Skypiea — Birka
When Gern Reginald Sigmar and his group set foot on the small sky island, the silence was unnerving.There were no voices, no movement—only the faint, mournful whistling of the wind as it slipped through the clouds.
"Something's wrong here."Tesoro scanned their surroundings, his brow tightly furrowed."According to Gan Fall, Birka is where the God's Domain cultivates priests.It should be lively—something like Ohara, a sanctuary of knowledge and learning."
"Agreed."Snake Princess brushed her fingers over the hilt at her waist and nodded."But instead, this place feels… dead. As if it's been—"
"Ruled by a dictator."Gern cut in calmly, his gaze fixed on the towering white palace at the island's center.
At those words, Tesoro snapped his head toward Gern."Vice Admiral Gern… are you saying the one ruling this place is the 'god' you're looking for?"
"That's right."Gern's lips curved upward, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes."And he already knows we're here."
"He knows?"Snake Princess's pupils shrank as she instinctively looked toward the distant palace."At this distance, even Observation Haki shouldn't be able to—"
"It is Observation Haki," Gern replied flatly.
"What?!"All three cried out at once—Lipo's rabbit ears snapping straight up.
"Th-this…"Tesoro's voice trembled, as though his entire worldview had just been scrubbed clean."Is that even a distance Observation Haki can reach?"
Gern didn't answer. Instead, he casually found a slab of cloudstone and sat down, motioning for Lipo to come closer."No need to look for him. He'll come to us.We've been moving nonstop—might as well rest a bit."
Hearing that, Tesoro didn't press further. He was still reeling from the implications of what Gern had said about Observation Haki.
As for this so-called "god"… judging from Gan Fall as a reference point, Tesoro assumed it had to be someone exceptional.After all, the people of Skypiea didn't even know Haki existed.
...
At the Same Time — Birka Divine Palace, Throne Chamber
Upon a long sofa crafted from pure white Cloud Dials lay a young man with skin pale as daylight and a slender, elongated build.His earlobes were unnaturally long, stretching almost to his shoulders.Messy short blond hair framed his face.
He lay on his side, bare-chested, wearing nothing but loose white trousers.
Kneeling before him were trembling priests, their foreheads pressed to the floor.
Crunch.
The crisp sound of teeth biting into an apple exploded through the deathly silent hall, making the priests' spines shudder.
"I know what you're thinking."Enel took another bite, his half-lidded eyes drifting lazily over the kneeling figures."If there are any more strong warriors, bring them.I'll deal with all of them."
"N-no! There are none left, Lord Enel!"One priest dared to raise his gaze slightly, staring at the young man reclining before him—so relaxed, so calm, almost approachable.
This man had once been nothing more than an ordinary, weak Skypiean.He had shown no talent whatsoever—certainly none worthy of becoming a priest.
And yet, one day, this nobody awakened the power to control—and become—lightning.
In just half a month, he singlehandedly defeated every aerial warrior on Birka and seized control of the island.
"You're…"Enel suddenly stopped chewing. He stared at the priest, then raised a finger, smiling."…lying to me."
The instant the word left his mouth, blinding lightning tore through the hall.
The three priests didn't even have time to scream.Their pupils turned white, black smoke rising from their bodies as they collapsed lifelessly to the floor.
Afterward, Enel casually rolled upright, grabbed a white headscarf, and wrapped it around his fluffy curls.He picked up his golden staff, stretched lazily—
Then burst into manic laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
The crazed laughter shook the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.The young god spread his arms wide as lightning entwined around him, forming a radiant corona.
"I… am God!!"
Birka had not yet fully submitted, and Enel—having just tasted the sweetness of authority—was utterly intoxicated by it.
Endless lands? A divine kingdom? A holy realm in the sky?Those distant concepts couldn't compare to what lay before him now—
Kneeling masses.Trembling enemies.The intoxicating sensation of standing above all existence.
The supreme ecstasy of being a god—It felt so damn good.
After indulging himself for a while, Enel suddenly closed his eyes, activating his innate gift to listen for any discontent across Birka.
At this point, he hadn't yet developed the island-wide Mantra network—but his Observation Haki talent already allowed him to hear many thoughts.
Especially—
[Carrots, carrot cake, carrot juice, carrots stewed with carrots, carrot ice cream…]
[Gern just stole a glance at my chest… should I loosen my neckline a bit more?Wait—this look of his—does he want to do something tonight above the cloud sea…?Ahhh! No, no, no—stop it, stop it, stop it~!]
[The "Catastrophe" faction really is walking on thin ice within the Navy right now.We need two plans—both have to be solid.Still, more importantly… I wonder if Skypiea has any local specialties. I want to bring something back for Stella.Why is this god taking so long…]
Enel's eyes snapped open.
"…???"
What the hell is this nonsense?And that man… why is he—
He focused again, trying to read Gern's thoughts.
There was nothing.
Like listening to pure emptiness.
Worse still, Enel felt an unsettling sensation—As if the other party was sensing him in return.
"Arrogant Blue Sea trash!"Realizing he was being countered, Enel erupted in rage and instantly transformed into a bolt of lightning, vanishing from the throne room.
...
Back on Birka's surface, time passed slowly.The surroundings remained eerily quiet, broken only by the occasional gust of wind.
"Gern… will he really come?"Lipo squatted beside him, poking at the clouds in boredom."We've been waiting forever…"
"Be patient."Gern rubbed her head gently.
Lipo tilted her head."And if he doesn't come?"
"He will."Gern smiled faintly."Because—"
Before he could finish, the sky darkened abruptly.
Black clouds churned. Lightning flickered within them.
A bolt of lightning split the heavens and came crashing straight down toward them!
"Watch out!"Snake Princess drew her blade in a flash, the arc of steel cleaving the lightning cleanly in two.
But the severed lightning didn't dissipate.
Instead, it spread outward, forming a crackling cage of electricity around them.
"Intruders… who trespass upon the domain of a god… must die…"
A low, resonant voice echoed from all directions as thunder rolled through the clouds.
Then, a figure slowly descended from the storm.
A tall, slender young man.Earlobes stretched long, nearly brushing his shoulders.Bare chest. Loose white trousers.Four massive drums mounted on his back.A golden staff in his hand.
"Blue Sea people,"Enel said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion yet heavy with unquestionable authority."You should never have come here."
"Enel."Gern rose to his feet and looked up at him."At last… we meet."
Hearing his name spoken, Enel frowned slightly."You know my name?"
"Of course."Gern chuckled softly."I came here specifically for you."
"For me?"Enel sneered."For what? To beg for blessings from me—your 'god'?"
"No."Gern met his gaze directly."I came to invite you… to join me."