Chapter 80: Skypiea – The Super Express Shrimp & the Altar of Sacrifice
"What happened?" Hearing the massive thunderclap outside, everyone rushed out to check.
"Was that thunder you just made, Nami?" Vivi asked directly, knowing Nami could control lightning.
"No! Sol and I seem to have caused trouble. That lightning strike just now was from the so-called 'God' of Skypiea," Nami hurriedly explained.
"God? Does something like that really exist in this world?" The atheist Zoro was the first to question it.
"There definitely isn't a real god—it's just a natural-type ability user playing pretend," Sol replied casually. "But to ordinary people, his power really does deserve the title of 'God.'"
He paused, his tone turning cold: "And that guy actually tried to recruit Nami as his subordinate. There's no way I'm letting him off without beating him half to death."
"So we're going to that God Island for a big adventure, and then beat that 'God' to a pulp, right!" Luffy summed up excitedly.
"Perfectly understood." Sol nodded approvingly.
"Natural type… lightning… could it be the legendary Rumble-Rumble Fruit?" Robin mused. "It's been a very long time since a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user appeared on the seas. I never expected it to resurface on Skypiea."
"Another natural type?!" Usopp trembled in fear. "Just like that Warlord in Alabasta! Only Sol knows Armament Haki among us—everyone else is dead if we run into him! Sorry, I suddenly came down with a terminal illness that prevents me from going to the island!"
"Usopp! Where does it hurt? Let me check!" Chopper immediately rushed over in concern.
"Well… actually I can use Armament Haki too." Luffy grinned and showed off his instantly blackened arm.
"When the hell did you learn that?! It used to be so inconsistent before!" Zoro stared wide-eyed at Luffy. "What about Observation Haki?"
"I got good at it during the fight with Crocodile. But Observation… nope, still can't do that one~" Luffy laughed carefreely.
Zoro let out a relieved breath. To his shame, he still hadn't touched the threshold of Armament Haki—though he had awakened Observation Haki first after mastering the "cutting steel" technique.
"Tch…" Sanji shot Zoro an annoyed glance. He hadn't expected the moss-head to pull ahead. He still hadn't mastered either color of Haki that Sol had taught. He glanced down at his own legs—looked like he needed special training soon.
"What are you all discussing?" Conis asked worriedly as she walked over.
"Nothing, don't worry." Nami turned to reassure her, then lowered her voice to the crew: "Keep it quiet—don't make them worry."
"Sanji, go get the bento boxes. We'll pack up whatever's left," Luffy suddenly suggested, then turned to ask Pagaya if they could take leftovers.
"Of course—no problem. It was prepared for you anyway," Pagaya nodded.
"Not bad, Luffy. You occasionally have good ideas," Sanji praised, then turned to prepare the boxes.
"Settled. We'll head back to the ship and prepare first. Later I'll take you all to God Island," Nami gave the decisive order. Her boldness this time came entirely from knowing she and Sol were immune to lightning—giving her the confidence to go looking for trouble.
"Old man, I've got one more request!" Usopp suddenly raised his hand. "Since you're a mechanic, could you spare us some ship repair parts?"
"No problem. Then come back to my house with me," Pagaya agreed readily and led Luffy and the others back home.
Meanwhile Nami was directing Zoro and Sanji to prepare to set sail—when Sol stopped her: "No need to go through all that trouble. Just pull up the anchor. Once Luffy and the others are back, we can leave. Right—Mr. Lobster?" The corner of Sol's mouth curved into a dangerous smile as he looked down at the giant lobster submerged beneath the Merry.
The Super Express Shrimp felt the murderous threat looming overhead and froze stiff, not daring to move a single antenna.
Soon Luffy and the others returned with the parts. Under Conis's stunned gaze, the Super Express Shrimp timidly rose from the cloud sea and carefully clamped the Merry with its pincers, awaiting Sol's command.
"Well then, farewell, Conis." Sol waved goodbye to the girl, then gave the order: "Move out!"
Upon receiving the command, the Super Express Shrimp shot forward like an arrow, carrying the Merry with it.
"I see… no wonder you said just pull the anchor." Zoro watched the rapidly advancing Merry and suddenly understood.
"Wait—where did this giant shrimp come from?" Vivi keenly noticed the issue.
"Probably God's 'invitation letter,'" Sol shrugged. "It should take us straight to the destination. We'll find out soon enough."
"This is so thrilling! This shrimp is even faster than the last one!" Luffy sat excitedly at the bow, legs stretched long and wrapped tightly around the sheep figurehead, cheering wildly in the wind.
"Danger! A huge school of sky fish ahead!" Usopp suddenly screamed in terror.
Chopper and Karoo huddled together trembling: "They're charging with their bloodthirsty mouths open!"
"Don't be scared—Luffy and Sol are here." Vivi gently pulled the two little ones into her arms to comfort them.
"Exactly. Even Vivi isn't scared—why are you, a grown man, screaming like that?" Nami scolded Usopp with hands on hips.
"Sorry for having a small courage…" Usopp muttered under his breath, glancing at Nami who was tightly hugging Robin.
"Hehe, shouldn't the navigator lady confirm the course?" Robin chuckled softly, looking at Nami.
Nami's face flushed. She forced composure and scanned around: "Ahem… direction is correct. Just not sure exactly where it'll take us."
"Speaking of which," Zoro rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "they didn't send pursuers—instead they 'invited' us over. That style is pretty domineering."
Watching the Golden Merry disappear into the distant cloud sea, Conis finally snapped out of her shock. Her pupils trembled slightly; slender fingers unconsciously clutched her skirt hem.
"Father…" Her voice carried a faint quiver. "That earlier… was the 'God's Envoy' Super Express Shrimp, right?"
Pagaya's expression was equally grave. His broad palm gently rested on his daughter's shoulder: "Correct… that direction is the Living Sacrifice Altar in the northeast of God Island."
"But… why…" Conis hesitated, the fearless smile of Sol flashing through her mind.
"Those Qinghai people…" Pagaya took a deep breath, his white beard trembling slightly with it. "To make God's Envoy obey like that… they're definitely not ordinary people."
Father and daughter instinctively looked toward God Island. Thunderclouds were faintly gathering in the sky.
Pagaya subconsciously shielded his daughter behind him, worry flashing in his eyes: "Skypiea… I'm afraid the heavens are about to change."
Meanwhile, in the nearby bushes, McKinley—who had crept back and was still prostrated on the ground—gave a sinister smile. In his hand he held a Skypiea Dial.
"I told you—God will judge you."
[Scene transition divider]
At the same time, the Super Express Shrimp was racing through the cloud sea at astonishing speed. The Merry tilted slightly; splashed cloud waves refracted rainbow light in the sun.
"Faster! Faster!" Luffy shouted excitedly, straw hat flapping wildly in the wind.
--------------------------
Support us on Patreon and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
patreon.com/inkshield
Special Offer: Badass Tier – 20% OFF
Use code: STAR20