The two groups faced each other in tense silence for several long moments. Under Wyper's urgent questioning, Deuce briefly recounted the story of Cricket and the legendary explorer Noland.
Jerry glanced at the sky, noting how the light was beginning to fade toward evening. Deciding not to delay any longer, he gestured toward the deeper parts of the island.
"Time to move. We have a god to dethrone."
Wyper's expression shifted dramatically. His usual fierce demeanor gave way to something that looked almost like hope. He quickly lifted Aisha and handed her to Raki.
"Take her back to Hidden Cloud Village and wait for word," he instructed. "I'm going with them."
At this moment, Wyper had decided to place his trust in this unusual group of pirates. He could sense that regardless of their profession, these people were fundamentally different from other intruders—and extraordinarily powerful. They'd defeated a priest as easily as swatting a fly.
More importantly, the story they'd told about Noland's encounter with the great warrior Kalgara four hundred years ago matched exactly what he'd heard from the village chief. Their knowledge was too specific, too accurate to be coincidental.
While this group had openly admitted they'd come for the Golden City and its treasures, they'd also expressed a desire to ring the Golden Bell—to finally answer the call that Noland's descendants in the Blue Sea had been waiting centuries to hear.
This goal aligned perfectly with Wyper's own burning desire to relight the lamp of Shandora and reclaim his ancestral homeland. He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
Meanwhile, high above in his golden shrine, Enel had been monitoring the situation with growing interest. He'd used his Mantra network to observe Jerry's group from the moment they'd landed, and his remote lightning attack had been casually deflected—something that hadn't happened in years.
Afterward, Enel had summoned his four priests and briefed them on the intruders' capabilities. Shura, always eager to prove himself against seemingly weak opponents, had volunteered for the first mission. His subsequent defeat had been... educational.
The outcome was both unexpected and perfectly predictable. When his lightning strike had been blocked so effortlessly, Enel had realized there was at least one truly powerful individual among the invaders. But it seemed that whoever had defeated Shura wasn't the same person who'd blocked his divine judgment.
"Yahaha! How interesting," Enel mused, reclining on his massive golden throne. "I've been so bored for so long, and finally some decent entertainment arrives."
He tapped his golden staff thoughtfully. "If they're here for the gold... I wonder where in the Blue Sea they obtained their information?"
Despite the threat to his domain, Enel seemed completely unconcerned. Years of absolute dominance had bred a confidence that bordered on arrogance. He simply couldn't fathom anyone successfully challenging his divine authority.
After a moment's consideration, Enel decided to make a game of it. He summoned his remaining three priests and ordered his Chief Divine Soldier and subordinates to position themselves above the island clouds that covered ancient Shandora.
If the intruders wanted to find gold, that would be their only route.
Once his forces were in motion, Enel gripped his golden staff and vanished from his throne with a crackling discharge of electricity and echoing laughter.
As Jerry's group moved swiftly through the dense jungle, he suddenly chuckled under his breath.
"Well, this is interesting."
"What's wrong?" Deuce asked, his improved conditioning allowing him to keep pace with Jerry's rapid movement. "Something we should know about?"
"Our enemies are gathering to welcome us," Jerry explained, his Observation Haki picking up the shifting positions ahead. "When we arrive, everyone stay alert and be ready for a fight."
The team members exchanged understanding nods and continued following Jerry's lead through the increasingly treacherous terrain.
They climbed steep ridges and crossed rushing streams as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. When Jerry finally raised his hand to signal a halt, they found themselves facing the most prominent landmark on the entire island—a massive vine that stretched up into the clouds like a natural skyscraper.
"Is it directly beneath this enormous vine?" Deuce asked quietly, craning his neck to take in the full scope of the colossal plant.
He began carefully studying their surroundings, noting potential approach routes and defensive positions.
"That's right. And our welcoming committee is already in position," Jerry confirmed, pointing toward a cluster of figures visible among the ancient stone structures.
Wyper's eyes narrowed with a mixture of recognition and old pain. "This is our homeland—the ruins of Shandora. There's another layer of ruins above us on the vine itself, and above that sits Enel's shrine."
His voice grew tactical as he continued. "Enel commands four priests, one Chief Divine Soldier, two Deputy Chiefs, and numerous regular soldiers. If they're all gathered here..."
Seeing that Deuce was beginning to formulate some kind of tactical approach, Ace casually picked at his nose and interrupted.
"What are we waiting for? Let's just charge in!"
During their journey across Sky Island, hearing testimonies from various sources, the crew had developed a clear understanding of the situation. None of them approved of the current god's reign of terror.
Beyond their original quest for gold, they'd all become genuinely invested in helping Sky Island's people free themselves from Enel's tyranny. Besides, they hadn't forgotten that thunderous welcome they'd received on the beach.
"Haha! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear!" Cavendish declared from atop his white horse Farul, who had somehow managed to navigate the jungle terrain with equine grace. He brandished his sword dramatically. "If their so-called god isn't here yet, then I'll take on their strongest priest!"
Using the previous priest's strength as a baseline, Deuce quickly calculated that their side held a significant power advantage. Recognizing that speed could be crucial in warfare, he nodded decisively.
"Alright then. Everyone stay sharp and watch each other's backs."
"Carrot, be extra careful out there," Carina called from her perch on the winged Kotatsu's back, checking her weapons one final time. "Don't take any unnecessary risks."
After exchanging final words of encouragement and tactical reminders, the group prepared to charge toward the enemy forces gathered among the ruins ahead.
Jerry was about to join the assault when inspiration struck him like a lightning bolt. His eyes gleamed with sudden understanding, and his figure abruptly vanished from sight, leaving no trace of his presence.
Beneath the massive vine lay the true heart of ancient Shandora. However, the original city had been buried and concealed beneath the island clouds of Sky Island over the centuries.
As a result, many of the current inhabitants—including most of the Shandians themselves—remained unaware that the authentic urban center of their ancestral homeland lay hidden directly beneath their feet.
On the surface above, two opposing forces clashed in fierce combat.
Cavendish led the charge with characteristic flair, his blade work immediately drawing the attention of Ohm, the priest responsible for the Iron Trial. The two warriors engaged in an intense duel, their weapons ringing against each other with metallic percussion.
Ace moved through the enemy ranks with casual confidence, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll through his own backyard. His relaxed demeanor quickly attracted hostile attention—specifically that of Gedatsu, the priest overseeing the Swamp Trial, who approached with a menacing scowl.
Not to be outdone, Wyper launched himself directly at Satori, the rotund priest in charge of the Ball Trial. The enemy's corpulent frame matched his trial's name perfectly—round, bulky, and deceptively mobile.
The rest of the crew threw themselves into the general melee with practiced coordination. Having learned about Sky Island combat techniques during their journey, they remained constantly alert for shell-based attacks and other unique weapons.
While the two groups engaged in combat among the ancient ruins, Jerry quietly materialized at the battlefield's edge. He surveyed the fighting with a quick, analytical glance, confirming that his friends were holding their own for the moment.
Then he tilted his head upward, studying the massive vine that disappeared into the clouds above.
"Choosing the high ground, are we? How proactive," he murmured to himself with an anticipatory grin. "Well then, let's see what kind of god we're dealing with."
With that, he flexed his legs and vanished once again, beginning his ascent toward what promised to be the real confrontation.
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