After seeing Luffy's crew off, I said goodbye to the villagers and returned to the Merchant's Island. Nothing special happened on the Merchant's Island, but I needed to start preparing for the future. Fighting Mihawk gave me a sense of the power levels in the One Piece world. If I fought using all my abilities, I could probably fight on par with a Yonko, but that alone seemed insufficient.
'It's not just the Yonko that exist.'
If it were just the Yonko alone, it wouldn't be a problem, but they also have many powerful subordinates under them. If something happened and I had to fight powerful Yonko-level enemies, the Merchant's Island would likely be devastated. If I ever clashed with the World Government, the island's inhabitants might not survive.
'I need to get stronger myself, but I also need to gather usable people or those with potential to nurture.'
Thinking that, I felt a bit sorry for 'Ging'.
'Should I have recruited him back then? He was a decent guy.'
Next time I see him, I'll definitely recruit him.
First, I plan to go to Skypiea to obtain the ultimate Devil Fruit ability. It's supposed to be Luffy's experience, but there's no choice. The fruit ability is too overpowered, so I must get it. And to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I plan to gain control of Skypiea and analyze the 'Island Clouds' supporting it.
The clouds of Skypiea can be stood on like land and processed into various forms as needed. According to the setting, they are formed with 'Pyrobloin', a component of Seastone blown into the sky by volcanic activity, but there's no way to know how they condensed.
Seastone, which is part of the composition, is extremely scarce and expensive, so even Vegapunk could only dream of mass-producing it, using just a little for his lab. But I have [Matter Manipulation], so it's possible. One might say, 'Can't you just get the Float-Float Fruit ability?' but if something happens to me, the floating islands would fall, which is dangerous. Therefore, I absolutely need Island Clouds that can be maintained permanently.
I took out the 'Tahlarian Vehicle' and [Jack Sparrow's Compass], found the location of Skypiea, and set off. Since there are Poneglyphs in Skypiea, I wanted to bring Nico Robin, but since I'm going to [Assassinate and Plunder], it might look bad, so I decided to go alone.
After flying for about 3 hours, Skypiea came into view, so I immediately moved to Skypiea, parked the vehicle in a suitable spot, and put it in my inventory. Then I immediately teleported to the Shandora Ruins. This time, I didn't plan to fight long. Since it's an ability to turn into lightning, even with teleportation, it would be hard to catch him if he ran, so I planned to finish it quickly.
Entering the Shandora Ruins, Enel was giving some orders, so I immediately teleported behind him and struck his neck with a cane sword wrapped in [Armament Haki].
"So. Divine punishment... gah!"
Thud.
Ding~!
[[(SS) Goro Goro no Mi (Awakened)], [(SS) Observation Haki], [(A) Conqueror's Haki] abilities have been plundered.]
[[(SS) Observation Haki], [(SS) Observation Haki] have merged and been promoted to [(SSS) Observation Haki].]
[[(A) Conqueror's Haki] has been absorbed into [(S) Conqueror's Haki] and promoted to [(SS) Conqueror's Haki].]
"Ooh~ Lucky!"
Observation Haki aside, I was quite surprised that Enel had [Conqueror's Haki]. It seemed like a latent ability. If Enel hadn't been beaten by Luffy and knew a bit more about Haki, he could have become a truly terrifying enemy. Anyway, the [Conqueror's Haki] I got from capturing pirates last time seemed to have merged and increased in rank.
"Gasp! Lord God!!!"
"Hey! I'm the new God now."
"What! Impossible!! Capture him immediately!!"
"Goodness, capturing Enel was easy... but this is tiresome."
At Priest Yama's shout, the divine soldiers rushed into the Shandora Ruins like madmen. Without mercy, I killed them all by electrocuting them with lightning.
"Gah!""Spare me!""Aaah!"
[[(B) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(B) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(C) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(A) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
...
...
"Huh? I retract the 'tiresome' remark! Bring more! Puhahahaha~"
After killing about 30 people instantly like that, they finally seemed to grasp the situation, as they all started trembling and kneeling.
"We... we serve the new God."
"Hmm... You could still fight back, you know."
Then the Priests, having heard the news, were seen coming. The fat one in white clothes was clearly Satori, the one riding a bald eagle was Shura, the one riding a large dog was Ohm, and the fool with the cactus head seemed to be Gedatsu. There was no need to spare these guys. Their ideology itself was twisted, so it was easier to just kill them.
Zap zap zap!!
"Gyaaaaah!""Gueeeeh!""Kyaaaaah!""Uwaaaaah!"
Thud!
[[(A) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(S) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(A) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
[[(A) Observation Haki] ability has been plundered.]
The only survivor was a large dog named 'Holy'. Holy, seeing its master die instantly, trembled and whined with its large body. I collected all the Priests' weapons and put them in my inventory, then called Holy.
"Hey! You're 'Holy', right?"
"Woof..."
"Paw!"
Holy trembled and placed its front paw on my hand.
"Good! Now you'll only listen to me, understood?"
"Woof woof woof!"
Holy vigorously nodded its head in response.
"Good, follow me!"
I approached the still-kneeling divine soldiers and said.
"Hey! Go call McKinley. The rest, clean this up."
"Understood, Lord God."
McKinley is a relatively sane person who serves as the captain of the Skypiea police, the White Beret unit. He's also someone who tried his best to prevent the villagers from suffering under Enel's overwhelming power.
After waiting a while, McKinley arrived. Whether he heard the story or saw the corpses being cleared on the way, he seemed to accept reality.
"You're McKinley."
"Yes, Lord God."
"Inform the villagers. Say the new God 'Taejin' has appeared and that I appoint Gan Fall as the God's proxy."
"Huh? Ah... Understood. I will inform them accordingly."
