The White Berets - Enforcers of the Sky Island, obedient to Enel's command.
Upon discovering that the Straw Hat Pirates hadn't paid the entrance fee, they swiftly encircled them...
This was merely a warning. To gain legal entry, they needed to pay tenfold the fee.
However, Nami, who cherished money more than life itself, had no intention of complying.
Furthermore, even if she wanted to pay, they lacked the funds. Most of the money aboard the ship was reserved for Luffy, the gluttonous captain.
Before anyone could react, Nami, pulling Luffy and Zoro with her, led the charge!
This marked a definitive falling-out between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Sky Island inhabitants!
"Chase them! Capture the illegal immigrants!" shouted Captain White Berets, prompting an immediate onslaught against Luffy and his crew.
In this moment, Luffy and Zoro, who had been feeling rather famished, found themselves invigorated.
While the White Berets had numbers and peculiar Sky Island weaponry, they were clearly outmatched.
Luffy dispatched the grunts with ease, and they prepared to set sail, leaving the turmoil behind.
Windmill Village!
"Wow..."
Luffy gazed at the sky with unbridled anticipation, his eyes reflecting the fervor burning within him.
Though he had yet to set sail, the captivating adventures depicted in those images had ignited his longing for the journey ahead.
Trusted comrades, thrilling exploits, and formidable adversaries – were these not what they sought?
Luffy's curiosity about the impending adventures surged.
Would they leave Sky Island or further explore its mysteries?
What kind of confrontation awaited them when they crossed paths with the so-called gods of Sky Island?
And when would he meet the companions depicted in those images?
Such anticipation made him yearn for the unfolding odyssey.
Contrastingly, behind him, Dadan, Makino, and the villagers trembled, unable to even breathe.
The existence of Sky Island, a mere legend until now, was profoundly staggering to them.
Their current encirclement by the military was enough to paralyze them with fear.
Yet, Luffy exhibited no fear, promptly confronting them.
The boy sure knows how to stir up trouble.
Luffy remained Luffy, after all...
As the crew prepared to board the ship, an unexpected event unfolded yet again!
Boom!!!
The Merry hadn't even begun its departure when it abruptly lurched forward, leaving Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji stranded on the dock.
"Hey, Nami, why didn't they wait for us to board?" Sanji inquired, bewildered.
However, not only Sanji and the others but also Nami, Zoro, and Robin on the ship were confounded.
The ship hadn't even set sail yet – why was it moving away?
At that moment, everyone witnessed a colossal lobster beneath the Merry, towing the entire ship forward. Following it were countless sea monster-like creatures native to Sky Island.
Uncle Kujima, accompanying Luffy's group, was taken aback by this spectacle!
"This is... Lord Enel's priests, overseer of the Ordeals, the God's Trial begins!"
Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp were left in stunned silence.
"God's Trial, Ordeals... What is this? Do they need to undergo this trial and Ordeals?" Sanji inquired.
Uncle Kushima fixed Luffy with a serious gaze and clarified, "No, it's not the ship's occupants who must face this trial and Ordeals, but... you three!"
"The three of us!?" Luffy and his comrades were further bewildered.
Revolutionary Army Base Camp...
"Ordeals?"
"God's Trial?"
Sabo and the others gazed at the sky, their expressions turning somber.
The Straw Hat Pirates had just triumphed over the White Berets, and now the God's Trial had commenced immediately.
Could it be true, as previously suggested? Did Enel, as a God, oversee the entirety of Sky Island, monitoring every move of the Straw Hat Pirates?
The implications struck fear into the hearts of many Revolutionary Army cadres.
This adversary... was truly formidable!
In the midst of this turmoil, the cadres couldn't help but glance toward the nearby room, their eyes filled with anxiety and trepidation.
For that room was where Dragon resided.
At this point, they also knew that Luffy's father was their leader.
This revelation had shocked them all!
Had it not been for the live broadcast, they might never have realized that their leader's son was none other than Luffy...
Meanwhile, Dragon sat in the room, peering out through a small window.
His countenance bore the weight of his concern for his son.
"Luffy..."
**********
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