"I…" Conis looked at the straw hats, who was watching her with quiet concern. She bit her lip, then made a difficult decision.
Her voice trembled, but she forced a bitter smile.
"Sorry, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp."
"What's that girl trying to do? Oh no! Is she going to—" The Sky Island residents watching from a distance gasped in horror at her resolve.
"Conis! Don't say it!" Captain McKinley of the White Berets whispered desperately from his hiding place. He struggled with himself, sweat dripping down his brow.
"If you say it, you'll die!"
Conis ignored him. Her mind was already made up.
"I was the one who called the Express Shrimp and had your ship taken away. I'm the one who lured you all toward God's Island."
Her voice cracked, yet she pressed on.
"According to the laws here, when outsiders break the rules, we must guide them to God's Punishment. If I don't obey, both my father and I will be killed!"
Her legs gave out and she fell to her knees. Tears stung her eyes as she whispered,
"Please… leave this country ruled by God. Leave quickly. I'm sorry. I don't deserve to be your friend."
"W-What? This can't be real!" Usopp shouted, eyes wide with disbelief. Sweat poured down his face.
Sanji lowered his head, cigarette smoldering between his fingers. "So that's how it is…" he muttered.
"God's Punishment?" Luffy repeated, his eyes narrowing. He turned toward the islanders staring at them with cold dread. "How can there be such a terrifying God?"
"She spoke! She revealed everything!" The Sky Island citizens panicked. Their eyes turned sharp with fear and hostility.
"This is blasphemy! She's an offender too! Seize her—send her to judgment!"
A hostile crowd closed in, their voices dripping with fear.
"Blue Sea criminals, you can't escape! God is everywhere!"
Conis knelt helplessly, her heart breaking as she looked at the faces of her people.
"This dreamlike country… and yet its laws are so cruel. Isn't it ridiculous?"
"Conis, you idiot!" Usopp yelled, unable to watch her tear herself apart.
"I'm sorry, Luffy. I've wronged you all…" she sobbed.
"Idiot!" Luffy snapped. His glare burned with anger as he shook her shoulders.
"You were forced! Why would you tell us out here like this?"
"Why would you risk your life?" the three Straw Hats shouted together, furious at her sacrifice.
"I…" Conis stared blankly into Luffy's eyes, her tears halting for a moment. His anger wasn't for himself—it was for her. Despite being betrayed, they still worried for her safety.
She couldn't help but think, What noble people… and I deceived them.
Suddenly, the sky above Angel Island darkened. Massive thunderclouds churned violently, a dazzling light forming at their center.
"God's Punishment!" someone screamed. "Get away quickly!"
The crowd scattered, terrified of being struck down alongside the condemned.
Conis trembled, staring up at the growing sphere of lightning.
"He's discovered my betrayal… Run! Get away from me, or you'll die with me!"
She stumbled to her feet, intent on drawing the blast away.
"Damn it!" Luffy grabbed her before she could escape. He threw her over his shoulder and sprinted, diving away as the light intensified.
"What kind of God would do this?!" he shouted angrily, refusing to let her face it alone.
Zzzzt!
The lightning orb crackled, shifting toward them as if it could predict their movements.
BOOM!
The heavens split open as a pillar of lightning crashed down directly above them, engulfing both Luffy and Conis.
"Nooo!" Usopp and Sanji screamed, powerless to intervene.
But before the lightning could annihilate them, a new radiance appeared.
A warm, golden light flared beneath Luffy's feet, spreading upward like a shield.
"God's Forgiveness," a calm, smiling voice echoed through every heart on Angel Island.
The light expanded into a shimmering barrier, intercepting the thunderous pillar mid-strike.
Crackling arcs of energy clashed violently with the golden glow, painting the sky with dazzling brilliance.
The islanders gasped, eyes wide.
"It blocked God's Punishment?! Impossible!"
For the first time, hope flickered in their hearts.
"God's power… can be resisted?"
As the lightning dispersed, the golden light remained steady, then slowly broke apart into radiant fragments.
The fragments drifted down like colorful rain, scattering across Angel Island.
"So beautiful…" the citizens whispered, instinctively reaching out.
The glow touched their palms and melted into their skin.
"Ah!" one cried. He ripped the bandages from his hand. "My wound… it's gone!"
McKinley, hiding nearby, touched his forehead in shock. "My headaches… they're gone."
In a nearby house, an elderly woman gasped as her husband stood unassisted.
"You—you're walking again!"
The glow rain healed wounds and eased pain, washing away fear as it spread across the island.
Conis, lying weakly on the ground, blinked at the soft droplets falling onto her.
"Is this… an illusion? I feel… lighter."
Meanwhile, Luffy grinned, his usual carefree self returning. He caught a droplet in his hand.
"Phew! That was close. Hey, Conis, is this normal for Sky Island? This rain is so cool!"
Conis shook her head slowly. "No… this is the first time I've ever seen it."
Usopp and Sanji rushed to them, panicked.
"Luffy! Conis! Are you okay?!"
"Hehe, still alive," Luffy laughed, standing tall.
Relief washed over his crewmates.
"Damn it, you scared us half to death!" Usopp groaned.
"That was unbelievable," Sanji muttered, still shaken.
Then, a strange sound echoed above them. The neigh of a horse, followed by a mocking voice that sent chills down their spines.
"What an interesting ability…"
---