Rowan's body was incredibly powerful, but he hadn't reached the point of being naturally insulated against electricity. He certainly wasn't foolish enough to make skin-to-skin contact with Enel.
What Enel hadn't seen was that on the palm Rowan used to pin him down, a thin layer of swirling air currents was spiraling incessantly. Because there was no direct contact, Rowan naturally wouldn't be electrocuted.
"Brat, I'll give you one last chance," Rowan's voice was like a sealing spell, firmly branding itself onto Enel's heart. "Will you be obedient, or will you be destroyed?"
In this instant, the gap in their strength was laid bare. Enel's heart was filled with humiliation and indignation, yet he found himself powerless to resist. He had never met an equal, let alone a superior; this defeat upended his entire life.
Seeing Enel remain silent for a long time, Rowan had already guessed the outcome.
"Have you surrendered?"
The ruler of the Sky Island who called himself a "God" wouldn't find it easy to voice his surrender. Rowan understood this, but the fact that Enel had stopped fighting proved his choice.
He had chosen to yield.
Rowan smiled faintly, and the thin layer of air in his palm gradually dissipated. Feeling the crushing pressure on his head lighten, Enel lifted his face, which was a complex mask of conflicting emotions.
"Tell me your name," he said, emphasizing every word.
"This old man is named Rowan."
"Rowan..." Enel repeated it, carving the name into his memory.
"What do you want me to do?" Enel asked, staring into Rowan's deep eyes.
Rowan was satisfied with Enel's lack of further resistance. As for his ultimate goal... now wasn't the time to reveal it directly.
"You are coming with me to the Blue Sea."
"Do I have the option to refuse?" Enel looked as if he were trying to negotiate, his arrogant expression flickering back onto his face, though it lacked its former overbearing malice.
"Refusing is the same as choosing destruction, brat."
At the word "brat," Enel's temper flared again. "Where does this God look like a brat to you? You damn old—" Before the word "geezer" could leave his mouth...
POW!
A stinging pain erupted from the top of his head. Enel reached up to cover his skull, but all he felt was a massive, growing lump.
"You've gone too far! You—"
POW! POW!
Two more lumps appeared on Enel's head.
"Brat, those three hits are to teach you to respect your elders!"
You're the only one here calling yourself an 'elder'! Enel screamed inwardly. He had no desire to taste Rowan's fists again—they were harder than iron.
"Take those things off your back—what are they, rattles? Throw them away. Throw that broken pole away too, then follow me," Rowan said, gesturing with a frown at Enel's drums and golden staff.
The look of pure disdain on Rowan's face made Enel feel like life wasn't worth living.
"What?" Seeing Enel's reluctant expression, Rowan raised his arm and tightened his fist.
Enel's eyes nearly bulged out in terror. He scrambled back ten meters and unceremoniously tossed the drums aside. "Old man, let me keep the staff, or just kill me!" he shouted, rolling his eyes defiantly.
Seeing that he had removed the drums, Rowan thought he looked much less ridiculous. Carrying a staff as a weapon wasn't a dealbreaker, so he gave a reluctant nod.
"What exactly do you want with me in the Blue Sea? The people there are stupid and ignorant, this God—"
POW!
"AAAGH!"
As Enel spoke while walking, another sharp pain shot through his skull. Accompanied by a ringing in his ears, Enel trembled with rage. Do I get punched just for talking now? Who can endure this?! Is this old man a psychopath?
"Speak properly. If you don't know how to use your tongue, I have many ways to teach you," Rowan said calmly, glancing at the resentful Enel.
"I..." Enel was forced to drop the "This God" title.
Rowan finally withdrew his gaze, satisfied. Arrogance was best cured by the fist.
Above the White-White Sea, Gan Fall circled the outskirts of Upper Yard on Pierre. Hearing the repeated, thunderous booms echoing from the island, his heart was in turmoil.
"That old man doesn't look any younger than I am. Going into Upper Yard alone... the odds are against him. He's from the Blue Sea, but he didn't seem like a bad man..."
"Forget it, Pierre, let's go." Gan Fall shook his head helplessly and prepared to fly away.
"Wait!"
A deep, booming voice suddenly erupted from the jungle below! Gan Fall looked down in surprise.
"Wait! So you were here. I have something to tell you!"
Gan Fall heard the voice getting closer... suddenly, a figure flashed into view—no, two!
Rowan was stepping on the air as if climbing invisible stairs, flying upward. And held in his hand... was Enel!
Gan Fall rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The man who had decimated his army years ago, stolen his throne, and called himself a God was currently being carried by Rowan like a helpless chick. More importantly, Enel's head was covered in several large bumps.
Did... did this old man, who might be older than me, actually beat him like that? It was beyond surreal.
"You... what is it?" Gan Fall stammered as Rowan reached him using Geppo.
"This fellow, I'm taking him away. So, I'm handing the Sky Island back to you," Rowan said, dangling Enel.
"H-Handing it back to me?" Gan Fall was so stunned he started to stutter.
Rowan nodded, not bothering to repeat himself. "I said I'd help you, and I have. It took a bit of effort and ruined a lot of trees on the island, but I assume you won't mind," Rowan said with a faint smile.
To his ears, defeating the Thunder God who had ruled the sky for years sounded as mundane as eating or sleeping. Gan Fall gave a dazed nod.
DONG... DONG...
Just then, a long, resonant sound echoed from below. It was melodic, ancient, and deeply moving.
"The Golden Bell! Hahaha, that Cricket-brat found it." Rowan let out a hearty laugh, looking like nothing more than a kindly grandfather from next door.
DONG... DONG...
The sound of the Golden Bell continued to ring out, echoing across the entirety of Skypiea.