"Enel is here!"
The surrounding crowd instantly erupted, screaming in terror as if they had seen something vile. It seemed he didn't have a good reputation on this island.
Roa looked up at the boy who had suddenly appeared. Of course, in the future, he would directly blow up this island.
If he remembered correctly, this kid, Enel, was the same age as Buggy, both nine this year. Had he already eaten the Goro Goro no Mi so early? What a shame.
Although it was the Mythical Zoan version, a top-tier Logia Devil Fruit like the Goro Goro no Mi was still very strong. In the original story, while Enel played with the Goro Goro no Mi in a very flashy way, his talent was still far from the true top-tier monsters. If this fruit could be given to Yamato, her future would be even more limitless.
Giving it to Teach would also work. A Mythical Zoan plus the Goro Goro no Mi would give him speed, attack power, and endurance—he would have no weaknesses.
But there was no choice. Enel had already eaten the Goro Goro no Mi. Without the Yami Yami no Mi, the chances of simply relying on the Devil Fruit's reincarnation mechanism to acquire a Devil Fruit were too low.
So, he would reluctantly take this kid in.
"Wait!"
Dylan instantly realized something was wrong with the boy who had suddenly appeared. "Lightning? That kid, he came here as lightning!"
"It's the Logia Goro Goro no Mi!"
Teach, who had seen the Devil Fruit encyclopedia, immediately exclaimed in shock. "An ability that can be called top-tier even among Logias! It actually appeared in such a backwater?" This fruit was worthy of any powerful person in the world!
"Goro Goro no Mi?"
Doflamingo and Bege were also slightly startled. Although they had never truly witnessed the power of this fruit, it was obvious that an ability that could transform into lightning couldn't possibly be weak.
"Yahaha! That's right!"
The boy, who still looked young, saw the surprise on everyone's faces and burst into a smug laugh. "A god's ability, of course, must befit a god!"
A god?
Doflamingo's surprise instantly vanished, and he laughed out loud. What a frog in a well, so ridiculous! The only time he dared to be this arrogant was when he was a Celestial Dragon!
Bege and Teach also wore smiles. Did this kid think he was invincible just because he had a powerful Devil Fruit?
"Enel! You brat!"
The burly God of Birka looked up in a rage. "How many times do I have to tell you! The God of Birka is me! If you call yourself a god again, I'll kill you!"
This crazy kid had been an anomaly since he was little. Although he was an orphan, he had survived with the same perseverance as a wild dog fighting for food. If that were all, no one would have cared about him, as this country never lacked homeless orphans.
What was special about Enel was that while everyone else in this country lived in peace and contentment, this kid shouted every day that he wanted to return to his homeland, to the "Infinite Land." It was nothing, really. He could shout all he wanted. After all, he was just a child, and no matter how much he shouted, it didn't matter.
But, not long ago, this boy suddenly gained the ability to transform into lightning. And then, he became unstoppable. While his lightning was only powerful enough to stun a normal person at best, this kid could turn into lightning, making him immune to any attack. What was even more troublesome was that Enel could also move as lightning, making him impossible to catch.
After realizing that no one could do anything to him, Enel's ego inflated tremendously, and he now called himself a god. The God of Birka was furious about this.
"Yahaha! Come and try if you can do it!"
The nine-year-old boy shrugged, his smile scornful and arrogant. "Do you think a foolish false god can become an enemy of a true god?"
"You brat!"
The God of Birka was trembling with anger. In the past, he had wanted to kill Enel countless times because he was afraid. The lightning released by a nine-year-old Enel had little effect on his tough body; it only made him feel a little numb. But what about a nineteen-year-old Enel? A twenty-nine-year-old Enel? Would he still be able to ignore Enel's lightning then?
The God of Birka didn't dare to think about it. So he believed Enel couldn't be allowed to live. But he was powerless. No attack worked on Enel, and he couldn't catch him and throw him into the White-White Sea because of his lightning-fast speed. So, he could only rage in futility.
"Yahaha!"
Enel saw the God of Birka's apprehension, and his laughter grew more and more arrogant. "My power is invincible! I am the true god!"
"OiOiOi! Who are you to call yourselves gods?"
Roa suddenly looked arrogant. He patted King's shoulder and said haughtily, "Why aren't you bowing to the true God of Skypiea?"
