Because of the commotion, the explorers nearby were all shocked speechless when they saw four priests fall from the sky.
Enel's subordinates weren't particularly strong, but they weren't pushovers either—how did they fall before even making a move?
Those explorers who were a little closer understood what had happened; they too felt a sense of dread in that instant, shaken by an invisible aura.
They stared at Gusion in disbelief, thinking: Has this guy already reached a one-billion bounty? Did he awaken Conqueror's Haki!?
From the distant ruins, Body Killer narrowed his eyes at the scene. He had ways to communicate with those below and knew Gusion had reached a billion bounty.
Through his subordinates in Navy HQ, he'd learned—just days ago, Gusion's bounty had been updated. The Navy now considered him a greater threat.
Gusion's current bounty: 1,030,000,000 berries!
So Body Killer wasn't surprised that Gusion awakened Conqueror's Haki—he just didn't expect it to be this strong.
Even from a kilometer away, he could feel the Haki's pressure. This was not the level of someone who'd just awakened it.
He doubted Gusion could have developed his Conqueror's Haki to this extent in just a few days. What was going on?
Was it a origin seed ability?
Body Killer couldn't figure it out, but had to admit: Gusion was stronger than he'd thought.
Luckily, he still had his trump card: Enel. Ideally, Enel and Gusion would injure each other, and Body Killer could take them both out.
"Mr. Gusion, this isn't what we agreed on."
Snow Wind, not far behind Gusion, wiped sweat from her brow. The battle had erupted far faster than she'd expected.
They'd already explored Sky Island enough; their gains here were sufficient. With most explorers on Sky Island being third-tier, she never intended to slaughter them for their loot.
Gusion had also told them to keep a low profile and return quietly. Yet, not long after, he shot an arrow at Enel's head.
"Take Ulti and the others to safety."
Gusion spoke coldly, stowing away his Barbarian King Bow and drawing his Mazuko as he advanced.
Now that battle had started, he was prepared to fight everyone. Fortunately, he'd mastered some crowd-control skills.
"Let's go."
Snow Wind felt frustrated, not expecting to play babysitter. But she didn't want to join the chaotic battle, so she led her group and Ulti away.
After all, One Piece is a massive derivative world. This probably wouldn't be their last visit—so helping Ulti and her brother now could pay off later.
Gusion stood in the field, scanning the other explorers. Although they were restless, none dared block Snow Wind's group.
"What ability is that?"
Enel, in his lightning form, appeared before Gusion, frowning at the priests on the ground.
He had Observation Haki, but didn't know its name until Body Killer explained it to him.
To Enel, Gusion had simply spoken—and his men collapsed. He was baffled.
Closer inspection revealed one priest dead, which made Enel wary.
At this moment, Body Killer landed beside Enel, smiling: "It's just newly awakened Conqueror's Haki. Not a threat—just don't let him hit you directly. Fry him with lightning."
He tossed a head to the ground, blood rolling out like a bowling ball—an explorer's head.
The explorers retreated, wary of Body Killer. None saw how he struck; he arrived at Enel's side in a flash, and an explorer died in passing.
Gusion just sneered. "You want to team up on me?"
He looked over Enel and Body Killer, analyzing their attributes:
[Enel (Rumble-Rumble Fruit User)]
Physique: 54
Strength: 41
Agility: 60
Spirit: 63
Charisma: 20
[Divine Space: Body Killer]
Physique: 58
Strength: 58
Agility: 58
Spirit: 60
Charisma: 40
Ability: ???
[]
Just by stats, Enel was a magic-type powerhouse, Body Killer an all-rounder. What annoyed Gusion was that this blonde guy in a white suit was so much more charismatic than him.
Stat-wise, Gusion was outclassed, but combat isn't just about numbers—it's about skill.
Gusion was already in his shikai state, purple-black mist swirling around him. In Demon God state, his stats soared to 54; with Thunder Breathing, they could go even higher.
He was highly focused. In the next moment, he jumped sideways.
Boom—
A thick bolt of lightning struck where he'd just stood, scorching the ground. Stray electricity made nearby explorers convulse—it was extremely high voltage.
"Not bad, quick reflexes," Body Killer praised, ever calm and smiling.
Gusion's speed couldn't match lightning, but he'd predicted Enel's move. Enel's attacks weren't without signs—a voltage differential appears in the air, and there's a wind-up motion. As long as Gusion dodged beforehand, he'd be fine.
If he waited until the lightning struck, he'd have no chance.
From up close, Gusion judged that Enel's lightning was impossible to block directly. Even without hundreds of millions of volts, just one hit could break through Ryou and paralyze him.
If he survived, he'd be left open for follow-up strikes and die to a combo.
Plus, Body Killer was a threat with unknown powers. Gusion had no margin for error.
After dodging, Gusion didn't attack recklessly. From a nearby rooftop, he received a prompt from the Endspace:
[Hidden Quest Triggered: Birka's Redemption]
Objective: Kill Enel, who is about to destroy Birka, and save Sky Island.
Difficulty: Normal–Nightmare
Reward: Logia Devil Fruit: Rumble-Rumble Fruit
Failure: None
[]
Gusion was surprised—a hidden quest with a guaranteed Logia fruit as a reward.
Other explorers also received the quest, their expressions changing as they eyed Enel.
Enel was now a walking Rumble-Rumble Fruit in their eyes—a huge temptation.
He was enraged and likely to accelerate his destruction plan. If they didn't defeat him today, Birka would become history.
Many explorers had side quests as fruit hunters, but those rewards were random. This quest guaranteed a powerful Logia fruit. The temptation was enormous.
Soon, someone shouted, "Enel's a demon! Everyone, let's take him down together!"
The simple words sparked everyone's desire. The people of Birka, too, were furious—some men grabbed weapons to kill Enel.
The city elders appeared, rallying the guard to march on Enel. They all realized he was no longer a harmless child but a murderous demon who'd slaughtered an entire street—over a thousand dead.
Gusion saw the explorers shouting but not moving, knowing they were just waiting to scavenge the kill. In the end, it was up to him.
"Useless rabble—shut up!"
Annoyed by the noise, Enel raised his drum. "30 Million Volts: Thunderbird!"
A thunderbird shot out, not at Gusion, but at the shouting explorers and civilians.
Boom—
But before it could hit, Gusion shot it down with an arrow.
His arrows, infused with Ryou, could hit Logia-type targets. If they lodged in the target, they exploded with natural energy.
Gusion stood there as lightning fireworks bloomed overhead. "Hey, I'm your opponent."
He didn't care about saving the explorers, but he wouldn't let Enel massacre at will.
Body Killer smiled wider. "You're a real hero. That puts pressure on me, you know."
As he spoke, he opened the third eye on his forehead and fired a blinding beam at Gusion. The attack was almost instantaneous, blasting the rooftop.
But only a black cloth was left—Gusion had used advanced Shunpo—Utsusemi.
He reappeared at the side, then rapidly closed in on Enel and Body Killer, lightning swirling around him from Thunder Breathing.
Enel didn't expect Gusion's speed, barely having time to defend with his lightning, ready to dodge.
But Gusion's attack wasn't aimed at Enel—it was at Body Killer.
Body Killer smiled, not dodging. Gusion's blade cut across his chest and waist, but Body Killer fired another beam at close range.
At that instant, Gusion vanished again.
Body Killer, startled, immediately turned to water, dodging a deadly slash from behind.
Gusion and Body Killer passed each other. Gusion didn't linger, dodging Enel's lightning.