Angel Island - Outer Skypiea Territory
Rumble—
The White Sea clouds trembled as a massive pink 'Pegasus' came soaring through, its wings stirring continuous white waves in the air currents.
Upon the Pegasus's back.
An elderly man in silver armor and cloak sat solemnly, white hair whipping in the wind, his face resolute yet weathered, exuding the steady dignity of one who'd weathered countless storms.
This was the current "God" of Skypiea—Gan Fall.
He landed steadily before the warship's bow, his long spear striking the deck with a clear, forceful sound.
Gan Fall knelt on one knee, right fist against his chest, performing a formal salute almost akin to a knight's oath towards Guts and his crew.
His voice boomed through the drifting mist.
"Warriors of the Blue Sea—"
"I am the guardian of Angel Island and the current God of Skypiea—Gan Fall."
"Your arrival has shaken the entire White Sea."
"Allow me, on behalf of Angel Island, to invite you to land upon 'Angel's Island' to discuss important matters!"
For a moment.
All veterans on deck stood at solemn attention, even Puck raising an eyebrow in admiration at the old man's spirit despite his age.
Guts stood with hands behind his back, his expression cool and composed.
His gaze shifted slightly as he gave a faint nod.
"Lead the way."
*****
Angel Island - Divine Hall
Golden light bathed the high vaulted ceiling.
Floating Wind Dials sprayed fine water mist, making the entire temple gleam like holy ground.
Guts, Puck, and several elite soldiers were seated at the main table's side, with Gan Fall personally attending them.
White-robed attendants served tea brewed with Dial energy before bowing and retreating.
With grave expression, Gan Fall began recounting Angel Island's current situation.
Someone was manipulating things behind the scene.
The White Sea relies on various Dial Energy to sustain life and now the Dial energy is scarce.
Every year, an exorbitant Tax (essentially a survival tax) must be paid to the Nobles of Skypiea.
Those unable to pay will be stripped of their land, property, and residency rights, reduced to destitute drifters wandering the White Sea.
The eruption of Shandora led to the Shandian being displaced to Sky island, sparking a prolonged conflict with the native inhabitants of Skypiea.
The war that has been happening for hundreds of years.
Gan Fall let out a sigh, his face unable to conceal his exhaustion and helplessness.
"Skypiea today is no longer the pure realm it once was."
"Class exploitation, corruption of power, civil strife..."
"The White Sea has long been stained with rivers of blood."
"I was a failure as their God,"
Puck slammed his fist heavily onto the stone table, causing the tea to splash. He growled under his breath.
"Tch, even the skies are this rotten?"
"Thought flying up here would show me some true peaceful land, but it's worse than those damned countries below!"
"These so-called 'gods' are filthier than those lowly nobles and royalty!"
Guts lowered his gaze, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest with a steady, measured sound.
After a long pause, he slowly spoke.
His voice wasn't loud, yet it cut through the serenity of the temple like a blade.
"Corruption, doesn't change its nature just because of altitude."
His icy words pierced through the bones of everyone present like a frigid sea breeze.
Gan Fall's expression shifted slightly as he lowered his head in silence.
His fists clenched tightly, then loosened helplessly.
Because every word Guts spoke—was a bloody reality that tore through all pretenses.
At this very moment.
Standing within the ruins of this once-glorious temple, Guts had already made his decision.
This Skypiea, rotted to its core by hypocrisy and lust for power—he would cleanse it anew with Absolute Justice!
*****
Outskirts of the Shandora Ruins
Two days later.
Amid swirling mist, the broken silhouette of an ancient clock tower stood atop a floating island, its golden hues mottled as if silently recounting the elegy of its former glory and downfall.
Guts and Puck moved with light steps, walking slowly through the ruins.
The air trembled faintly, the pale sea of clouds churning with a subtle Death Aura.
The moment the two stepped into the outskirts of the clock tower—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!
Sharp whistling sounds suddenly assaulted them from all directions!
Puck tensed and barked.
"Ambush!!"
BOOM!
In the next moment, over a dozen Shandian warriors clad in crude armor, their feathered ornaments fluttering, burst forth from the surrounding mist with gleaming spears and axes.
Their battle cries roared like deafening war songs.
"Outsiders—get out of Shandora!"
"For our homeland, we fight to the Death!"
Puck shifted his stance, his body crouched like a drawn bow, a bloodthirsty grin curling his lips.
Armament Haki·Hardening·Crushing Fist!
Bam!!!
His fist smashed into two charging Shandian warriors.
Bones shattered, blood sprayed!
The two were sent flying dozens of meters like ragged cloth, crashing heavily onto the scattered ruins, incapacitated.
But more Shandian warriors surged forward like a tide!
As for Guts, he merely lifted his gaze slightly.
A light step beneath his feet.
'Air Manipulation·Binding'
Hummm—!
The surrounding air contracted violently, forming visible transparent ripples.
Several Shandian warriors who had just leaped into the air to attack suddenly paled!
They felt their movements slow to a crawl.
Limbs felt as if sinking into a swamp, every inch of muscle bound by invisible chains—utterly immobilized!
"Wh-what's happening?!"
They struggled frantically.
Yet Guts merely raised his right hand, fingers together, palm curling inward.
'Collapsing Air Wave!'
BOOM!!!
The air violently explodes.
The Shandian warriors trapped midair plummeted like broken kites, crashing down in unison!
The ground trembled, dust billowed and ancient stone pillars shattered into countless fragments.
The entire battlefield was completely overwhelmed by Guts and Puck in mere seconds.
Puck flicked his wrist lightly, clicking his tongue:
"Tsk... These Shandian warriors have spirit, but their strength is far lacking."
With a playful glance at Guts beside him, he muttered under his breath.
"Boss, your Devil Fruit power... isn't that just cheating?"
Guts calmly withdrew his hand, black hair fluttering in the wind, his gaze as sharp as a blade slicing through the sky.
He offered no reply, merely sweeping his indifferent eyes over the groaning remnants of the Shandian forces.
....
Meanwhile.
Other Side of the Ruins · Shadow of the Crumbling Walls
A tall, golden-haired figure lurked silently behind the shadows of a collapsed temple.
His blue eyes were icy, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
It was none other than—Enel.
The ambitious man from Birka, who had already consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
The electrical energy within him was still in its initial stages of rampage and development, far from reaching its full awakened potential.
Originally, he had planned to seize the opportunity of the conflict between Skypieans and the Shandians to secretly amass power and rise gradually.
But—
The black-haired man intervention.
That heart-stopping Absolute Air Control and flawless Suppression.
Sent waves of chilling dread coursing through Enel's veins!
"No... This isn't right."
"This man... his power is terrifying."
Even with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he felt an undeniable pressure.
Shock, fear!
Yet deep within, it ignited an even fiercer desire and obsession.
"NO"
"I am a GOD!"
"I must dominate these skies!!"
Enel gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with thunderous ambition.
Silently, he melted into the wind, vanishing without a trace.