White Seas and Sunlight
The sky was so bright it almost hurt to look at. Heaven's Embrace cut through the White Sea like a blade through silk, wings folded back in sail mode, the runes along her hull glowing faintly as they absorbed the sun's warmth.
Conis and her father Pagaya guided them from the front, pointing out the floating coral formations and the soft, cloud-like ground of Angel Island.
"This place is unreal," Bell-mère said, leaning over the rail. "And I've seen Vegito's pantry dimension."
Nami was already calculating potential trade routes in her head, while Nojiko squatted down to scoop a handful of sea-cloud into her hands. "Feels like… whipped cream that doesn't melt."
"Don't eat it," Reiju warned, grinning.
Sora was halfway through a mango when she sniffed the air. "Smells like rain," she murmured.
Vegito tilted his head. "Not rain. Trouble."
Upper Yard — and Trouble with Feathers
Their first step onto Upper Yard was met with an immediate thunk of an arrow embedding in the dirt in front of Vegito's boot.
The Shandia warriors emerged from the foliage — proud, tanned fighters in feathered armor, led by a fierce-looking woman with a long spear. Her hair was tied back, her amber eyes sharp and calculating.
"I am Raki of the Shandia," she said. "State your purpose, outsiders."
Vegito smiled. "Vacation. Sightseeing. Possibly dethroning your lightning-obsessed dictator."
There was a pause. Then one of her warriors whispered something to her, and Raki's mouth twitched in what might have been the shadow of a smile. "You speak boldly."
Kuina stepped forward. "You'll find he's not bluffing."
Seeds in the Sand
While Vegito negotiated with Raki, Robin drifted toward the edge of the clearing, her gaze caught by the massive stone ruins half-buried in jungle. Her fingers brushed over the worn carvings, her lips curving in the faintest smile.
"Poneglyph," she whispered to herself.
Raki caught the word. "You can read them?"
Robin didn't answer directly. "I can hear them."
Vegito glanced back. "And what are they saying?"
"That this island remembers more than the world wants it to."
Priests in Over Their Heads
The meeting was interrupted by a loud, nasal voice.
"HALT! BY THE ORDER OF GOD ENEL, YOU ARE TRESPASSING ON DIVINE LAND!"
Four figures dropped from the trees — the Priests of Enel, each more ridiculous-looking than the last. One wore a giant wavy hat, another had spheres strapped to his body, one looked like he'd walked out of a circus, and the last had the unmistakable smirk of someone who thought they were important.
The tallest stepped forward. "I am Satori, Priest of the Ordeal of Balls!"
Vegito blinked. "Did you just say—"
Nami slapped a hand over his mouth. "Don't."
But it was too late. He was already laughing. "The Ordeal of Balls?!"
The priest bristled. "These are not mere balls! They are deadly—"
One of the floating spheres drifted too close to Vegito. He poked it. It popped like a bubble.
Satori froze. "…How did you—"
Vegito leaned down, deadpan. "Your balls are weak."
The crew collectively lost it.
The Fastest Defeat in Sky Island History
One by one, the priests tried their tricks — swamp spheres, snake dials, impact shells — and one by one, Vegito neutralized them in ways that made them look like amateurs.
For Satori, it was flicking every single ball back into his face.For Shura, it was grabbing his spear mid-strike and using it to roast marshmallows over a conjured ki flame.For Ohm, it was patting his "almighty" dog on the head until it rolled over like a puppy.And for Gedatsu… well, Vegito simply asked why he kept closing his own eyes mid-fight, and the man accidentally fell into his own swamp.
By the time they were done, the Shandia warriors were struggling to keep straight faces.
Raki's amber eyes met Vegito's. "You're either a fool or a god."
"Neither," Vegito said with a grin. "Just a man having fun."
Nojiko's Glance
As they moved deeper into Upper Yard, Nojiko kept glancing at the distant sound of thunder that wasn't from the clouds.
"Enel," she said under her breath.
Vegito caught the look in her eye. "You like storms?"
"I've always liked the sound of rain," she said. "Lightning too. Feels… alive."
Vegito didn't answer right away. But his tail flicked, and he smiled faintly.
Robin's Discovery
They reached the ancient city, its golden bell tower lost to time and jungle. Robin moved from stone to stone, her hands tracing words the world had forgotten.
"This isn't just about the Shandia," she murmured. "These ruins… they connect to Jaya. To the great kingdom."
Raki watched her with open curiosity. "Why do you care?"
Robin's smile was almost sad. "Because the truth matters."
Calling Down a God
As they reached the center of Upper Yard, Vegito stepped onto a massive platform of cloud-stone, cracked and weathered by centuries.
He looked up at the distant thunderhead. "Alright, Enel! Enough foreplay!"
His voice wasn't loud, but the ki behind it rolled like a drumbeat through the entire island. Birds scattered. Clouds rippled. And somewhere above, the god of Skypiea paused mid-meal.
"I'm here for your throne, your treasure, and your lightning," Vegito called. "So get your shiny ears down here before I come up there!"
There was a long, charged silence. Then the air split with a bolt of gold-blue lightning.
[Crew Roster Updated]
Vegito (Captain)
Bell-mère (Crew Mother / Fighter)
Nami (Navigator)
Nojiko (Support Fighter)
Kaya (Doctor – Heal-Heal Fruit User)
Kuina (Swordswoman)
Reiju (Combat Medic / Poison Specialist)
Nico Robin (Archaeologist / Poneglyph Reader)
Vivi (Princess of Alabasta)
Zala (Miss Doublefinger – Martial Artist)
Mikita (Miss Valentine – Aerial Combat)
Next Destination: The fight with "God" Enel — and the Goro Goro no Mi's new owner.