Within the grand shrine on Upper Yard, Setsuna sat casually on Enel's former throne, his black hair stirred by a faint breeze.
Resting his chin on one hand, he looked down at Gan Fall, who stood defiantly below.
Enel had clearly let him run free before, hoping the former 'god' might be amusing.
Now, with Setsuna's order, Enel got slightly serious and captured Gan Fall right away.
Though his armor was broken and white hair messy, the former god stood straight, glaring angrily. "Evil fakes! Kill me if you will! I would die before bowing to you!"
Setsuna sighed. "This is troublesome. I was going to have Enel give the title of 'god' back to you. But if you want to die, who should I find to be 'god'?"
Gan Fall's eyes widened. His wrinkled face showed a flicker of doubt, but he became more wary. "What game are you playing?"
Setsuna smiled. "Do you think I need games to deal with you?"
Gan Fall was speechless. Before today, he might have thought his fight meant something. Now, it seemed his years of resisting were just a joke to them.
Setsuna clapped. "I'll be straight. Enel is coming with me to the Blue Sea. I'm giving Skypiea back to you. Those harsh laws Enel made… scrap them all if you want."
"But one rule: You send us a set amount of [Dials] each year. The amount won't be more than you can handle."
Hearing this, Gan Fall could hardly believe it, 'Was it really that simple?'
He trembled, touching his beard, heart racing. "Really? That's all?"
Setsuna nodded. "I have no reason to lie. Before you die, suggest someone good to be 'God'."
Gan Fall's old face turned red. "Well, I didn't strictly say I had to die. I'm only 61. The perfect age for adventures."
Setsuna laughed loudly. "Then I'll need you to work a bit harder."
"I... I will follow your order." Gan Fall bowed deeply, his eyes full of thanks.
Enel stood to the side, curling his lip. Lightning sparked on his staff, clearly unhappy.
But since the God King had spoken, he just snorted coldly in quiet agreement.
After dealing with Skypiea matters, Enel led the three to the secret base where he'd built his Ark Maxim.
Though they'd seen the Golden Bell's beauty, when the huge, shining golden ark came into view, they were still amazed.
"This is... too much," Cavendish couldn't help touching the fine golden designs on the hull. "I feel like robbing you."
"Hah." Enel sneered in disdain. "My goal isn't as shallow as yours. Gold is the best conductor for electricity. This ark will take me to the Fairy Vearth. That's the real reason I gathered gold."
Setsuna looked at the masterpiece that mixed Skypiea's tech with the Goro Goro no Mi's traits, admiring it inside.
Enel's talent was strong. He'd not only developed his fruit and Mantra highly, but also designed this electric ship alone.
"Too bad the inside is only half done." Enel clenched his staff, dissatisfied. "It can't fly yet."
Hearing this, Cavendish lifted his chin proudly. "So you still need this young master's power in the end? Without my Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, your big golden toy would be stuck up here forever."
Enel didn't even look at him. "Tools should be quiet and do their job."
Ignoring Cavendish's yelling, Enel turned to Setsuna. "Captain, please let this ark be our main ship. Only a golden divine ship like this fits a god's majesty."
Nearby, Ace couldn't hold back. He jumped onto the front of the ship in one move, flames accidentally springing from his hands in his excitement. His eyes under his cowboy hat shone with a kid's wonder.
"So cool! Are we going to sail the world on this golden ship now?"
Setsuna lightly ran his fingers over the carved thundercloud patterns on the rail. "Yes. We'll use this ship as our flagship."
Though the golden ark was very showy, with his current power, being showy didn't matter.
…
Besides the Ark Maxim, Setsuna also had Enel bring his four priests.
Though their strength meant little to them, they were okay for the first half of the Grand Line.
As the golden Ark Maxim cut through the clouds, slowly coming down from ten thousand meters up...
High above, Doflamingo sat relaxed on Buffalo's back, the user of the Guru Guru no Mi, looking down. He liked seeing people as tiny ants below.
Suddenly, a blinding golden light shot straight at them. Buffalo cried out, "Young Master! My eyes!"
"An attack?" Baby-5 raised her weapon by reflex, but as she pulled the trigger, a lightning bolt from the sky hit her right on.
Boom!
Both Baby-5 and Buffalo were burned black and smoking. Only Doflamingo, using Armament Haki, took the lightning.
Seeing Buffalo about to fall, Doflamingo's right hand shot out strings to grab a cloud, his left pulling the two falling people.
His sunglasses reflected a dazzling golden ark. His mind was in shock.
'The Goro Goro no Mi? And this strength... definitely developed very far. Since when was there a user this powerful on the seas?'
Before he could think more, three figures surrounded him in a triangle.
Ace's hands were on fire. Enel's staff crackled with lightning. Cavendish's sword shone coldly.
Even someone as bold as Doflamingo broke out in a cold sweat. He forced himself to be calm. "Everyone, this is really a misunder-"
His eyes suddenly fixed on Ace, and his usual nasty smile came back. "Fufufu... Isn't this [Fire Fist] Ace from the lately famous Gourmet Navigation Group?"
"Huh? I'm that famous already?" Ace laughed brightly, flames jumping with his laughter.
Doflamingo spread his hands. "Don't be tense. I'm a Warlord too. I actually have things to talk about with your Captain."
Ace wasn't worried about any tricks. He knew that once Doflamingo saw Setsuna, he wouldn't get away.
"Alright then. Follow us."
Doflamingo breathed a sigh of relief inside, then studied their backs with doubt and unease, 'Mera Mera no Mi, Goro Goro no Mi, Fuwa Fuwa no Mi... This crew's potential is scary. Given time, they could become another Emperor-level power.'