"Eh?!"
The announcement from Zyhark stunned the residents of Birka, including the guard captain Gross. Their eyes bulged out, and their jaws dropped in disbelief.
Looking at the fair-skinned, beautiful girl before them, they found it impossible to associate her with the word "god."
The soldiers who had attended the banquet on the Endless Dream last night stared at Aqua in shock.
These men had witnessed Aqua's unusual intelligence and even argued with her about being a goddess.
And now, that young blue sea person was telling them that Aqua had indeed passed the Trial of the Gods and become the "god" of legend?!
"Huh? Really?"
Not just the ordinary people, even Aqua herself was dumbfounded by Zyhark's statement.
As if confirming it, she raised her hand stiffly and pointed to herself.
"Sigh, after all the dangers we've faced and having eliminated the other participants, I still lost at the final step," Zyhark sighed heavily, his face full of frustration.
He had a clear reason for designating Aqua as the new god—to gather the faith of the island's residents and restore Aqua's divine power.
Unlike the towns and villages they had visited before, Birka already had legends about gods.
The residents, who had grown up with these stories, deeply believed in and revered the existence of gods.
Making Aqua their goddess would yield pure and powerful faith, significantly boosting her divine strength!
In comparison, if Zyhark appeared before the residents as the thunder god, Aqua would miss this opportunity for a significant boost.
While there was a hint of deceit, Zyhark was a pragmatic businessman. Why pass up free benefits?
"Huh? Zyhark, what are you talking about? I'm the noble Goddess of Water, not some..."
Aqua had not fully grasped Zyhark's intention.
Even if she understood, her arrogant nature wouldn't accept gaining faith through another's reputation.
A Goddess of Water should remain a Goddess of Water, without needing to adopt the title of Thunder God to attract Aqua cult followers!
Before Aqua could finish speaking, Zyhark interrupted her with a tone of unwillingness, "Damn it! Even if you gained the power to control water and became the rightful Goddess of Water, there's no need to show off!"
Knowing Aqua's personality well, Zyhark never intended for her to take on the Thunder God's title.
The residents of Birka were unaware of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's existence, and with Enel and his group lying unconscious in the oasis ruins, the power of the gods could be water or lightning—it was up to him!
"I've already told you, I, as the Goddess of Water, will not change my name for anything like..."
As she spoke, Aqua suddenly realized the full meaning of Zyhark's words, "Huh?"
The Birka residents also looked puzzled, staring at Aqua in her blue dress.
"The power to control water? Isn't the power of the gods supposed to be thunder?"
"Now that you mention it, the legends don't specify the exact powers..."
"Yesterday at the banquet, Aqua kept saying she was the Goddess of Water. Maybe the divine power is granted based on the chosen person?"
Given that only Zyhark and Aqua had returned from the lightning zone, the residents began to piece together plausible explanations despite their lingering doubts.
Such understanding people!
Zyhark took advantage of the moment and gently nudged Aqua's shoulder, saying expectantly, "Goddess of Water, why not show everyone your powerful abilities? Perhaps summon a flood?"
The best way to convince the islanders was to display extraordinary natural powers!
"Is it really okay?"
At this moment, Aqua seemed hesitant, unlike her usual self when it came to flaunting her goddess powers.
The memory of flooding Orange Town and having to pay millions in compensation was still fresh, making her reluctant to cause a scene in populated areas.
Just like when facing Arlong's crew in Loguetown.
This was a small sign of progress for the idiot goddess.
"No problem, gods should act as they please," Zyhark reassured her with a smile.
"Then I won't hold back!"
Aqua, receiving confirmation, beamed with joy, summoning her goddess staff and closing her eyes.
"All my followers in this world, heed the command of Aqua, the Goddess of Water, grant my request, fulfill my wish..."
With her solemn chant, a slow, weak updraft formed around Aqua, gently lifting her skirt.
Radiant blue light enveloped Aqua, with countless water droplets floating around her, merging into streams of clear water.
Even Zyhark had to admit that bathed in this light, Aqua truly looked holy and majestic, giving an illusion of a goddess descending upon the world.
Yes, to him, no matter how holy the aura, paired with Aqua's "wise" face, it could only be an illusion...
Despite his thoughts, Zyhark remained vigilant.
Seeing Aqua facing the islanders' residential area, he silently reached out, gently turning her 180 degrees to face the scorched land struck by endless lightning.
I told you to show your power as the Goddess of Water, not to display our wealth, you idiot!
If not for the eager Birka residents, Zyhark would have given Aqua a hellish karate chop!
"Holy Water Creation!"
As Aqua finished her chant, unaware of her subtle repositioning, she swung her staff.
Hum!
In the sky covered by dark thunderclouds, blue light intertwined, forming a giant magic circle with intricate runes.
The sound of water clashing was even more impactful with the thunder in the background. In the next moment, the Birka residents watched in awe as a massive flood poured from the magic circle like a super waterfall!
Zyhark's fingers twitched, summoning thick, dense lightning around the cascading flood, making it seem even more powerful, as if it could bring about the world's end!
