White-White sea, Birka.
With a concerned expression on his face, Enel slowly opened his palms. Blue electric arcs danced in his hands, and the radiant white light illuminated his cheeks. His originally pale complexion now seemed somewhat eerie.
'Finally...Reflecting on all the experiences I had in Birka.'
Enel couldn't help but wear a look of madness on his face. Just because he lacked what they called wings, he was shunned by everyone on the island. Bullying and humiliation had been constant companions in his life.
However, the legendary Fruit of God he obtained in the temple a few days ago fueled the flames of revenge in his heart. He yearned to seek vengeance, to ruthlessly retaliate against those who had bullied him and make them taste the bitterness of despair!
The seeds of hatred were sown long ago, and the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was undeniably the spark that ignited all the anger!
...
"Wow~ Is this the White-White Sea that uncle mentioned?"
The massive warship was anchored tranquilly in the sea of clouds. At this moment, Luffy was feeling a bit excited. Everything in the outside world seemed incredibly novel to him. The restlessness ingrained in his bones compelled him to keep running around, and he even had the urge to leap on the warship to experience the beauty of the sea of clouds.
Fortunately, Ace had sharp eyes and quick reflexes, catching Luffy just as he was about to attempt it.
"Hey! Luffy, that Marine scoundrel isn't here now. No one knows the situation here. If you fall, no one can save you!"
After spending so many days with the Marines, I've gained a certain understanding of the power system in this world. Currently, there are no Marines on the ship with the ability to fly. If Luffy were to fall from the White-Whitr Sea, no one would be able to save him.
"Okay, okay, Ace, don't frighten Luffy. He's just curious."
"Yes, yes, Sabo is the best to me."
Luffy pouted, looking unhappy.
"Hey, Smoker, what's that scoundrel doing in that direction?"
"Who knows..."
...
"Who?"
Enel, who was still in a frenzy, suddenly felt alarm bells ringing in his heart, and a peculiar aura manifested behind him.
As for why he could detect the presence from behind, it was a secret in his heart. Whether it was due to being beaten too much or some other reason, one day he unexpectedly awakened a special ability. He could sense the movements and breaths of other people, even being able to anticipate and dodge their attacks in advance. It was as if the actions of others were moving in slow motion within his grasp.
This is why he has managed to survive until now unscathed. Undoubtedly, this extraordinary ability has significantly enhanced his chances of survival.
"You're quite sharp. It seems like you've awakened Observation Haki, huh?"
Enel subconsciously retreated and turned his head when he heard the sound, looking at the man in front of him with alertness.
Wearing a pure white suit with an inexplicable cloak trailing behind him, he stood tall and appeared younger than Enel, sporting an enigmatic smile on his face.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Canos Atlas, a righteous Marine."
Seeing that Enel in front of him was speechless, Atlas smiled slightly and began to introduce himself.
Wearing a white turban with long earlobes, his upper body bare, and his lower body clad in bloomers. There weren't as many gold ornaments as more than ten years later, and there was shime-daiko (drums) on his back. The whole person lacked that arrogant demeanor. Only a subtle hint of wariness toward him, a stranger.
"Aren't you from Sky Island?"
Although Enel didn't comprehend what the person in front of him, who identified himself as a Marine, was talking about, he observed that the man didn't appear to have wings on his back. Clearly, he wasn't a native of Birka. He was the sole individual in Birka without wings.
"Yes, I come from the Blue Sea, as you refer to it."
Atlas didn't pay much attention to Enel's inquiries. It seemed that the current Enel had recently consumed the Devil Fruit, so he had not yet shed his past wariness. He had not started proclaiming himself as a god, appearing arrogant, as he would more than ten years later.
"Blue Sea?" Enel was slightly confused, showing a hint of recognition. As an individual incompatible with everyone on the island, he typically gathered information from others' conversations, resulting in a very limited understanding of the outside world.
But then he thought of something else and asked in a somewhat urgent voice, "You... do all the people in the Blue Sea not have wings?"
"No."
Atlas shook his head slightly. In any world, pride and prejudice existed objectively in people's hearts. Especially on Sky Island like Birka, which was almost cut off from communication with the outside world, it was natural for someone different from anyone else to be viewed with extreme repulsion.
"Blue Sea... Blue Sea..."
Enel chewed on these two words slowly, and an idea began to form uncontrollably in his mind.
He's going to the Blue Sea!
"What is your purpose, person from the Blue Sea?"
Enel was not in a hurry to divulge his thoughts; instead, he inquired about the purpose of the Marine in front of him.
Atlas heard this and pointed at Enel, saying, "My goal is you. Do you want to go to the Blue Sea? Join the Marines!"
Atlas understood that the current Enel had recently consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and had not grown to the strength to wipe Birka off the map in the future. Moreover, the arrogance in his character had not yet fully developed, so it was best to tempt him to join the Marines. It was the opportune moment.
Of course, if he genuinely refused to listen, Atlas would have no choice but to use the persuasive power of 'fists'.
"Huh? You want me to join the Marines?"
Enel was slightly surprised. Although he didn't know what the Marines were, he figured it was probably a significant force in the Blue Sea. However, he was a man who had consumed the Fruit of God. How could he easily join someone else's army?
"I'm telling you, I am not..."
Boom!
Before Enel could utter a word of rejection, Atlas kicked him in half with a sweeping motion, and blue-white arcs of electricity danced on the broken body.
"You damn Blue Sea man! How dare you sneak attack me, but your attack is ineffective against me!"
Enel released his elementalization and quickly recovered. He appeared a little angry, but upon realizing that Atlas's attack was ineffective against him, a trace of pride crept onto his face.
Boom!
There was no nonsense; Haki was hardened, and an upper kick struck Enel's chin. There wasn't much force, but Enel felt as if his entire head had been struck hard, and his body fell backward.
"It seems you still don't know your position clearly..."
With his vision blurred, Enel could only see Atlas shaking his head slightly and expressing a light sense of mockery.
Atlas looked at the unconscious Enel and felt a bit amused. This guy had just awakened his observation haki by chance. He knew nothing about Armament Haki. He didn't even attempt to dodge in the face of his attack. With a weak constitution, he fainted straight away.
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