"Boss?"
King looked a little confused, but it didn't stop him from saying with a look of reverence, "What kind of god am I in front of you?"
"It doesn't matter," Roa said, winking at him. "Let's each have a turn at being god."
It was a sudden idea, but the geographical location of the White Sea and the White-White Sea was indeed excellent. It was almost in the center of the Paradise of the Grand Line, and from top to bottom, it could cover a good portion of the first half of the Grand Line. So, he could let King become the true God of Skypiea and control the sky.
Besides, the whole world was in chaos. Why should this place be able to stand alone? That wasn't fair, not fair at all! He had always said that absolute justice was just and beautiful! Fortunately, Roa was here, and he would bring justice!
"I understand."
King nodded solemnly, and then he raised his voice. "Since you say so, I'll be the God of Skypiea!"
"Very good," Roa nodded in satisfaction. He had never had any doubts about the loyalty of Dylan, King, and Barrett. So, he would let King conquer this sky.
Hearing King's words, the God of Birka's expression changed slightly. Although he had never seen them, the legends of Birka said that the former God Clan of Birka possessed overwhelming divine power!
"God of Skypiea?"
Enel's gaze finally settled on King. Then, his pupils also shrank suddenly.
"You are—"
He bit back the word "God Clan" that was about to come out. Now, he was the true god!
"Yahaha! You've come at the right time!"
Enel turned into a flash of lightning and appeared directly in front of King. The boy with long earlobes curled up his lips, and his young face became a little twisted with arrogance and smugness. "Only by defeating you old gods can I truly ascend to the position of a god!"
Was he already this cringy at such a young age?
Roa smiled. "He has challenged you, King. Aren't you going to accept?"
"Please leave it to me, Boss," King stepped forward, his eyes calmly looking at Enel. "It won't take up much of your time. Just a moment."
"You foolish old god! Do you think you can defeat a god with the power of lightning?"
Enel held his head high, his arrogance overflowing. "Let me show you what a true god's power is like!"
"I am the God of Birka!"
The God of Birka gritted his teeth and said with a bit of anger, "Don't you two get too arrogant! Whether it's Enel or the god who used to rule Birka, no one can take my position!"
"Yahaha! Then you can both go to hell!"
Enel's eyes were filled with madness. Dazzling lightning erupted from his body and simultaneously struck King and the God of Birka.
"Run! Enel is going to cause trouble again!"
The surrounding people screamed and fled. At the same time, the God of Birka ran forward, enduring Enel's lightning, and threw a heavy punch at Enel's chest. However, the powerful punch only turned Enel into lightning.
"You hateful brat!"
The God of Birka gritted his teeth. It was still useless! No matter what attack he used, he was still powerless!
Enel even stood still and laughed arrogantly. "Yahaha! Did you see—"
His laughter came to an abrupt halt because he saw King casually swatting away his lightning with a single palm.
Huh?
"How boring," King's eyes were calm. "A god? How insignificant."
"You—"
Enel only had time to say one word before a dark hand grabbed his face. He didn't react. The God of Birka also didn't react. The onlookers couldn't even see clearly.
But in reality, King just took a simple step forward. His posture was casual, and he didn't use much force at all. King casually grabbed Enel's face and also pinched the God of Birka's neck, then casually knocked the two of them together. The two of them didn't even have time to utter a sound before they were knocked out, bleeding from their heads.
He came, he finished them in a second. What more was there to say?
"..."
The surrounding onlookers were instantly dumbfounded. The God of Birka, who had ruled for more than a decade and was invincible, and Enel, who even the God of Birka was helpless against, were taken care of in an instant? This, this—
"A god! This is the power of a god!"
"As expected of the legendary God Clan that ruled Birka! This is the god who should be leading us!"
"O' God! We love and revere you!"
After a brief moment of shock, a cheer erupted from the crowd.
"Hoohoo."
Roa curled up the corners of his mouth. It seemed the Lunarian race was quite something back in the day! The people of Birka hadn't been in contact with the Lunarian race for so many years, but after witnessing King's power, they instantly bowed and submitted. They were the "leftovers," so to speak.
"Tsk tsk."
