Xinglu Island is a small landmass located in the first half of the Grand Line. Due to its remote location, few ships ever pass through the nearby waters.
Consequently, most of the island's inhabitants run ranches, relying on a self-sufficient cycle of production and sales. Although the residents do not live particularly wealthy lives, they enjoy a relaxed and peaceful existence.
Moda, the "Milk Girl," had lived on this island for over a decade. Ever since her parents went to sea to work as cooks at the Marine G-4 Base, the young girl had managed the entire ranch on her own. Today, however, two "guests" had unexpectedly arrived at the ranch through a strange twist of fate.
It was night.
Inside Moda's house, two men and one woman sat around a table eating dinner. The bright lamplight combined with the aroma of delicious food created an exceptionally cozy atmosphere. Setting aside their respective identities, the scene was indescribably harmonious.
"Thank you so much!"
Standing up, Ace gave a polite, deep bow toward Moda and Enel. "If you hadn't saved me, a 'hammer' like me would have surely drowned."
"Oh, please, you don't have to be so formal," Moda said, waving her hand with a smile as she swallowed her food. "It was just a small thing, don't take it to heart."
"Besides, if you really want to thank someone, thank Enel. He's the one who used lightning to restart your heart and wake you up."
"Hmph. A trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning," Enel snorted with an air of arrogant pride, then went back to silently sipping the milk in his cup.
This guy seemed to have developed an addiction to milk; he was downing glass after glass, unable to stop. It was a good thing Moda's ranch had plenty of stock, otherwise, even this kind-hearted milk girl would have started to get a headache.
"Your name is Enel? Thank you so very much."
Bowing deeply once more, Ace immediately shifted his attention to the long-lobed man who was quietly guzzling milk.
(Right, speaking of electricity... that expressionless girl, Misaka, ate the Paramecia-type Static-Static Fruit. Does that mean he...)
The image of a certain brown-haired, stoic girl flashed through his mind. Ace's mouth twitched unnaturally before he continued his inquiry.
"Enel, could it be that you've also eaten a Devil Fruit?"
"Hmph. That's right. I have eaten one."
Taking a large gulp of milk, Enel extended a hand. "Furthermore, I am the user of the strongest Logia fruit!"
Crackle, crackle... Following a series of electrical discharges, azure arcs of lightning suddenly danced across Enel's palm, casting flickering light and shadows across the three very different expressions in the room.
"Wow, that looks so cool!"
Watching the jumping arcs of electricity, Moda's eyes sparkled with tiny stars. This simple-minded girl didn't have a concrete concept of what a Logia ability actually meant; she just thought the special effect looked flashy.
"Hmph, naturally." Hearing Moda's praise, the long-lobed man felt a surge of secret satisfaction. He tilted his chin up proudly.
"The power to control nature itself... this is an ability that only a God possesses!"
Enel, who took immense pride in the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, wanted to continue showing off. Unfortunately, there are always people in this world who won't let you grandstand in peace...
"Oh? What a coincidence. Turns out you're a Logia user too, Enel."
An "I've met a kindred spirit" expression appeared on Ace's face. Then, under the surprised gazes of the other two, he also raised a hand.
Whoosh! A ball of orange-red flames erupted from his palm. In an instant, the temperature of the entire room rose slightly.
"..." x2
Both Enel and Moda froze at the sight. The atmosphere suddenly became incredibly awkward.
After a moment of silence.
(Is this freckled brat intentionally trying to show me up?) Enel's gaze became extremely hostile, and the lightning on his palm flickered even more violently.
"Holy cow! It's on fire!" The milk girl's attention was instantly diverted. "Hey, hey, doesn't your hand feel hot?"
"How could it? After eating the Flame-Flame Fruit, I am fire. How can fire think it's too hot for itself?"
Ace replied with a grin. He then sensed the "regretful" and resentful gaze coming from the long-lobed man. Although he didn't know where this mysterious hostility was coming from, he didn't back down, staring right back.
Stare— Lightning flickered!
Stare— Flames blazed!
