Chapter 83: Set Sail

Bai Bai Sea, Island of the Gods.

Enel awoke in a spacious, bright room; the mattress was so soft that, accustomed to hard wooden boards, he rarely felt the urge to sleep longer—but now he did.

Bika's experience arriving at the Island of the Gods—

Was like a starving, thirsty child suddenly switched to a life of abundance, yet fearing it was all a dream, and more afraid of waking from it.

After triple-checking it wasn't a dream, Enel sat on the edge of the bed and slapped his thigh in frustration.

"I should've taken a bite back then!"

For eight years, frustration had become Enel's daily routine: opportunity lay right before him, but a moment's hesitation—and the Thunder-Thunder Fruit vanished forever.

Why?!

Why!?!

Tap-tap-tap~

The moment the knock sounded, Gafol's voice followed: "Enel, wake up."

"Coming, uncle."

As the saying goes, money gives a man courage—equally, overwhelming power does too. Why did Rocks dare enter the Flower Room alone? Because Rocks had the strength to stab a Admiral dead with one slash.

Having missed the Thunder-Thunder Fruit eight years ago, seventeen-year-old Enel remained an ordinary human, forced to bury his dreams and cruelty deep within his heart.

Barely qualified as polite.

For instance, last night during his audience with Lei Shen, Enel showed proper respect and courtesy; Enel believed Lei Shen had indeed done many good deeds.

The Sky Island had scarce land; Lei Shen Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen improved farming methods, enabling land that once yielded one portion of food to now yield three.

Just this one innovation fed all the Sky Island people.

Even the ignorant, detestable Bika people built temples to worship Lei Shen, and every single Bika became devout believers.

To feed people—that is unquestionably divine.

When Enel opened the door, he saw Gafol clad in silver armor, holding a long spear, radiating an imposing aura.

"Uncle, why are you dressed so formally today?"

Gafol stroked his long beard.

"Today is your official induction into the Thundercloud Guard. I'm your sponsor—I naturally must escort you myself."

As the two walked toward the Thundercloud Guard, Enel's mind flashed back to the impossibly young Lei Shen.

"Uncle, will Lei Shen come?"

"My lord is traveling the Azure Sea."

Enel asked no further, instead recalling the first words Lei Shen had spoken to him last night.

"Want to go to the Infinite Land? I'll take you."

At first, Enel was terrified—he had never mentioned the Infinite Land to anyone, let alone said he wanted to go there.

But when he heard Lei Shen would invest in his dream, Enel immediately agreed: if he awakened Haki and Busoshoku Haki within two years, he'd qualify as an intern.

And eventually reach the Infinite Land.

Standing at the entrance of the Thundercloud Guard, Enel silently straightened his chest, ready to fight until he choked for his dream.

…

The first half of the Grand Line: Paradise.

Donghai Dihuang.

"Xiong Sang, set sail."

Xiong Sang released the ropes; the crimson sail, vast as a sea of cloth, rapidly swelled under the wind.

Beside the helm, Saint Saint Saiwen gripped the wheel with one hand; behind him, his black cloak snapped and fluttered, the hem lifting to reveal the sword at his waist: Yixin.

Half a year at sea—

From the Sky Island to the West Sea's Twin Serpent Island, Ohara, then the South Sea's Solbe Kingdom, then across the East Sea. Now, finally, they were heading to the New World.

Why insist on going to the New World?

Because the Four Seas are the World Government's core territory; the first half of the Grand Line is too far from the Final Island. Only the New World is the true stage for the final battle.

Including Wano Country, Mariejois, Elbaf, and the headquarters of the Morning Star Pirates—Beehive Island—all lie within the New World.

More crucially, the Marines currently have very little influence or control over the New World; only after the Marineford War did they relocate their headquarters there.

A step ahead means always being ahead.

Saint Saint Saiwen intends to lead the Morning Star Pirates, seize enough territory in the New World, build strength, and prepare for rebellion.

You've been reincarnated with cheat powers—why not rebel?

"Dongri, Brogy."

"Hold tight—the ship's about to accelerate."

