"Enel," Arthur gazed at the thunderous spectacle in the sky, wielding over a million volts, struggling to shape it under his control.
"Wow," Enel stared at the thunder and lightning in astonishment, feeling it was a divine force only gods could wield.
He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he consumed this Devil Fruit himself. But Enel had no regrets. Arthur was the first person to treat him kindly, stopping the islanders from insulting him and allowing him to join the army of God.
To Enel, this was a life-changing opportunity.
As he bowed to Arthur, a joyful expression lit up his face.
"From now on, you're a viscount," Arthur reclaimed the thunder and lightning, addressing Enel calmly.
"Keep it up! You discovered this fruit, so your merit could be even greater. But I hope you'll truly serve me to earn an even higher title someday."
With the Thunder Fruit, Arthur's plans could finally take shape.
"Yes, thank you, God!" Enel trembled with excitement. This was a leap toward the heavens for him.
"Go on, strive to become stronger. I need you to be formidable," Arthur commanded.
"Yes!" Enel nodded firmly, then turned and departed, his brisk steps exuding determination.
"Previously, our plans were hindered by insufficient strength. But now, with ample power, let's convene a meeting in a few days," Arthur contemplated.
Once, there were formidable individuals on Bika Island who posed a threat to Arthur's plans. However, now that he possessed the Thunder Fruit, mastery over it would render him invincible. Those who dared oppose him could be swiftly dealt with.
Over the next three days, Arthur reduced his usual physical training by one-third to focus on honing his thunder-manipulation abilities. He also compressed rest periods to practice using the fruit's powers.
This rigorous routine wasn't ideal for his health, but Arthur prioritized familiarizing himself with the fruit's capabilities swiftly. Mastery of elemental abilities was crucial for dealing with imminent dangers.
Three days flew by quickly. Following Arthur's directives, several influential ministers from Bika arrived early at the conference hall and waited in anticipation.
As the remaining attendees gathered, all eyes shifted between the agenda and the side door reserved for God's entrance, filled with curiosity and intrigue.
Zi Zi Zi Zi ~
Thunderous rumbles accompanied dazzling flashes, capturing everyone's attention.
A spectacle unfolded as a mass of thunder and lightning gradually transformed from its original formless state into a humanoid figure.
"This is...?"
On the sky island, only a few were familiar with Devil Fruits, and many discovered them only after consuming one.
In the conference room, Devil Fruit knowledge was scarce.
"God...?"
The term 'God' echoed in everyone's thoughts, embodying a different meaning from the island's leadership representation.
Observing the desired impact, Arthur smirked subtly.
Success!
This is precisely the dramatic effect I aimed for, achieved through intense training with the fruit's powers over the past three sleepless, food-deprived days.
"Everyone!" Arthur's voice resonated, commanding attention. "As Bika's deity, I find our military lacking in potential soldiers."
"Many of our adults have reached their limits, so I must enlist youths with promising potential to bolster our forces."
"I entrust this task to you."
"Consider the vastness of our world. Are we content with just one island? I seek more capable soldiers to expand our domain and improve the lives of our people."
"Furthermore, I've uncovered a path back to the Infinite Continent, but it requires a formidable force to conquer! Fulfilling our ancestors' final wishes and achieving our own dreams—isn't this the ultimate goal!?"
"What!? The Infinite Continent!? A way back to our ancestral land!? It's true!"
The ministers in the conference room were stunned by this revelation.
For eight hundred years, since the Kong people settled on Kong, history had been documented. Yet, no one—not even a deity—had considered expanding their territories.
Each generation had yearned for the fabled Infinite Continent, hoping to return to its wonders, but their aspirations remained unfulfilled.
However, today, a tenacious young deity claimed there was a way.
"I've acquired the plans for the Ark of Proverbs, capable of soaring to the Infinite Continent. But Bika Island alone cannot construct it. Thus, I require a mighty army to unite the sky islands, gather necessary resources, and embark on the journey back to the Infinite Continent!"
Arthur unveiled the blueprint of the Proverbs Ark, a treasure he uncovered with the Thunder Fruit, laying it before the assembly for scrutiny.
The room fell silent as everyone gazed upon the drawings, their minds racing with the possibilities. Returning to the legendary Infinite Continent would be an extraordinary feat.
Although Bika Island boasted a substantial size and nearly a million inhabitants, its residents considered it the largest and most significant island nation in the White Sea.
In their eyes, the smaller, uninhabited islands paled in comparison to Bika in terms of both size and population.
However, Arthur harbored dissatisfaction and preempted any potential questions by stating bluntly, "I require a significant number of soldiers. Starting today, recruitment for a youth army begins."
"Furthermore, gather the island's orphans for collective training. Those aspiring for a better world can join this regimen. Establish an elite training facility."
"Allocate these children and teenagers to various training programs based on their talents. I'll personally oversee the most promising recruits."
Upon concluding his directives, Arthur surveyed the expressions of those present.
Excitement brimmed on their faces, albeit tinged with a hint of bewilderment.
Centuries of peaceful existence had dulled their fighting spirit.
Their hearts yearned for tranquility and serenity, yet the allure of returning to a legendary world overshadowed all other desires.
"Remember, I expect the recruitment to be completed within one month. I'll provide you with the training plan soon," Arthur reiterated.
"Captain S-Shark, you'll oversee the training. Select the most capable individuals from both soldiers and civilians on the island," Arthur addressed the crowd, singling out the strongest among them.
"The future training will be entrusted to the selected instructors. Ensure you don't squander the potential of these gifted youngsters."
Despite being physically stronger than Arthur, Sack didn't hesitate to agree. He sensed a newfound power emanating from Arthur, transforming the once perceived weak child into a formidable force.
The unconventional method Arthur displayed in the conference room sparked thoughts of legendary Devil Fruits within Sack's mind.
"It must be. This has to be the influence of a Devil Fruit. No wonder he tasked guards and elevated Enel to Viscount to search for a specific fruit over half a year ago. It seems his goal was the Devil Fruit all along."
With his directives clear, Arthur morphed into a ball of thunder and lightning, vanishing in an instant.
Apart from organizing the conscription, Arthur had little else to arrange. The Bika Kingdom, although labeled a kingdom, functioned more like a small province within the Celestial Dynasty.
The islanders led peaceful lives, devoid of daily governmental affairs. The officials merely held their titles without much actual governance, preferring to live quietly like the rest of the islanders.
"Will one year be enough? Also, what year is it in the World Timeline calendar? I wonder how old Luffy is now," Arthur pondered aloud.
Having arrived at the training ground, Arthur hoisted a heavy iron cloud onto his back and began running laps.
He understood that rigorous training was crucial to becoming a formidable player. He didn't want to rely solely on his Devil Fruit abilities but also on his physical prowess.
Combining the potent fruit powers with a robust physique and combat skills was his path to reaching the pinnacle of strength.
Since acquiring the Thunder Fruit again after his rebirth, Arthur's ambitions had soared, fueling his desire to conquer the skies!