Chapter 82: Evenly Matched
God's Land, Upper Yard. The entire landmass,rushed/flung into the sky four hundred years ago, had become the holy land in the hearts of all Skypieans.
Lush green forests, damp ground covered everywhere in moss, solid earth beneath foot, a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of soil...
The Going Merry, carried on the back of the Super Express Shrimp, rapidly approached God's Land.
"Is that God's Land over there?" Nami gazed into the distance, looking at the deep green expanse ahead. "It doesn't look quite the same as Jaya Island."
"Well, it has been four hundred years," Reiner said, walking up beside Nami. "The altitude is ten thousand meters higher; the climate and environment are vastly different."
Just then, using his extremely sharp eyesight, he spotted in another direction from God's Land, a large group of fully armed people gliding across the white sea surface. All wore simple clothing, their brown skin covered in numerous tattoos.
The Shandian guerillas. Although Reiner hadn't targeted them, they probably didn't feel the same way. To them, his group was just a bunch of pirates intruding on their war.
Soon, the Going Merry entered the island's airspace. However, the Super Express Shrimp showed no intention of stopping, instead riding a cloud path straight deeper into the island.
"There are cloud roads here too," Nami observed curiously, looking at the white paths winding through the trees throughout the island. "Where exactly is it taking us?"
"Reiner! Dinosaurs! I want dinosaurs!" Luffy yelled excitedly, jumping in front of him.
"Don't give him any!" Nami grabbed Luffy's ear and scolded irritably, "You idiot are going to run off alone again! We're completely unfamiliar with this place, and this island is full of danger right now! You behave yourself!"
Regarding Enel's death game, Nami still felt lingering fear. Who knew what Luffy was? Letting him loose would be disastrous! He'd probably provoke that God guy immediately!
"I don't care! I don't care! I want to go adventuring!" Luffy immediately started throwing a tantrum, rolling around on the deck.
"I want dinosaurs! I want to catch a Heracles beetle! Quick, give it to me!"
"This idiot," Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead. She knew hitting him wouldn't work in this situation; he'd be subdued for a moment, then definitely start acting up again.
Just then, as if attracted by Luffy's voice, a white figure burst out from the jungle, flying towards the Going Merry.
The moment it rushed out, Reiner instantly turned his head towards it. A strange appearance: a round head with short, pointed goat horns. Its target was Luffy, who was currently rolling back and forth on the deck.
"One hundred points! Mine!" A Divine Soldier descended from the sky, grinning savagely, arm outstretched, palm open aimed at Luffy.
Luffy reacted, performing a kip-up to stand. He raised his hand, about to counterattack, but just as he was about to punch, a jolt went through him.
"Damn it!"
A chill rose in his heart. He changed the direction of his punch, using the momentum from his arm and his powerful core strength to forcibly twist his body!
CLANG—!
A slash actually shot out from the opponent's palm! Sparks flew in front of Luffy's chest as Frieren materialized, holding her staff horizontally before the Divine Soldier, blocking the attack for Luffy.
"Phew~~ That was close."
Luffy let out a long breath, patting his chest, looking shaken.
Reiner couldn't help but give Luffy another look. Actually, even if he hadn't intervened, Luffy likely could have dodged that slash just now.
Despite being a sneak attack from behind, using a Slashing Dial he had never seen before, Luffy, relying on astonishing intuition, still managed to forcibly change his move under those circumstances. That terrifying reaction speed and flexible body were simply outrageous.
The moment the Divine Soldier rushed forward, Reiner had summoned Frieren, placing her between the opponent and Luffy. He knew the opponent used various offensive Dials as weapons, capable of causing actual harm to Luffy.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing!?" Luffy grimaced and yelled. "That was dangerous, you know!? Watch me teach you a lesson!"
With that, he slammed his fist into his palm, charged towards the attacking Divine Soldier, drew back his fist, extended his arm like a snake striking prey, and smashed downwards.
"Tch! Damn it!"
The Divine Soldier glared fiercely at Frieren, used the Dial in his hand to fire another slash. Although it was unsurprisingly blocked by the opponent, he used the slight recoil to retreat backward, dodging Luffy's fist.
However, before he could land, a long whip kick slammed hard into his abdomen.
"Pfft!"
The Divine Soldier spat out blood, crashed heavily onto the deck, rolled his eyes back, and fainted dead away.
Against small fry like this in a direct confrontation, Luffy could handle them effortlessly.
"What on earth is this?" Zoro walked over, crouched down, and prodded the Divine Soldier's head with his sword hilt, examining him.
"Looks pretty weird. He fired that slash from his hand just now, right?"
This was the only thing that interested Zoro. Being able to fire slashes seemingly from nowhere without a sword... the power looked decent too. He couldn't help but be reminded of the Blade Man he encountered in Alabasta.
"He should have a Dial on his hand," Reiner walked over, pulled off the opponent's glove, and sure enough, found a pale yellow Dial inside.
