Ahead of Ray and Chouchou, a man holding a long spear and riding a giant bird was staring down at them from above the Going Merry.
"A talking puppy? Though rare, you dare to say I've chosen death! Do you want to be braised or steamed?"
The newcomer was Shura, the Priest in charge of the Rope Trial, whose survival rate was a mere 3%.
Hearing Chouchou's threatening words, he was furious.
He didn't bother with pleasantries and cut straight to the point.
"Your companions fled the altar without permission, so I now have the right to hunt you down early."
Ray glanced at Shura, his expression calm as still water, completely unfazed by the threat.
This level of aura was only comparable to Zoro before they landed in Alabasta.
However, since he sensed the other's killing intent, Ray decided to respond.
But before Ray could act, Chouchou was already enraged.
"You insignificant ant want to kill my master?"
Since receiving Ray's essence blood and transforming into a yokai, Chouchou hadn't just mutated in strength.
He had also gained the pride of the dog demon clan.
Aside from his human companions, no one else was worthy in Chouchou's eyes.
Now, this human dared to direct killing intent at his master, making Chouchou unusually agitated.
"Master, give me three minutes. I'll make him disappear from your sight!"
Ray looked at Chouchou, feeling a warmth beneath his calm demeanor.
The loyalty of dogs was fully embodied in Chouchou.
However, Ray didn't raise Chouchou as a guard dog but as a companion.
Besides, Ray was feeling a bit bored and decided to pass the time by taking action.
"You go hunt that bird. We'll keep it for tonight's meal. I'll handle this human."
Hearing Ray's command, Chouchou accepted without question.
Instantly, he demonized, transforming into a 5-meter tall, 9-meter long Demon Dog, and charged toward the giant bird.
Witnessing the puppy's sudden transformation, Shura's pupils dilated.
'Damn, have I fucked up?'
Chouchou's size was enormous.
His own mount was already large among birds, but compared to Chouchou, even with its wings spread, it was only half as long.
Their weights were worlds apart.
Moreover, the aura emanating from this giant dog sent chills down his spine.
Not to mention his mount, which had completely lost the ability to move under Chouchou's dog demon pressure.
"A mere beast, I'll show you what a Priest truly is."
To protect his mount, Shura leaped from his giant bird, brandishing his spear as he charged toward Chouchou.
The tip of the massive spear began to emit flames, poised to pierce Chouchou's skull.
But Shura was even more shocked inwardly—this dog actually dared to ignore his attack and charged straight toward the giant bird behind him.
"Is that stupid dog not afraid of death?"
Just as Shura thought his attack would instantly kill Chouchou, a silver-white figure suddenly flashed before him.
With one hand, it grasped the flaming tip of his spear.
Shura snorted coldly, inwardly mocking Ray as a fool.
Though fast, how dare he directly touch the flames with his bare hand?
In Shura's eyes, Ray's hand would be roasted in an instant.
These were flames released by the Flame Dial installed inside his spear, capable of roasting a living person with ease.
Yet two seconds passed, and Ray's slender left hand, marked with demon patterns, still held the flaming spear tip.
Not only was it not roasted, there wasn't even a single scar visible.
Cold sweat dripped down Shura's back.
"Just who are you?"
Shura was filled with panic.
In all his battles, only one person had ever emerged completely unscathed under his spear.
God Enel.
But the person before him was different from Enel.
Shura knew very well that Enel was lightning itself, so it was natural for him to remain unharmed.
Yet this white-haired man before him had resisted his flaming spear with his bare flesh alone.
Shura's body trembled as his gaze slowly shifted.
The moment his eyes met Ray's vertical pupils, his composure shattered completely.
Shura swore he had never seen such a gaze in his entire life.
In Ray's cold, vertical pupils, he saw indifference to life, ruthlessness, and an air of superiority.
This was the aura Ray unconsciously exuded when he intended to kill someone.
On Jaya, Bellamy and his subordinates had all witnessed this very sight before their deaths.
Immediately after, Shura felt his life force rapidly draining away.
A green poisonous claw pierced through his chest.
His composure shattered, and he could no longer use Mantra.
Even if he could, it would be impossible to react to Ray's speed.
'Am i going to die here?'
This thought flashed through Shura's mind before he closed his eyes.
"But no matter how strong he is, they will ultimately fall to Lord Enel. White-haired freak, I'll be waiting for you in heaven!"
With that, Shura's consciousness faded.
As for his giant bird mount, it was now clamped in Chouchou's jaws, showing no signs of life whatsoever.
...
"Two Priests have fallen so quickly. Yahahahaha, these Blue Sea People are truly interesting."
Inside the shrine atop the giant vine, Enel was unusually excited.
The more powerful the opponents, the more spectacular the opening ceremony for his journey to the Infinite Land would be.
"Who would have thought? This guy, whose aura seemed so weak, is actually a the strongest."
When Ray made his move, Enel could sense his aura intensify.
Moreover, he had instantly defeated Shura.
The kill was so swift that Shura didn't even have time to use his String Cloud.
"This kind of powerhouse is worthy of accompanying me to the Infinite Earth. Provided he can become one of the five survivors. Yahahahaha~"
Enel was extremely confident.
Whatever Ray could do, he could do as well.
Moreover, he didn't believe there was anyone in this world who could defeat him.
The Goro Goro no Mi ability gave him absolute confidence.
In his heart, he firmly believed he was an omnipotent god.
"Now, let's see when the Shandia people will make their entrance."
...
Shandia settlement.
Inside a massive island cloud.
Wyper, descendant of the great warrior Calgara, had just finished a meeting with other warriors.
Suddenly, they heard the loud crying of a little girl named Aisa.
Wyper knew very well that little Aisa possessed Mantra ability rivaling Enel's.
If she was crying and afraid, it meant she had sensed someone's voice disappearing.
Moreover, only consecutive disappearances in a short period would have such a great impact on Aisa.
Thinking this, Wyper brought Kamachi and the female warrior Raki to find Aisa.
Raki picked up little Aisa and held her, gently asking what had happened.
Aisa covered her ears with her hands, unable to control her emotions.
"Two voices disappeared within Shandora."
Wyper analyzed Aisa's words.
Shandora was naturally the sacred forbidden land.
400 years ago, those who lived in Shandora were their own Shandia people.
Combined with recent events on Sky Island...
A new group of Blue Sea People had arrived on Sky Island.
Following Enel's habits, these Blue Sea People would definitely undergo the Trial of God.
Which meant the two disappeared voices this time either belonged to Blue Sea People or the Priests.
Thinking this, Wyper asked Aisa, who was gradually calming down.
"Are these two voices familiar to you?"
Aisa nodded.
"They're voices I've heard frequently since I was born and they've definitely fought with you, Wyper."
Hearing this, Wyper had reached a conclusion.
He looked at the warriors behind him, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"Warriors of Shandia! In our ancestral land, the bastard Enel's Priests are fighting a group of Blue Sea People.
Moreover, according to Aisa's mantra, two Priests have lost their life.
This is our opportunity.
Everyone prepare tonight.
Tomorrow, we launch our total assault against these self-proclaimed bastards!"
"We swear to reclaim our ancestral land and defeat Enel!"
"┗|｀O′|┛ Awooo~~!"
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