In front of the temple, a man in an orange jacket approached, looking at the sacred spring with some annoyance, but still dutifully reported, "Another group entered the country today."
He was Shura, one of Enel's priests. The title was self-appointed; Enel wasn't well-liked in Birka, and only those who shared his ideals followed him and called themselves priests.
Technically, they were like gods and mortals, but in reality, Shura and the others just saw Enel as a powerful companion, not some sacred figure.
That's why Shura was so hostile to Body Killer, who had only been there for a short time but already enjoyed Enel's favor—eating, sleeping, and living with Enel, taking the priests' place.
Shura suspected Body Killer had ulterior motives, but after being scolded by Enel for jealousy, he no longer dared mention it.
Body Killer had asked him to monitor newcomers to Birka every day for the past two weeks. Though annoyed, he still reported regularly.
Enel had agreed, since Body Killer said he had many enemies from the Blue Sea and might be hunted.
Enel was happy to solve Body Killer's problems, but Body Killer declined, preferring to wait and watch.
Those arriving at Birka had behaved well, spending money and not causing trouble, like tourists—which made Shura doubt Body Killer's claims. If these were his enemies, they seemed pretty friendly, raising doubts that Body Killer was up to no good.
But seeing Enel trust Body Killer and spend every day with him, Shura couldn't say anything.
"Another group, eh? How many?" Body Killer asked with a smile, ready to set his trap.
His own time was almost up; if he didn't act today, he might not get another chance.
Currently, Birka had attracted various Explorers, mostly from the Divine Space, with a few strong ones from Endspace.
Among them was the infamous Endspace curse-user, Black Lily.
Body Killer had held back, not leaving or letting Enel go out. All to wait for the main event—Gusion.
After days of waiting, he'd been disappointed not to see Gusion, but today a final group arrived, catching his attention.
"Six people, two are kids," Shura reported, clearly unhappy.
"Oh? Describe them," Body Killer asked.
After hearing the description, Body Killer's smile couldn't be hidden. "Good work. Don't worry, Enel always trusts you the most."
Now he was sure Gusion was in that group.
He'd gotten info from within the government, though he'd never seen Gusion's face before the bounty poster came out—he'd planned things out and headed straight for Sky Island.
Body Killer couldn't guarantee everything—maybe the newcomers were Explorers, or maybe Yonko Pirates or Marine Admirals.
If Marines showed up, he'd reveal himself as a Navy Captain and get their help. If Yonko came, he'd run—especially if Gusion brought Kaido, he'd jump off Sky Island without a second thought.
Luckily, fate was on his side: only Explorers had gathered, no top-tier powerhouses.
Enel was strong, but currently an ally. Body Killer could have Enel help deal with Gusion, as long as he landed the killing blow.
Origin Seeds belonged to whoever claimed them. If you killed the owner, they transferred to you.
Having experienced the power of the Chaos Origin Seed, Body Killer was determined not to miss any chance to collect more. If he could get all nine, he'd be the strongest in the space.
Gusion, what is your Origin Origin Seed's ability?
…
Meanwhile, Gusion and his group had just arrived at an ancient building on Birka.
"So the rumors were right: the people of Sky Island might really be from the moon, also founders of the Ancient Kingdom," Snow Wind said, reading and analyzing the ancient text on the wall.
"Oh? So the rumour Lunarian really existed?" Gusion asked, interested. The island wasn't big, so finding his target wouldn't be hard; he was curious how his enemy would act.
Time was running out for everyone—Gusion doubted his opponent could keep hiding.
He sensed Sky Island was about to erupt into chaos. With so many Explorers' time running out, a battle for the loot was inevitable.
For now, their focus wasn't sightseeing but gathering exploration points.
Gusion found Snow Wind to be quite clever—she'd analyzed and deciphered ruins on every island, earning world exploration points for the whole team.
As a bystander, he also gained points—nothing to lose.
"I think so. I've studied murals back home too—the moon people migrated down in three groups," Snow Wind nodded. "Shandia's people have small wings, but Birka's are larger—different genes."
"It makes a difference?" Gusion asked, surprised. He'd thought everyone looked the same in the manga.
"Of course. Shandia's wings are small and straight; Birka's are larger and curved, more bird-like, making flight easier. Shandia's are almost decorative," Snow Wind explained. "As for the Lunarians, I suspect they were the highest caste on the moon—almost godlike, since they could create energy."
"Fire?" Gusion looked at the mural, which resembled the "Enel's Moon Adventure" manga, showing three kinds of figures.
Snow Wind nodded. "Yes, they controlled fire—could generate heat, then electricity, so the moon's mechanical lifeforms worshipped them as gods. They were the highest of the three lunar races."
"Then why did they go extinct?" Gusion wondered. Other than King, only the Seraphim clones remained.
"Who knows? Based on the history, those moon migrants likely founded the Ancient Kingdom on the Red Line. Moon people weren't all united—those with big wings came to Birka, small wings to Shandia, Lunarians to the Ancient Kingdom," Snow Wind analyzed. As a leader, she needed both brains and brawn.
Gusion paused. "Wait, Shandia also had the Shandians, right? Weren't they originally Blue Sea people brought up by the Knock-Up Stream? But they also have wings."
Snow Wind glanced at Gusion, making him uncomfortable.
"The Shandians were also moon people—just those who moved to the Blue Sea. They're the same race as Shandia's people; a thousand years ago, all one family," Snow Wind explained. "So all their fighting is pretty tragic—they never realized their genetic kinship."
Nearby, Ulti yawned. "Brother Gusion, Sister Snow Wind, have you really traveled to so many places?"
Snow Wind and Gusion were a bit embarrassed—they couldn't admit it came from the manga. Gusion pinched Ulti's cheek. "Did you forget I was a traveler? I've been almost everywhere in this world—though Birka is new to me."
"So, you've been to all the same places?" Ulti asked through puffed cheeks.
Gusion paused, realizing he and Snow Wind spoke so smoothly because they both knew the lore. He looked at Ulti and thought, "Aren't you supposed to be too dense for this in One Piece?"
He stuffed a candied apple into her mouth and had Page One drag her away.
"How did the Ancient Kingdom lose? Didn't they control the Ancient Weapons?" Snow Cake wondered aloud.
"Who knows. Maybe Joy Boy was just a tragic hero," the party's priestess joked.
Gusion was about to echo her, but suddenly turned alert, looking deeper into the city.
A bolt of lightning struck, its dazzling flash visible even from a kilometer away.
The thick column of lightning made Gusion's expression grave. Was Enel really just boasting?
"Adventure time's over. I suggest you all hide and wait to go home," Gusion said, grabbing his sword and heading toward the chaos.
Apparently, an Explorer had tried to grab a Deadman's Chest—but on Birka, it wasn't their turn to fight each other yet.
Because absolute power, godlike and above all, was delivering divine punishment by thunder.
…
On a rooftop, Enel retracted his finger and yawned, asking Body Killer, "So, was that him?"
Body Killer smiled. "Doesn't look like it. Too weak—died in one hit, so can't be my enemy."