Reiner picked it up and examined it for a moment. The opening that fired the slash was at the top of the shell. He aimed the opening towards a large tree nearby and pressed gently.
Zing—!
An invisible slash instantly flew out, leaving a deep gash on the thick tree trunk!
"A flying slash, which Zoro just managed to grasp, can actually be achieved with such a tiny shell."
Reiner clicked his tongue in amazement, then turned to Zoro. "What do you think of the power?"
"It's okay, I guess. Although my flying slash isn't very proficient yet, it should still be stronger than this."
Zoro replied coolly. After witnessing the power of the Slashing Dial, he lost interest. "The sword in my hand is still more reliable."
Thump!
Suddenly, a violent jolt ran through the ship. The crew stumbled unpreparedly, taking a tumble on the deck.
The Super Express Shrimp abruptly stopped, placed the Going Merry onto some kind of altar structure, then departed on its own.
"Ai! Skypiea service really is terrible," Reiner complained, using the mast to help Nami up. "Looks like this is the base they arranged for us."
"Damn it!" Nami rubbed her forehead, her face filled with indignation.
"This 'God' guy is just crazy! Dragging us into this stupid game for no reason! We could have just run away! Why did we have to come here!?"
"Because I'm greedy for his body,"
"You're disgusting!" Nami looked at him with scorn.
Reiner remained unconcerned, merely reminding Nami, "Everything you just said... Enel heard it all."
"Enel?"
"God Enel," Reiner said, looking at Nami with a mocking expression. "The one ruling Skypiea. The Sky Knight old man mentioned him."
"Nani! Why didn't you say so earlier!?"
Nami looked terrified, hiding behind him, clutching his shirt tightly as she looked around nervously, muttering continuously.
"Oh, respected God... Those words just now were all jokes... If you must send down a curse, please curse this man instead..."
Reiner was speechless, giving her a major eye-roll.
"God does not send down curses!"
A voice echoed from afar, getting closer. The crew looked up towards the sound. A familiar, yet disliked, Pegasus figure flew down from the sky.
"It's the Sky Knight!"
"It's that old man!"
"You don't have any points assigned to you... Looks like you're not worth much, old man," Reiner confirmed, looking at the letter sent by the Divine Soldiers.
"Ahem! Old Me has already learned about this Ordeal. You are likely already being targeted by the Divine Soldiers."
Ignoring Reiner, the Sky Knight walked forward, the worn armor plates clanking as he moved. He stated calmly, "Since you generously paid Old Me's fee, I must fulfill my duty. I cannot allow you to be innocently dragged into this conflict."
"But we didn't blow the whistle," Reiner pointed out.
"Ahem! Besides, God Enel's actions are simply outrageous! Old Me cannot stand by and watch the Divine Soldiers, who should be protecting Skypiea, engage in this senseless battle with the Shandians!"
"In other words, you weren't invited to this Ordeal, right?"
"That's enough, you bastard!" Gan Fall's face flushed red as he looked at Reiner. "Can't you show a little respect for the elderly!? Old Me came here out of concern for you, at least!"
"Got it, got it. We appreciate your good intentions," Reiner waved dismissively, then added with a smile, "But I say, you're getting on in years. No need to push yourself like this, right?"
"Yeah, old man! What if you get hurt? At your age, recovery is slow too," Chopper added with genuine concern.
"Eh!? You! I..."
Gan Fall looked dejected, leaning against the large bird Pierre beside him. "To think even a pet... ai~~"
Bang! Bang!
"Alright, you two! Stop teasing him!"
"Waaah~~ I didn't do anything!" Chopper cried, covering his head. "Why hit me too!? Nami's scary!"
"Aiya! Sorry, Chopper," Nami smiled awkwardly, picking Chopper up to comfort him.
"So you were still here? I got tired of waiting."
An unfamiliar voice came from the sky. The group looked up. A man wearing goggles and pilot attire rode a giant vulture, circling above them.
"Sky Knight!"
"I'm right here, idiot!" Gan Fall yelled at Luffy, then frowned deeply, looking up at the sky.
"He is the guardian of the Ordeal of String, Sky Rider Shura! You Blue Sea people will suffer from lack of stamina due to the thin air up here! Leave this person to Old Me!"
"Speaking of which, I did feel a bit strange when we first came up."
"Ah, but I'm fine now."
"Really? I didn't feel anything."
Sanji, Zoro, and Reiner chimed in one after another, earning a collective facepalm from Gan Fall.
"Your name certainly sounds impressive. Let me test if you are worthy of the name 'Shura'," Reiner said, his gaze fixed intently on the sky. This is Sky Island; no need to hide here.
"Which undead should I use? An evenly matched fight seems more entertaining... Let's go with her then."
A small figure with white twin tails walked forward, twirled the staff in her hand, and looked up towards Shura.
"You call this evenly matched?" Zoro looked at him strangely.
"My momentum is like a thousand waterfall; he is irresistible. No problem, right?"
(End of this chapter)
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