Teach also clicked his tongue in wonder. So, what was the relationship between the legendary Lunarian race and these residents of the sky? Did the subjects of the Lunarian race flee to the sky after losing the war back then?
"Alright," Roa clapped his hands. "King, wake them up. It's time for them to change their attitudes."
How could a proud and unruly guy like Enel be tamed by normal means? He was no longer a normal kid; he had to be hit with a heavy fist! It was time to use the 'modifier'!
"Yes, Boss."
King didn't hesitate. He nodded gently, and flames shot out from his hands, instantly landing on Enel and the God of Birka.
"Oh! It's fire! That's right! The legendary gods can indeed release blazing flames!"
"So cool! Such power! This is what a god is!"
Although he only released two small fireballs, the onlookers were still emotionally charged.
And then.
"Waaah!"
The two who had been knocked unconscious instantly screamed and woke up.
And then.
"Hey, Enel, right? You don't want to be unable to return to the Infinite Land, do you?"
Oh! The fear instantly came out!
So.
"Waaah!"
...
A little later, in the center of Birka, in the luxurious building where the God of Birka resided, the "God Palace."
"...Ro, Lord Roa," the God of Birka stood aside, trembling in fear, cautiously looking at the young man who was sitting cross-legged on what used to be his throne. "This is all we know."
"Is that all?" Roa sighed with a bit of regret.
"Ye-yes..." The God of Birka quickly lowered his head. His heart felt like it was about to burst with fear every time he looked at this young man. He didn't dare to have even the slightest bit of disrespect towards this young man, let alone defy him.
"So," King's expression was a little strange as he stood beside Roa. "We were originally from the moon?"
After using his ability to manipulate negative emotions to put a shackle on both the God of Birka and Enel, Roa asked about the historical rumors passed down in Birka. But the people on this island didn't know much.
According to the God of Birka, their race originally lived on the moon, and the race that ruled them at the time was the Lunarian race, whom their ancestors called gods. But they didn't know how many years ago or for what reason, the entire race migrated to this planet. And when they arrived, the race split. The God Clan led a part of the people to the sea, while the ancestors of the Birka people stayed in the sky, where they remained until today.
Strictly speaking, all the residents of this sky were descendants of the Birka immigrants from back then. It was just that some people had already forgotten this legend, as it had been too long.
"So," Dylan looked at King. "The Lunarian race was originally aliens?"
"They were moon people on the moon, and they are sea people on the Blue Sea," Roa said seriously. How dare you define King's planet of origin?
However, too much time had passed, and apart from some legends, nothing was left in Birka. Roa had thought there would be some technological data at least, but there wasn't. It made sense. The ark Enel would build in the future looked unreliable. The energy came from his lightning, and the flying power came entirely from the Skypiea's wind breath dials, aside from some propellers. It didn't have a high technological content at all and didn't look like ancient technology.
"It doesn't matter what I am," King said solemnly. "My most important identity is being Boss's subordinate!"
Beside him, Doflamingo pursed his lips. What a suck-up.
"Very good, King," Roa said with satisfaction. "I'm giving you a mission."
"You want to say," King didn't hesitate and replied respectfully, "you want me to stay and conquer this sky?"
Since he had already told him to become the God of Skypiea, King had already guessed what Roa meant.
"Yes, but you will only stay in this sky for now," Roa said. "It was irresponsible for your ancestors to bring people here and then just leave them!"
"So, you stay here and make up for them." King's task should be very easy. Once he revealed his identity as a God Clan, he didn't know how many people would bow to him. The remaining stubborn ones wouldn't be able to withstand a single flame from him. And since he could fly, it would be easy for him to come back and meet up with them later.
King nodded vigorously. "Yes, Boss! I understand! Please leave it to me! I will conquer this sky for you."
"Very good," Roa was very satisfied. It shouldn't take King long. Perhaps he would be done before Roa even reached Elbaf.
Then, Roa looked at the boy who was shrinking like a quail in a corner.
"Enel, you'll come with us."
"Gulp—"
Nine-year-old Enel lowered his head in terror, not daring to make eye contact with Roa. A single sentence from Roa made his body tremble non-stop. Fear was already etched into his bones, and a bridle had been placed on the unruly wild horse. It was that simple. After all, he was still just a nine-year-old child.
Now, it was time to go back.