Ryan leaned against the ship's railing, a cigar pinched between his fingers as he looked down at Raki before him, a playful smirk curling at the corners of his lips, his expression utterly at ease.
This woman certainly had her charms. The purple garment clung to her delicate curves, every inch exuding an alluring grace. Even the slight tremble in her shoulders now seemed like a silent invitation—especially that restrained defiance. Though the corners of her eyes were reddened, brimming with humiliation and unwillingness, she stubbornly bit her lip, not letting a single trace of weakness escape. It gave her a unique flavor.
"Now... is this enough? Can we leave?"
Raki's cheeks had long since burned crimson, her neck tinged with a faint flush. She took a deep breath and abruptly lifted her face, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor yet brimming with desperate resolve: "You said if I did as you asked, you'd let us go."
Ryan chuckled low, exhaling a smoke ring. "Fine."
Raki seemed to relax slightly, yet her nerves remained taut. Pushing herself up from the deck, her knees buckled, and she staggered a couple of steps before steadying herself. Without hesitation, she strode toward Wyper, who was pinned to the deck by Daz Bonez.
Daz Bonez glanced at Ryan, who remained indifferent, then released his grip. The moment he did, Wyper surged up like an enraged beast, his face smeared with blood and dirt, wounds still oozing. His eyes locked onto Ryan with murderous intent as he dragged his injured body forward, ready to lunge.
But Daz Bonez's hand was faster than Wyper's roar. His iron grip clamped down on Wyper's nape once more, slamming him back onto the deck with a heavy thud. Wyper's forehead struck the wooden planks, a dull impact echoing as a bestial growl tore from his throat: "Let me go! I'll kill that bastard!"
"Stop!" Raki's face paled as she whirled toward Ryan, her voice laced with desperate pleading. "I did what you asked! You promised to let us go—you can't harm my people! You can't break your word!"
"You saw for yourself." Ryan exhaled another languid smoke ring, his gaze sweeping over Wyper, who still thrashed violently. His tone was detached, almost indifferent. "He's the one asking for death. I didn't stop him."
Raki's face drained of all color, her lips trembling, but no words came.
Wyper was reckless, yes—but after what this man had done to her, after seeing their people humiliated like this, how could he swallow his rage? Even if it was impulsive, it was the instinctive fury of a warrior. Few could have held back.
"He..." Raki clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms, her arms trembling faintly. Shame and fury churned in her eyes as she forced out the words, her voice hoarse: "He just... couldn't bear it. Please, spare him this once."
"Shut up, Raki!" Wyper snarled, veins bulging at his temples. "A warrior of Skypiea dies with pride! I don't need you groveling for me!"
"You should be grateful my anger was spent on your people." Ryan leisurely strolled forward until he loomed over Wyper, still pinned to the deck. A derisive chuckle escaped him as he pointed at Raki, mockery dripping from his tone. "Otherwise, you wouldn't even be breathing."
"Pfah!" Wyper spat a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva, splattering near Ryan's boots. His eyes burned with feral intensity. "Don't drag women into this! If you've got the guts, kill me! Warriors of Skypiea don't fear death—we'd rather die fighting than live like cowards like you!"
"Insects." Ryan sneered—then stomped down hard.
Daz Bonez released his grip at just the right moment. Before Wyper could rise, Ryan's foot slammed into his chest. A dull thud echoed as Wyper was sent flying like a leaf, hurtling over the railing and vanishing into the churning sea of clouds below.
A fine warrior—just lacking brains.
"Wyper!" Raki's scream was raw with anguish, her eyes instantly reddening as she spun toward the railing.
"Behave." Ryan's voice turned icy. "You'd best keep your people in line. I honored our deal and let you go—but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate endless provocations. Next time, I won't be so forgiving."
Raki froze mid-step, her back to Ryan as she stood at the railing. Her shoulders shook violently, but no words came. After a beat, she suddenly vaulted over the side, streaking toward where Wyper had fallen.
Ryan watched her retreating figure, the cigar in his fingers now burned to the stub. Crushing the ember, he turned and jerked his chin at Zala and the others. "Let's move."
"Captain, we're leaving just like that?" Zala sauntered closer, her hips swaying with a lethality that starkly contrasted her alluring appearance.
"This is just the outskirts of Sky Island." Ryan narrowed his eyes toward the distance. "The real fun lies ahead."
God Island.
High atop the island, a massive white tent stood amidst the clouds, its canvas fluttering in the wind to reveal glimpses of the cloud-patterned carpet within. Enel sat cross-legged at its center, his bare torso showcasing defined muscle, the four drums etched with tomoe crests on his back rising and falling faintly with each breath.
A white headband adorned his forehead, his voluminous dreadlocks spilling over his shoulders. The golden earrings dangling from his elongated earlobes caught the light as he lifted a bright red apple, biting into it with a crisp crunch.
"A few unfamiliar bugs have crept into my Mantra," Enel suddenly remarked, his voice laced with lazy amusement. He took another bite, juice trickling down his fingers.
"Outsiders?" Gedatsu tilted his head, his spider-leg-like hair sticking out wildly as if ready to explode. His eyes rolled upward, his upper lip caught between his teeth as he muttered, "From the Blue Sea, huh? Perfect—new playthings for my Swamp Trial."
"Keh-heh... heh-uh!" Satori giggled, his round body wobbling like a ball as he rubbed his gloved hands together, an eerie grin splitting his face. "Trials, trials are the best!"
"Don't underestimate them." Enel shot them a sidelong glance, electricity crackling at his fingertips. He tossed the apple core aside, its arc cutting through the air before landing perfectly in a distant cloud pile. "One of them in my Mantra... his presence isn't ordinary. You might not fare well."
The priests stiffened. For Enel—their "God"—to call someone "not ordinary" was rare.
"But no matter." Enel suddenly chuckled, the sound reverberating through the tent. "Just a slightly stronger insect."
"What are your orders, God?" Shura stepped forward, his voice cold and rigid.
"Lure them to God Island." Enel lifted his gaze, his tone casual yet brooking no argument. "Let the rules of the training ground grind them down."
"Yes!" Gedatsu, Shura, and Satori answered in unison, each with a different glint of anticipation in their eyes.
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