Chapter 249: Sky Island Attack
Although Rhodes recognized Ziggs as a talented individual and Aurora Island as valuable territory, he refrained from directly recruiting him.
He remained keenly aware that his current status wasn't sufficient to command genuine loyalty from such a figure.
Ziggs' respect stemmed from recognizing superior strength—much like Blackbeard's own recruitment methods relied on intimidation rather than inspiration.
Besides, Rhodes didn't even possess a proper base of operations yet. There was no practical need to recruit Ziggs immediately.
Everything would fall into place after Doflamingo's defeat and Dressrosa's capture.
The following morning, atop the castle's highest floor, Rhodes stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the magnificent aurora dancing across the distant sky, his expression contemplative.
It wasn't the natural beauty that captivated him, but rather the island's intense magnetic field—which sparked inspiration for developing his electromagnetic abilities, potentially allowing him to wield them with far greater precision and control.
"By the way, Robin, how's your ability development progressing?"
He glanced toward Robin, who sat calmly reading a book some distance away.
Robin didn't acknowledge him verbally, remaining motionless in her reading posture.
However, suddenly a cluster of delicate arms sprouted across Rhodes' body, beginning to knead his shoulders and back with practiced expertise.
Realizing Robin had completely seen through his intentions, Rhodes felt no embarrassment whatsoever. He quietly enjoyed the special treatment, noting that Robin's massage techniques were remarkably proficient—perhaps skills honed from training sessions with Vivi.
However, just as he began to relax, the distinctive ringing of a Den Den Mushi abruptly shattered the tranquil moment.
The phantom arms vanished instantly, dissolving into flower petals.
Rhodes answered the call with a neutral expression, his earlier relaxation evaporating.
"Moshi moshi, Rhodes, this is Enel speaking. We have a situation on Skypiea. Gan Fall just contacted me—a remarkably powerful enemy has suddenly arrived on the island and specifically demands to see you."
"Who?"
Rhodes' eyes narrowed dangerously. For Enel to describe someone as "remarkably powerful" meant the opponent had already demonstrated their strength, potentially causing casualties among his people.
This was undoubtedly a deliberate provocation.
"The legendary pirate—Shiki the Golden Lion!"
Enel's voice carried profound gravity and unmistakable shock.
He was no longer the naive "Sky Frog" he'd once been. He'd educated himself thoroughly on these legendary figures and their terrifying capabilities.
"Shiki the Golden Lion?"
Rhodes' expression hardened instantly.
"I'll arrive as soon as possible."
Without another word, Rhodes disconnected the call, a fierce glint igniting in his eyes.
Though Golden Lion Shiki was indeed a legendary pirate who'd once rivaled Roger and Whitebeard himself, Rhodes was the Thunder God Swordsman—what was there to fear?
It was simply another battle.
Skypiea represented his faith network, which directly connected to his path toward greater power. To sever someone's future was to establish irreconcilable enmity.
"What happened?"
Robin closed her book and looked over with concern.
"Nothing that concerns you right now. You, Law, and the others can rest comfortably on Aurora Island. I need to take Jinbe with me."
Before Robin could respond, Rhodes vanished in a brilliant flash of lightning.
Robin approached the spot where he'd just stood and watched him leap down from the castle's precipitous height. A trace of genuine worry flickered through her intelligent eyes.
Although she didn't know the specific details, she could interpret Rhodes' reaction clearly enough—this was definitely an extraordinarily troublesome situation, possibly even life-threatening.
You absolutely cannot get hurt, she thought privately.
In that quiet moment, Robin suddenly realized this man had provided her with the sense of security she'd always lacked and desperately craved throughout her turbulent life.
She couldn't bear to imagine it.
If Rhodes died... would she return to those precarious, wandering days of constant fear?
Rhodes, however, paid no attention to such concerns.
After locating Jinbe, he ignored the fish-man's surprised questions and immediately led him on a rapid journey using the Door-Door Fruit's spatial manipulation.
The two quickly traversed the Red Line, arriving in Paradise—the Grand Line's first half—and after several additional spatial transitions, materialized on Angel Island.
This travel speed was world-class, potentially even slightly faster than Kizaru's light-speed movement over equivalent distances.
Upon arriving at Angel Island, Rhodes didn't rush immediately to the temple to confront Shiki. Instead, he stood perfectly still, recovering his strength and focusing his mind.
