Buggy sheathed his blade En'yō (Flame Sun)—not because he couldn't hurt Enel with it, but because he feared that a single strike might kill him outright. To avoid that accident, he chose to end the fight with pure physical combat.
Enel saw the gesture and didn't mistake it for surrender. He could feel Buggy's strength. Even if attacks did not affect him before, there was no way someone like Buggy would simply give up.
But then he felt it—the dangerous aura flooding from Buggy's body as it turned jet black with Armament Haki. A cold premonition ran through him.
The instant Buggy vanished with Soru, Enel activated his Mantra (Observation Haki), probing in all directions. He found Buggy's presence—directly behind him!
This time, Enel wasn't arrogant enough to let an attack hit him head-on. In the past, he might have done so, but he sensed danger now. He readied his lightning speed to dodge.
But Buggy anticipated it. Before Enel could move, a crushing wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, pressing down on him like the sky itself. Enel froze, his body trembling, almost falling from the air.
In that brief moment of stillness, Buggy's Armament-clad fist slammed deep into his abdomen.
BOOM!
Enel's body blasted downward, crashing through the cloud ground with thunderous force, carving out a massive crater. He spat blood again and again, his body unable even to rise.
Buggy's eyes showed a flash of disappointment. Despite wielding a mighty Logia fruit and having developed it well, Enel's body was frail, his spirit soft, his worldview narrow. He lacked the iron will true champions possessed.
But even so, Buggy wouldn't discard him. With guidance, discipline, and exposure to the wider world, Enel's raw potential could still be forged into steel.
Hovering down to the crater's edge, Buggy looked at the broken "god" and sneered:
"Well, 'God' Enel… what do you think of a mere mortal's fist?"
"…What… was that power? How could it hurt me?"
Enel's voice no longer carried arrogance. His pride was wounded, but not shattered—curiosity burned in his eyes.
Buggy's expression softened with respect. Unlike other defeated foes who raged in denial, Enel wanted to understand. That meant he could change.
"That was Armament Haki—a power meant to strike even Logias like you, the so-called 'gods.' In the Blue Sea, many people can use it. Your Rumble-Rumble Fruit alone means nothing there. To the strong of the seas, your power would be trivial."
His words weren't to humiliate, but to tear down the cage of arrogance that trapped Enel.
"…The Blue Sea… has that many strong people?" Enel's eyes narrowed. "Then… are you the strongest among them?"
Buggy laughed.
"Me? On the Grand Line, I'm just a nobody. There are countless who are stronger than I am. Hah, if you think I'm terrifying, wait until you see the true monsters roaming the seas."
He extended his hand.
"Enel, come with me. Don't rot away on this little Sky Island. I'll show you the vast ocean, the real strong, the true world. Follow me—and I'll make you a real powerhouse. If one day your strength surpasses mine, I'll even bow to you. How about it?"
Enel froze. The words painted images in his mind—warriors mightier than Buggy, seas beyond imagination. For the first time, the "god" of Skypiea felt small. And yet… he longed to see it.
"You swear it? If I defeat you one day, you'll kneel before me?"
Buggy's grin was calm, confident.
"Yes. If you can beat me, I'll submit. My whole crew will."
The promise lit fire in Enel's pride. If he couldn't be the greatest here, then he would chase that glory on the sea.
At last, he nodded firmly, meeting Buggy's gaze.
"…Very well. I'll join you."
Buggy's smile widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
It was expected, but still a victory worth celebrating. With Enel on board, the Yanhuang Pirates' strength would leap forward. His Rumble-Rumble Fruit, his vast potential—he was at least future First Mate level, perhaps even a Yonko-tier force in time.
Enel, once the self-styled god of Skypiea, would now become one of Buggy's pillars.