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The Strongest Frost Loli (200)
🕑 Added 2025-02-28 17:00:22 +0000 UTCChapter 200 - The Calm Before the Storm
On Ohara stood God’s Shrine, the residence of Skypiea’s ruler, “God,” relocated from Upper Yard. It served as the center of governance, a necessary establishment for any territory under Twilight’s protection. With Upper Yard returned to the Shandia, God’s Shrine could no longer remain there.
Beside it stood a guesthouse, built to accommodate Twilight officers and visiting dignitaries. Komurasaki was currently residing there. Her actions the previous night, unleashing lightning into the sky, had been witnessed, prompting Gan Fall, the current God, to emerge from God’s Shrine.
“We have intruders.”
Komurasaki’s expression was hidden behind a fox mask. She usually exuded a gentle, approachable demeanor, but now, all traces of warmth had vanished.
“…Intruders in Upper Yard? What is their purpose…?”
“From what I overheard, they seem to be searching for something.”
Their exact objective remained unknown. Judging by Zepo’s struggle, they were likely too dangerous for anyone currently on the island to handle. Komurasaki’s intervention had been necessary.
There were several points of concern, but Komurasaki’s Kenbunshoku Haki range wasn't particularly wide. Locating the escaped intruders would be difficult. If they reappeared, she would eliminate them then, but…
“My current duty is to act as a bodyguard. I’m hesitant to leave this location.”
“Hmm…”
Gan Fall glanced towards the guesthouse. Earlier that day, he had been discussing research with Enel. Now, she seemed busy with something inside. He hadn't seen her rest since her arrival, and was beginning to worry. She had arrived on Skypiea, shared a single meal with him, and then proceeded to spend her time between the library and Enel’s research facility. A dedicated scholar, Gan Fall mused.
“Should I mobilize the God’s Army?”
“That’s unnecessary. I’ll eliminate them myself, if necessary.”
“That’s… reassuring, but…”
Gan Fall had never witnessed Komurasaki’s strength firsthand. However, the three swords at her hip were clearly of exceptional quality, and one of them was Muramasa, borrowed from Kanata. Knowing that, it was impossible to underestimate her.
She was here as a bodyguard, entrusted by Kanata herself.
“Hopefully, there won’t be any further incidents.”
“Unlikely. They have a clear objective. While I’m glad they retreated after that attack…”
Judging by their coordinated escape after she had eliminated one of them, they likely possessed some form of communication. Since they were outside her Kenbunshoku Haki range, and she hadn’t overheard any conversations, they weren’t using Den Den Mushis.
They might have prearranged signals, but she hadn’t detected any suspicious movements. She had eliminated one, assuming they were acting alone, but that might have been a mistake. She had attacked before confirming their hostility towards Twilight. Kanata might scold her later.
It was a pointless concern, now.
“We should monitor their movements. Increase surveillance.”
“I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
While Gan Fall was the ruler of Skypiea, Komurasaki held a higher position within Twilight. He followed her instructions and began mobilizing the God’s Army to increase surveillance of Upper Yard.
Komurasaki’s gaze remained fixed on Upper Yard. She recalled the enemy she had eliminated. While she hadn't seen him clearly, she could gauge his approximate strength through Kenbunshoku Haki.
From the snippets of conversation she had overheard, she knew he possessed unnatural durability and wielded flames, but that wasn't enough information.
“Durability that even Zepo couldn’t overcome… I wonder who’s tougher… him, or Kaido.”
She unconsciously touched the hilt of Enma at her hip, in her eyes was a flicker of curiosity.
***
As the sun rose, the Straw Hats stared at their ship in wide-eyed astonishment.
“…Why is the Going Merry repaired?”
“See! I told you! Someone was here last night! I saw them! It wasn’t a dream!”
Chopper had snapped off the burning main mast, but now, it had been crudely repaired. The modifications for flight had been removed, some parts apparently repurposed for the mast. Only Zepo or Usopp could have done it, but both claimed they had no memory of it.
“Is there some kind soul on this island repairing ships in the middle of the night?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“But it’s not a flying model anymore.”
“That’s the thing. Whoever did this knew what the Going Merry was supposed to look like.”
Who could it have been? The mystery deepened, but there were no answers. Usopp’s memory of last night was hazy, like a dream. There was no point dwelling on it. He decided to set it aside.
