Chapter 81: The Thunder God Returns to the Sky Island

Sky Island, Bika.

Eneru’s face was filled with arrogance; he curled his lips and eyed the old man before him with hostility.

“I’m Eneru. What do you want?”

Eight years ago, Eneru only learned afterward that he had missed a Devil Fruit—one that had come to him on its own, then vanished without reason.

In these eight years, Eneru had scoured nearly all of Bika but still hadn’t found that Devil Fruit.

Upon confirmation, Gan Fuer’s face immediately broke into a relieved smile—he had finally not disappointed the Thunder God.

“Child, the Thunder God wishes to see you.”

Eneru frowned.

“Thunder God? If I go to see the Thunder God, will you let me leave Bika?”

His hometown offered no warmth at all—only cold words and loneliness. If he could leave Bika, he wouldn’t fear even the God of Death.

Seeing the thatched hut behind Eneru, Gan Fuer seemed to understand everything—the Sky Island’s welfare system had never reached these orphans.

Sigh. Wherever there are people, there is corruption.

Gan Fuer patted his chest and swore.

“No problem. The Thunder Cloud Guards are recruiting new members—I’ll personally take you for your interview.”

“Fine. I’ll go with you.”

Moments later, Eneru slung his pack onto his back and climbed onto Gan Fuer’s mount: a strange horse with wings, flying across the sea of clouds.

“Uncle, how come your horse has wings?”

Gan Fuer stroked his beard. “It’s called Pierre. It ate a Devil Fruit—a Tenkō Bird.”

Hearing “Devil Fruit,” Eneru’s good mood instantly halved. For eight years, he had suffered daily, regretting why he hadn’t just taken a bite back then.

If he could do it again, he’d eat every last bit.

Soon, Pierre landed on the Divine Island.

As Eneru followed Gan Fuer up the floating staircase above the sea of clouds, his gaze met the Thunder God Palace—and a flame ignited in his heart.

The majestic palace glowed with gilded patterns, its towering dome piercing the clouds, dragon carvings coiled lifelike along its pillars.

“This is where a man should live.”

Compared to his own thatched hut, it wasn’t even fit for a dog.

A thought suddenly rose in Eneru’s mind: if only he’d eaten that Devil Fruit back then, maybe he’d be living in a house like this now.

Some things, once missed, are truly gone—regret comes too late.

Eneru wasn’t the only one filled with emotion.

Below the Sky Island, at the Jiayadao pier.

After reuniting with his crew, the East Sea Emperor docked at the pier for supplies. Barzab Seven stood at the bow, his heart choked with regret.

Just now, the Zhan Chi Tong user had taken the Imperial Water Dragon Summoning... off the market (disclaimer: keep reading).

Barzab Seven looked as if all strength had been drained—he hung his head, eyelids drooping, arms limp, like a walking corpse.

This state terrified the crew.

Jin Ni’s face showed concern.

“Captain, are you alright?”

“Why did you come back looking like you lost your soul? What happened?”

Barzab Seven mechanically shook his head. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine in a moment.”

Why did you take it off, Chest?

If you were going to take it off, why put it on the trading platform in the first place? You stole my soul.

You crooked merchant—you deserve to die.

Since setting sail again months ago, Barzab Seven had sailed smoothly—until he was humiliated by other users on the trading platform.

“Consider it a lesson learned.”

Barzab Seven took several deep breaths; his regretful gaze instantly cleared into naive stupidity. After two lives of hardship, this pain meant nothing.

“Xiong Sang, set sail.”

“Got it, Captain.”

Seeing Barzab Seven regain his composure, Mihawk quietly returned his long-held bottle of wine to the cabinet.

The man Mihawk chose wouldn’t be broken so easily by setbacks.

“Barzab Seven, shall we ride the ascending current this time?”

Two years ago, riding the ascending current to the Sky Island had left a deep impression on Mihawk—the vibrant, thrilling sensation still vivid in his mind.

“No thanks, Mi Sang,” Barzab Seven quickly shook his head. “With Master Tenghu here, we’ll just fly up.”

If Tenghu can summon meteorites from the heavens, making the ship fly shouldn’t be hard—just make it weightless and float.

The abilities of the Piao Piao Fruit and the Chong Chong Fruit can achieve similar effects under specific conditions.

The Chong Chong Fruit user can release gravity waves, freely controlling the intensity and direction of gravity.

For example, increase gravity to pin a target down, weaken it to make objects float, or create a powerful repulsive field to deflect incoming attacks.

Moreover—

The user needs no physical motion—only thought to activate the ability.

The Piao Piao Fruit user can completely nullify gravity, achieving free flight, and by touch, grant floating properties to non-living objects.

Hearing this, Tenghu chuckled awkwardly.

“Captain, this… I… I’ve never tried making a ship fly. Next time, I promise.”

Barzab Seven grinned mischievously.

“Master Sheng, you still need practice.”

“How about this—I’ll take Xiong Sang and Jin Ni up first, then open a door to bring you up.”

Once Xiong stepped onto the Sky Island’s soil, he could use his fruit ability to precisely slap Robin and the others up—without sending them plummeting from ten thousand meters.

From now on, Barzab Seven could return to the Sky Island anytime.

So could Jin Ni.

As the East Sea Emperor sailed into the deep sea, Barzab Seven grabbed Xiong Sang and Jin Ni—one on each side—and shot straight upward.

Normally, elemental flight couldn’t carry others, but Barzab Seven had his flight cloak.

The wind at high altitude was far harsher than imagined.

The gale cut like ice-sharpened blades, stinging their cheeks; Jin Ni’s neatly styled hair was plastered across her face, her eyes nearly shut.

“Captain, fly slower.”

Hearing her, Barzab Seven slowed his ascent.

“Still need practice, Jin Ni.”

“Get your Armament Haki ready. Look at Xiong—he’s fine.”

Sensing Jin Ni’s gaze, Xiong shrugged helplessly, yet a smile lingered at his lips.

To those who had never reached the Sky Island, it existed only in legend—they couldn’t comprehend the breathtaking, heavenly scenery above the White Sea.

As they passed through the Gate of Heaven and entered the Sky Island, Jin Ni’s eyes widened to their fullest, reflecting the endless sea of clouds and the floating islands’ silhouettes.

“So beautiful—it’s just like the legendary paradise.”

Though the view was stunning, Jin Ni and Xiong walked with extreme caution, each step tentative, afraid that any misstep might send them plummeting from ten thousand meters.

Jin Ni clung to Xiong’s clothes, following Barzab Seven’s footsteps step by step.

Hearing the nearly inaudible breathing behind him, Barzab Seven stopped and turned with a smile.

“Don’t worry—it’s solid.”

“Open a door and bring them up.”

Jin Ni snapped back to reality and nodded quickly; her fingertips shimmered with faint spatial ripples as an oval door materialized—its other side showing the familiar deck of the East Sea Emperor.

Through the opened space door, Tenghu and the others, along with the giants Dong Li and Brokie, arrived on the Sky Island.

“Mihawk says he’ll stay on the ship.”

“Mm.” Barzab Seven opened his arms wide.

“My dear crew, welcome to the domain of Barzab Seven, the Thunder God—the Sky Island.”