Chapter 247: Rubber Doesn't Conduct Electricity!
Usopp trudged along the cloud path, carrying a pack larger than himself, his steps unsteady as he navigated the uneven surface.
He glanced back at Conis's small house, a complex feeling stirring in his heart.
He had always dreamed of becoming a Pirate, but robbing someone was a first for him.
Even if it was just an act.
"I'm a man who will become a brave warrior of the sea!"
He whispered to himself for encouragement, "But this kind of thing..."
Yet he couldn't help but replay the scene from earlier in his mind.
He kicked the door open, using the fiercest tone to deliver the harshest words:
"You two, father and daughter, know what's good for you!"
"Today, I'll beat you half to death, empty your home, as punishment for you notifying the lawmen!"
Then, right in front of Conis and her father, he stuffed everything in the house into his bag, one item at a time.
Lamp Dials, Breath Dials, Heat Dials, seasonings, food... he didn't even spare the pots, pans, bowls, and utensils.
He had done his best.
In his choice of words, he had been as brutal as possible.
Honestly...
This was his first robbery, and even though he knew it was just an act, he still felt a little nervous.
Especially when he was leaving with the pack on his back, he deliberately added:
"If you dare speak of what happened today, next time I come, I'll take your lives!"
With that, he slammed the door shut with a loud "bang."
The whole process flowed smoothly, almost perfect.
In the moment he turned his back to the door, he glanced back at Conis and her father, wearing an apologetic expression, his lips moving silently:
"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!"
He hoped they understood.
Conis, of course, understood.
She and her father stood in the now-empty house, silent for a long time.
It wasn't because Usopp had emptied their home—
Honestly, the long-nosed Blue Sea man's acting wasn't particularly skillful; the guilt hidden beneath his fierce expression was practically written on his face.
What shocked them was what Usopp had left behind before leaving.
Two bags.
One bag contained plant seeds, all kinds of seeds, some of which they had never seen before.
The other bag contained Bass.
Or, as Blue Sea people called it, soil.
Soil that carried the scent of the earth.
Conis crouched down, her hands trembling as she picked up a handful of soil, feeling its rough texture. Slowly, her eyes grew moist.
In Skypiea, this was a priceless treasure.
Skypiea was close to the sky, with abundant sunlight, and the Island Clouds provided ample moisture, allowing plants to thrive here.
But soil and seeds were not abundant here.
Occasionally, the Knock Up Stream would bring some up, and they were regarded as precious gifts from the heavens.
This was also why Skypieans considered Upper Yard a sacred land—
Because it had land that fell from the sky, real soil, and towering trees.
And now, the soil and seeds left behind by these two Blue Sea people were worth far more than everything that had been taken from their home.
"..."
Conis looked up at Pagaya.
Pagaya remained silent, his gaze fixed out the window toward Angel Beach.
After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"Those people... came prepared."
Conis was taken aback.
Then, understanding dawned on her.
Over the years, there had been visitors from the Blue Sea to Skypiea, but no one had ever specifically brought these two things.
This even ruled out the possibility that the Shandians had long been in contact with them.
After all, if the Shandians could contact the Blue Sea, they would have already called for reinforcements to help them reclaim Upper Yard.
The only possibility was...
They already knew beforehand.
They knew about the Shandians, about Skypiea, about Enel, even about the value of soil and seeds here.
Conis thought of that handsome, dark-haired man from the Blue Sea.
What a terrifying group of people.
Who exactly were they?
Conis tightened her grip on the soil in her hand, then suddenly smiled with relief.
It didn't matter.
Whether they were angels or demons, as long as they could drive Enel away, she could accept them.
Six years.
Ever since Enel defeated the old god and became the new one, the entire Skypiea had been under his oppressive rule.
Harsh laws and the ever-present threat of divine punishment kept all Skypieans living in constant fear.
If they could defeat Enel and end his reign...
Even if it meant emptying out all her belongings, it would be worth it.
Conis looked out the window, silently praying in her heart:
Strangers from the Blue Sea, I hope you succeed.
Angel Beach.
Usopp, carrying large and small bags, was panting heavily as he hurried toward where the Going Merry was docked.
Just then—
"Boom!"
A massive pillar of light descended from the sky, striking directly toward the Going Merry!
"Wahhhh!"
Usopp was so frightened he dropped his bags and scrambled toward the ship, "Going Merry! Everyone!"
He prayed frantically in his heart:
Please don't let anything happen! Please don't let anything happen!
When he finally reached the scene, he was met with a shocking sight.
The Going Merry was completely unharmed.
His companions were all standing by the ship, safe and sound.
Only one person seemed a bit off—
Lufia was covered in soot, her hair standing on end, and she was puffing out a mouthful of black smoke.
But her eyes sparkled like stars, and her face was filled with an excited grin.
"That was so much fun!"
She shouted, bouncing up and down, "How come I suddenly got struck by lightning?!"
Ralph stood nearby, looking strange. Instead of his usual concern, he was curiously examining her up and down.
"This is the Skypiean god's method."
Lufia tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then grinned widely:
"Then the god is pretty useless, isn't he?!"
As soon as the words left her mouth—
"Boom!"
Another bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking Lufia squarely on the head!
Electric sparks flew everywhere!
Everyone took several steps back in unison.
As the dust settled, Lufia remained standing in place, her hair now pointing in a different direction, but she was still alive and kicking.
"Hahahaha!"
She laughed even louder, "Again, again!"
The rest of the Straw Hat Crew took several more steps back in unison.
They remembered what Ralph had written on the paper earlier:
"The god of Skypiea has a way to monitor the conversations of everyone on the island."
"If someone disrespects the god or violates the laws he has set, divine punishment will rain down from the sky."
At first, they thought this sounded a bit exaggerated.
Especially Zoro, the swordsman determined to slay gods, scoffed at the idea, thinking it was just the god's way of intimidating people.
Now, witnessing divine punishment firsthand, they finally understood what the Skypiean god was capable of.
Sanji nearly dropped the cigarette from his mouth:
"Lightning? That's truly terrifying power..."
"But why is Lufia fine?"
Nami was puzzled.
Usopp's mind worked quickly, and he blurted out:
"It's rubber! Because Lufia is a Gomu Gomu no Mi user! Rubber doesn't conduct electricity!"
Everyone froze for a second.
Then they all spoke in unison:
"That works?!"
"That's too ridiculous, isn't it?!"
But immediately afterward, a wave of relief washed over them—
Thank goodness Lufia was their captain. She was practically that god's natural enemy!
Fortunately, Ralph, who knew everything, was on board.
Adventure was one thing, but risking being struck by lightning was not their original intention.
"Boom!"
A third bolt of lightning!
This one was thicker and far more powerful than the previous two.
The area struck by the lightning pillar clearly encompassed everyone!
Enel was getting serious!