Chương 123: War for Upper Yard: Enel’s Survival Game

Onboard the Going Merry, Raja leaned back on the ship's railing, watching the dense jungle of Upper Yard in the distance. Despite his growing interest in the chaos on the island, he chose not to participate in Enel's survival game. He knew his friends had to endure this perilous journey alone if they were to grow stronger, focusing on their training and survival instincts. From this vantage point, he could feel the tumultuous energies of the battles that raged across the island, each clash drawing them closer to the inevitable showdown with Enel.

Gan Fall, the former "God" of Skypiea, began recounting the tragic history of his land to Raja. His voice was heavy with memories of conflict, detailing the origins of the Shandians and the bitter rift that separated his people. The old knight explained how Enel had usurped power six years ago, using his command over lightning to dominate the Upper Yard. The Shandians had fought bravely to reclaim their sacred land, but Enel's ruthless power had driven them back time and again. Gan Fall pulled out an Impact Dial, demonstrating its ability to absorb and unleash powerful blows, hinting at the relentless battles that lay ahead.

As he spoke, the sound of drums and shouts drifted from the island, signaling the start of Enel's survival game. Raja sensed the fierce determination of his friends. Somewhere in the jungle, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and Robin faced the first waves of opponents, Shandian warriors and Enel's Divine Soldiers alike.

Meanwhile, in the jungle's dense undergrowth, Zoro found himself face-to-face with Braham, one of the Shandia's elite warriors. The two locked eyes, the tension thick as Braham raised his flintlock pistols, their muzzles glinting in the light that pierced through the canopy. With a sharp exhale, Zoro smirked, his fingers flexing around the hilt of his swords.

"Time for some exercise," he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Braham moved first, firing a barrage of bullets that ricocheted off the trees and ground, each shot narrowly missing Zoro's frame. But Zoro was unfazed. He shifted his stance, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, centering himself in his new technique: Aura Breathing. With every breath, he could feel his energy converging with his swords, creating a powerful synergy.

"Three-Sword Style... Aura Breathing: Sanjuroku Pound Ho!"

He swung his swords in a circular motion, unleashing a massive air-based slash that ripped through the jungle, tearing branches and soil in its path. Braham's eyes widened as the air slash hurtled towards him. He attempted to dodge, but the attack struck him with precision, knocking him off his feet. Zoro stood tall, exuding an aura of calm dominance, his breathing steady as he prepared to face the next wave of enemies.

Elsewhere, Sanji's gaze hardened as he faced off against a group of Divine Soldiers who had cornered him. His usual playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by a fierce focus. The soldiers smirked, their weapons at the ready, but Sanji didn't flinch. Instead, he took a deep breath, allowing the energy of his Inferno Gale Breathing technique to build up in his legs.

"You picked the wrong fight," he said coolly, a smirk playing on his lips as flames began to flicker around his feet.

Sanji launched himself into the fray, delivering a series of rapid kicks that left trails of fire in the air. His Inferno Gale Breathing ignited his strikes, turning each kick into a blazing whirlwind of force. With a powerful spin, he unleashed his signature attack.

"Concassé!"

Sanji's flaming heel struck the lead soldier, sending him crashing into his comrades like a blazing cannonball. The force of the attack scattered them, leaving a scorched path in his wake. The Divine Soldiers staggered back, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of Sanji's assault. With each step, his aura burned brighter, and he continued his barrage of fiery kicks, his Inferno Gale Breathing fueling every movement.

On the other side of the island, a fierce battle unfolded as Wyper, the Shandian warrior, clashed with Shura, one of Enel's priests. Shura's Ordeal of String ensnared the other Shandians, trapping them in webs of steel wire that cut into their flesh. But Wyper dodged the strings, his eyes blazing with unyielding determination. With a roar, he activated his Reject Dial, a dangerous and nearly extinct weapon capable of amplifying force a hundredfold.

Ignoring the excruciating pain that surged through his arm, Wyper struck Shura with the Reject Dial, the shockwave tearing through the air as it sent Shura flying. The priest's body crumpled, his ordeal ended, but Wyper's arm throbbed in pain, a reminder of the self-sacrifice his people were willing to endure to reclaim their homeland.