Saint Saint Saiwen transformed into a human power station; countless currents surged from his fingertips into the drive system. With the engine's hum, the ship raced across the sea at five times its normal speed.

Recalling last night's encounter with Enel, Saint Saint Saiwen had to admit: fate truly was strange.

In the original timeline, the Thunder-Thunder Fruit consumed by Enel was intercepted by the system eight years ago and locked inside a beginner's gift pack for six full years.

For six entire years, Saint Saint Saiwen could only stare helplessly—unable to touch it, unable to eat it—until the system activated, allowing him to finally consume the Thunder-Thunder Fruit.

The current Enel, compared to the original timeline, is merely a rebellious teenager brimming with youthful energy—far from meeting the Morning Star Pirates' intern standards.

Hence, he was assigned to train with the Thundercloud Guard.

In truth, Teshiro also fails to meet the standard.

But after seizing Beehive Island, the crew's logistics, trade, and future commercial empire will be entrusted to Teshiro.

That's why he brought Teshiro along.

The Golden-Golden Fruit that will turn Teshiro into the Golden Emperor seems to have been taken from Doflamingo—but Saint Saint Saiwen can't recall the exact timing.

After retaking Hive Island, Saint Saint Saiwen plans to fly through the Calm Belt directly to the North Blue to trade with Doflamingo for a Devil Fruit.

Roughly similar, but not quite standard.

Under normal circumstances, apart from Navy ships, almost no pirate vessels attempt to cross the Calm Belt, because it is inhabited by numerous giant Sea Kings.

To pirates, the Calm Belt is nearly equivalent to a graveyard with nine deaths and one life.

Navy ships have sea stone embedded in their hulls; sea stone emits an energy field similar to the sea, causing the Sea Kings living in the Calm Belt to fail to detect the ships' presence.

Thus avoiding attacks from Sea Kings.

Moreover, the Calm Belt's unique climate—completely windless—renders traditional sail-powered vessels unable to navigate.

Navy ships are equipped with external propulsion systems such as steam engines, not relying on wind, and can move freely even in windless environments.

The Tokai Teio possesses an advanced electric propulsion system and can naturally sail through the Calm Belt.

However, its hull lacks embedded sea stone.

Saint Saint Saiwen's plan to cross the Calm Belt by ship can only be carried out after seizing Wano Country, or by purchasing sea stone on the black market.

From this, it is clear that Wano Country, the sole source of sea stone, controls all sea stone across the seas.

Merely selling sea stone alone is sufficient to generate incalculable wealth—this is one of Kaido's reasons for seizing Wano Country.

As for why Saint Saint Saiwen seeks to seize Wano Country, first to become a Thunder God, and second, for reasons similar to Kaido's.

Wano Country is rich in mineral resources, with a highly developed mining industry; sea stone is produced nowhere else, and its rugged terrain is easy to defend and hard to attack—this exceptional geography allows it to avoid interference from the Navy and the World Government.

It is practically the ideal headquarters.

……

Mary Geoise, Red Port.

Red Port is a key harbor beneath Mary Geoise; visitors may reach Mary Geoise via Red Port using bubble cable cars and other facilities.

Red Port

Bubble cable car

At Red Port pier, Yamato has his hands in his pockets, gazing at the massive yacht—like a palace upon the sea—that belongs to the Celestial Dragon Elaine Saint.

"How extravagant."

"That giant king of Elbaf truly spared no expense, using so many Adam Trees to build a giant yacht—this Elaine Saint…"

Is no ordinary person.

Rarely, a flicker of Serious passed through Yamato's eyes—could Elaine Saint be the descendant of… the one seated upon the Empty Wang Zuo, as his younger brother mentioned?

Everything matches. Everything fits.

No wonder the Five Elders were willing to pay the Mera Mera no Mi to redeem Elaine Saint, and afterward, unusually, took no revenge against Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen.

Descendant of the World King!

At this moment, Yamato felt no concern whatsoever for his personal safety; instead, the faint smile at his corner held a touch of amusement, even prompting him to pull out a Den Den Mushi.

【Younger brother, the target is in position!】