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God's Island, Upper Yard:
This island in the White Sea had already experienced four hundred years of conflict. The natives of Skypiea and the Shandia warriors fought war after war over ownership of the island.
In the end, however, the Skypieans gained control and designated it a forbidden zone.
Only a god was permitted to live there.
On this day, sunlight shone down and spread colorful rays that formed a rainbow across the sky. A gentle breeze drifted by. The animals of Upper Yard lazily basked in the sunlight while insects produced all kinds of buzzing and chirping sounds.
Everything appeared calm and peaceful.
Suddenly, the sound of the wind abruptly intensified, and a massive shadow covered the sky. The animals raised their heads curiously. Their expressions instantly froze, and fear filled their eyes as they scattered and fled in all directions.
"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
The propellers spun rapidly, accompanied by the roar of wind and thunder, sweeping across the sky above the dense forest. The massive fleet was terrifying to the creatures of Skypiea. The powerful gusts blew the trees sideways as it roared through the air.
"What is that?"
The Shandians with wings on their backs, hiding in the forest, looked up in shock. Twelve enormous flying ships rushed across the sky above them. Figures stood upright on their decks, and a single glance was enough to make one's heart tremble.
"They don't have wings!"
"Are they from the Blue Sea?"
"And they actually dare to enter this place so openly!"
The Shandians were shocked and curious. The members of the small squad looked at one another and quickly understood each other's meaning.
"Follow them and see!"
"These Blue Sea people don't seem friendly."
"If they clash with the natives, we might be able to take back our homeland!"
Immediately, the Shandian squad began swiftly moving through the forest, tightly following the massive fleet flying overhead.
Meanwhile...
At the front of the fleet, Kojin stood with his arms folded and with a faint smile on his face.
"Is there really gold here?" Capone Bege was filled with doubt.
When he first arrived in Skypiea, he looked around curiously. He was stunned by this white world, and he felt insignificant beneath the enormous moon and sun above. But when the fleet began sailing over this island, he paused, confused.
It looked just like the islands found below in the sea.
"The Skypieans call this island Upper Yard. And they treat it as the sacred, forbidden land of the gods. In reality, it's just Jaya Island, which was blasted into the sky by a Knockup Stream four hundred years ago."
At that moment, the captain's voice came from the side.
Capone Bege raised his head in shock.
"Jaya Island from the Grand Line?"
Kojin nodded lightly.
He looked forward, briefly sweeping his gaze downward. He had naturally noticed the Shandian squad following them through the forest below. He had even overheard their earlier conversation.
But he didn't care.
His domain spread outward, and in an instant, he enveloped the entire Upper Yard within his sensing range. Soon after, he saw the magnificent God's Shrine floating among the clouds in the distance.
The middle-aged man sitting on the divine throne was the current God of Skypiea...
Gan Fall.
A moment later, the flying ships stopped above the ruins of Shandora.
Seeing the ruins below, Capone Bege immediately looked surprised.
"This is the place?"
Kojin nodded.
"You're in charge of loading the gold onto the ships first. I'm going to handle something else."
As soon as he finished speaking, thunder and lightning flashed around him, and he disappeared instantly.
At the same time, inside the God's Shrine...
"My lord! Something terrible has happened!" A palace soldier ran in, shouting anxiously.
"What happened?" Gan Fall quickly stepped down from his chair and helped the soldier up.
"A fleet of flying ships from the Blue Sea has entered the Upper Yard and stopped above Shandora." The soldier said, catching his breath.
"People from the Blue Sea?" Gan Fall's expression changed drastically.
He immediately gave an order.
"Gather the guards. Come with me to take a look immediately."
Just as he had put on his armor and was about to leave—
...Boom! Rumble!
A deafening thunderclap erupted above the God's Shrine. Blue lightning arcs stretched down like the tentacles of a massive creature, densely probing downward before striking the ground in an instant.
"Crackle!"
Electric currents surged across the area, scorching patches of white clouds black.
"No need to go." A calm voice suddenly echoed beside him.
Gan Fall abruptly looked up.
Ten meters ahead, a bolt of lightning struck the ground from the sky.
Immediately after, a figure emerged from the lightning.
"Who are you?" Gan Fall's pupils shrank as he shouted sternly.
He felt immense pressure. Even though the other person hadn't done anything yet, Gan Fall's entire body trembled, and sweat formed on his forehead.
Kojin smiled faintly, raised his finger, and pointed around him.
Instantly, bolts of lightning shot out. The soldiers around Gan Fall were struck down instantly, collapsing to the ground without a sound.
"You can learn about me slowly in the future. But the reason I came here today..."
Kojin stepped forward.