In another part of the jungle, Chopper confronted Priest Gedatsu. The priest was notorious for his Ordeal of Swamp, a quicksand-like trap that had claimed countless lives. As Gedatsu launched his attacks, Chopper dodged and countered with surprising agility, his small frame weaving between strikes. Chopper transformed into his Arm Point form, muscles bulging as he delivered a devastating punch that sent Gedatsu hurtling backward. The priest, caught in his own Ordeal of Swamp, sank helplessly, defeated by his own hubris and Chopper's strength.

As the battles raged across the jungle, Robin reached the ruins of the gold city, her fingers tracing the ancient stonework. She marveled at the lost civilization, only to be interrupted by Yama, the brutish leader of Enel's Divine Soldiers. Yama's massive frame towered over her, and he charged with reckless abandon, swinging his mace wildly. But Robin's calm, analytical mind was her weapon.

With a graceful motion, she summoned her powers, conjuring a series of arms that held Yama in place, immobilizing him. Her calm voice cut through the chaos, "Clutch."

With a sickening crunch, she dislocated his joints, leaving him incapacitated on the ground. Unfazed, Robin continued her exploration, seeking answers among the ruins.

Back on the Going Merry, Enel himself appeared, a smug smile on his face as he regarded Gan Fall and the crew. When Sanji and Usopp attempted to attack, Enel's face twisted in amusement. With a mere flick of his fingers, he unleashed a devastating lightning strike that left them both unconscious, their bodies smoking from the impact.

The sudden attack drew the attention of Hotori and Kotori, Satori's vengeful brothers, who had come seeking retribution. Nami and Gan Fall stepped forward, standing firm against the brothers' sneers. Gan Fall, wielding his Impact Dial, deflected their strikes, while Nami, using her new knowledge of weather manipulation, unleashed a wave of thunderclouds that incapacitated them.

With their enemies defeated, Gan Fall turned to the crew. "I must find out what Enel meant when he said he had no use for the island. He plans something far worse than we thought."

Leaving Nami with his Impact Dial, Gan Fall took to the skies on his steed Pierre, flying toward the heart of the island.

In the depths of the jungle, Luffy found himself swallowed by the massive python, completely disoriented as he stumbled through what he believed to be a cave filled with ruins and gold. His usual enthusiasm never wavered, even as he bounced off the snake's insides, his voice echoing in the serpent's belly.

"A treasure cave! I just have to find the way out!"

Outside, the snake wreaked havoc, thrashing through the jungle as Zoro, Sanji, and the others fought to evade its massive coils.

High above the island, Enel watched the dwindling number of participants in his survival game. With a bored sigh, he decided to "balance the game," unleashing a massive surge of electricity that struck the jungle, knocking out countless fighters in one fell swoop. The number of survivors plummeted to twenty-five, exactly as Enel had predicted.

Far below, Robin discovered a Poneglyph hidden among the ruins, its cryptic message hinting at the presence of the golden bell. But her thoughts were interrupted as Enel appeared, his eyes gleaming with interest when she mentioned the bell. His smirk grew as he declared his plan to destroy Skypiea and restore the natural order by eliminating all life in the sky.

Gan Fall, Zoro, Wyper, and others converged on Enel's position, but their combined efforts were no match for his god-like power. Enel countered their every move, even enduring a direct hit from Wyper's Seastone-infused Reject Dial, only to restart his heart with his lightning powers. One by one, he defeated each fighter, leaving only Nami standing.

Cornered and desperate, Nami feigned surrender, agreeing to join Enel if it meant she could escape his wrath. Enel, amused by her apparent loyalty, allowed her to follow as he unveiled his secret weapon—the Ark Maxim. This massive flying ship, fueled by his lightning powers, was built to carry him to his so-called "Fairy Vearth," a limitless paradise that only he, as a god, was worthy of inhabiting.

As Enel ascended into the sky, Nami clung to her waver, determined to escape at the first opportunity. Her eyes narrowed as she resolved to warn her friends and find a way to bring Enel down, for she knew that only together could they hope to challenge the self-proclaimed god of Skypiea.