Luo Lan's Three Objectives on Skypiea
This time, Luo Lan arrived on Skypiea with three main objectives.
First, to collect various types of Dials and bring them back for Seras and the others to study.
Don't underestimate these things. With the right fusion of conventional technology, they might be able to create some bizarre yet incredibly practical inventions.
Just like Seras' creation—the Observation Haki Radar—undoubtedly a groundbreaking innovation.
Second, to defeat Enel and seize the Goro Goro no Mi (Rumble-Rumble Fruit).
To that end, Luo Lan even brought along the Devil Fruit Extraction Chamber.
Don't ask how he managed to fit something that big into Danaan—just know this:
Danaan was originally capable of carrying an M9. That weapon is far larger than a three-meter-tall room.
Why the need to extract the fruit on-site?
Simple. Luo Lan currently has no way of transporting all the gold from Skypiea in one go.
What's he supposed to do—make dozens or hundreds of round trips using the Knock-Up Stream?
That's where Enel's ship becomes crucial.
Which is why Luo Lan also brought Kairo along.
Once Enel is defeated, Kairo will stay behind on Upper Yard with a squad of Marines to take over the construction of the unfinished Ark Maxim.
Third, to help the Shandians reclaim Upper Yard.
Their homeland was taken from them 400 years ago—it's time to return it.
At the same time, Luo Lan intends to negotiate with the Shandians for a small portion of land to establish a forward base for Jun Lin.
There, he'll deploy a rapid response force of several hundred soldiers.
Ideally, he could even recruit from the Shandians themselves. Their physical strength is undeniably impressive.
As for Angel Island? Luo Lan couldn't care less.
In fact, he plans to station the forward base so that it aids the Shandians in guarding Upper Yard.
No one from Angel Island may enter without Shandian approval. Period.
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Tension on the Streets of Skypiea
Luo Lan and his group walked the bustling streets of Skypiea.
They asked around about the location of Upper Yard, but every time someone heard the question, their expression would change and they'd hurriedly walk away.
No answers.
Before long, more than thirty individuals suddenly emerged from all directions, surrounding the group.
Of course, Luo Lan and Hina had already noticed them.
They just didn't bother reacting.
Why?
Because these people were too weak.
From the perspective of Observation Haki, they were only marginally stronger than average Marines.
Not even worth their attention.
"I am—"
One of the men stepped forward, just about to speak.
The next moment, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, frothing at the mouth.
Not just him—every one of the thirty-plus attackers dropped simultaneously.
There was no need to say it—Luo Lan immediately knew who they were: the White Berets, led by Commander McKinley.
But Luo Lan couldn't be bothered to waste words on him.
That nonsense about "protecting Angel Island's citizens" as the reason for surrendering to Enel?
Please. That's the same excuse collaborators always use.
In Luo Lan's past life, back in his original world, those traitorous puppet soldiers said the exact same thing.
The truth was, back when Gan Fall's God Squad stood against Enel, every other member was either killed or imprisoned.
And yet McKinley?
He came out completely unscathed—and even enjoyed a comfortable position under Enel's regime.
On Angel Island, the White Berets practically ruled.
Why?
Because he bowed down fast enough.
I get it.
Luo Lan wasn't particularly fond of Gan Fall either, but people like McKinley? He despised them.
At that moment, Luo Lan slowly looked up at the sky and—
—his expression turned serious.
"Haki... no—Mantra. So this is its power. I couldn't find you with my Observation Haki, but you've already locked onto me?"
He muttered to himself, eyes focused skyward.
Yes, Luo Lan had tried using his Haki to locate Enel and his priests.
But failed.
Which meant—they were outside his detection range.
And yet now, Enel had found him.
This could only mean—
Enel's range with Mantra far exceeded his own.
As expected, the very next moment, thunderclouds gathered above, churning violently.
"Luffy, I'm borrowing your body for a moment!"
A hand formed of pure telekinetic energy grabbed Luffy by all four limbs—
And pulled.
It looked like an ancient execution by dismemberment—minus the head.
Within seconds, Luffy's rubber body stretched into a giant sheet, shielding a huge portion of the area beneath.
At the same time—
The thunderclouds above finished gathering energy.
BOOM—
A colossal pillar of lightning, ten meters thick, crashed down like a space laser cannon.
Blinding light forced everyone to shut their eyes.
Twenty kilometers away, in Upper Yard, Enel smirked with disdain as he retracted his Mantra.
He was a proud man.
Just like the saying goes: Real men never look back at explosions.
For Enel, that applied too.
A god—
Never needs to confirm whether his enemies survived.
If a god has acted, mortals must have perished.
But in reality?
On Angel Island, under the stunned gaze of countless Skypieans, Luo Lan released his telekinesis.
Luffy's body, previously stretched out, retracted to normal.
He even coughed out a puff of black smoke.
Ace stood dumbfounded.
Just now, he'd thought Luo Lan had used Luffy as cannon fodder.
But now? Luffy was fine?
"What just happened?!"
"You people really should study more. Luffy ate the Gum-Gum Fruit. Rubber is an insulator—lightning has no effect on him."
"So... Luffy is Enel's natural counter?"
Ace's eyes widened in disbelief.
Before they set out, Luo Lan had briefed them on Enel.
A Logia-type with control over lightning, incredibly advanced Observation Haki, and one of the highest offensive capabilities among Devil Fruits.
That lightning strike?
Ace was sure he wouldn't have come out unscathed.
Even with Armament Haki.
But Luffy?
A perfect counter?
No wonder Luo Lan insisted on bringing Luffy to Skypiea.
It all made sense now.
Ace, completely convinced, began piecing the logic together in his head.
But he didn't know—
Luo Lan brought Luffy only to ensure a safe ascent via the Knock-Up Stream.
To him, Luffy was nothing more than...
...a walking plot device.
As for that earlier lightning strike?
Who said they had to tank it head-on?
Just dodge it. Sure, it was powerful, but it was only ten meters wide.
For people like them, dodging it wasn't that hard.
Why use Luffy?
Well, since he was already here, they might as well put him to good use, right?
Otherwise, wouldn't it feel like Luffy was just tagging along for free?
So as long as there was a way to use him...
Luo Lan would use him.
Because Luffy?
He was the perfect tool.
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Currently at chapter 430 on Ko-Fi
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27