These two Logia users—the likes of which were rare even on the Grand Line—were huddled in a tiny room, engaged in a silent contest. Though neither spoke, they could read a thick sense of battle intent in each other's piercing gazes, like heavenly thunder drawing out earthly fire.
Neither Ace nor Enel were particularly easy-going people; it was perfectly normal for them to start a fight over a single disagreement. From the look of things, a clash between lightning and fire was about to unfold for no apparent reason.
But at that critical moment...
"Oh, right! You guys should try the cheese I made."
Moda, completely oblivious to the gunpowder in the air, pushed a plate to the center of the table and said with a beaming smile, "It's delicious~~"
"..." x2
Enel and Ace both turned their gaze in unison toward this somewhat ditzy milk girl.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Moda blinked in confusion. "I'm not lying, this cheese is really super tasty!"
(Is this silly girl an angel sent from the heavens?) x2
Both men grumbled inwardly.
For some reason, the moment they saw Moda's pure, milk-like innocence, both the impulsive Ace and the temperamental Enel subconsciously reined in their unfriendly behavior.
And so, these two terrifying existences—who together could have swept through the first half of the Grand Line—actually behaved themselves. They extinguished their flames and lightning and each took a piece of cheese from the plate.
(Hmm, I have to admit, this cheese actually is pretty good.) x2
The next day.
On the shore of Xinglu Island, Enel and Moda were seeing Ace off.
"Goodbye, Ace! You have to come back and visit when you have time! I'll make sure you have all the milk and cheese you can eat."
Moda waved her arm. "And thanks again for helping me deliver that letter."
"Don't mention it. Consider it my way of paying you back for saving my life."
Stepping onto his small boat, Ace coolly adjusted his cowboy hat with his hand, then glanced at the "God of Thunder" nearby, whose face was practically screaming, "You brat, get lost already!"
"Also, Enel, since you've lost your memory, I still suggest you head back to Skypiea. You might remember something there."
Last night, under Moda's mediation, the three of them had talked for a long time. Ace had gained a general understanding of the long-lobed man's situation.
"Hmph. My business is none of your concern," Enel snorted with disdain.
Ever since he found out "Fire Fist" Ace was a Logia user like himself, he had been full of hostility toward the man, as if Ace had stolen his patent. It must be said, this "Lord God" truly was a bit childish.
"Well, suit yourself."
Ace sighed, then revealed a sun-drenched smile. "You're lightning, and I'm fire. Next time we meet, I hope we can have a real match."
With that, flames ignited beneath Ace's feet. His custom-made boat shot forward, driven by the fire, carving a long white line across the calm sea and vanishing in an instant.
(Oh? A vehicle powered by Devil Fruit abilities? Interesting.) Enel stroked his chin, his brow furrowing slightly.
(But why... why do I feel a sense of 'heartbreak' when I look at that boat? Did I lose something important before? Something similar to that boat?)
"Phew, I really didn't expect it," Moda said, stretching her limbs under the sun. Her milk-white skin looked even more supple in the light. "Someone as polite as Ace is actually a pirate. But I remember my mom and dad telling me that pirates were all terrifying, wicked people."
"Pirates?"
Enel's body jolted. He was certain he hadn't heard that word for the first time today. When he heard those two syllables, the God of Thunder felt an inexplicable urge to destroy everything around him!
"Yeah. But even though he's a pirate, I still think Ace is a good person."
Moda gave a gentle smile, then looked at the "God" whose face was currently contorted as he gnashed his teeth, adding:
"And of course, Enel is a good person too~~"
A sea breeze blew past, lifting Moda's flaxen hair. The scene was indescribably beautiful.
(Huh? A good person? Me?! What is this girl talking about?)
The God of Thunder, having just been handed a "Good Person Card" by the milk girl, was stunned. He stared blankly at Moda's healing smile. The expression on his face was a kaleidoscope of emotions, and an unprecedented, wonderful sensation surged in his chest.
Although he couldn't quite describe what kind of experience this was, Enel was certain of one thing:
This feeling wasn't bad.
Not bad at all.
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