Boom!
The torrential flood filled the charred ground, waves surging past, covering the white island cloud beneath the residents' feet, flowing down the town's streets toward the lower white sea.
Though far from the "world-destroying flood" of the real world, Aqua's Holy Water Creation, boosted by several waves of faith, had enough power to cover a small island!
The raging flood lasted nearly a minute before subsiding into a weak stream, yet the shock in the Birka residents' eyes remained.
Living in the sky, they rarely saw clear water apart from rain.
Let alone encountering Devil Fruit users!
Aqua's display of supernatural power left them stunned, their hearts racing.
"This... this is a miracle only a god can perform!"
"The ancient legend is true! Passing the Trial of the Gods really turns one into a god!"
"Goddess of Water, please forgive our previous disrespect."
...
Realizing the girl before them was indeed a goddess, the Birka residents prostrated themselves, their eyes filled with sincerity and reverence.
Even the soldiers who had briefly interacted with Aqua knelt on one knee in submission.
The legend of Birka, the Trial of the Gods, the endless heavenly water...
The signs they witnessed left no doubt about Aqua's identity as the Goddess of Water.
"No need for such formality. Although I am indeed the noble Goddess of Water, Axis cult followers have no special rules about bowing to the goddess!"
Despite her words, Aqua felt immense satisfaction from their sincere faith, her smile barely contained.
She hadn't seen such pure eyes devoid of madness in a long time!
So she does understand the type of crazed followers she usually attracts...
"Axis Cult?"
Gross, standing at the front, frowned, his composed expression mixed with confusion.
He had heard the term before but had dismissed Aqua as a peculiar blue sea person.
"Yes, it's the cult that worships Aqua, the Goddess of Water. If you want her protection, joining the Axis Cult is the best choice!"
Aqua stood proudly, hands on her chest, her gaze firmly on the rising islanders.
"Building a dedicated church on the island, placing my statue on a water altar, and praying sincerely every day would enhance the effect even more!"
Here we go, the goddess pushing her luck after basking in admiration!
Zyhark felt a bit embarrassed standing beside Aqua in this state.
However...
His eyes caught the sacred white light continuously merging into Aqua's body.
In the end, Aqua would likely experience a significant "ascension" through this "Trial of the Gods."
Not just them...
After bidding farewell to the enthusiastic and devout Birka residents, Zyhark and Aqua walked through the damp streets back to the Endless Dream.
As they entered the restaurant, Meowth and King, who had been waiting anxiously, greeted them.
Despite their confidence when they left for the trial, the sight of Zyhark and Aqua safely returning made them both sigh in relief.
"Zyhark, how did the trial go? Did you gain the legendary divine power?"
King, in his checkered shirt, was the first to ask.
"Though the process deviated slightly from the plan, I did gain the power."
Zyhark didn't hold back with his companions.
He raised his hand, his fingers turning ethereal, replaced by bright, crackling arcs of electricity.
"As you can see, I'm now a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user."
The elemental transformation fascinated Meowth and King, despite their previous encounters with Smoker's abilities.
As he demonstrated his powers, Zyhark pondered finding powerful Devil Fruits for Meowth and King.
Previously, he would have been cautious about the drawbacks of Devil Fruits turning everyone into "landlubbers."
But knowing Aqua could purify the sea's curse, he no longer had to worry!
After briefly recounting the events in the trial area, Zyhark suggested to Meowth, "Meowth, if we have time, I'll take you to the oasis. The ancient robot murals there might inspire you."
Ancient robots, a mystery even the genius scientist Vegapunk couldn't unravel.
If Meowth could grasp some of the technology from the murals, creating human weapons like the Pacifistas wouldn't be impossible.
Technology was the most straightforward and effective way to enhance combat power outside Devil Fruits!
"Heh, if you think I need robots to get stronger, that plan can wait a bit," Meowth said, looking confident, holding two delicate shells in its paws.
Zyhark was surprised. Meowth seemed to have found something powerful.
"I possess formidable strength already!"
Until now, Meowth believed Zyhark intended to use robots to enhance its power, not realizing the primary candidate was the strong-looking King beside him...
"Oh?" Zyhark raised an eyebrow, making a rough guess.
If it wasn't robots, then it must be something Meowth had adapted to.
Meanwhile, Aqua's blue eyes were filled with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
In her mind, Meowth was always the cute companion, never associating it with strength.
Let Zyhark handle the dirty, tiring work!
As Zyhark and Aqua watched, Meowth reached behind itself, producing two finely crafted shells.
As Zyhark had guessed, they were offensive Sky Island shells—Impact Dials!
Though they had some recoil, Meowth's paw pads could cushion the impact, making it manageable.
Despite its cute appearance, Meowth had endured countless electric shocks and still thrived. Its constitution was undoubtedly robust!
Ordinary Impact Dials posed no threat, and even the backlash from tenfold more powerful Reject Dials wouldn't harm Meowth!
(End of Chapter)