The Levely had ended.
At the harbor, old Keek reluctantly bid farewell to the kings he had just become good friends with.
Not for any special reason—he just really liked how pleasant their voices sounded.
"Old man, I'll let the Marines escort you back. I've got other business to take care of."
"Go on, go on, you brat. I know I can't make you stay."
At the same time, Doflamingo was also saying his goodbyes.
After spending a period of time sailing together, he was now ready to begin advancing into the New World, all in hopes of tasting the grand promises Orin had painted for him.
"Fufufufu... Well then, I'll take my leave here, Orin-sama. I shall be awaiting your arrival in Dressrosa."
Orin patted his shoulder, looking quite pleased and assuring him he'd definitely visit in the future.
If he ran into any opponents in the New World that were too tough, he could always call him with a Den Den Mushi.
"So, what's next on the agenda, Orin-sama~?"
While maneuvering the Oro Jackson to slowly depart Mary Geoise, Orin suddenly heard this from Crocodile. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he still replied smoothly,
"Address me properly, Crocodile. It's Orin-sama."
"Tch..."
"Next up, we're heading to the skies—to the legendary Skypiea."
"Nani???" ×2
...
"Besides birds and clouds, there's absolutely nothing here. Are you sure Skypiea really exists?"
Ten thousand meters above sea level, a magnificent red ship soared, weaving through a sea of clouds. In the blink of an eye, it had flown another ten thousand meters.
It had already been a full day of flying, but they'd found nothing—aside from receiving quite a few salutes.
But Orin knew—it had to be there. Somewhere above a place called Mock Town or something.
Mihawk had managed to find a corresponding Log Pose, but it wasn't certain. After all, what if Skypiea could move?
Holding onto the mindset of "it's worth a shot either way," the magnificent red ship veered toward the first half of the Grand Line.
About an hour into the journey, within Orin's vast range of Observation Haki, he actually detected something different.
"There it is!!!"
It was an enormous cloud, dense enough to rival solid earth. Like Newton's coffin lid being pried open, it floated gently in the sky.
"The legends... they're real?"
"A wondrous sight indeed."
The Oro Jackson slowly descended and came to a steady stop within the sea of clouds. Within Orin's Observation Haki, many winged beings were living here.
"It's been a long time since I've come here... Last time was by ship."
During his final voyage with the Roger Pirates, Orin had visited Skypiea. He'd seen the City of Gold, Shandora, and the Golden Bell.
And since Orin had so much money that he couldn't spend it all, the bell remained as a keepsake. Otherwise, he would've beaten Buggy to the punch and taken it already.
"It's amazing... It really doesn't fall."
Crocodile stepped onto the cloud, surprised as she stomped it lightly.
Mihawk was more direct—he slashed the ground several times with Yoru to test the density of the cloud-island.
"Besides sightseeing, we've got another reason for coming here..."
"What is it?"
"To find someone."
Orin expanded his Observation Haki across a vast range, searching for something—or someone.
The goal was obvious.
He was searching for the one who wielded the strongest Logia-type fruit. Though only 17 years old, he must have eaten the fruit some time ago.
He just hadn't yet had the chance to eat beef—before running into Orin.
Deep in the forest, beneath an apple tree, a boy with long ears and a cold, proud expression munched on an apple.
Almost at the same moment Orin discovered him, the boy also sensed the arrival of this uninvited guest on Skypiea.
"Another worthless insect..."
"No matter. God has already ascended. I fear no challenge."
Enel's expression didn't shift. He was now fully familiar with his powers and believed himself strong enough to destroy Birka with ease.
He possessed divine power—no one could possibly leave alive.
Such was the might of lightning.
And the arrogance of a self-proclaimed "god."
"Ah~ A god, huh? How terrifying~"
In the next instant, a shadow suddenly appeared within Enel's Mantra.
A teasing voice startled him to the core!!!
"When did you get here?!"
He looked ahead—and there stood one of the Blue Sea people he'd sensed landing earlier.
The man before him was much taller, and for some reason, gave off an unsettling sense of threat—especially with that ghost-like speed of arrival...
Even as a "god," he couldn't react that fast or remain undetected!!!
"Such gloomy eyes..."
Orin stood with his hands in his pockets, greeting the cautious Enel, who had yet to respond.
According to Oda, if Enel were placed in the Blue Sea, he'd be at least Vice Admiral level. So Orin figured—why not come meet him?
Worst case, he could make him a subordinate.
After cleaning up the Underworld, it became clear—he really needed a mobile fighter.
Everything required him to run around personally. The strong ones didn't have the speed, and the fast ones scattered around the world were weak.
Plus... he'd make a great power generator.
"..."
Enel's face darkened. Instinctively, he turned into lightning and vanished within his Mantra range, moving via elemental transformation.
It was his first time encountering someone with similar methods. Though not exactly shaken to the core, Enel was definitely wary.
Better to observe first!
He hadn't expected that—when he reformed into his human shape at another end of the island and finally relaxed...
Orin was already standing in front of him again!?
"Impossible??!!"
Enel's eyes widened in disbelief.
No matter how many times he turned into lightning and fled, he despairingly discovered this man always arrived just a moment before him, precisely where he was headed.
"You... you..."
"How rude, running all over the place. I'm not even a bad guy."
"You asked for this!!!"
Enel, the rebellious youth with a psychological complex and clear signs of antisocial behavior, finally exploded.
"Zzzzzzzt—"
Facing Orin, Enel erupted with arcs of blue lightning, extending a hand toward him,
completely in a red-hot rage.
"30 Million Volts!!!"
Sparks crackled around him as he rushed at Orin, whose expression remained calm, hands still in his pockets—completely unfazed.
The attack was vicious and terrifying...
But when it actually struck, Orin simply rubbed his chin and then caught the attack with one hand.
"Ooh~ All tingly and numb. You've got talent as a massage therapist, Enel."