Shandora is an ancient city that perished 800 years ago.
The bell tower and other structures here are all made of gold.
As soon as Sakazuki arrived in this ruined city, he was shocked by the vast amount of gold present.
Gold sparkled everywhere.
From now on, the Marines would have the capital to expand!
All they needed was someone suitable to transport the gold.
Sakazuki already had a candidate in mind.
His powerful Observation Haki spread out instantly, searching every corner of the city.
Suddenly, a slightly weaker presence appeared.
It was not as strong as Sakazuki's, but still much stronger than the ordinary pirate's.
The corners of Sakazuki's mouth curled up slightly.
Found it!
However, before Sakazuki could make his next move, a bolt of lightning fell from the sky and struck directly at him.
Sakazuki didn't move away.
He allowed the lightning to hit him.
"Mortal! Accept the sanction of this god!"
"Yeah ha ha ha!!!"
An arrogant laugh echoed from the sky.
Then, in front of Sakazuki, several bolts of lightning surged from the depths of the city and converged together.
A figure began to form.
The man had extremely long, large earlobes, and a few snare drums were strapped to his back. He wore only pants and held a golden staff.
Enel had been focused on how to drive the Ark Maxim to the Infinite Continent and become king when he sensed an unusual presence entering his territory.
Since being defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates, Enel had been hiding here, studying and building his own Ark Maxim.
After months of effort, he had finally perfected its power system.
It was now capable of taking off.
Unexpectedly, a stranger had entered his territory today.
Enel, worried that his plan would be ruined, decided to strike first.
When the smoke cleared after the lightning attack, Enel's laughter stopped abruptly.
He looked at Sakazuki, who remained unharmed.
Enel couldn't help but recall the nightmare of being defeated by that Straw Hat boy months ago.
"Dammit!"
"God's sanction!"
Enel slammed the snare drums on his back and swung the golden staff.
He launched an ultra-high-voltage lightning attack at Sakazuki, hundreds of millions of volts strong.
A massive pillar of thunder descended.
Sakazuki prepared to be hit.
But instead, Sakazuki turned into magma and merged with the ground before the attack reached him.
Enel, thinking his lightning was powerful enough to burn Sakazuki to ashes, put away the staff and planned to continue exploring a route to the Infinite Continent.
Suddenly, a vague feeling of fatal danger crept into his mind.
Enel was confused but ignored it.
He had always believed that being able to elementalize made him invincible.
However, just a moment later, a fist of fiery red magma appeared before Enel's eyes.
Under Enel's surprised gaze, the fist smashed down on him without mercy.
Although Enel tried to become an element, he was a moment too late.
He let out a scream as his body flew backward and crashed into the ancient building below.
Sakazuki's form slowly reassembled in the air.
Enel's eyes were filled with pain as he looked at Sakazuki.
It was the first time he had seen someone capable of turning into an element like himself, and... he didn't even have wings.
This made Enel feel a little hopeful.
He thought he might have found someone like him.
He staggered up, but the movement tore open the wound caused by Sakazuki's attack.
The pain made him scream, but he ignored the blood trickling from his mouth.
He used his power to turn into lightning again and flew into the air, appearing in front of Sakazuki.
"Mortal! No, this... um... god friend?"
Enel called out to Sakazuki uncertainly.
"I'm not a god!"
Sakazuki looked at Enel with disdain.
He was annoyed at Enel, who still seemed to have tricks up his sleeve despite being attacked.
"Then you just turned into magma, like my thunder and lightning!"
Enel scratched his head.
"It's just a trick of the Devil Fruit! What? Are you still dreaming about gods after being defeated by that Straw Hat boy?"
Sakazuki mocked him.
"What? Do you know that Straw Hat Luffy?"
Enel's expression changed immediately.
Although he now understood that his powers came from a Devil Fruit, accepting the reality of falling from being "a god" was difficult for him.
"He is a wanted criminal in the Blue Sea, as you call it, and everyone knows him!"
"And I am specifically responsible for capturing criminals like him!" Sakazuki added, explaining to the confused Enel.
Enel felt relief at hearing this.
"Yeah hahaha, the enemy of my enemy is my friend!"
"You are like me. What's your name? Would you like to join me on my journey to the Infinite Continent?"
Enel may have been alone for years, but as a self-proclaimed god, he disdained to interact with mortals.
Yet, he feared loneliness.
After defeating Zoro, he brought Nami— "a non-threatening woman"— on board the Ark Maxim, planning to take her to the Infinite Continent with him.
It was clear that Enel was actually quite lonely and desired companionship.
Of course, his appearance was flamboyant, adding to his image.
Enel's invitation had an undertone of desperation.
Sakazuki didn't answer Enel's question.
Instead, he looked at Enel like he was an idiot.
Forehead!
Enel saw Sakazuki's look and finally realized the situation, stopping his laughter.
"What's that look in your eyes?"
Enel felt as if his pride had been shattered.
He had lowered his pride to extend an invitation only to be mocked.
"I'm laughing at you, a frog in a well, who has never seen the vast world and can only croak!
What? Do you want me to escape reality with you and go to the Infinite Continent to be two rats, clinging to their last breaths?"
"Those who bully the weak are afraid of the strong! Shameful!"
Sakazuki's sneer was cold and mocking.
"What did you say!? Ah! You have angered me!"
Enel's face turned red with fury at Sakazuki's harsh words.
"Accept the wrath of God!"
Enel summoned all his strength.
He used his ultimate attack, "Raigo!"
The once-clear sky darkened.
Thunder clouds gathered and rolled ominously.
A huge ball of lightning began to form, its power intensified to 200 million volts.
Its diameter was dozens of meters.
The sight alone was enough to make one feel its overwhelming might.
It was the same terrifying attack that had once destroyed Enel's own hometown.