Dark red Conqueror's Haki crackled like lightning as Kaido and Big Mom took their stances and struck together.
In an instant, the island beneath them vanished, a massive shockwave blasting forth with enough force to split the sea—aimed at the distant battleship.
This was the Emperors' ultimate combo move—the upgraded version of the Elbaf Giants' Hakoku Sovereignty!
Even with the battleship a kilometer or two away, Borsalino felt a chill in his soul. His instincts screamed at him not to take the attack head-on, but he couldn't abandon his subordinates and flee alone. In a split second, he made his choice.
For once, his face was deadly serious, all laziness gone.
He stood at the bow, his whole body blazing like the brightest lamp in the night, illuminating the sea.
Then, the blinding light spread out, turning the battleship and the surrounding ocean into a sea of light.
This was his never-before-seen awakened Devil Fruit ability, altering reality itself.
Boom!
Kaido and Big Mom's Hakai struck the sea of light, erupting with an earth-shaking roar. Their combined Haki techniques could harm even Logia users.
Even with Borsalino's awakened power, their Haki pierced partway, inflicting real damage.
Just as they thought the battleship had been sunk and were about to resume fighting, they saw the light recede—leaving a battered, turning ship fleeing into the open sea.
Big Mom's face darkened. "That navy brat's got some tricks."
Kaido realized what happened: in that instant, the Light-Light Fruit user had made a giant light mirror, reflecting their attack.
So their attack hadn't landed in full, letting the navy escape death.
The fleeing ship was hard to chase, leaving both Emperors frustrated.
It was rare for the Emperors to team up and still fail to take anyone out—truly embarrassing.
On the battleship, Borsalino slumped on the deck, drenched in sweat.
Ignoring the cheers around him, he muttered, "Scary. I'm never coming to the New World again."
He'd gambled and barely saved the ship, but took heavy internal injuries from the shockwave. If Kaido and Big Mom had been closer, he might have been badly hurt.
He staggered to his feet, gazed at the dark island, and whispered, "Aramaki, you're on your own."
If Kaido and Big Mom didn't chase him, they'd regroup and head to Sky Island. Aramaki, left alone, was in trouble—but Borsalino felt no pity. He'd given a subtle warning already.
…
Somewhere in the New World, a massive rising current shot skyward.
On the column of water rode a sturdy ship, its crew screaming in terror.
Only a petite woman, wrapped in black bandages, calmly clung to the mast, enjoying the spectacle.
"Stop screaming. If you don't want to die, steer properly."
Black Lily called out, telling the helmsman to pipe down.
She'd wanted to head to the Summit of High West, but after gathering intel about a possible Emperor-level clash there, she decided it was safer to risk the Knock Up Stream.
It was dangerous, but she had an item to guarantee her survival on Sky Island.
She'd collected info in the New World, learning that this Knock Up Stream led to a Sky Island called Birka. With ways to travel between Sky Islands, she only needed to reach one—then she could contact Gusion and deal with that damned Body Killer.
…
Sky Island, Birka.
The long night ended, dawn approaching.
A blond man walked out of a shrine atop the island clouds.
Dressed in a white suit, with a vertical eye on his forehead, it was Body Killer of the Divine Space.
Stretching in the morning sun, he muttered, "Not much time left. Why haven't more people arrived? Don't disappoint me."
He'd gained much in the One Piece world and held a good position in the navy.
Using his intel, he'd pulled Aramaki into the navy as a sponsor—Aramaki's strength earned him a Devil Fruit as a reward.
But Body Killer no longer cared for government-issued Fruits. His bloodline slots were almost full—he saved the last for his ideal Fruit.
So he set up this plan, spreading rumors to gather the strong and throw everything into chaos.
With many strong people coming for his bait, Sky Island would descend into chaos, giving him a chance to kill his boss.
"Body Killer, what are you thinking? If you're free, tell me more about the Ark plan."
