The Straw Hats woke up on an altar in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by thick trees and twisting vines. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting shadows across the stone surface beneath them.
"Where are we…?" Usopp muttered nervously, glancing around.
"Judging from our surroundings, I think we're in Upper Yard," Robin said calmly.
"Up… Upper Yard?" Usopp repeated, voice trembling. "Isn't that… where God lives?!"
"God?" Chopper whispered, clutching his hat. "Do you mean… Eneru?"
Usopp nodded vigorously. "Yes! Eneru! And we're… we're probably the snacks!"
Chopper shivered. "Snacks?! I don't want to be eaten! I'm not tasty… well, maybe a little… but I'm mostly fur!"
"Don't worry, Chopper," Usopp said, pointing dramatically. "I'll protect you! I have… my trusty slingshot… and… uh… courage!"
"Courage?" Chopper asked skeptically. "That sounds like one shot at death."
Usopp gulped and hid behind Robin. "Shh… we don't want to alert the god!"
"We need to find a way off this island," Nami said, stepping forward, scanning the sky lake around the altar.
Suddenly, a branch broke from one of the trees hanging over the altar, dropping into the shimmering water below. The splash sent ripples across the lake… and hundreds of sharks erupted from the surface, snapping and circling the branch.
"W-w-we're gonna die!" Usopp screamed, flailing.
"Most likely," Robin replied dryly.
Luffy yawned and stretched his arms lazily. "Time to move!"
"Gum-Gum Rope!" he shouted, stretching one arm toward a sturdy tree nearby. He grabbed a thick vine dangling over the lake.
"Who's coming?" he asked, swinging back and forth.
"Sanji, grab onto me!" Luffy yelled.
Without hesitation, Sanji lunged and grabbed Luffy by the waist. "Someone help me stop this moron!" he shouted.
Usopp leapt forward and grabbed Sanji's leg. "I-I've got you, Sanji! Don't let him—uh…!"
"Okay… we're all set!" Luffy yelled.
"What do you mean 'all set'?!" Usopp yelled, clinging to the sanji leg for dear life.
"Gum-Gum Slingshot!" Luffy shouted.
The three of them shot off into the sky like a cannonball.
The three flew higher, disappearing into the clouds as Usopp screamed, "I'm too young to die!"
"I'm going to kill you, Luffy!" Sanji shouted.
Luffy laughed. "Whee! Best flight ever!"
"That moron…" Zoro muttered.
"Looks like it's just the four of us now," Robin said calmly, stepping up beside him.
"We can't stay here," Nami said urgently, pointing toward the forest. "We need to find Noah and Emma before… before anything else happens!"
"I think we should scout the surrounding area first," Robin suggested, her eyes scanning the dense trees and vines that surrounded the altar.
"That's a good plan," Zoro replied, cracking his neck and eyeing a series of sturdy vines leading toward the forest.
"Alright," Nami said, taking a deep breath. "Let's move."
They grabbed the vines around the altar and swung across the lake to the other side.
Chopper stayed behind to watch the ship, nervously looking around.
The three landed on solid ground with a thud.
"Everyone okay?" Nami asked.
"Yeah," Zoro said, rolling his shoulder.
Robin nodded. "Luffy's group should be far ahead by now. We need to catch up."
A rustling sound came from the trees. All three stopped.
"…Did you hear that?" Nami whispered.
Another rustle. Then a bunch of glowing birds shot out of the branches and flew off screaming.
Robin relaxed a little. "Just birds."
But then the ground shook lightly.
"That's not birds," Zoro said, hand on his sword.
"Let's move before whatever that is finds us." Nami grabbed Zoro's sleeve and started running.
They hurried down a vine-covered path.
A low growl came from behind them.
"That didn't sound friendly…" Nami muttered.
A dark shape darted between the trees, fast.
Zoro stepped forward. "If it jumps, I'll deal with it."
The creature burst out of the bushes—huge, fast, and angry.
"Nope! No fighting! RUN!" Nami shouted.
They sprinted deeper into the forest as the creature chased them, smashing through branches.
Robin looked up for a moment. "No sign of Luffy's group… they're too far ahead."
"Good," Zoro said. "One idiot at a time is enough."
Nami huffed. "Let's just find Noah and Emma before this thing eats us!"
Meanwhile at the entrance to Upper Yard …
"This is it. Upper Yard," Pagaya said, stopping the waver.
"Thanks for bringing us," Noah said.
Pagaya smiled. "Don't mention it."
Emma hopped off the waver and looked around. "Wow… this place really does feel old."
"Yeah," Noah said, staring up. "And these trees are huge."
"This is where I leave you two," Pagaya said, turning the waver around. "Be careful, okay?"