When he arrived in front of Gan Fall, he bowed slightly and looked down at him.
"I came to tell you one thing."
"This island... From today onward, it belongs to me."
Gan Fall trembled.
"What?!"
He immediately understood what the other person meant.
This man was a complete invader. Gan Fall instantly drew his long spear and thrust it toward the man's chest. However, when the spearhead pierced the opponent's chest, disbelief appeared in Gan Fall's eyes.
"How is that possible?"
Kojin smiled faintly. Reaching out, he placed a hand on Gan Fall's shoulder.
"Do I need to say it a second time?"
Lightning burst out instantly, sweeping across Gan Fall's entire body.
The God of Skypiea trembled violently. The thunderbolt left him numb and powerless, and he collapsed onto the ground.
"What you need to understand is this... I have no bad intentions toward anyone here. However..."
Kojin paused and withdrew his right hand.
"All of that depends on you behaving obediently."
Gan Fall's expression turned grim as fear rose in his heart at the man's power. He wanted to jump up and continue attacking, to resist, at least a little, but he soon realized that, after being struck by that bolt of lightning, even moving was difficult. You can continue to be the god here and manage everything."
"I won't interfere. I can even provide you with convenience."
Gan Fall was stunned when he heard those words and a doubtful look appeared on his face.
"How ridiculous. It's only Skypiea. Have you ever seen the vast, boundless world below?"
"Do you really think I'm interested in ruling this place?"
Kojin said playfully.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Gan Fall gritted his teeth and asked.
"I only need to borrow this place's secrecy," Kojin sighed.
If he had possessed the Golden Lion's ability to make islands float, he wouldn't have needed to include Skypiea in his plans. After all, it was far too distant from his main base in West Blue.
"Secrecy?"
Gan Fall was still confused. He clearly understood the terrifying gap between them, though. In an instant, the other man had rendered him completely immobile.
After a moment, Gan Fall struggled to his feet.
"As long as you ensure that no civilians on this island are harmed, I can follow your orders." Gan Fall said in a deep voice.
Kojin smiled lightly.
He walked toward the shrine and slowly sat down on the chair.
"The Upper Yard originally belonged to the Shandians. But it was occupied by your people." Kojin spoke calmly, his tone slightly teasing.
"It belonged to the Shandians?" Gan Fall was stunned. "But this island has always belonged to the gods."
Kojin smiled again.
"Then do you know where Upper Yard came from?"
Gan Fall shook his head.
"Upper Yard was originally called Jaya, located directly below what you call the Blue Sea. In the Blue Sea, things that Skypieans consider precious can be found everywhere." Kojin said calmly.
"What?!" Gan Fall was utterly shocked.
"Perhaps in your eyes, I, a man from the Blue Sea, am an invader. But in the eyes of the Shandians, you are the ones who robbed them of their homeland."
Kojin sighed.
Gan Fall's expression changed repeatedly, and he remained silent for a long time.
'Had the man in front of him not told him, he would never have known.'
"Inform the Shandians. From this moment on, they can return to live in their homeland."
Kojin slowly stood up. Lightning flashed across his body, and the next instant, he disappeared.
Gan Fall stood there in a daze for a long time, not knowing what to say.
The man's words overturned the history and truth that the Gods of Skypiea had established over the past four hundred years.
They had become the bandits who stole someone else's homeland, while the Shandians were the true victims.
"Did Upper Yard come from the Blue Sea?"
"Then the Shandians did too!"
Gan Fall muttered blankly. He didn't know if that was true, but if he ever had the chance, he would travel to the Blue Sea to find out.
"That man... Just who is he?"
"A man who controls thunder and isn't afraid of blades or spears!"
The soldiers inside the shrine were almost completely powerless against him.
Meanwhile...
In Shandora, the Shandian squad hid in a concealed location, secretly observing the massive fleet ahead.
"There are a lot of them."
"They're transporting gold!"
Their lowered voices revealed their tension.
Even from a distance, they could sense the fleet's power.
"Strange. Why hasn't God's army arrived yet?" One of them asked in confusion.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared in the air ahead of them and shot toward them at incredible speed.
"Be careful!" The Shandian squad instantly became alert.
"They won't be coming." A voice sounded in the air, making everyone's hair stand on end.
"Behind us!" The tall, thin man leading the group shouted.
Everyone immediately turned around and then shock filled their eyes.
A tall, imposing figure surrounded by crackling lightning stood on a tree branch behind them, looking down. His powerful build resembled that of the legendary ancient Shandian warrior, Kalgara.
"Greetings, warriors of Shandia. I am the new master of this island." Kojin grinned as he spoke.
The Shandians' bodies shook violently, and disbelief appeared on their faces.
(End of Chapter)