"Speaking of which, Captain..."
While everyone was cheering, Issho quietly approached Caesar's side.
"That old woman at the toll station when we came up seemed to hold quite a bit of malice toward us."
"Ah, I know."
Caesar nodded. "That's normal. The Sky Islanders look down on Blue Sea People, considering themselves superior. Since you've been to Sky Island before, you should know this well."
In the original story, neither the Sky Islanders nor the Shandia were particularly good people.
The Sky Islanders occupied the Shandia's homeland, while the Shandia acted like rabid dogs, killing anyone they saw.
It wasn't until Enel, an outsider, tore open the ceiling that the window for reconciliation between the Sky Islanders and the Shandia was opened.
"I'm just unsure what attitude we should adopt for this trip."
Issho sighed slightly. Since Caesar intended to make Sky Island their base, conflict with the locals was inevitable.
Having been on the ship for so long, Issho understood well that everyone aboard—even those like Galdino and Bon Clay, who came from criminal organizations—were not inherently bad people.
After all, in a place like Baroque Works, if you failed to complete the tasks assigned by your superiors, they would send someone to kill you. It was simply a matter of survival.
But Caesar...
To be honest, based on Issho's years of experience in judging people, Caesar was one of those rare individuals who embodied both darkness and light.
Toward his comrades, he was gentle, kind, considerate, and humble. He would laugh heartily at Ace and the others' rowdiness and be moved by the affection of the women around him.
But when it came to enemies...
Issho had yet to see Caesar deliberately target anyone, but with a bounty of 2.8 billion, he didn't believe Caesar was as innocent as he appeared in daily life.
Moreover, Caesar's goal was to unify the seas. Issho didn't believe Caesar was unaware of how much war and bloodshed that would entail.
"Mr. Issho, I don't care about the Sky Islanders—as long as they can be of use to me."
Caesar chuckled lightly. Of course, he knew what Issho was thinking—he was just worried Caesar would go on a killing spree.
"And our attitude will depend on theirs."
As soon as Caesar finished speaking, the distant clouds suddenly churned violently, accompanied by a loud buzzing sound. Several strangely dressed figures, wearing tribal masks and gliding on what looked like roller skates, came speeding toward them.
"Wings on their backs... Sky Islanders?"
Deuce stared at the newcomers in confusion. "Their attire... doesn't match the island's architectural style. Could they be natives of the City of Gold?"
"Correct."
Caesar gave Deuce an approving glance. His sharp attention was unusual for a pirate from the Blue Sea. No wonder he became Ace's first mate despite his lack of combat prowess.
In the world of pirates, Deuce could practically be considered the pinnacle of intelligence.
"They're the Shandia."
The moment Caesar spoke, the masked warrior at the front suddenly accelerated. Seemingly recognizing Caesar as the leader of the ship, he launched a flying kick straight at him!
Everyone on the ship was stunned!
Whoosh—
Before they could react, a deep black slash flashed through the air.
Blood sprayed across the sky as two severed, bloodied corpses crashed heavily onto the deck!
"This blade teaches humility."
Caesar scoffed lightly as he slowly sheathed his sword.
"Eek..."
Bonney recoiled at the bloody scene, quickly hiding behind Kuma.
"Captain..."
Kuma's tone carried mild reproach. "There are children present."
"My apologies, I was slightly irritated."
Caesar waved his hand dismissively. Law raised his hand and activated Room, tossing the corpse into the sea of clouds.
"Wiper!!!"
Seeing their comrade instantly killed, the masked figures let out anguished cries.
"Should we eliminate these pests?"
Barto glared viciously at the group, itching for action.
That bastard had dared to attack Caesar without warning—he'd already signed his death warrant! Dying so quickly was letting him off too easy!
The rest of the crew wore displeased expressions too. No matter how kind-hearted or patient they were, such brazen provocation was unacceptable.
Hotheads like Ace and Baby 5 would've already charged into battle had Caesar not held them back.
"Leave one alive."
The moment Caesar gestured, Ace shot forward like an arrow.
