Enel glared at Satori and Ohm's fallen body and to Gedatsu, who had fallen silent, his expression darkening with disgust.
"Useless! They didn't even manage to touch that Blue Sea man."
His gaze shifted toward Vivi, who stood not far away. His face grew even darker.
"Her too? Another Logia."
Two Logia users, and one of them wields a power on par with Heavy Flame. Worse, they're using a network of powers as well!
Enel's frustration was palpable. Why does he claim to be an all-knowing, omnipotent god? Because of the powers of the Thunder Fruit and his Heart Network.
The Heart Network, amplified by the Thunder Fruit, allows Enel to sense everything on Angel Island. Nothing happens on the island without his knowledge, and anyone who dares challenge his authority is instantly reduced to ash by his lightning.
In his mind, such a power defines omniscience and omnipotence.
But now, these Blue Sea people not only possess two Logia abilities, they're also bypassing his Heart Network!
What made Enel's scowl deepen was how his Heart Network had failed to detect the arrival of the Blue Sea invaders. Once again, his godlike powers had been rendered useless against them.
This helplessness filled Enel with a burning rage.
Ace, however, paid no attention to Enel's fury. He focused entirely on Aisha, strange energy surrounding her.
The Realm of Comprehension.
A glint of understanding flashed through Ace's eyes.
"Your understanding is heaven-defying, analyzing Aisa's innate Observation Haki talent in the realm of comprehension.
"Your Observation Haki talent has been raised to the heaven-defying level!"
"Your talent has reached a breaking point and has been surpassed. You can now 'see' moments into the future."
Ace's pupils flickered red as he glimpsed a vision three seconds into the future.
"Fire Fist."
Without turning around, Ace raised his right hand. A terrifying column of flames roared forward, transforming into a blinding red light that shot toward Vivi.
Vivi's eyes widened in surprise, but the next moment—
BOOM!
Enel, having transformed into lightning, had appeared right in the path of the flames.
Boom!
Enel staggered back from the force of the fiery pillar, veins bulging on his forehead in frustration.
"Thirty million volts, Thunderbird!"
Thunder roared from one of the drums on Enel's back, and a bolt of lightning screeched through the air like a bird made of pure electricity, aiming for the pillar of flames.
Boom!
The collision of fire and lightning caused a massive explosion, and the shockwaves swallowed everything within its range.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swirled beside Ace, forming Vivi's silhouette as she cautiously watched the aftermath.
Whoosh!
Enel, spinning his golden staff with one hand, blew away the smoke. His appearance was disheveled, and his expression twisted in frustration.
"Why?!"
Enel glared at Ace, who still had his back turned, crouching in front of Aisha as if Enel wasn't even worth his attention.
Enel had intended to use his lightning speed to catch a Logia user off guard. No matter how powerful fire was, it couldn't be faster than lightning.
Yet, before he could strike, Ace's flames were already there to intercept him.
The Heart Network! Is this... what it truly is?
But how? Enel's Heart Network, his pride, could predict enemy movements the moment they made them, allowing him to control every battle.
But just now, before he could even move, Ace's flames had already arrived.
It was almost as though Ace had predicted his actions in advance.
Impossible! Enel's expression contorted in disbelief.
He refused to accept it. How could a power that surpassed his own—one that could foresee the future itself—exist in someone from the Blue Sea?
Raki, standing nearby, watched in stunned silence as the events unfolded. Everything had happened so quickly, her mind struggled to keep up. The once invincible priests, who had terrorized Sandia for years, were defeated by three young women in mere moments.
And then there was Enel.
The embodiment of thunder, whose power had driven Raki to the depths of despair, had been humiliated, nearly colliding headfirst into the mysterious man flames.
"Is this man... the incarnation of fire?"
Raki bit her lip, her eyes betraying a ripple of emotion as she gazed at Ace. In Sandia, fire was held in greater reverence than thunder. She never imagined anyone could possess the power of fire itself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Aisha's sudden shout.
"Raki!"
Raki snapped out of her trance and rushed to Aisha, who was still enveloped in Ace's field of comprehension.
"What is it, Aisha?" Raki asked, concern in her voice.
"I can control the sounds I hear now!" Aisha exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.
Since birth, Aisha had been cursed with the ability to hear sounds that others couldn't. Whether she wanted to or not, she was forced to hear them, and during Sandia's battles, the cacophony of violence and death had haunted her, filling her young heart with unbearable pain.
Now, for the first time, she had control over that power.
"Really? Aisha, is that true?" Raki asked in disbelief. She knew all too well how much this ability had tormented the girl, and she feared that Aisha's mind might break under the strain. But now, the very power that had caused her so much suffering was within her control.
Raki's eyes welled with tears as she looked at Ace's gentle, smiling face.
"Thank you... I don't know how to express how grateful I am."
