The dark forest flashed with streaks of blue lightning, illuminating Enel's cold, cruel face. The Divine Soldier in front of him collapsed to the ground—body scorched black, his expression still frozen in disbelief and unwillingness.
Enel didn't spare the corpse a single glance. Closing his eyes, he listened to the sounds across the entire island—every whisper, every heartbeat. Then, in a burst of light, his body turned to lightning once more, vanishing into the dense jungle like a raging thunderbolt.
The Next Morning – The Land of God, at the Altar
Sunlight streamed through the thick canopy, casting mottled shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze carried the earthy scent of the forest.
Reiner woke atop the lookout post, dismissed the Night Watch Undead, and glanced around. Several new bodies lay scattered nearby—men who had tried sneaking up during the night and paid the price for it.
He lit a cigarette and sat on the railing, one hand supporting his cheek as the morning sun warmed his face.
Creaaak—
"Morning, Reiner."
"Nami, good morning."
Nami emerged from the first-floor cabin—used mainly for storage, though the entrance to the girls' quarters was hidden below it. She walked up the stairway to the living quarters and smiled.
"Nice weather today. Want some tea?"
"Yeah—make me some tangerine peel tea, thanks," Reiner replied, closing his eyes again and enjoying the light.
Though they were technically on a battlefield, the group seemed almost like they were on vacation—relaxed and unbothered. When you have real strength, danger feels distant; when you don't, even home feels unsafe.
Soon, the others woke one by one. Sanji began making breakfast, and Luffy immediately climbed off the ship, running around catching bugs in the trees.
After breakfast, Gan Fall arrived on his pegasus, Pierre, and everyone started preparing to set out.
"Well, Zoro, Sanji, and I are heading to the trial gates to challenge the Priests," Usopp declared, decked out in armor and weapons—but his trembling legs betrayed his nerves. "Ahem, uh, Reiner, think I could, maybe, borrow Blue Ogre and Red Ogre again? Not that I'm scared, of course, but, uh, you know—just in case, yeah?"
Reiner took a sip of his tea. "You're overthinking it. Oh, and good news, Usopp—each trial's solo. Zoro and Sanji can't help you."
"Nani?!" Usopp's face went pale. "—I-I suddenly feel a rare illness coming on—whenever I—!"
"Enough already," Zoro grunted as he and Sanji grabbed him by the arms. "You were so confident last night—don't start backing out now."
"Uwaaaah~!" Usopp's cries faded as they dragged him off.
Meanwhile, Luffy had somehow gotten Reiner's summoned dinosaur to help him chase a stag beetle, disappearing into the woods. Knowing him, he'd probably run straight into Enel himself by accident.
"Well, I'm off too," said Robin, hopping down from the ship with a satchel over her shoulder. "I'm quite interested in these ruins—I'll have a look around."
"Then we'll stay and guard the ship," Chopper said, jumping up to perch on Reiner's shoulder. "See you guys later, good luck!"
"I wanted to go too…" Reiner muttered helplessly.
But Nami clung tightly to his arm, her grip firm. "No way! If you leave, too, then what happens to the Going Merry?"
"Fine, fine," Reiner sighed, scratching his head. "Guess I'll stay." The truth was, the forest wasn't that interesting—and sooner or later, Enel would come to them.
He glanced back at the Going Merry—its winged figurehead had long since broken off, and the once-beautiful ship was covered in scars. Rusted nails, cracked planks… a record of their entire journey from the East Blue to now.
Each time they'd made port, Reiner had left undead behind to guard her. But despite their care, time and battle had worn the ship down. Still, her keel and frame held strong.
He sighed softly. "Ahh~…"
With most of the crew gone, only he, Nami, and Chopper remained aboard.
"So, Reiner," Chopper asked curiously, "what do we do now?"
"Don't move. Do nothing."
"Eh? Just… stand here?"
"Yup. Just like this."
Reiner spoke calmly, his arm still pinned between Nami's soft embrace. Feeling the warmth through his sleeve, he added, "Don't need to do anything else. This is fine."
Nami blinked, confused—then realized what he meant.
Wham!
"Idiot!" she yelled, smoke rising from her clenched fist as Reiner collapsed face-first onto the deck, twitching.
"You okay, Reiner?" Chopper asked, poking his head with a hoof.
"Still… alive…" Reiner groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head.
Nami sat down beside him, frowning. "It's strange… There are way fewer attackers today. Yesterday, they came every hour, but today—nothing."
"Probably because their numbers dropped," Reiner replied. "They've been fighting nonstop—it's natural to take losses."