Baby 5's right arm transformed into a sniper rifle, firing armor-piercing rounds coated in Armament Haki that punched through their shields effortlessly. The attackers fell instantly—all except one slender woman who turned to flee.
"Hey! Baby 5!"
Ace halted mid-air, jets of flame flaring beneath his feet as he glared at her.
"Any slower and our only witness escapes."
Baby 5's expression was icy—these fools who dared offend Caesar would die by her hand!
"I'm not your cleanup crew..."
Grumbling, Ace pursued and easily captured the woman.
Removing her tribal mask revealed striking features—delicate arched brows above almond eyes that blended feminine grace with steely resolve.
"Name."
Caesar looked down imperiously.
The woman clenched her jaw. "Kill me if you must! I won't submit!"
Playing tough?
Caesar smirked. "Strip her naked and toss her onto Sky Island's streets."
"Raki!"
The woman instantly relented. "My name is Raki!"
Galdino looked disappointed. "Tsk tsk, honesty matters..."
Raki shot him a venomous glare, making him recoil.
Not out of fear—he simply couldn't risk misreading Caesar's intentions. Their captain had... particular tastes in women. If this one became the next Mrs. Captain, he'd be in deep trouble.
"Why attack us?" Caesar asked coolly.
Raki bit her lip. "We're Shandia guerillas. We've fought Sky Islanders for generations... and eliminate pirates from the Blue Sea."
"And? How does that justify assaulting me?"
Caesar's smile turned frigid. "Don't claim you mistook us for pirates—our sails bear no jolly roger."
Raki fell silent.
The Shandia currently inhabited a hidden minor Sky Island.
As sworn enemies of Sky Islanders, they never traded with them.
Their survival depended largely on raiding.
As for the targets of plunder, aside from merchants traveling between Sky Islands, these pirates and explorers from the Blue Sea with no significant backing were undoubtedly the best prey. Otherwise, with their adherence to four-hundred-year-old traditions, the Shandia people wouldn't have been able to manufacture the firearms and cannons they now wielded.
"You brought this upon yourselves, so don't blame me for what happens."
Seeing Raki remain silent, Caesar spoke coolly: "I'll give you two options. First, I'll soon eliminate Enel and take control of Sky Island. Your Shandia people will submit to me, and I'll allow you to return to your ancestral lands to live—even ring the Golden Bell."
"Second, after I deal with Enel, I'll wipe out the Shandia people entirely."
"You—"
Raki's expression darkened instantly. She wasn't sure if this man could actually defeat Enel, but given how effortlessly he had taken down Wiper—their strongest and fiercest warrior of this generation—there was no doubt Caesar could exterminate their entire race with ease.
"If you're unhappy with these choices, I can kill you right now and then pay a visit to Cloud Hidden Village..."
A dangerous glint flashed in Caesar's eyes. "Every inch within thirty nautical miles is under my Heart Web surveillance. Trust me, none of you will escape."
"I understand. I'll report this to the chief."
Raki stiffened, quickly retreating before she could provoke Caesar further.
She had realized this man had little patience. If she kept talking, he might shift his focus and annihilate the Shandia first.
As Raki left, Yamato hesitantly turned to Caesar.
"Isn't genocide... a bit too extreme?"
"There are countless stories of survivors seeking revenge because their enemies didn't finish the job."
Caesar shook his head. "If Kozuki Oden hadn't hesitated back then, would the people of Wano Country have suffered through so many years of misery? Some things—you either don't do them at all, or you do them thoroughly."
"This isn't a fight—it's war. And in war, casualties are inevitable."
His gaze swept over the crew, and he sighed inwardly.
Having only kind-hearted subordinates wasn't ideal. At the very least, he needed some "black gloves" to handle such dirty work.
Bonis would have been a good candidate, but his strength was lacking.
Though Barto understood his reasoning, the man would never have the stomach for genocide.
Among the crew, the only one who would carry out his orders without hesitation was Baby 5—but he couldn't let his own woman handle such filth.
It would be ideal if he could recruit Rob Lucci and his group later, but those were agents raised from childhood by the World Government. That seemed unlikely.
Not to mention, he also had his eyes on Blueno's Door-Door Fruit—an ability that must remain in the hands of someone absolutely loyal.
