Grand Line, ten thousand meters above the sea.
White-White Sea, outskirts of Skypiea's so-called "God's Country."
Whoosh!
A massive warship tore through the final layer of cumulonimbus clouds. Like a soaring dragon, it descended smoothly and settled atop the endless white ocean.
There was no blue seawater here—only an infinite sea of clouds.
Unfiltered sunlight poured down from above, dazzling and almost sacred.
"Clouds… are these really clouds?!"
Nami leaned over the railing, reaching out to grab a puff that looked like cotton candy. Her face was filled with disbelief.
Vivi was equally stunned. Gazing at this world that existed only in fairy tales, she felt her worldview shattered once again by her master.
"There really is a Sky Island…"
"Master was right. As long as you're strong enough, there's nowhere you can't go."
"Hmph. A bunch of girls who've never seen the world."
Though equally astonished inside, Hancock crossed her arms arrogantly, maintaining the dignity of an empress.
"As long as it's a place my Lord wishes to go, even if it's hell itself, I'd follow him—and turn King Yama to stone."
Tobirama stood at the bow, quietly sensing the thin air and the strange natural energy unique to this place.
"So this is Sky Island."
Just as the women were still marveling at the scenery—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several sharp whistling sounds tore through the air.
The cloud sea churned violently as multiple Waver motorboats burst forth, surrounding the warship. Onboard were soldiers dressed in white priestly robes, with small wings strapped to their backs.
"Stop, Blue Sea people!"
The leader of the God's Guards held a Cloud Dial axe, his expression arrogant to the extreme, nostrils pointed skyward.
"This is the territory of Lord God Enel!"
"You've illegally invaded God's Country! You haven't paid the entry fee—this is a capital offense!"
"Disembark! Leave all your treasure behind!"
"And that silver-haired man—kneel and die! As for the women… heh, they're not bad. Capture them and offer them to Lord God!"
The God's Guards were used to ruling Skypiea with impunity.
In their eyes, people from the Blue Sea were nothing but fat sheep—terrified prey that would collapse with a bit of intimidation.
Unfortunately for them, the iron plate they kicked this time was closer to a nuclear bomb.
"Kneel?"
"Offer them to that big-eared freak?"
Tobirama didn't even lift his eyelids. He calmly looked at the teacup in his hand, his tone as casual as if commenting on lukewarm tea.
"Hancock."
"It's noisy."
"Yes, my Lord."
The affection in Hancock's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by icy killing intent.
She stepped to the railing on long, elegant legs and looked down at the ignorant guards.
Her peerless beauty made them freeze on the spot, drool spilling from their mouths.
"A-An angel?!"
"Even more beautiful than the Priests!"
"Disgusting insects."
Hancock frowned in contempt and brought her hands together in front of her chest, forming a heart.
A pink wave of light surged outward.
"Daring to harbor filthy thoughts about my Lord's possessions…"
"All of you—turn to stone and shatter."
Mero Mero Mellow!
Hum!
"Huh?! My body—I can't move!"
"What's happening?! My hands—!"
"Help—ah!!"
Crack. Crack. Crack!
In the blink of an eye, the God's Guards—and the Waver motorboats beneath their feet—turned into gray-white stone statues.
"Hmph."
Hancock lifted her high heel and kicked lightly into the air.
Perfume Femur!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The stone statues shattered instantly, turning into countless fragments that rained down into the White-White Sea without making even a ripple.
Instant kill.
Clean and effortless.
"Wow! Sister Hancock is amazing!"
Sari clapped excitedly, and Vivi's eyes sparkled with admiration.
So this is the strength of Master's wife… overwhelming.
"That's only natural."
Hancock tossed her hair and turned toward Tobirama, instantly switching back to a soft, obedient expression.
"My Lord~ How did I do? Is there a reward?"
Tobirama set down his teacup and nodded.
"Acceptable."
"But be faster next time. Don't let trash stain my vision."
The warship continued forward, soon arriving at a massive island—Angel Island.
Soft beaches made of cloud fragments stretched outward, dotted with strange vegetation.
Tobirama led the group ashore.
As they stepped onto a street called Lovely Avenue, a gentle harp melody drifted over.
A girl with short golden hair and white wings on her back stood there, holding a cloud fox named Su. She stared blankly at the powerful outsiders.
Conis—a native Skypiean, kind-hearted and ordinary.
The restrained yet suffocating aura around Tobirama's group made her instinctively uneasy. When she noticed the floating gravel on the distant cloud sea—remnants of the God's Guards—her face turned pale.
"You… you…"
Clutching the cloud fox, Conis's voice trembled.
"You just… killed the God's Guards?!"
"So what?" Robin adjusted her sunglasses with a gentle smile. "They tried to rob us. That was self-defense."
"Oh my god!!"
Conis's harp slipped from her hands. She rushed toward Tobirama in panic, tears welling in her eyes.
"Run! Please, run away!"
"You've caused a terrible disaster! Those were God's direct guards!"
"In this country, defying God's will is a capital crime! You'll be reduced to ashes by God's Judgment!"
"Before the Priests arrive, hurry and use a balloon octopus to return to the Blue Sea!"
"Otherwise… it'll be too late!"
She truly meant well. She didn't want to see these beautiful people become sacrifices.
Tobirama stopped and looked down at the overly kind angel girl with interest.
"God?"
A faint, playful smile curved his lips.
"Little girl."
"Is this 'God' you speak of named Enel?"
"A frog in a well who thinks himself invincible just because he ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
"Shh!! Don't say that name!!"
Conis turned pale and hurriedly tried to cover Tobirama's mouth.
"You'll be heard! God has Mantra—he can hear everything in the country!"
"If he hears you… lightning punishment will descend immediately!"
But just as she finished speaking—
Hum—!!!
A heart-crushing pressure surged from deep within the island.
The clouds overhead churned violently.
"Hahahaha!!"
"Are these sinners from the Blue Sea?"
"You've got some nerve—killing my God's Guards!"
Three bizarre figures appeared instantly at the end of the street, stepping onto cloud paths.
A man riding a fire-breathing giant bird, wielding a flame spear—Priest Shura.
A round, fat man in sunglasses—Priest Shadori.
A mohawked swordsman holding a Cloud Dial blade—Priest Ohm.
Three of Enel's Four Great Priests had arrived at once.
"It's over…"
Conis's legs gave out. She collapsed to the ground, despair filling her eyes.
"The Priests… they're here."
"No one can leave now."
"These Blue Sea people… are dead."
To Skypieans, Priests were synonymous with invincibility.
They possessed Mantra and countless mysterious dials—how could mortals oppose God's messengers?
"Blue Sea monkeys."
Shura pointed down from his mount, sneering.
"Since you've committed crimes, you must undergo God's Trial!"
"I am Sky Knight Shura!"
"Now I give you two choices."
"Kneel and become God's slaves."
"Or be burned to ashes by my flame spear!"
Shadori cackled beside him. "Ho ho ho! That silver-haired man's head is mine! I'll use it as a ball!"
Faced with the three Priests—death incarnate in Conis's eyes—Tobirama didn't move.
He wasn't afraid.
He even yawned.
"Trial?"
Tobirama glanced at Conis, who was frozen in terror, and gently patted her head.
"Don't look at me like that."
"In this world, no one is qualified to pity me."
He turned back toward the three Priests striking their poses.
A trace of impatient crimson light flashed through his Rinnegan.
"Since your God refuses to come out himself…"
"I'll take you guard dogs instead…"
"As sacrifices for my banner."