For a moment, Enel, who had been wrapped in thunder, reverted to an ordinary man. No matter how he summoned lightning and crackling power, nothing changed—his thunder no longer answered him. It was as if the storm had been stolen away and his Thunder Fruit's effects had been stripped from him.
Terror and confusion crossed his face. Could it be that the Thunder Fruit genuinely belonged to this man? The possibility rattled him.
Around Ayanami Kaito, the stolen thunder began to wane, then was drawn inward as if pulled by some invisible gravity. Each arc of lightning dissolved into him, leaving the air disturbingly calm. Kaito's smile was small, almost casual, yet the look in his eyes was sharp as flint.
In the next instant, he was already at Enel's side.
"You! What do you want?" Enel stammered, trying to steady his voice. He forced calm, though panic still crept beneath it.
"I want your Thunder Fruit," Kaito said flatly. His words were precise and final.
Thin, almost translucent palms extended from Kaito's aura, reaching for Enel's head. The tip of each palm glittered with residual storm-light.
Enel's instincts screamed at him to flee, but the moment Kaito's reach brushed him, a weight like a mountain pressed him down. An inexplicable aura held him in place, paralyzing his limbs. He could not move; he could only watch Kaito's hand draw closer with helplessness.
Click.
[Ding! Congrats to Host for killing Enel, the original Thunder Fruit user, mission 1 complete, cause and effect lifted. Reward granted: Thunder Fruit ability enhancement.]
The system's announcement echoed in Kaito's mind like a cold bell. He felt a new current surge through him, an extra reservoir of energy threading into his blood. With every pass through his veins, his thundering lineage hardened and gained strength.
An hour later, the added energy settled. Kaito opened his eyes and tested the change. With a simple thought, a gray-black lightning formed in his palm, crackling with an unbearable intensity. Space near him bent slightly; the air itself seemed to resist.
This power, Kaito realized, should equate to billions of volts. The cost was lower than before; with full exertion he could unleash tens of billions of volts without collapsing. Tens of billions—enough that, in this pirate world, no one could stand against it.
One last glance at Enel's motionless form, and Kaito vanished.
Not long after, the commander of the guards led a search through the Ark. After a thorough sweep, they found Enel's body and confirmed the god's fall. Word spread across Angel Island like wildfire. The man who had called himself a god was gone, and a new name began to ripple through the crowds—the name of the one who had toppled him.
By the time Kaito stepped down from Sky Island, the sun hung high; noon had painted the waves silver. Without Enel's stifling presence, the air felt freer, almost light. Kaito made for Gaya Island and headed straight for its heart.
It was the busiest time of the day, and the eatery was crowded. A single seat remained at the front, and Kaito took it without fuss. The server approached with practiced politeness.
"Here's your special," the waiter said.
"Thank you," Kaito answered.
Nearby, a familiar figure caught his eye—an orange-cowboy-hatted man with the Whitebeard tattoo on his back. He was eating with fierce appetite, the face between bites stamped with gritty resolve.
"Ace," Kaito said under his breath, then looked up at the man. The name tugged at memory—Portgas D. Ace, a well-known member associated with the Whitebeard crew. Ace glanced over, surprised to find someone watching.
"It's rude to stare," Ace replied, mild reproach softening into curiosity.
"I'm not staring," Kaito said simply. "Just observing."
Ace's expression shifted to amusement. "Oh? You know who I am because of the mark, right?"
"Of course," Kaito replied.
"You not afraid of the logo?" Ace asked.
"Why would I be?" Kaito answered as he sampled the food brought to him. The flavors settled pleasantly—better than expected.
Ace laughed and dove into his meal, scarfing it down like a gale. Kaito ate with steady hands, and when Ace's portion ran out, he glanced at Kaito with a grin. The server returned with a fresh plate, and Ace's eyes lit up in immediate gratitude.
"You were part of Whitebeard's group once?" Ace asked between mouthfuls, curiosity cutting through his hunger.
Kaito paused. "No... but you know the man you hunt—Blackbeard."
Ace's jaw tightened. "You know Teach?"
Kaito set down his cup and replied calmly, "Not personally, of course. You can pursue Teach, but consider this: he didn't run because he's afraid of you. He fled to gain time to master the Devil Fruit he took. Once he's fully adapted to its power, the outcome of a direct confrontation will change."
Ace's face hardened, the familiar fiery determination flaring up. "He won't get the chance. I'll find him."
Kaito shook his head once, not unkindly. "Maybe you could catch him now. Teach is clever—he waits for opportunity. When the time is right, he won't run like a cornered rat. He'll hunt."
Ace's expression flickered, a blend of confidence and unease. He leaned forward, voice lower. "You seem to know a lot. You sure you don't know Teach?"
"I know how to check facts," Kaito said; any humor in his voice was thin. Ace fell silent; the air between them tightened with tension.
"Enough talk," Ace said after a moment, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He shoveled the last of his food into his mouth and patted his belly with satisfaction. "For Thatch—if I get the chance, I'll make that traitor pay."
Kaito nodded once. He believed Ace's fervor would carry him far, but he also understood how the world's balances could shift in ways most people couldn't yet see.
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