"Enough of this. Head toward the nine o'clock direction and circle the island. We'll deal with Nami's Fruit first." Caesar pointed casually.
Soon, the ship arrived at an island covered in towering ancient trees.
"This is... soil?"
Nami stared in amazement at the primeval forest before her. "It's real—an island carried into the sky by ocean currents? But why are the trees here so enormous?"
"Adaptation to their environment."
Caesar replied offhandedly, leaping onto the island and gazing toward a specific direction.
"Aren't you going to come out and greet us? Enel..."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a thunderous explosion rang out, and a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking Caesar directly!
A blinding flash of light passed, and Caesar stood unharmed in his original spot.
"So you're just a coward..."
Caesar scoffed lightly, not bothering to hide the disdain in his tone.
"Yahahaha... How amusing!"
In the sky, lightning gathered, and a tall figure suddenly appeared before the crowd.
A white headband, long earlobes, pale skin, and flamboyant harem pants.
The newcomer was none other than Enel.
The wielder of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, the current god of Sky Island!
Zzzzt—
With a flash of electricity, Enel crossed his legs and perched on a thick tree branch.
"A mere mortal from the Blue Sea, yet able to ignore this god's lightning."
Enel looked at Caesar with keen interest. "I'll give you a chance. How about becoming one of my God Enforcers?"
"God Enforcer, huh..."
Caesar chuckled. The people on the deck who hadn't yet disembarked all wore strange expressions at the sight.
That Caesar could suppress Devil Fruit users wasn't a secret on the ship.
But for the enemy to deliver themselves right to their doorstep the moment they arrived—it felt bizarre.
"How about you take one of my attacks instead? If you can withstand it, I'll join your ranks. How's that?"
As he spoke, Caesar spread his hands slightly. "One move each—fair, isn't it?"
"An interesting fellow..."
Enel smirked. "Very well. As the only one so far unaffected by this god's power, you've earned that privilege."
"How... generous of you."
Caesar laughed softly. This guy really was...
Too easy!
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit combined with Observation Haki allowed Enel to effortlessly monitor an entire island's movements and traverse it at lightning speed, almost like teleportation.
But what made him strong also made him weak...
When faced with someone like Caesar, who could overpower him in both Haki and Devil Fruit abilities while also having control techniques, that high-speed mobility turned into high-speed delivery of himself on a platter...
Of course, this was also due to the element of surprise.
If Enel had known about Caesar's abilities and been on guard, even Caesar would have had a hard time catching him.
In Enel's vision, Caesar raised his hand, his palm covered in a deep black.
"Dark Water!"
Hum—
As if pulled by an invisible force, Enel's body flew uncontrollably toward Caesar!
"Gravity? Nothing special..."
Enel smirked, about to transform into lightning and escape, only to freeze in horror as he realized his Devil Fruit ability had suddenly failed!
"How?! My power—?!"
"Not working, is it?"
Caesar chuckled, grabbing Enel by the throat with one hand!
"W-wait!"
Enel's face twisted in fear. "What kind of power is this?!"
"Sorry, but I'm not in the habit of explaining myself to enemies."
With one hand gripping Enel's neck, Caesar waved his other hand lightly, and behind him, a small mountain of fruits appeared.
The next moment, darkness surged forth!
A deep black engulfed both Caesar and Enel.
Soon, when the darkness dissipated, Enel's lifeless body lay on the ground, his eyes wide open in death. The clear imprint of a hand on his neck showed he had been strangled.
And in Caesar's hand rested a gleaming golden Devil Fruit, its spiky, lightning-like skin resembling that of a dragon fruit.
"Just like that... we got it?"
Everyone was stunned.
Though they knew the Dark-Dark Fruit could steal abilities from other Fruit users, this had gone suspiciously smoothly.
"Here!"
Casually tossing the Fruit to Nami, she jumped in surprise before frantically catching it in her arms.
"Hey, be careful with it!"
Holding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in her hands, Nami scolded him with a pout: "This thing's worth billions!"
Caesar waved dismissively: "Enough talk, eat it!"