Ever since consuming that strange fruit, Enel had been astonished to discover that he seemed to have become the embodiment of nature's lightning.
After familiarizing himself with his newfound power, he didn't hesitate—his first act was to annihilate Birka, where he had grown up.
The reason was simple.
He was the only villager without wings and from childhood, he had endured relentless bullying.
That was why, upon gaining power, he didn't hesitate to wipe out the entire island.
He didn't care whether there were innocents among them.
In his eyes, if no one had stood up for him when he was being tormented, then no one was innocent.
After that, Enel heard about the legendary "Vearth" in Skypiea—a land said to be as vast as the heavens.
For someone who proclaimed himself a god, such a place was something he would never allow others to possess.
Driven by this conviction, he journeyed from Birka to Upper Yard.
Along the way, whether he encountered the colossal beasts of the White Sea or so-called mighty warriors, none could withstand even a casual strike from him.
It was during this unstoppable conquest that Enel solidified his belief in his own divinity.
The dazzling glow of lightning still flickered behind him as Enel smirked.
He knew full well that the frail-looking man from earlier had likely been reduced to nothing—not even bones remained under his attack.
Now, what he wanted to savor was the terror in the eyes of that man's companions as they looked upon him.
But when he slowly opened his eyes, what he saw was completely different from what he had imagined.
The pirates with strange tattoos on their bodies showed not a trace of fear.
Instead, they regarded his attack with nothing more than mild curiosity, as if observing some unfamiliar creature!
There was not the slightest reverence befitting a god.
This filled Enel with rage—but also confusion.
Had his attack stunned them into stupidity?
Why weren't they mourning their comrade's death?
Or were they not even comrades to begin with?
However, his confusion was soon dispelled when a slightly annoyed voice rang out from behind him.
"Hey, you've got some nerve, attacking people with lightning the moment you see them. Tch, my clothes are all singed now. How are you gonna make up for that?"
Marco spoke flatly as he stepped up beside Enel, resting a hand on his shoulder with a faintly displeased expression.
Enel's heart wavered at Marco's reaction—this was the first time his ability had failed to produce the intended effect!
Impossible!
His attack had clearly struck this man, so why was he standing there completely unharmed?!
The scorch marks on his clothes proved that the attack had landed!
It must have been that his attack wasn't strong enough!
With this thought, Enel forced himself to remain composed and said.
"It seems the sudden mercy I showed earlier allowed you to narrowly escape death's grasp. Then let me show you what true divine power really is!"
As he spoke, Enel's entire body erupted with electric arcs countless times more intense than before.
Raising his hand towards Marco's direction, he lightly swung his arm and declared.
"You failed to seize the last chance i offered you. Now turn to ashes here!"
A massive bolt of lightning descended from the sky, shaking the entire ground.
The skies seemed to lose all color at that moment, leaving only black and white.
But what pained Enel was that those seemingly dim-witted pirates still wore expressions of utter indifference, looking at him like he was some circus monkey.
Then something even more terrifying happened.
Amidst the lightning, azure-blue flames rose up, dyeing the entire sky in their hue.
Marco's voice came through, tinged with anger.
"Honestly, though Pops told me not to cause trouble... you're really pissing me off! Phoenix Brand!"
While speaking, Marco directly raised his left leg and launched a kick straight at Enel.
Seeing this, Enel's frightened expression shifted to one of confidence.
Smirking at Marco, he said.
"Foolish mortal. I am a god! Your pathetic attacks can't possibly affect me!"
This time, not just Marco but even the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Pfft HAHAHA! Does this guy not know about Armament Haki? Just some Logia fruit user, yet he keeps calling himself a god? Must be brain-damaged!"
"Even our boy Jake doesn't claim to be divine. What a frog in a well! Whatever, let's show him what a real god looks like. Go on Jake, teach that guy a lesson!"
Before Enel could retort, he was sent flying by the kick.
The impact felt like it nearly shattered his waist.
His consciousness seemed to plunge into endless silence and darkness, his vision rapidly receding.
He could neither see nor hear anything.
Any sense of shame or pride vanished before that single kick.
But what confused Enel most was—how could a mere physical attack hit him when he was literally the incarnation of lightning?
Crashing into a rock, Enel became embedded in the stone.
Marco, wreathed in azure flames, sighed.
"Honestly, before spouting such nonsense, you should've traveled the world more. These waters are far vaster and more mysterious than you imagine. A mere Logia fruit is nowhere near enough to call yourself a god."
Electric arcs flickered across Enel's chest as he struggled to lift his head, looking at Marco as if he want to say something.
But at that moment, Jake slowly stepped forward, golden light shimmering behind him.
He spoke softly to Enel.
"If you truly are a god, then there should be a duel between us. Marco, if possible, why don't you all head into the City of Gold first? I'll handle this guy here."
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