Chapter 248: A Must-Do Activity, The Four Trials!
Enel targeted everyone and unleashed a super divine retribution!
However, just as the thunderbolt descended—
Ralph patted Munch-Munch, and Little Dinosaur opened its mouth wide, spitting out a massive metal pillar!
Ralph kicked out, sending the metal pillar soaring into the sky!
The thunderbolt was drawn to the metal pillar, instantly changing direction and striking the pillar entirely!
The residual shockwaves then fell, blasting a deep, bottomless hole into the nearby Island Cloud.
Ralph chuckled softly.
So-called divine retribution was nothing more than this—he hadn't even brought out his Faraday cage yet!
Three divine punishments, and the Straw Hat Pirates remained completely unscathed.
In the distance, the residents of Angel Island trembled with fear, hiding in their homes and shaking uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, in the divine realm of Skypiea, Enel sat on his throne, his smile frozen on his face.
His Mantra clearly sensed the life reactions in that area—
Not a single one was missing!
What kind of joke was this?
Since obtaining this god-like power, he had never encountered anything so bizarre!
He had unleashed three full divine punishments!
Not only had none of those guys died, they hadn't even bothered to dodge!
Enel abruptly stood up, his entire body crackling with electricity, almost transforming into lightning to teleport over and teach these blasphemous Blue Sea dwellers a lesson.
But at that very moment, he stopped.
Deep within him, a sliver of fear quietly arose.
This fear angered him, but it also sobered him.
He glanced back at his masterpiece—
The massive Ark Maxim was under intense construction.
Once completed, he would pilot this ship to the boundless land and become a true god!
A few mere Blue Sea dwellers weren't worth his personal attention.
Enel sat back down on his throne, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.
Let the Four Priests deal with them.
Just as he was about to issue the order, his Mantra suddenly detected new movement—
Those Blue Sea dwellers had actually set out from Angel Beach!
They were heading toward the sacred land of Upper Yard!
Are they coming for me?
Enel narrowed his eyes, his smirk tinged with amusement.
Fine.
How bold.
Then come.
Let's see if you can pass the four trials overseen by the Four Priests.
If your strength proves worthy, I'll grant you an opportunity—
To serve by the side of God and accompany Him to the divine continent!
Meanwhile, at Angel Beach.
Ralph was squatting on the ground, tinkering with Munch-Munch.
He was growing far too impatient!
He had originally thought that after seeing them unharmed by three divine punishments, Enel would fly into a rage and charge over to face their righteous group beating.
Unexpectedly, that guy had managed to restrain himself.
Since you won't come, we'll go to you.
"Munch-Munch, get to work."
Little Dinosaur nodded excitedly, opened its mouth wide, and swallowed the shell products Usopp had brought back, along with the spare timber from the Going Merry and the Island Cloud dug up from the beach.
A moment later, it opened its mouth and spat out four uniquely designed boats.
With wood as the frame and Island Cloud as the main material, each boat was equipped with Breath Dials at the bottom for propulsion.
Each boat could seat two people, lightweight and agile, perfectly suited for navigating the rivers of the White-White Sea.
With eight members in the Straw Hat Crew, two per boat was just right.
"Amazing!"
Usopp circled around Munch-Munch, "Munch-Munch, your ability is just too convenient!"
Munch-Munch proudly lifted its little head and blew a smoke ring.
"Wait."
Nami suddenly spoke up, "What about the Going Merry if we all go?"
Everyone looked at each other.
Right, the Going Merry couldn't be left unattended.
Ralph took a whistle from his pocket and blew it.
It was the whistle Gan Fall had left before departing.
He had said they could call for his help if they were in trouble.
As soon as the whistle sounded, a whinny echoed from the sky.
Everyone looked up to see a pink, black-spotted winged horse descending from above, ridden by the silver-armored, white-bearded old knight.
