HST: Chapter 56/57

Chapter 56: Divine Judgment
At the top of Speedy Shrimp, the Wind Rider quickly passed through the massive passage formed by clouds.

At the end of the passage, a line of words was engraved on the cloud wall.

"God's Kingdom!?"

Robin looked at the inscription, clearly surprised.

The next moment, the Speedy Shrimp lifted the Wind Rider through the end of the passage, then vanished into the clouds.

Bang!

Using its remaining momentum, the Wind Rider glided briefly through the air before landing gently on a cloud.

The ground paved with clouds and the various buildings hidden among them created a dreamlike scene, resembling the very heaven where gods might dwell.

"This is the real Sky Island. We've made it!"

Nami looked around, her voice filled with awe.

"This place is so strange. You can even stand on the clouds!"

Vivi stepped onto the soft cloud surface with a look of delight.

"This kind of place really feels like an adventure."

Robin gazed at the surreal surroundings and couldn't help but sigh.

She had spent years surviving in the shadows of the world. She never thought she'd one day experience something so magical with companions by her side.

It felt unexpectedly warm. Robin smiled unconsciously.

"Let's check out that town up ahead."

Caelan looked at the buildings among the clouds and took the lead.

"Alright, Captain!"

The girls responded in unison and followed him.

Soon, they arrived at the cloud town they had seen from the ship—Lovely Street.

The architecture here was whimsical, like something out of a fairy tale. Large, fluffy clouds drifted around the buildings.

All the pedestrians on the street had small white wings and greeted each other with a phrase—"Heso." But when they saw Caelan and his group, they instinctively stepped aside.

"This really is a beautiful town, but... why do the people around us seem strange?"

Nami rubbed her chin, sensing something was off.

"Maybe they just don't like outsiders?"

Tashigi said uncertainly. She noticed the townspeople seemed to be deliberately avoiding them.

"No... They're not just avoiding us. It's like they're afraid. As if we're bringing disaster."

Vivi's expression grew serious. Something about this wasn't right.

"And their eyes... They looked at us with pity. Like they're already mourning us."

Robin's voice was low. Her years of survival in the underworld told her—something bad was coming.

Maybe the Heaven's Gate monitor had done something behind the scenes.

"Let's not overthink it. Just ask someone directly."

Caelan said calmly. He already understood the situation.

The people of Sky Island were afraid because they knew Enel had marked them. And they feared being caught in the aftermath.

Caelan reached out and stopped a beautiful blonde woman, not because of her looks, but because he recognized her. This was Conis, who had originally helped Luffy in the source timeline.

The other islanders tensed up, nervously watching Caelan and his companions.

"Hello. Could you tell me why everyone seems afraid of us?"

Caelan asked with a gentle smile.

"You've already been branded first-class criminals in the Kingdom of God. The omniscient and omnipotent God Enel will issue divine judgment on you. We're only afraid of being caught in the fallout."

Conis realized there was no escape, so she spoke timidly.

Looking at Caelan, she sighed inwardly. What a shame. Such a handsome man was going to be killed by divine punishment.

"The omniscient and omnipotent god wants to punish us?"

Nami's eyes went wide. It felt like the sky was crashing down.

That title alone sounded incredibly dangerous. Was she going to die?

Vivi, Robin, and Tashigi also frowned. This god sounded far worse than Crocodile. He was probably a formidable enemy.

"No one has ever survived God's judgment. You should just enjoy the scenery while you still can."

Conis looked at Caelan and the others with genuine concern.

She had never seen anyone escape Enel's punishment. Their lives were already ticking away.

"It's too late. The so-called divine punishment has already arrived."

Caelan looked up at the sky and spoke calmly.

In an instant, the sky darkened. Thick clouds rolled in, and arcs of blue-white lightning crackled in the air.

The atmosphere turned heavy. It felt like a boulder was pressing down on everyone's chest. Even breathing became difficult.

