...
The terrifying pillar of light gradually thinned until it completely dissipated, revealing a massive hole blasted through the island cloud. Along the edges of the crater, residual streaks of lightning flickered like slithering snakes.
A faint scent of burning ozone lingered in the air. Everyone stood frozen in place, their pupils trembling and their faces pale with terror.
"Cough... cough, cough! *Ptoo, ptoo!*"
Just when everyone thought Allen had been reduced to ashes, a charred figure slowly climbed up from the edge of the crater, wisps of white smoke rising from his body.
Allen pulled himself out of the hole in the island cloud. His Armament Haki faded, leaving his muscles red-hot and steaming as he cursed under his breath, "What kind of garbage was that? Cough, cough... almost shocked the breath right out of me. *Pfft—ptoo!*"
"He's actually fine?!" Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, their jaws dropping in absolute shock as if they had just seen a ghost.
Allen tried stretching his limbs. It was impossible to emerge completely unscathed, but he was fine overall; there was no serious damage.
Sanji stepped forward, biting down on his cigarette. He crouched to inspect the scorch marks left on the island cloud, then frowned slightly and looked up at the sky. "...What strange lightning. Is this a unique weather phenomenon exclusive to the Sky Island?"
"No... this is... God's Judgment..."
Nearby, Conis slumped on the ground and spoke with a trembling voice. Her face was deathly pale, clearly still reeling from the sheer terror. "How could this happen... I clearly stopped Mr. Gin..."
"This is bad. You've definitely drawn God's attention," Conis muttered, her eyes vacant with fear.
Hearing this, the crew's expressions grew solemn. They had heard the title "God" from the gatekeeper at Heaven's Gate earlier, but none of them had taken it to heart.
But now... looking at the massive crater nearly ten meters in diameter, everyone felt a lingering dread. They had no choice but to reevaluate this so-called "God."
Allen, of course, knew this was Enel's doing. He had assumed that paying the toll to enter normally would keep them out of trouble, but now it seemed that 40 million Extol had been completely wasted.
Gin stepped forward on his own initiative, his expression filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Captain. It was probably my careless words just now that provoked the attack. I am truly sorry."
The thought that he had nearly gotten Conis killed and caused Allen to suffer an unprovoked attack weighed heavily on his conscience.
Allen waved his hand dismissively, not paying it any mind.
Enel was a capricious psychopath whose worldview was so twisted it was beyond ordinary comprehension. It wasn't strange for him to kill someone on a mere whim.
Relying on his Mantra that covered the entire Sky Island, combined with the ultra-long-range strike capabilities of his Rumble-Rumble Fruit, killing a person was easier for him than squashing an ant. Life held absolutely no value in Enel's eyes.
He was essentially a low-budget Imu of the Sky Island.
As everyone pondered over this so-called "God," Robin stepped forward with a book in hand and spoke slowly.
"The 'God' everyone is imagining might be a bit different. According to the records about Angel Island in this book, 'God' is actually just the title given to each successive ruler here."
"Under God's command are four Priests and a Divine Militia consisting of about fifty people. Their duty is to serve God, manage the Upper Yard, and execute trespassing sinners."
Stopping at the edge of the pierced island cloud crater, Robin looked up at the sky and said calmly, "The current ruler of the Sky Island is God Enel..."
...
The crew stared at the sky for a moment, but nothing happened.
"So 'God' is just a title? But what was that God's Judgment just now? And how did he hear us talking?" Sanji's expression remained puzzled. "Could it be that he possesses some strange ability?"
"That remains unclear. Aside from his name and hometown, the book doesn't record any information about the current God," Robin shook her head. She then pulled out another map and added, "Do you remember the map Vivi showed us earlier? The place that perfectly matches the missing half of Jaya Island—that is where God resides. It is also the legendary City of Gold."
"The City of Gold..."
Hearing this, Nami instinctively looked down at her wrist. Sure enough, the Log Pose was pointing horizontally in a specific direction.
Everyone turned to look, but all they could see was a vast, white sea of clouds.
"The City of Gold?"