They had a busy day ahead. They would leave the ship docked, with Zepo, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji guarding it. The others would return to the forest, following the path they had taken the previous day, and continue their search for the gold. There was a chance of another Shandia attack, but they also had hostages, the injured Shandia warriors.
“…I thank you for your help, but I won't allow you to enter the forest.”
His words held no weight. Unarmed and injured, Genbo couldn’t stop them. He watched them prepare to leave, a bitter expression on his face, then stood up.
“Hey. Your burns haven't healed yet. You should rest a little longer.”
“Shut up! I’m a warrior too. I have to get back to my comrades! …One of them disappeared yesterday, but there should be five more. I have to warn Wiper.”
Aisa’s words, “The six who are moving separately… their ‘voices’ all sound exactly the same,” also bothered him. Fifteen intruders. Nine Straw Hats. One eliminated. Five remaining. He had a bad feeling about this.
If there were five more like the one they had fought yesterday, even Wiper wouldn't be able to defeat them. Their objective was unknown, but if they were here to destroy the Shandia, they had no chance.
“We shouldn’t fight.”
Sanji, with his keen hearing, caught Genbo’s muttered words.
“…Wait. Five more? What do you mean?”
“…Fifteen intruders in total. The enemy yesterday entered together, then split up. Excluding your crew and the one eliminated, that leaves five.”
“Five more like him…!?”
If they were moving separately, it meant they were confident in their abilities. If the one they had fought yesterday was a Devil Fruit user, perhaps… but reality was rarely so forgiving.
“What are we going to do, Luffy?”
“Doesn’t matter. There might be gold here, right? This kind of adventure doesn't come along every day!”
Luffy laughed. Zoro shrugged, as if he had expected this. Genbo remained standing with a frown. He was exasperated, but there was something else…
“Come to think of it, you said the same thing yesterday. What exactly is this ‘gold’ you keep talking about?”
“Huh?”
Luffy and the others stared at him, bewildered by his serious question. Apparently, gold didn't exist on Skypiea. They had never even seen it.
***
With Genbo still missing, Wiper cleaned his weapons as he puffed his cigarette, his mood foul. According to Aisa, she could still hear the ‘voices,’ but judging by their location, they were likely with the Straw Hats.
Laki approached him.
“Wiper, it’s time.”
“Yeah. How are Kamakiri and Braham?”
“…They’ve regained consciousness. But Braham’s injuries are severe. He shouldn’t fight.”
“…I see.”
Braham, who had fought Zoro, and Kamakiri, who had faced Pedro, had been defeated. Braham, in particular, was badly injured. Wiper, who had fought Luffy, also had some injuries, but they were minor.
They were planning another attack, but their fighting strength was a concern.
“What are we going to do, Wiper?”
“We attack. We can’t abandon Genbo and the others. And we can’t let those intruders roam free.”
This land, their ancestral home, reclaimed after generations of bloodshed nearly twenty years ago, was precious. They wouldn't tolerate this intrusion. The outsiders who had once retreated had returned. They had to be repelled.
“Gather everyone who can fight. We’re driving them off this island, no matter what!”
Burning with rage, Wiper vowed to fight with everything he had.
***
“Now then…”
With her pink hair flowing in the wind, Maraptonoka landed on Upper Yard. Instead of her usual business suit, she wore a black bodysuit for ease of movement. A revolver in her hand, she was ready for a fight.
“Is that really necessary?”
“What are you talking about!? This is between humans–”
“…Fine, do as you please.”
Martin, still in his childlike form, looked exasperated, but ultimately shrugged in resignation. Behind them stood five identical men, also with white wings and flames on their backs.
“Synchronization is perfect. Limited to visual and auditory, but it’s sufficient for reconnaissance.”
“Indeed. Let’s proceed. Our objective is tangible proof that this island is Ohara. We have no business here otherwise… but luring them out would be ideal.”
“You’ll retrieve anything of interest?”
“Of course. If there’s anything interesting, I’ll collect it.”
A Poneglyph, perhaps. Or perhaps, on a Sky Island, there might be undiscovered treasures. With a hint of anticipation, she entered the forest, ready to eliminate anyone who stood in her way.