"What's going on!? This punishment is much stronger than before. It's suffocating!"

The people of Sky Island panicked, staring at the thunderclouds in horror.

The scale of this divine judgment was unlike anything they'd seen. It looked like it would engulf the entire town.

"God is angry! We're all going to die!"

The townspeople cried out in despair. But oddly, there was a hint of relief in their voices.

Ever since Enel had taken power, their peaceful lives had been replaced by fear and oppression.

Now, facing what seemed like inevitable death, many were strangely calm. Death would finally free them from Enel's tyrannical rule.

"Actually, you can still live."

Caelan sighed and raised his massive sword.

He had no habit of dragging others into his fights. If he chose an enemy, then he would face it himself.

"You want to fight God's wrath? That's impossible!"

The islanders looked at Caelan as if he were crazy.

But Vivi, Nami, Robin, and Tashigi remained composed. They believed in him.

"Maybe… he really can do it?"

Conis muttered, staring at Caelan.

He stood so confidently, and his companions placed such unwavering trust in him. Maybe, just maybe…

The next moment, a blue-white lightning column fell like a waterfall, descending upon Caelan with a crushing wave of destruction.

As the sky lit up with blinding electricity, the people of Sky Island stared as Caelan swung his sword toward the heavens, awaiting what they believed would be certain death.

Caelan sighed softly as his giant sword unleashed a massive slash. The blade gleamed with pitch-black Armament Haki and clashed directly with the descending lightning.

In an instant, his sword energy tore through the lightning pillar and even ripped apart the thunderclouds above.

Everyone froze. For a long time, no one could process what had just happened.

"We're alive!?"

The people of Sky Island looked around in disbelief. Then came the cheers of joy and wonder.

The lightning was gone. The skies were clear once more. It was as if nothing had happened at all.

But the image of that powerful swordsman who had slashed through divine punishment remained etched in their minds.

The strongest divine judgment from God… had been cut in half by a man from the Blue Sea.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 57: Bravery

"It's incredible that he actually blocked it..."

Conis stared blankly at Caelan, a strange light flickering in her beautiful eyes.

Moments ago, she had only held onto a sliver of hope, never expecting Caelan to truly shatter God's Judgment.

Enel's divine punishment had always brought an overwhelming, irresistible fear to the people of Sky Island.

He controlled lightning, and to them, he was revered as a god.

But Caelan's sword had completely dispelled the thunder without leaving a trace. It defied everything she believed.

Ignoring the crowd's stunned gazes, Caelan looked up toward the sky. He could still sense a distinct form of Observation Haki peering in from afar.

"Enel, I know you're watching. You're making me uncomfortable. Just wait. I'll come deal with you soon."

Caelan stretched his body, sneering up at the clouds.

The sky, which had been split open by his sword, quickly filled once again with thunderclouds. Low rumbles echoed above, as if lightning were about to strike again.

The people of Sky Island stared upward in fear, their scalps tingling. Could Caelan stop it again?

Before the thunderclouds could strike, Caelan raised his sword and unleashed another slash, dispersing the clouds instantly.

"It's useless. I could cut through this kind of attack ten thousand times."

"You'd best wait where you are. I'm coming for you."

Caelan sheathed his massive sword and spoke calmly to the sky.

He wasn't boasting. With his physical strength, clearing away thunderclouds was nothing to him.

Thunder rumbled again in the sky, but it never fell. Enel had realized that lightning would do no good and saw no point in wasting energy.

The residents of Sky Island stared at Caelan in awe. This man showed no fear of the god they dreaded. If they hadn't seen him personally cleave the divine judgments apart, they would've thought he was just arrogantly delusional.

But after witnessing him destroy Enel's attacks with a single swing of his sword, they saw only strength—true, overwhelming strength.

"Alright, everyone. I'm going to challenge Enel. Is there anyone willing to guide the way?"

With the thunderclouds gone, Caelan turned and asked the crowd.

For a moment, the Sky Islanders were silent. No one dared speak.