"We'll be fine," Emma said with a small wave.
Pagaya headed off, and the forest went quiet.
"Alright," Emma said, adjusting her gloves. "Let's see what Upper Yard has."
They started walking. It didn't take long before the bushes moved and four Shandorian warriors stepped out, weapons ready.
One of them pointed a spear. "You two. Stop."
Noah raised his hands. "Uh… we're just passing through."
Emma sighed. "Yeah, this isn't gonna work."
The warriors charged.
Emma moved first—quick punch, a low sweep, a kick to the jaw, and one sharp elbow.
All four hit the ground before Noah even blinked.
He stared at the bodies. "…Emma, that took like five seconds."
She shrugged. "They attacked first."
They kept moving until a strange, old mansion came into view. It looked completely out of place.
"Who lives here?" Noah asked.
Before Emma could answer, a man walked out. His eyes were half-shut like he was sleepwalking.
"I am one of God's priests," he said slowly. "My name… is Gedatsu."
Noah leaned over to Emma. "Is he okay?"
Emma whispered back, "I don't think so."
Gedatsu cleared his throat… and stared at the sky for no reason.
"Oh yeah," Noah muttered. "He's definitely not okay."
"You have entered God's territory. Prepare yourselves."
Emma sighed. "Noah, he's picking a fight."
"Yeah, I see that," Noah replied.
Gedatsu cracked his knuckles. "You shall face judgment."
Emma stepped forward, smirking. "Judgment, huh? Sure. Let's dance."
She pulled her twin blades from around her waist, the metal flashing.
Noah stepped back. "Alright, Em. He's yours."
Gedatsu narrowed his eyes. "Your overconfidence… will be your downfall."
Emma pointed one blade at him. "Let's find out."
Gedatsu's half-closed eyes twitched. "Foolish girl… challenging a priest."
Emma smirked. "You're talking a lot for someone who can't even look straight."
Noah whispered from behind her, "Emma… don't tease the crazy guy."
"I heard that," Gedatsu said, pointing at Noah with slow, stiff movement. "You too shall face punishment."
Emma twirled her blades. "You can try."
Gedatsu suddenly stomped the ground—hard.
The dirt exploded upward, sending a shockwave flying toward them.
Emma jumped back. "Okay, that was new."
Noah shielded his face. "Why does everyone in this place have weird powers!?"
Gedatsu drew a long curved sword from his hip, the metal dull but sharp-looking.
"You stand in the presence of a priest of God. Tremble."
"Yeah, yeah," Emma said, charging. "Less talking!"
She slashed forward—fast.
Gedatsu parried with a clean, sharp block, spinning his sword in a tight arc. His footwork was sharp and precise, making him slide around Emma easily.
Noah's jaw dropped. "How did he move that fast?"
Gedatsu appeared behind Emma with a quick step and a sword swipe. "Too slow."
Emma twisted and blocked just in time, sparks flying from the clash of metal.
She pushed him back with a double strike, making him skid across the dirt.
Gedatsu smirked lazily. "Interesting. Your movements… not bad. But still unworthy."
Emma narrowed her eyes. "I'm just warming up."
She rushed him again—this time even faster.
She slashed left—parried.
Right—countered.
Downstrike—Gedatsu flipped his sword upward and spun around her, moving with sharp, controlled steps.
"Does he have super speed!?" Noah shouted.
"I'm starting to think he does," Emma said, panting lightly.
Gedatsu raised his hand, palm glowing faintly. "Let me show you… true judgment."
Emma's expression sharpened. "Noah. Back up."
Noah didn't need to be told twice.
Gedatsu slammed his palm into the ground, and a giant hole opened under Emma's feet—like the earth disappeared.
She jumped aside just in time, rolling onto the dirt.
Noah ran to her. "You okay!?"
Emma stood, wiping dirt off her cheek. "Yeah. But this guy's hiding something."
Gedatsu floated up slightly—just a few inches—but enough to look wrong.
"The power of God flows through me," Gedatsu said. "You two… should pray."
Noah whispered, "Oh yeah, he's insane."
Emma raised her blades again. "He wants a fight? I'll give him one."
Gedatsu snapped his fingers.
A sudden, invisible force blasted Emma backward, slamming her into a tree.
Noah's eyes widened. "EMMA!"
Gedatsu pointed his sword at Noah next. "Your turn."
"Nope, I'm done watching." Noah stepped forward, fists clenched. "You picked this fight. Now you're getting both of us."
Emma pushed herself up, smirking through the pain. "Let's take him down."
Gedatsu hovered higher, shadows twisting under him like smoke.
"Come then… face God's priest."
Noah cracked his knuckles. "Round two, old man."