The upcoming battle would likely rank among the most intense he'd ever faced. He couldn't afford even the slightest carelessness—his energy and spirit needed to reach absolute peak condition.
Jinbe, meanwhile, stood nearby in complete bewilderment.
Who am I? Where am I? What exactly am I supposed to do?
He'd never imagined that following Rhodes for less than an hour would result in arriving at this legendary Sky Island he'd only heard about in stories.
After Rhodes established dominion over Skypiea, conditions across all aspects of island life had improved dramatically.
Particularly through the spatial portal connecting to Alabasta, the exchange of goods—including various products from the Blue Sea—had greatly enhanced the quality of life for Skypiea's inhabitants.
The unique Dial shells native to Skypiea had become a premier specialty product in Alabasta, generating substantial profits for both territories.
Several days ago, Enel had arrived on Skypiea at Rhodes' suggestion to begin spreading faith in the Thunder God.
This faith wasn't coercive, nor did it resemble Enel's previous oppressive tyranny. The people of Skypiea already possessed their own concept of "Kami," so they didn't inherently resist the idea.
The faith had spread rapidly.
At the suggestion of Skypiea's current ruler, Gan Fall, and with direct assistance from Enel's Goro Goro no Mi metal-smelting capabilities, everyone had worked together to construct a magnificent humanoid statue.
The statue stood ten meters tall, depicted holding a sword in a commanding stance, its facial features deliberately kept somewhat indistinct yet radiating immense divine majesty.
Ordinary people felt instinctively insignificant when standing before it.
Gan Fall and his advisors were clearly gifted in theological matters, understanding precisely how to inspire genuine reverence and awe.
And at this very moment, directly above this magnificent statue, a tall figure floated in eerie silence.
This figure possessed dazzling long golden hair, hovering in midair without releasing any perceptible aura—yet Gan Fall and everyone nearby felt utterly terrified, unable to meet his gaze directly.
Because this person was none other than one of the legendary great pirates:
Shiki the Golden Lion.
The first and only escapee from Impel Down's supposedly inescapable depths.
A figure who had dominated the Great Pirate Era alongside Whitebeard and Roger himself!
He'd once single-handedly invaded Marine Headquarters, battling both Garp and Sengoku simultaneously, nearly destroying half the fortress before finally being subdued.
Such a fearsome reputation had become legendary even among Gan Fall and his companions, despite being isolated on Skypiea for decades.
"Jihahahaha..."
"A god, you say? Interesting... very interesting indeed..."
"So where is this 'god' of yours? Why hasn't he come?"
Golden Lion rotated lazily in midair, seemingly merging with heaven and earth itself, before accelerating with incredible speed to hover directly above Gan Fall, looking down at him with undisguised contempt.
"Even if you are a legendary pirate, you still cannot blaspheme against our God!"
Gan Fall remained resolute. In many ways, he ranked among the very first to believe in Rhodes.
He was also among the first to notice the tangible difference.
Unlike his previous faith, which had merely sought spiritual comfort, after embracing Rhodes as his deity, Gan Fall frequently experienced visions during meditation—glimpsing an incredibly majestic and towering figure that dramatically strengthened his conviction.
If not for his fear of Golden Lion causing widespread casualties across Skypiea, he would have already fought to the death.
"JIHAHAHAHA!"
Golden Lion threw his head back with booming laughter, his voice carrying both contempt and disdain.
He was an overlord of the seas, someone who'd once stood at the absolute pinnacle, overlooking the entire ocean. How could he possibly believe in ethereal deities? Clearly this was just some Devil Fruit user employing special abilities!
Still laughing, Golden Lion suddenly raised one leg and swept it out with deceptive casualness.
The famous sword Kogarashi—which replaced his severed lower leg—erupted with terrifying sword energy.
WHOOOOSH!
The sword slash swept across the sky, deliberately avoiding casualties but striking the ground with devastating force.
BOOOOOM!
A Great Swordsman's attack was displayed before these Sky Island residents for the very first time.
The earth was cleaved open directly, creating a massive fissure exceeding one hundred meters in length—a truly terrifying sight.
And this was merely a casual swing.
Everyone could immediately imagine that if Golden Lion attacked seriously, he could probably split the entire Sky Island temple in half with a single strike!
The entire area fell deathly silent, as if even the flowing wind had frozen in terror.
(End of Chapter)