They had been ruled by Enel for too long. The fear of him was deeply rooted in their hearts. Even though Caelan had just cut down divine punishment twice, they still didn't dare oppose Enel.

"I'll do it!"

Conis stepped forward, her voice firm.

"Conis, are you crazy? Enel is the god of thunder! Anyone who resists him meets a terrible end!"

A Sky Islander cried out, trying to dissuade her.

Conis had grown up under their care. None of them wanted to see her die.

"Say no more. This might be our only chance. I don't want to keep living under his rule!"

Conis responded resolutely.

"Very good. You're a brave girl. Let's go."

Caelan nodded in approval. One guide was all he needed.

With Conis leading the way, Caelan and his crew made their way toward Enel's temple.

As they disappeared into the distance, the remaining Sky Islanders hesitated. They didn't want to keep enduring Enel's tyranny.

Ever since Enel had arrived six years ago, defeating the former god Gan Fall and his priests, no one on Sky Island had been able to stand against him.

More precisely, no one had been able to stop Enel from invoking divine punishment.

Now, warriors from the Blue Sea had destroyed thunder with their own hands. Perhaps they truly had the strength to stand against him. Could they really just sit back and do nothing?

"I'm going to help them. Anyone else who wants to come, follow me!"

McKinley, captain of the White Beret Army, stepped forward and followed after Caelan's group.

He had once served as a priest under Enel to protect the people of Sky Island. But he had never truly wanted to be Enel's lackey.

Even if he wasn't sure Caelan could defeat Enel, he had to go.

This time, he wouldn't bow his head. If he died fighting, so be it!

A dozen others followed him. They were all former priests who had served under Gan Fall. This time, they were prepared to die for their cause.

Back in town, the remaining residents panicked like ants on a hot stove, terrified that they'd be caught in Enel's wrath if Caelan failed.

It was impossible for mortals to defeat God Enel. Those Blue Sea people simply didn't understand how terrifying a god truly was.

They could only die!

…

In Enel's temple.

With the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Enel extended his Mantra across all of Sky Island. Everything happening below was within his view.

"A bug from the Blue Sea dares challenge the authority of a god?"

Enel reclined on his throne, his usual indifferent expression darkened with annoyance.

Killing his Gate Supervisor, acting so arrogantly in his territory—this man clearly held no respect for him.

That alone was enough to make him angry. And now, Caelan had destroyed his divine punishment twice. That was outright defiance.

"My lord... should we take precautions?"

Inside the temple, several priests stood silently.

It was their first time witnessing someone not only survive God's Judgment, but completely destroy it with a sword. It was truly frightening.

"He has some skill. But anyone who challenges a god will only die."

Enel glanced coldly at the priests, his confidence absolute.

Even he had to admit—Caelan had formidable swordsmanship and impressive strength.

But he was the god who controlled lightning. The power he held was beyond anything a Blue Sea insect could comprehend.

"Yes, Lord Enel is invincible!"

"But besides them, the savages from Shandia are also attacking."

One priest smiled ingratiatingly, trying to flatter Enel.

"Let the trials deal with the trash. Not everyone is worthy of seeing God."

Enel frowned, speaking with disdain.

He acknowledged that Caelan was qualified to face him. The rest? Not worth the effort.

The priests quickly retreated from the temple, relieved to be dismissed.

Now alone in the temple, Enel walked over to the Ark Maxim, which was nearing completion. He reached out and touched the golden ship.

"Very soon, I'll leave this sea of clouds and head to the true endless land."

Enel looked up at the temple dome, his gaze seeming to pierce through it toward the distant moon.

The limited land of Sky Island was unworthy of a god. Only the boundless surface of the moon was a fitting domain.

"But before that, I'll deal with these insects who defy the gods."

Enel sat back on his throne and closed his eyes.

Those who dared challenge a god would receive the harshest punishment, and fall into the deepest, most hopeless despair.

(To be continued.)