened the Shandorians; they'd focused on the Golden Bell, forgetting to check the island's integrity.
This was understandable; anyone would assume the island was lifted, the rest scattered by the Knock Up Stream.
Who knew the Knock Up Stream cleanly severed Jaya in half, sending one half to the sky?
"You're Wyper, right? I'm Alistair." Alistair, unremarkable among the Shandorians, who focused on Mont Blanc.
"Who's the god of Skypiea now?"
He asked Wyper, a crucial question affecting his plans.
Helping the Shandorians defeat the Sky Islanders was feasible; the Sky Islanders were outsiders—a house falling on your property isn't yours.
But he needed to understand their strength.
The difference between Enel with four priests and Enel alone was significant.
"The god of Skypiea is Enel."
Wyper replied seriously, subconsciously considering them allies.
But he didn't think their help was necessary; they believed the new god was weak; they'd exploit the power vacuum.
Their plan was sound; power transitions create instability and opportunity.
Their individual combat abilities surpassed the Sky Islanders'; eliminating the new god would collapse Skypiea.
Gan Fall rarely confronted them—despite being the strongest Sky Islander.
But they knew nothing about Enel.
This explained their failed attack and three-year wait for Seastone and Impact Shells before attacking God's Island.
"I understand." Alistair nodded, feeling disheartened.
He was too late.
Enel had eaten the Goro Goro no Mi.
He'd mastered it and become Skypiea's god.
But he slapped his cheeks, shouting, "Leave the balloons here; we'll ascend on foot!"
Ascending on foot increased exertion, but it was preferable to the balloons being destroyed by lightning.
This was why the Straw Hats parked their ship before exploring.
The ship was their lifeline.
But sometimes, things didn't go as planned…
But the balloons were foldable.
Deflated, the balloons were folded into the baskets; some overflowed, but this was far better than sailing into battle.
The pirates, after nine days of training, mastered teamwork and discipline, improving efficiency.
The Shandorians watched in amazement.
Their leader looked upwards.
They weren't admiring the view.
As users of Observation Haki, they sensed something—electromagnetic waves.
Like Robin, guided by Alistair, using the Hana Hana no Mi to gain Observation Haki, Enel's ability allowed him to sense this.
The electromagnetic waves' compatibility with Observation Haki was high; his Observation Haki was vast and powerful.
Aside from Katakuri, his was arguably the strongest.
Hancock, Ace, Dalton, Alistair, and Robin also sensed the electromagnetic waves.
The waves probed their minds; to another Observation Haki user, this was a provocation.
"We've sensed you. Reveal yourself." Alistair stood, addressing the air.
"Interesting!"
Lightning struck; Enel, like a god, stood before Alistair, his hair wrapped, long earlobes, thick eyebrows raised. He appeared faster than his voice: "A powerless individual can join the network, hear the voices of all things?"
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