"Yeah… but I hope the others are okay." Nami looked down, her voice tinged with worry. "If only Chopper and I were stronger, you wouldn't have to stay behind to protect us…"
"You've got it backward," Reiner teased. "Chopper's already stronger than you."
"Wha—Reiner!" Nami snapped, but Chopper blushed, waving his hooves. "Y-you don't have to say that, but—heheh—it's true, isn't it~?"
Reiner chuckled and reached over to ruffle Nami's orange hair. "Being strong isn't what makes you a crewmate. Everyone has their role. You've done your part—and that's enough."
"If it weren't for you, we'd never have even reached the Sky Island. You've already done plenty, Nami."
He smiled faintly. "Just like everyone trusts you, you should trust them too. Don't worry about strength—I'll protect you both."
"…Thanks, Reiner." Nami's expression softened, a warm smile returning. "Once we take down that so-called god, we'll sail back to the Grand Line. Merry and I will lead everyone forward."
Just as she finished speaking, the Undead Mage suddenly stepped in front of them, staff raised.
A mocking voice echoed from above—calm, sharp, dripping with arrogance.
"Defeat me? How amusing…"
"Who's there?!" Nami shouted, her eyes wide.
Zzzt!
Electric arcs flickered along the ship's railing. A heartbeat later, blinding blue lightning crashed down, converging into a single point.
When the light faded, a man appeared—bare-chested, sitting casually on the Going Merry's railing. His baggy white pants billowed in the breeze, his long earlobes hung low, and four massive taiko drums were strapped across his back, each marked with the swirling three tomoe symbol.
Reiner instantly recognized him. That appearance was too iconic to mistake. He shot a sidelong glance at the Undead Mage.
"Who are you?!" Nami demanded, stepping back.
"Who am I?" the man repeated, lowering his gaze coldly.
"I am—God."
His eyes slid toward Reiner, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "You're the one who scored a perfect hundred, aren't you? You defeated Shura."
"Not me—her," Reiner said innocently, pointing at the Undead Mage.
Enel's brow furrowed. He studied the undead woman for a moment, then turned back to Reiner, chuckling.
"Yehahahaha! You're quite the amusing mortal. If I hadn't heard your voice during your fight with Shura, I might've believed you."
His laughter stopped abruptly. His expression turned glacial. "Tell me—do you know the price of deceiving a god?"
Reiner didn't answer, though inwardly, he couldn't help recalling a similar moment—back in Alabasta, when Crocodile had realized the truth and charged straight for him.
Still, it didn't matter. His real secret wasn't summoning undead—it was how he created them. That snowballing, ever-growing power was what truly needed hiding. Summoning was just a smokescreen.
"G-God?! That's Enel?!" Nami cried, freezing in panic. She quickly ducked behind Reiner, clutching his arm. "Wait—he's the one who said that stuff! It wasn't me!"
"Doesn't matter," Enel replied coldly, fixing his gaze on Reiner.
"You're talented, mortal. I'll give you one chance. Kneel, apologize, and beg for forgiveness. Do that—and I'll spare you. I might even allow you to follow me."
Reiner raised a brow. "So if I apologize, you won't kill me?"
"Yes," Enel said with divine calm.
"Alright then." Reiner sighed and shrugged. "Sorry. My bad. Totally my bad."
"Yehahahaha!" Enel burst out laughing, clearly satisfied. "You're smarter than you look. Strong, yet sensible. I like that."
But then—his laughter froze.
A chill crawled up his spine. His Mantra screamed danger.
BANG!
A gunshot split the air—Reiner's pistol spat a Sea-Prism Stone bullet straight toward Enel's chest.
Sparks!
Lightning flared as Enel instinctively raised his golden staff, blocking the shot. The bullet clattered off harmlessly—but the act itself enraged him.
"You dare raise a weapon against a god?!" he roared.
Crackling arcs of lightning surged from his hands, wild and furious. But before he could strike—
WHOOSH!
A massive Sand Serpent lunged from Reiner's side, fangs bared, its head coated in Armament Haki.
BOOM!!!
The serpent slammed into Enel, hurling him into a towering tree. The trunk splintered under the impact, spiderweb cracks racing across the bark before the massive tree toppled with a crash.
"Gaaah!" Enel coughed blood, his divine composure shattering in pain.
Reiner stepped forward, grinning savagely.
"Where did I go wrong, huh?" he sneered. "You call yourself a god?"
He raised his pistol again, the muzzle smoking.
I'm the kind of man who hunts gods.