A man's voice sounded behind him. Body Killer turned, smiling kindly.
Behind him stood a tall man—about 2.6 meters—white turban, long earlobes with earrings.
Bare-chested, but unlike typical Sky Islanders, he had drums on his back.
He wore baggy pants, looking sleepy as he shuffled out and yawned.
"You're up early. I was just about to finish marking up the blueprints before waking you."
Body Killer smiled. Yes, this was the future ruler of Skypiea, God Enel.
At this point, Enel hadn't destroyed his home, Birka, but was working on his destruction plan—once he finished deciphering the Ark Maxim blueprints, he'd wipe out the rebels.
The locals didn't understand Enel's dream of finding "Fairy Vearth" and saw him as breaking taboos, so they ostracized him, but he didn't care—so long as his handful of followers understood.
Body Killer was a new arrival. At first, Enel disliked him, but after talking, he found Body Killer understood him and even knew mechanics, helping with the Ark Maxim.
Over time, they got along, or at least Enel thought so.
As for Body Killer's true motives?
He wanted Enel's fruit. He wanted to kill Enel, but couldn't find a way.
It wasn't that he couldn't hit Enel—he could use Haki—but Enel's Lightning powers were too troublesome.
In the manga, Enel appeared early and was beaten by Luffy, who'd just beaten Crocodile, so people assumed Enel was only Crocodile-level.
But later, Crocodile got buffed and was strong in the New World, while Enel was only beaten because of Luffy's plot armor.
Ten million volts? That's insane. The heat alone could roast someone alive, Haki or not.
Honestly, Body Killer thought Enel was exaggerating—if it was really ten million volts, not even rubber would insulate, and Luffy would just be carbon.
But even if Enel was bluffing, his lightning was still deadly. After studying for a while, Body Killer realized brute force wouldn't work.
He could hit Enel, but would get electrocuted in the process.
Sneak attacks were pointless—Enel's Observation Haki was strong, and his fighting skills were decent.
So Body Killer decided it was best to lure a bunch of strong people to create chaos. When Enel was distracted, he'd get his chance.
"You're too diligent. I wish we could finish the Ark and reach Fairy Vearth right away."
Enel sighed beside him, eager to leave his home.
Just as Body Killer was about to reply, he received a prompt from the Divine Space, and a wild joy appeared on his face.
His true target had taken the bait!
…
Gusion walked out of the cabin, marveling at the vast cloud island.
Stretching, he leaped onto the ground of Ballon Terminal, taking a deep breath of the thin, fresh air.
Before he could really take in the scenery, he got a prompt from the End Space.
[Detected that a Pioneer has entered the One Piece World's special map: Sky Island region.]
[In this region, a Pioneer Mission has been assigned to the Pioneer.]
[Please check your Pioneer Mission.]
Gusion opened the menu, grinning as he saw the new mission.
[Pioneer Mission: Seed of Chaos]
Mission: On the Sky Island series maps, a Divine Space Pioneer holds the Seed of Chaos. Pioneer #008, kill the Divine Space holder. Current location—Sky Island Birka. (Location index updates every three hours.)
Difficulty: Hard—Certain Death
Reward: Seed of Chaos, Gold Pioneer Medal x1
Failure Penalty: None
[]
Gusion saw the mission and knew his hunch was right.
The Divine Space Pioneer was clearly behind all this chaos, all to lure him out from Wano to a place with no third-party interference for a showdown.
If they fought in the Blue Sea, Kaido would protect him, so the enemy had to lure him out.
What Gusion didn't know was how the other side could be sure Kaido wouldn't follow him to the island. The Emperors could've fought on Sky Island instead of below.
If the enemy predicted all of this, then they were scary indeed—right now, Gusion had no protection, not even King.
But he wasn't the kind to give up without backup—he could carve his own path with his blade.
Another Pioneer, huh? This was his first time facing another Pioneer. He hoped they'd be worthy opponents.