The flight armor invented by Dr. Vegapunk originally utilized Breath Dials as its primary power source. After extensive research and modification, it eventually evolved into the specialized armor worn by Aranea.
Now, the World Government has further enhanced this technology, applying it to warships. After multiple experiments, they aim to create true "Flying Ships" capable of soaring through the skies. The vessels currently used by Shirokitsune and Momousagi are prototypes in this development stage.
Unfortunately, manufacturing these warships requires a massive quantity of Breath Dials as experimental material. By tracing the origins of Dr. Vegapunk's earlier flight armor research, the Government followed the trail all the way to Skypiea.
Sky Islands are not exclusive to the first half of the Grand Line; as islands in the sky, they extend far into the New World, governed by Enel and his subordinate Priests.
Initially, the Government intended to proceed via standard trade, simply purchasing the materials. The Dials here are indeed diverse: beyond the Breath Dials needed for the flying ships, there are Flame Dials that spew fire, Flash Dials that absorb light to act as stun grenades, Axe Dials that absorb and release slashes, and many others. There are even everyday varieties like Tone Dials and Lamp Dials.
However, Momousagi's group, having just navigated the "Sea Dragons" and made landfall on the Sky Island, barely had time to get their bearings before they were charged with Level 2 crimes and sentenced to the "Ordeal of God," the ultimate punishment.
Hearing the proclamations of these winged Priests, Shirokitsune, Momousagi, and the gathered Army soldiers felt their worldviews collapsing. They used to think the high-and-mighty officials in Mariejois were difficult to please, but compared to the rules here, Mariejois was a paradise!
Naturally, high-ranking officers like Momousagi weren't about to follow local laws. After several days of standoff, war finally broke out between God Enel, with his four Priests and the White Berets, and the Army unit led by Momousagi and Shirokitsune.
Yet, aside from Enel himself, who possessed the top-tier Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit, his Priests and troops turned out to be complete pushovers. Aside from their proficiency in Mantra (Observation Haki), they were nothing to fear. Within two hours, the Army had beaten them all into the ground. Only Enel remained, but the "Long-Ears" stayed insufferably arrogant; his hubris was baked into his very marrow.
Momousagi and Enel stood in a deadlock. Having been provoked repeatedly, Momousagi, who didn't have the best temper to begin with, was now filled with killing intent. She laughed coldly. "Usafufufu... God Enel, I've heard throughout Skypiea that your tyrannical rule has made life a living hell for the people. In the name of Absolute Justice, I am placing you under arrest!"
"Yahahaha! Arrest me?"
Enel laughed maniacally before his face darkened. "Don't think that knowing a few strange tricks allows you to contend with a God, you ignorant woman!"
Momousagi unsheathed her sword, her smile radiating lethal intent. "The ignorant one is you. You don't even know about Seastone or Armament Haki. A Logia like you is going to die very quickly. Usafufufufu..."
Just as the two were about to begin the second round of their battle, the tremors Shirokitsune had recently quelled struck again, this time even more violently. With her current power, Shirokitsune could no longer suppress them.
Through her Devil Fruit ability, Shirokitsune clearly sensed the vibrations surging from beneath the clouds. She suddenly looked up and screamed, "Momousagi-senpai! Get back!"
Momousagi didn't know what was happening below, but hearing the warning, she used her extraordinary leaping power to retreat hundreds of meters in three rapid bounds.
Enel's Mantra, enhanced by the electromagnetic waves of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, was even sharper than Momousagi's. He sensed an acute instinctive threat and transformed into a bolt of lightning, vanishing from his spot.
Seconds after they cleared the area, a gargantuan entity burst through the cloud floor where they had just been standing, blotting out the vision of nearly everyone present.
Fangs. Crimson eyes. A serpent's head. Fins. A pitch-black body.
The Army soldiers stared wide-eyed at the monster that had crashed into the battlefield. After a long moment of stunned silence, they cried out in horror: "It's... it's a giant snake!!"
"Giant" didn't even begin to describe it. Standing on its back felt no different from standing on solid ground. People used to think the Immortal Pirates' Sanjuan Wolf was the world's largest human and the Island Eater was the world's largest animal, but compared to this serpent, those two seemed small and cute.
The serpent extended its neck above the clouds, flicking its tongue to observe its surroundings.
Alucard stood atop Jormungandr's head, gazing down at the scene. When his eyes met Shirokitsune's, he tilted his head and smirked. "It's been a long time... Alessia."
Shirokitsune's brow furrowed. Although she saw news of him frequently, it had been ten years since they had met face-to-face.
"Why is a Yonko here?!"
"And what's with that snake? Is that also one of Alucard the Immortal's things?"
The Army troops stood at the ready, though they couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of dread facing a Yonko and a serpent that literally obscured the sky.
I need to report this to the higher-ups immediately. Momousagi quickly organized her thoughts to determine the best course of action. They had been here for days; it was unlikely Alucard had followed them. The sea below this cloud layer, known as the "Sea Dragons," was the third method of reaching the Sky Island. Analyzing the situation, it seemed Alucard's arrival was a pure coincidence.
Crackle!
In a flash of lightning, a blue light descended from the air onto the back of Jormungandr, behind Alucard.
Enel tapped his golden staff against the serpent's back, baring his teeth in a wide grin. "Yahahahaha! This monster snake isn't bad! It's perfect as a messenger of God."
Enel then spoke to Alucard's back in a commanding tone: "Blue Sea dweller, get off at once. From this moment on, this is the domain of God."
Shirokitsune blinked, sharing a common thought with almost everyone present: He's a dead man.
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