To thank Luffy for saving her, Conis warmly invited them to her home.
Seeing Luffy arrive, Sanji was stunned. An angelic young lady was smiling at Luffy?!
"Why?! I searched for so long for an angelic lady, and she appears like this? I can't accept this!" Sanji fell to his knees, weeping in frustration.
"Hurry up, pervert cook, you're in my way," Zoro urged impatiently.
This only angered Sanji more, and the two were instantly ready to throw down.
"I-is that okay?" Conis looked back nervously. They were about to fight.
Nami laughed awkwardly, explaining that it was just their way of showing they got along. Honestly, she couldn't quite explain Zoro and Sanji's relationship. It was too complicated.
The group walked along a path paved with solid Island Cloud towards the interior of the island. Along the way, they could see many uniquely shaped houses, mostly made of white cloud bricks and decorated with various shells, full of exotic charm.
Luffy and the others were quite curious about Skypiea, and Conis, as a local, patiently answered their questions.
"The main sources of energy we use daily in Skypiea are clouds and Dials," Conis explained as they walked, patiently addressing the curious Luffy and Nami. "For example, the Island Cloud beneath our feet is very dense and can support heavy objects."
"There are also Lamp Dials for lighting, Tone Dials for storing sound, Breath Dials for emitting air, and even Impact Dials that can generate shocks, among others."
She took out a purple shell and shook it, and a sound emanated from its opening.
Sky Islands are really interesting.
Hearing this, Usopp, who was always intensely interested in various tools and inventions, immediately leaned in, his eyes shining. "Sky Dials? Would they still work if we brought them back to the Blue Sea?"
Conis nodded in the affirmative. "Yes, they would. With proper care, many shells can function normally in the Blue Sea."
She went on to introduce the three common types of cloud.
The regular Island Cloud they were currently on.
Sea Cloud, which had lower density and was similar to seawater from the Blue Sea but with less buoyancy. Nami was right; you could easily fall through it.
And Iron Cloud, which was harder and used for construction.
Usopp listened, enthralled, as if seeing a bright future for upgrading his arsenal once again.
While he was quite content to watch Luffy and the others wreak havoc (with him providing the 'wreck' and them the 'havoc'), Usopp also wanted to have some bragging rights in front of Merry.
Robin, who usually had little interest in things outside of history, also felt a spark of curiosity towards these shells that held a unique culture.
Arriving at Conis's home—a warm, tidy cloud house—Conis's father, upon hearing Luffy had saved his daughter, warmly welcomed them. This kindly middle-aged man was a gracious host.
Conis even brought out several thick volumes of "Sky Island Dial Compendium" and gifted them to Usopp and Robin.
Usopp accepted them as priceless treasures. "Thank you so much!"
Robin also took them with a smile, thanking her, and began browsing with interest.
Luffy, meanwhile, launched a fierce assault on the table full of Skypiean specialty snacks, stuffing his cheeks until they bulged.
He'd been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Nami watched his starving-ghost-reincarnated appearance and couldn't help but facepalm, but under the friendly smiles of Conis's family, she was too embarrassed to say much.
Sanji also went to help, preparing the sky fish that had attacked Conis along the way. An ordinary cook couldn't satisfy a bottomless pit like Luffy.
However, the warm atmosphere was soon shattered.
Knock-knock-knock!
"Who is it?" Conis's father asked upon hearing the knocking.
"It's me, McKinley of the White Berets."
"Captain McKinley?"
Conis's father went to open the door. Outside stood several men in uniform white outfits, with Jet Dial wings on their backs. McKinley, the leader of the White Berets, was actually standing behind these men. He quickly mouthed a message to Conis.
Divine Soldiers!
"Divine Soldiers?" Conis's face instantly turned pale, her eyes filled with worry and fear.
The Divine Soldiers served the God of Skypiea. They usually stayed in God's Country attending to the god. Whenever they were dispatched, it never meant anything good.
The leading Divine Soldier Captain swept his gaze over Luffy and the others inside the house, snorted coldly, and slammed a letter bearing a lightning bolt seal onto the table. "By order of God Enel-sama, we hereby deliver the invitation to the Trial of God!"
"You Blue Sea dwellers, prepare yourselves."
It wasn't just Luffy's group. Enel's trial included his own shrine's forces, the Shandia people, and even the former god, the Sky Knight Gan Fall—all were invited.
"The Trial of God?!" Conis cried out in shock, her body trembling slightly.
She knew a little about the Trial of God. On the island, there were ten levels of punishment. The more severe ones required undergoing the Trial of God, overseen by Enel's four Priests.
Luffy, his mouth full of food, asked vaguely, "What's the Trial of God? Does the letter say?"
Conis tremblingly picked up the letter and skimmed it. "The letter says... that receiving the letter means default participation. Refusal is not allowed, or God will deliver Divine Retribution."
It outlines the basic rules.
Participants earn five points for defeating one Divine Soldier, fifty points for a Vice Commander, and one hundred points each for a Great Commander or a Priest.
The trial lasts three days and two nights. Those who earn one hundred points will be exempt from execution.
Outstanding performers will be granted the qualification to follow the god to Fairy Vearth.
In other words, this game was akin to a death match.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Nami slammed the table angrily. "Who wants to participate in this baffling life-and-death game!"
Conis hurriedly covered Nami's mouth. The god of Skypiea was omnipresent. She didn't even dare to speak, using this method to warn them.
Just then, little Merry, who had been quietly sitting on Luffy's shoulder sharing a snack with Nika, suddenly looked up. "Luffy! Someone is messing with the ship!"
The laughter vanished instantly from Luffy's face. "What?!"
A ship was a part of a pirate's very life. Someone dared to touch their ship? And they'd made Merry look so aggrieved? Almost before the words finished, Luffy's figure shot out of the house like a cannonball, leaving only an afterimage behind.
Zoro and Sanji reacted with lightning speed, rising almost simultaneously to follow.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Sanji was also furious.
"Touch our ship? Looking for death!" Zoro's hand was already on his sword hilt.
For once, the two were in rare agreement.
The three charged back to the beach where the Going Merry was anchored at amazing speeds. Sure enough, they saw a group of Divine Soldiers trying to untie the Merry's mooring lines, with some even holding tools, seemingly intending to do something to the ship's hull.
***
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