Expanding his "Heart Net" (Mantra/Observation Haki), Enel extended his range to lock onto his targets.
Then, without hesitation, he launched a beyond-visual-range strike.
And the power behind the attack? Terrifyingly strong.
Honestly, if Luo Lan could eat a Devil Fruit, he might have considered keeping this one for himself afterward.
Looking around, Luo Lan noticed all the Sky Islanders staring at his group as if they were monsters.
Well, if someone could emerge completely unscathed from God's Judgment, what else could they be but monsters?
"Now," Luo Lan said impatiently, "can someone tell me which direction Upper Yard is?"
He didn't bother asking one by one.
Instead, he subtly released a thread of Conqueror's Haki—precisely controlled, just enough to intimidate without knocking anyone out.
Sure enough, someone immediately caved under the pressure.
A trembling Sky Islander pointed in a certain direction.
"Th-that way…"
"Good. Let's move!"
With a flourish of his coat, Luo Lan led his group back to the sail-powered warship.
The ship raised its sails and headed toward the direction indicated.
It didn't take long before they saw Upper Yard in the distance.
Compared to Upper Yard, Angel Island was like a small pebble—only about a thirtieth or fortieth of its size.
Even Jaya Island, from which Upper Yard originally came, was just a tiny part of it.
Yes, a very small part.
That alone was enough to paint a picture of how massive Upper Yard really was.
A colossal floating island—roughly three times the size of Rhodes Island.
"Luo Lan," Robin spoke up, "didn't you say Upper Yard was originally a Blue Sea island that was launched skyward by an upward ocean current?"
"That's right. See that bay-like gap ahead?"
"I do. Looks like someone took a bite out of a giant pancake."
Robin nodded.
Luo Lan blinked, then laughed.
That was an apt comparison—Upper Yard did look like a pancake with a huge bite taken out of it.
"Do you know what that bite-shaped gap used to be? That was Jaya Island."
"Ohhh… That explains why when Noland came to Jaya, he couldn't find the City of Gold—or even recognize the island's shape or size from his memory!"
"Exactly. Noland got a really raw deal."
Luo Lan shook his head.
Can you blame the guy?
That island was perfectly fine for hundreds of years, and right after Noland left, it got launched into the sky.
People called him a liar and executed him because no one believed his tale.
If he wasn't wronged, then who was?
---
Over an hour later…
The sailing warship finally reached Upper Yard.
Everyone disembarked.
At the same time, deep within Upper Yard, someone took notice of the new arrivals.
"Yehahahahaha! Still alive, are you?"
"I don't know how you managed it—but your actions…"
"…are nothing less than defiance against a god!"
"However, since you've reached the island of God…"
"Then this god shall grant you… a trial!"
"If any of you can pass it and reach me…"
"…then I will bestow upon you the title of Great Priest—above all other priests!"
"Put on a good show. Entertain your god, mortals!"
"Yehahahahaha—!"
Seated on a golden throne, a shirtless man took a bite of an apple and dramatically delivered his lines like an over-the-top stage actor.
Or maybe a cringe-inducing middle-schooler going through a "god complex" phase.
Immediately, four white-clad figures shot out from the inner island, heading straight for Luo Lan's group.
Meanwhile, on Upper Yard's southern side—
"Got you!"
Earlier, on Angel Island, Luo Lan's Observation Haki couldn't reach Upper Yard's 20+ kilometer distance.
But now…
Being on the island, Luo Lan could finally sense everything within a 10-kilometer radius using his refined Haki.
He'd located Enel.
Not just Enel, but over 200 weak-signal lifeforms—and four notably stronger ones.
Recalling the original story, Luo Lan quickly figured it out.
Those 200+ people must be the former God Squad from Angel Island—soldiers who refused to surrender, were defeated by Enel, and then enslaved as laborers.
Just like McKinley, the commander of the White Berets, who had bowed to Enel's rule.
But unlike him, these 200 never submitted.
As for the four stronger ones?
They had to be the Four Priests.
Heh…
And now they're heading straight for us?
Let me guess—Enel's got his chuunibyou acting up again and declared another divine trial?
"Ace, Zoro—four of Enel's men are coming. Take them out."
"Got it!" both replied with excitement and bolted forward.
Finally—time for a good fight.
These two? Of course they were pumped.
"Hey, seaweed-head!" Ace called. "Let's see who takes down more!"
"You're on! Today, we settle once and for all—what's stronger: martial arts or swordsmanship?!"
"Hell yeah!!"
Luo Lan facepalmed.
These two never stop competing.
Currently, Ace had the better win record—unsurprising, since he joined Rhodes Island half a month earlier and was already stronger when both joined.
Physically, Ace was still the tougher of the two.
Martial arts required raw physicality, while swordsmanship—though physical too—was less demanding in that sense.
That's why, as Zoro grew into a true swordsman, he was slowly closing the gap. He could now win 1 or 2 times out of every 10 duels.
Ace would often comment proudly,
"Not bad. You're better than my stupid brother. He's never beaten me even once!"
Just then, a voice piped up.
"Um, mister with the mask… can I go too?"
Luo Lan blinked—it was Luffy.
The kid was only 15. Was it really okay?
Not that he cared much about Luffy's life or death… But if something did happen, how would he explain it to Grandpa Garp?
Wait… isn't Luffy the protagonist? Why was he worrying?
Yeah, no need to stress over it.
"Sure, you can go."
"Hehehe! Then I'll beat Ace this time for sure!"
Luffy took off running with a huge grin.
Less than a minute later, Luo Lan found himself holding his head again in exasperation.
First, Zoro—he was supposed to run north, but somehow veered east, completely missing the enemies.
Then Luffy—he ran in a circle and somehow ended up behind Luo Lan's group.
And Ace?
He went the right direction but… fell into a pit.
By the time he climbed out, the Four Priests had already passed.
Luo Lan was speechless.
Luffy's a lost cause—but Ace and Zoro?
You two have Observation Haki!
How do you still manage to miss your targets?
Meanwhile, the four priests arrived in front of Luo Lan.
His expression darkened.
That was one hell of a failed ambush.
---
Currently at chapter 435 on Ko-Fi
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27