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. A short while ago, Raki had accepted death, but now, not only had Ace saved her and Aisha, he had also freed Aisha from her torment.
To Raki, Ace's arrival had been like a light in the darkness. Without realizing it, she gripped his hand tightly, as if holding onto that light.
"Thank you, thank you," she whispered, overwhelmed with emotion.
Ace, gently comforting her, turned his gaze to Conis, who was standing nearby.
"Conis," he called softly, "play a song for them. Help them relax."
Obediently, Conis approached with a harp, a look of anticipation in her eyes. This would be her first time using her ability from the Vocal Fruit.
With a deep breath, Conis began to play, her fingers dancing across the strings. The beautiful notes filled the air, soothing and calming the hearts of Aisha and Raki.
As the music played, Raki, still in a daze, realized she was holding Ace's hand. Her face flushed red, and she quickly looked away, embarrassed.
Her wild yet beautiful face now tinged with a shy blush, she lowered her gaze, unable to meet Ace's eyes.
"My name is Portgas D. Ace, from the Blue Sea."
Ace smiled slightly as he introduced himself to Raki. He recalled that in his memories, Raki was a great cook, and in the original story, she and Conis had even opened a renowned restaurant. Ace, having grown tired of the simple meals at sea, was eager to find a chef. Raki seemed like the perfect candidate.
"My name is Raki, and this is Aisha," Raki said, her face still showing a slight blush as she glanced at Ace's gentle smile.
Ace was about to reply when his expression suddenly shifted, eyes narrowing.
Crack!
A sharp clap of thunder signaled Enel's arrival as he materialized in front of Ace.
"Don't get too cocky, Blue Sea scum!" Enel growled, his eyes bloodshot.
He, the incarnation of thunder, the so-called omniscient and omnipotent god, was still present! But what was this bastard doing? Letting some lowly Angel Island girl strum a harp and listen to music? It was an insult to his divine status!
"Thirty million volts, Thunder-"
Boom!
Before Enel could finish, a deafening gunshot echoed through the air. His Heart Network, sensing the imminent danger, reacted instinctively. Enel's head transformed into lightning, dodging just in time as the bullet grazed his cheek, drawing blood.
Shave!
In an instant, Kaya's figure vanished, reappearing right in front of Enel.
"Armament!"
Her leg, infused with the jet-black power of Armament Haki, whipped towards him.
Boom!
Enel, caught off guard, crossed his arms to defend himself, but Kaya's Haki-imbued kick sent him flying. His body skidded across the ground, only stopping when he used the power of his Thunder Fruit to halt just before crashing into a large tree.
"How rude! Didn't you see our captain was in the middle of something?" Nojiko smirked, smoke curling from her rifle.
Raki stood frozen in disbelief. The thunderous Enel, the self-proclaimed god, had been kicked away by the young girl in front of her. Who exactly were Ace and his crew?
Blood trickled down the corner of Enel's mouth as he wiped it away, staring at Kaya and Nojiko, rage and confusion etched across his face.
"How… how can they hurt me?" Enel's voice trembled, his eyes wide with disbelief. He was lightning incarnate! Physical attacks should be meaningless!
Ace, now standing tall, let go of Raki's hand and took a step forward. Kaya and the others instinctively retreated, knowing their Haki wasn't enough to fully contend with Enel's powers.
"Let me explain," Ace said calmly, his eyes narrowing.
Enel's body crackled with lightning as he roared in fury. He wasn't going to be caught off guard again. The full might of his Thunder Fruit would bury these Blue Sea people!
Buzz!
Suddenly, a strange red light flashed in Ace's eyes.
And then, both he and Enel vanished in a blur of speed.
Boom!
Ace's jet-black left hand shot forward, grabbing Enel's shoulder, preventing him from transforming into lightning. Enel's eyes widened in shock. He, who moved at the speed of lightning, had been caught!
"W-what… How?"
Ace's grip tightened. Purple-black energy began to radiate from his body, spreading like a storm. The clouds above darkened, and the very ground beneath them cracked, turning to dust under the weight of his power. The sky trembled, and the earth groaned in agony.
"Y-you…!" Enel stammered, his eyes wide with fear.
"Let me teach you something," Ace said, his voice cold.
The violent black-purple lightning danced around Ace's fist as if controlled by an invisible force. The air itself shattered under the force of the energy coiled around his hand.
"This power you're so proud of… it pales in comparison to Haki."
Ace's lips curved into a knowing smile.
With a swift motion, Ace drove his fist into Enel's body, Conqueror's Haki swirling around it.
Boom!
A sickening crack echoed through the forest as blood spurted from Enel's mouth, his eyes rolling back. His body shot through the dense forest, smashing through trees and rocks, leaving a massive crater in his wake.
When the dust finally settled, Enel lay defeated, his once-proud form crumpled against a massive rock.