"An honored guest has arrived. Please forgive me for not preparing a proper welcome."
"Rear Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina, why don't we talk while we walk?"
Seeing the large group accompanying Seraphina, Gan Fall understood that his modest residence would never be enough to host them all.
At the same time, he also needed to inspect the current situation across Angel Island after the recent chaos.
Thus, the former God of Skypiea politely extended an invitation.
"Then I shall gladly accept your hospitality."
Saint Roselith Seraphina gave a graceful nod.
Although she usually remained distant toward strangers, Gan Fall's sincerity and benevolent nature made him easy to converse with.
"Please, this way."
Gan Fall extended his arm respectfully.
As the group advanced through the streets of Angel Island, Marines followed behind in orderly formation while Skypieans curiously observed them from both sides.
The scene resembled a royal inspection procession.
Order across Skypiea was gradually stabilizing.
Some citizens were repairing destroyed buildings.
Others were tending to the wounded.
Meanwhile, many Skypieans were openly condemning those who had sided with Eneru and the newly formed White Berets.
Watching the civilians help one another rebuild their homes, Gan Fall slowly began introducing Skypiea's customs and history to Seraphina.
After all, she was the person who had defeated Eneru.
The savior of Skypiea.
And also a visitor from the Blue Sea the same sea where his old friend had once come from decades ago.
Most importantly, despite her overwhelming strength, Seraphina did not radiate arrogance or cruelty.
Instead, she carried herself with calm dignity.
No one looking at her elegant figure would imagine that this silver-haired woman had single-handedly defeated the self-proclaimed God of Thunder.
"I see…"
"So the people themselves elect the God of Skypiea."
"No wonder your people respect you so deeply, Mr. Gan Fall."
Seraphina spoke thoughtfully while walking beside him.
From what she had observed so far, Gan Fall truly was a ruler who governed for the sake of his people.
That alone earned her respect.
"Not at all."
"I merely inherited the traditions passed down through Skypiea for generations."
Gan Fall stroked his pointed white beard modestly.
Though already elderly, his eyes still possessed warmth and wisdom.
The two conversed naturally as they walked through the cloud-paved streets.
Skypiea truly resembled a fairyland isolated from the rest of the world.
White cloud roads floated beneath their feet.
Cloud houses drifted gently in the breeze.
The atmosphere was peaceful and pure.
Yet beneath that gentleness, the Skypieans still possessed courage strong enough to resist tyranny.
"Mr. Gan Fall."
"There is something I wish to ask."
Seraphina's expression grew more contemplative.
"Do you know where Eneru originally came from?"
She still could not fully understand how someone like Eneru had emerged within such a society.
A person's environment shaped their heart.
That was something Seraphina firmly believed.
So why had Eneru become such a distorted existence?
Gan Fall's expression darkened slightly.
"I investigated Eneru's origins after his coup began."
"I believe everything began with the destruction of Birka two years ago."
"Birka?"
Cricket looked startled.
Gan Fall nodded heavily.
"There was once a sky island settlement called Birka."
"But two years ago… it vanished."
"A massive lightning strike descended from the heavens and completely destroyed the entire island."
"At the time, everyone believed it was divine punishment."
"But after witnessing Eneru's power…"
Gan Fall clenched his fist slightly.
"I realized the truth."
"He was the one who destroyed Birka."
The surrounding Marines fell silent.
Even Kuina's expression stiffened.
Destroying an entire island alone
That was an absurd level of destructive power.
Gan Fall continued slowly.
"Eneru was extremely familiar with Skypiea's geography and culture."
"So I concluded that he was originally from Birka."
"Which means…"
"He destroyed his own homeland."
Gan Fall's voice became heavier.
"Perhaps he suffered terribly there."
"Perhaps he endured discrimination or pain we cannot imagine."
"But regardless of the reason…"
"That still cannot justify annihilating an entire homeland."
Silence followed.
Seraphina did not immediately respond.
She could hear no lies in Gan Fall's voice.
Nor could she deny the possibility that Eneru had endured unbearable suffering.
But even so
Countless innocent lives had died because of him.
Seraphina closed her eyes briefly.
She would not judge Eneru's pain.
Because she had never lived his life.
However
If history repeated itself again…
She would still stop him without hesitation.
Because no suffering granted someone the right to massacre others.
That was her answer.
"Mr. Gan Fall! Mr. Gan Fall!"
Cricket suddenly rushed forward impatiently.
"I have something important to ask you!"
Gan Fall turned kindly toward him.
"Please, go ahead."
Cricket swallowed nervously.
"It's about "
Before he could finish
A Skypiean soldier hurriedly descended from the sky using a Cloud Dial.
"Lord Gan Fall!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
"The Shandians have launched another attack!"
"Shandians?"
Riva frowned slightly.
"So there's another race living on Skypiea besides the Skypieans?"
Gan Fall's face became serious.
"Tell the guards not to attack recklessly first."
"Yes, Lord Gan Fall!"
The messenger hurried away.
Gan Fall then turned apologetically toward Seraphina.
"Rear Admiral Seraphina."
"Please excuse me for a moment."
"This matter concerns a conflict that has lasted for centuries."
"Let us go together."
Seraphina spoke calmly.
"There may be more to this situation than simple violence."
Gan Fall hesitated briefly before nodding.
"…Very well."
Meanwhile
Elsewhere on Upper Yard.
"Wyper!"
"The Skypieans are in complete disorder!"
"This is our chance!"
A Shandian warrior dressed in tribal battle gear shouted excitedly.
"We can finally reclaim our homeland!"
The man standing at the front tightened his grip around the massive bazooka resting on his shoulder.
Wyper.
The fiercest warrior of the Shandians.
A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth while fury burned within his eyes.
"You don't need to remind me."
"I know exactly what this opportunity means."
His voice carried deep hatred.
"For four hundred years…"
"The Shandians have fought to reclaim Upper Yard!"
"That land belongs to us!"
"That sacred land… is Shandora!"
The surrounding Shandian warriors roared loudly.
Their ancestors had fought generation after generation for this very moment.
"Prepare for a full assault!"
"We are taking back Upper Yard today!"
Wyper raised his bazooka high.
"As expected, the Skypieans are completely occupied with internal chaos."
"This is our best chance!"
"Brothers!"
"The time has come to reclaim our homeland!"
"To reclaim the land of our ancestors!"
"To ring the Golden Bell once more!!"
"Charge!!"
The Shandian warriors surged forward like a tide.
When they reached the outskirts of the Skypiean settlement, they immediately noticed the weakened defenses and the damaged structures left behind after Eneru's coup.
Wyper's eyes sharpened.
This was the perfect opening.
"Don't attack!"
"Stop fighting!"
Suddenly, an elderly voice echoed across the battlefield.
Gan Fall arrived alongside Seraphina and the Marines.
"Who's that old man?"
Wyper narrowed his eyes.
One of the Shandians beside him answered coldly.
"That's Gan Fall."
"The God of the Skypieans."
"Forget him."
"We continue the attack!"
The moment Wyper heard that name, his expression grew even colder.
Perfect.
If he defeated Gan Fall here
The Skypieans would completely lose their leader.
Then the Shandians could finally reclaim everything.
"Our ancestors waited four hundred years for this day…"
Wyper slowly lifted his bazooka.
"We will fulfill their wish."
He aimed directly at Gan Fall.
The trigger tightened beneath his finger.