Luffy's head suddenly popped over, his neck stretching over ten meters long as he stared intently at the map in Robin's hands. "Are you saying there's gold there?"
Robin ignored him and instead looked at Allen, asking, "Well? Shall we go take a look?"
"Of course. Tell everyone to get ready; we're heading out shortly."
*Smack!*
Allen said with a smirk, casually slapping Luffy's head back to where it came from.
Hearing that they were going to God's Island, panic flashed in Conis's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Gin interrupted her, his voice deep and serious. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this. Please go back, Miss Conis. Do not come near us again."
"That's so heartless, Gin! How could you chase her away?"
"Yeah, yeah! She just traded so many things with us!"
Sham and Buchi jumped out, indignantly voicing their protests.
Behind them, Conis held her hands together in front of her chest and pursed her lips. She seemed to want to say something but held back. Ultimately, she just lowered her head in disappointment. "I understand, Mr. Gin. Goodbye."
"Mhm." Gin gave a curt nod, watching her turn and leave.
Conis was a kind-hearted girl who harbored a curiosity about pirates, but Gin didn't want her to understand what real pirates were like.
Behind the facade of freedom lay mostly blood and battle.
It was a cruel world sugarcoated with dreams. Every enviable tale of adventure was forged by the countless lives of those who had thrown themselves into the fray.
A pure girl like Conis shouldn't have any intersection with their world.
Taking one last look at her retreating back, Gin turned and walked away.
...
A short while later.
Allen's crew organized their personnel, gathering about forty people to set off for the Upper Yard.
The group consisted of Allen, Sanji, and a few other top officers, plus thirty squad captains drawn from the various divisions, along with Luffy's crew.
Since there weren't many of them, the *Freewill* was left anchored near the Angel Beach, and they set off directly on the Going Merry.
After sailing for about half an hour following the Log Pose, they finally arrived at the island. It retained its appearance from four hundred years ago, completely covered by a massive primeval forest.
Dense, towering giant trees stood straight and tall, with thick vines hanging down from the canopy. The ground was covered in moss-draped, twisting roots, and the faint, bizarre cries of mysterious birds and beasts echoed from deep within the colossal woods.
"Shishishi, I smell adventure! Usopp! Chopper!"
A glimmer of excitement shone in Luffy's eyes. He leaped onto his premium seat on the figurehead's sheep head and shouted enthusiastically, "Ancient Forest Adventure Squad! Move out!"
"Move out!" Chopper and Usopp responded, their eyes sparkling with stars.
The three of them impatiently jumped off the ship, stepping into the forest under Luffy's lead.
"Those three bastards actually dared to run ahead of me. Let's go!" Allen gritted his teeth, glaring at them before quickly leading his team ashore.
"Are you an idiot? Sigh." Nami sighed helplessly, then jumped off the ship to follow the group.
At the rear.
Zoro had just dropped the anchor. When he turned around, he found the ship completely empty, and veins immediately popped on his forehead in anger. "Those bastards...! Running around blindly without even knowing the situation on the island."
"We should hurry up too, Zoro, or we won't be able to catch up with them," Vivi chuckled softly as she and Zoro were the last to disembark.
Once everyone had stepped into the forest, a Super Express Speed Shrimp surfaced from the sea of clouds. Its giant claws clamped onto both sides of the Going Merry, carrying the ship away from the shore.
Deep within the island...
In front of the giant Buddha head architecture at the entrance to God's Ordeals, four figures sat perched on the four fingers of the Buddha's palm, which housed four tunnel entrances.
"So many intruders... Now we won't have to fight over them."
"Oho, oho, everyone gets someone for their ordeal."
"Assuming they can survive the Divine Militia and successfully make it here..."
"Too much comfort prevents one from glimpsing the way of heaven. Come, begin your ordeals..."
Ordeal of String — Sky Rider Shura!
Ordeal of Balls — Satori of the Forest!
Ordeal of Swamp — Sky Boss Gedatsu!
Ordeal of Iron — Sky Breeder Ohm!
The four Priests wore cold, mocking expressions. Having received instructions from God Enel, they waited here, ready to bring down God's Ordeals upon the criminals who had invaded the Upper Yard!
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