Gan Fall dismounted and, seeing the group of Blue Sea people standing safely on the beach, let out a sigh of relief:
"It's good to see you're all right. I saw the divine punishment fall and thought..."
He trailed off mid-sentence.
Because he saw the four small boats.
"What are you all..."
Gan Fall asked, puzzled.
Ralph walked up to him with a smile:
"Old man, do us a favor."
"What favor?"
"Watch our ship."
Gan Fall: "..."
"We can discuss payment."
Ralph pointed at the Going Merry.
"Our ship doesn't have much, but we have plenty of soil. If you watch the ship for us, we'll give you a few bags when we return."
Gan Fall fell silent for a few seconds.
Soil?
For a Skypiean, it truly was a priceless treasure.
But he still didn't understand:
"You're all going out, leaving your ship behind. Where are you headed?"
"Upper Yard."
Ralph said it casually.
"To challenge God."
Gan Fall froze.
He looked at Ralph, then at the other Blue Sea people—
The Straw Hat Girl was excitedly hopping around on a small boat;
The green-haired swordsman was polishing his swords;
The blond cook was lighting a cigarette;
The long-nosed one was checking his slingshot;
The little reindeer was psyching himself up;
The black-haired woman was inspecting her backpack;
The orange-haired woman's eyes had turned into symbols he couldn't comprehend.
This group of people...
"You're serious?"
Gan Fall's voice was slightly hoarse.
"Of course."
Ralph had already jumped onto a small boat.
"Just wait and see, old man."
"If we really defeat Enel, you might even be able to reclaim your place as God."
With that, he patted Munch-Munch, and the Little Dinosaur jumped onto his shoulder.
The Breath Dial activated, and the small boat sped along the River Cloud toward Upper Yard.
"Wait for us!" Lufia shouted, leaping onto another boat. "Ralph, why are you in such a hurry!"
Sanji, Zoro, Nami, Robin, Usopp, and Chopper quickly boarded the boats. The four small vessels lined up, leaving a trail of white spray on the River Cloud.
Gan Fall stood in place, watching the group's figures grow smaller and smaller in the distance, speechless for a long time.
After a while, he looked down at his own hands, then at the Going Merry.
"Pierre," he said softly.
The winged horse approached and nuzzled his face.
"Do you think... they can succeed?"
Pierre neighed, whether in response or encouragement was unclear.
Gan Fall took a deep breath and turned toward the Going Merry.
He decided to believe in these crazy Blue Sea people.
After all, they were the warriors who had ascended on the Knock Up Stream.
And warriors always create miracles.
The four small boats sped along the River Cloud.
Surrounded by swirling clouds, they occasionally caught glimpses of strange creatures peeking curiously from the mist.
Lufia stood at the bow, her smile brighter than the sun.
"Skypiea is so much fun!"
She shouted.
"Thunder is fun! Riding boats is fun!"
"Be careful not to fall!"
Nami yelled from the boat behind.
"I won't!"
As soon as the words fell, the clouds ahead parted, revealing a massive island before their eyes.
It was a real island—
not made of clouds, but a genuine one, with soil, rocks, and towering trees.
Upper Yard.
Continuing deeper along the cloud river, they narrowly dodged swinging giant axe traps.
They effortlessly swatted away the enormous monstrous insects that ambushed them from the forest.
Following the winding cloud river, a colossal statue blocked their path.
Beneath the statue were four cave entrances, each marked with the destination they led to.
Seeing this, Ralph's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Here it comes."
"Attention, friends behind us! What lies ahead is one of Skypiea's must-try attractions—the Four Ordeals!!"
"They are: the Ordeal of Balls, the Ordeal of String, the Ordeal of Swamp, and the Ordeal of Iron!!"
"Simply enter the corresponding cave to participate in the corresponding ordeal!"
"To clear all the challenges in one go, I recommend each ship choose one cave to enter!"
The people on the three ships behind gazed at the four cave entrances, their expressions varied.
Excitement, tension, anticipation, fighting spirit.
How should they choose?