At my words, McKinley's face brightened. He seemed to sense I was different from Enel. After waiting while resting, Gan Fall, having heard the news, was seen flying in on a strange spotted bird, wearing armor.
"The new God? What about Enel?"
"Dead."
"That Enel?"
When Gan Fall asked in surprise, I pointed with my finger to where Enel's corpse was. The divine soldiers, perhaps unable to bring themselves to touch it, had left the corpse as it was. Seeing that, Gan Fall laughed emptily.
"Haha... I don't know whether to laugh or not at this."
"Now that you are the God's proxy, help me manage Skypiea well. In my absence, I grant you the authority to rule in my place."
"What's the catch?"
"Gan Fall, you are a virtuous ruler, but admit it, you are too powerless to rule this place."
"Yes... I admit it. Because I was powerless, Enel stole the position of God, and the people suffered."
"If you become God again, do you think you can protect this place?"
"Of course I can. I won't repeat the same mistake."
I decided to show him reality. Gan Fall was too unaware of reality.
"You know nothing. The Blue Sea is overflowing with powerful Blue Sea dwellers who surpass Enel. Do you know that? If they attack here, do you think you can stop them?"
"Is that true?"
"Yes, I am the proof. It took me just 20 minutes today to deal with Enel and his crew. If you think I'm lying, ask the divine soldiers."
"Such a thing..."
"That's why you are unqualified. You don't even have any information, do you? If you become God again and rule here, it's only a matter of time before evil and powerful Blue Sea dwellers appear, steal the position of God, and the people suffer again."
"..."
"Come under me, Gan Fall. There will be no suffering like during Enel's time."
Gan Fall bowed his head and seemed to think for a moment.
"Very well. But promise me you will be a virtuous ruler."
"Understood. I promise."
Gan Fall knelt and said to me.
"Gan Fall, I pledge my loyalty."
"I am Taejin. I look forward to working with you. And there's much to do, but you are too old."
I gave Gan Fall 20 years' worth of lifespan. Gan Fall, suddenly rejuvenated to his 40s, was utterly astonished and looked at his body all over. His hair and beard, which had turned white with age, returned to black.
"Such a thing..."
"Keep this a secret for now. It would cause trouble in many ways."
"Understood."
"First order. Inform the people of Enel's death and hold a festival with food for the suffering villagers. If food runs short, I'll replenish it, so don't worry."
Gan Fall received my order and left with a bright face. I sent the remaining divine soldiers and White Beret unit to help with the festival. I checked the abilities and items I obtained. I got so caught up in the killing that I didn't notice, but my [Observation Haki] had reached (EX) rank. I could gather information not only from all of Skypiea but also from several islands below.
And I checked the items. The Dials had many really interesting ones. Especially the modified 'Milk Dial' that Ohm used was truly unique; it could create weapons in various forms using Iron Clouds. The downside was that its strength was somewhat weaker than real iron, but that problem could be solved with Armament Haki. However, not everyone has Armament Haki, so if I research a bit more and find a way to increase its strength, it could become a really good weapon.
"I gained a lot today."
I spent time analyzing the unique Island Clouds and Dials, and also handling affairs on the Merchant's Island. After several days passed like that, Gan Fall came with who appeared to be the Shandia Chief and warriors. They were dressed in a style similar to American Indians. Among them, I also saw Wiper.
"Lord God, here are the Shandia Chief and warriors."
The Shandia Chief stepped forward and spoke.
"New God, return our homeland to us."
They seemed to be talking about Upper Yard, where the Shandians used to live. But Sky Island inhabitants were already living there.
"Are you aware that Sky Island inhabitants already live there?"
"I am aware."
"Then do you plan to drive them out and create new conflict?"
"No. I have no such intention."
"Then?"
"Upper Yard is vast. I want you to allocate a certain area to us by dividing the region."
"Very well. I'll do that. However, I will do so on the condition that the Shandians serve me."
Hearing that, Wiper, who had been listening, stepped forward and spoke angrily.
"What nonsense!!"
"Why is it nonsense? Haven't you shed much blood due to conflicts with each other? Suppose I allocate a section of Upper Yard to you. Can you guarantee there will be no conflict again?"
"That's..."
"Alright, then let's do this. Select the 10 strongest Shandia warriors to fight me. If you win, I will return all of Upper Yard to you. But if you lose, the Shandians will serve me. I will create a separate area for you in Upper Yard."
Hearing my words, the Shandia warriors buzzed with discussion. Then the Chief spoke to me.
"Give us time to think."
"Understood."
The Chief and warriors left like that. Gan Fall approached and spoke.
"Lord God, must it come to that? A more peaceful method..."
"No, as long as two forces exist in the same place, the flames of conflict will flare up again. If external enemies appear in such a situation, it will be unmanageable. It's better to handle such matters quickly. And don't worry. No one will die."
"Understood."
In this kind of worldview, I think unification is the answer. Even if unified, it will take time to integrate, but for the future, it seems better than fighting each other. That's how it happens in the original work too. And since there are many powerful enemies at sea, it's better from a defensive standpoint as well.
The next day, the Chief and warriors returned.
"We decided as you said, to settle it with a duel. How will the method be?"
"I hold the Shandia warriors in high regard. So I want to minimize casualties if possible, but since the tribe's fate is at stake, if you give your best, unavoidable incidents might occur. So, to prevent mishaps as much as possible, let's each wear a headband, and the side that captures the headband wins. How about it?"
"A good idea. How much weaponry will be allowed?"
"Use everything. I will fight empty-handed."
Hearing that, Wiper spoke again in a dissatisfied voice.
"Stop looking down on us. You seem arrogant after defeating Enel, but the Shandia warriors won't be easy."
"Fine. Then, I'll come appropriately armed too."
They didn't seem to realize I was being considerate. They'll understand once they get hit.