"So Asura has fallen as well. That means all four Priests have actually been defeated."
Looking at the incapacitated Asura, Enel spoke with a detached tone, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.
He then shifted his gaze to Gin and the other two.
Seeing Buchi and Sham transformed into their human-beast forms, Enel's interest was slightly piqued. A mocking smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"I see. It seems you aren't ordinary humans either. Zoan types, is it?"
"Calling yourself a god... You're the bastard who attacked us on Angel Island, aren't you!"
Buchi cursed indignantly, clenching his fists and dropping into a combat stance, ready to attack.
"Mere insects, daring to show such insolence before a god."
Enel's expression turned cold, a look of displeasure crossing his face. He raised a finger and pointed it at Buchi, crackling electricity wrapping around his fingertip.
*Zip!*
Without the slightest warning, a bolt of lightning instantly pierced the air and struck Buchi!
*Bzzzt—!!*
Blinding lightning erupted. By the time Gin and Sham's pupils dilated and they finally reacted, the violent electricity was already ravaging Buchi's entire body.
"Buchi!!"
Sham cried out in panic and hurriedly rushed forward.
The lightning dissipated, revealing Buchi's charred body. His mouth hung open blankly, his eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness, and he slowly collapsed backward.
"You bastard...!!"
Gin gritted his teeth and glared furiously at Enel. Gripping his tonfas, he sprinted forward, swinging the iron ball in a wide arc to smash it viciously into his opponent's face!
Facing this fierce attack, Enel's expression remained completely unchanged. He merely shifted his finger slightly, aiming it at Gin.
The moment the iron ball crashed down, his head instantly transformed into a cluster of lightning. After the weapon passed through without any resistance, the lightning condensed back into its physical form.
"I originally intended to grant you the privilege of serving a god. What ignorant fools."
Enel's eyes were icy as the lightning coiled around his fingertip suddenly erupted!
*Bzzzt—!!*
The lightning bloomed once more, illuminating the entire surrounding area. A second later, the brilliant light gradually dimmed.
A wisp of smoke drifted from Gin's mouth. His eyes rolled back, and his charred body slowly slumped to the ground.
"Gin...!"
Supporting Buchi, Sham stared with wide eyes, his mouth open but unable to utter a single word.
"Boring."
Enel's eyes filled with disdain. He swung his golden staff, casually hurling a bolt of lightning at Sham.
Then, without a second glance, he turned around, his body instantly transforming into lightning as he soared into the sky.
*Bzzzt—!!*
After he vanished, all that remained were the blackened, electrocuted bodies. A few residual arcs of electricity crackled across their skin, accompanied by wisps of white smoke slowly rising into the air.
Sham's eyes rolled back as he completely lost consciousness, his body slowly collapsing to the ground.
...
Shortly after Enel's departure.
"Gin!"
In the forest, Nami's figure emerged from behind a giant tree root, and she hurriedly ran forward.
"Buchi! Sham! What happened? Was it that Enel guy?!"
Arriving before the three fallen men, Nami frantically supported Buchi's charred body to check his injuries.
His entire body was severely burned, his skin split open and his flesh exposed. The blood seeping from his wounds had been scorched dry. He looked exactly as if he had been struck by lightning, his injuries a shocking sight.
"Lightning again. It's exactly the same as the attack Allen took earlier. Is this that guy's ability?"
"Na... Nami..."
Hearing her voice, Buchi, clinging to the last shreds of his consciousness, slowly opened his eyes. Through his blurred vision, he recognized Nami's silhouette. He struggled to part his lips, letting out a hoarse whisper.
"Tell the boss... to be careful..."
"That guy is... a... Logia type...!!"
As he spoke, Buchi bit his lip tightly, tears of frustration welling up in the corners of his eyes.
He couldn't fathom how a human could wield such terrifying power!
"A Logia type... Could it be the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?!"
At this thought, Nami's face instantly paled in panic.
Allen's fierce battle with Crocodile was still fresh in her mind, and afterward, she had read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia's entry on Logia types.
The overwhelming strength of a Logia was undeniable. And among the various natural elements, lightning was a disaster-level force that struck fear into the hearts of all living creatures.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit! It was undoubtedly one of the most powerful Logia abilities in existence!
"This is bad. Allen already went after him."
Nami looked flustered, unconsciously clenching her fists.
Just moments ago, after Allen sensed a powerful presence descending upon the Ordeal area, he had hurriedly brought her along as he rushed toward Gin's location.
Halfway there, he noticed the enemy flying toward Sanji's group. So, he left her to check on the situation here while he burst forward at full speed in pursuit.
*'If the enemy is a lightning-based Logia user, Sanji and the others probably won't be able to resist him. Perhaps even Allen might...'*
Thinking of the worst-case scenario, Nami couldn't help but worry. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
Worrying wouldn't do any good now. She could only trust Allen and do what she could on her end.
"No matter what, I believe he'll be fine. I'll call someone over to treat you guys first."
A look of determination filled Nami's eyes. She pulled out a flare gun, raised it above her head, and fired into the sky.
*Fwoosh—!*
A brilliant flare shot out, piercing through the dense forest canopy that blocked out the sun, trailing a long plume of red smoke as it soared high above the island.
Near the Ordeal area, the crew members scattered in various locations fighting the Divine Militia all looked up.
"It's a distress signal."
"Let's go!"
Seeing the flare, everyone quickly converged toward the interior of the Ordeal area.
At the same time.
...
In the ruins beneath the Giant Jack.
Having just dealt with the Priest and preparing to climb the beanstalk, Sanji, Robin, Zoro, and Vivi stopped in their tracks.
Biting down on his cigarette, Sanji stared at the distant flare, his eyes grave.
"Nami-san is with Allen. With him around, there shouldn't be any problems. Could something have happened to Gin and the others?"
"Regardless, we should go take a look first," Robin said in a low voice.
But right at that moment.
*Crack—!*
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky and struck a broken wall.
The sudden occurrence caught the group's attention. They all turned to look, only to see the flashing lightning rapidly condense into a human form.
"One Priest has fallen, yet there are still four people standing. This is quite different from what I envisioned."
Enel sat cross-legged on the ruined wall, his golden staff resting on his shoulder. He looked down at the group with a mocking gaze, raising a hand and spreading his five fingers as he spoke.
"Before the sun sets, there should only be five people left standing in the entirety of Upper Yard. That was my divine estimation."
"A god? Looks like you're the ruler of this place. What, are you here to avenge your subordinate?"
Zoro popped his sword from its sheath with his thumb. An intrigued smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he stared coldly at Enel.
"Avenge? What a laughable notion. I couldn't care less who is left standing at the end, as long as it's exactly five people. Unfortunately, the Priests' performance has thoroughly disappointed me."
Enel glanced at the fallen Ohm, his eyes full of disgust. He then turned back to face Zoro and the others, saying,
"Therefore, I have no choice but to personally correct the current situation. Since you managed to defeat a Priest, I'll grant you one spot."
Enel held up a single index finger and said coldly,
"Come, show me your abilities. In one minute, only one of you will be left standing."
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