Sword God and Thunder God

"Blue Sea dweller, if you can withstand this move, I shall acknowledge your status." Enel floated in the air, looking down at Lu Zhuo below as he spoke in a deep voice.

The reason Enel always appeared so high and mighty in the original story was that the people around him were too weak—so weak that even if they all joined forces, they would be crushed in a single blow.

To him, the only goal worth pursuing was reaching Fairy Vearth, the moon.

But when someone with strength comparable to his own appeared before him, he treated Lu Zhuo as an equal, rather than looking at him with the gaze of a god observing a mortal.

The corner of Lu Zhuo's mouth twitched slightly. Is that so? It seems Enel isn't a complete fool after all.

Watching the Thunder Dragon descend from the sky, Lu Zhuo gritted his teeth, gripped Kitetsu with both hands, and began to move in a rhythmic dance.

Phantom Sword Dance!

As the sword in his hands moved faster and faster, a powerful aura gradually condensed, one that even exerted a faint pressure on Enel.

Is the sword intent about to fully manifest? This thought crossed Lu Zhuo's mind, but he had no time to dwell on it, pouring all his focus into the swordsmanship before him.

"Hah!"

With a loud shout from Lu Zhuo, the butterfly-like sword light, condensed from countless strikes, finally took shape.

He swung his sword down slowly yet firmly, and instantly, the massive, butterfly-shaped sword light flew out, colliding head-on with the Thunder Dragon charging down from the sky.

This Phantom Sword Dance was more powerful than when he had fought Crocodile, as Lu Zhuo's body had grown stronger, allowing him to unleash more strikes.

BOOM!

A deafening roar, accompanied by a light as intense as the sun, forced everyone watching to instinctively close their eyes.

The earth cracked inch by inch, and the surrounding trees were swept into the gale, instantly turning into countless fragments, then charring, and finally pulverizing into dust!

The collision between the sword light and the lightning created a massive slaughterhouse. Everything in the vicinity was mercilessly shredded, electrocuted, and pulverized.

"Is... is this really power that a human can possess?"

Watching this scene, one of the completely stunned Shandia whispered tremblingly.

"Gods... they really are gods!" someone standing on the edge of the shaking island shouted in terror.

Wyper suddenly kicked him away and roared, "They aren't gods, they are human too! Our chance has come, follow me!"

Hearing Wyper's words, the others gradually regained their resolve, their eyes showing determination as the group quickly headed deep into Upper Yard.

However, a flicker of terror flashed deep in Wyper's eyes.

Could they really be gods...?

Gan Fall, Kohl, you fools, to think you actually handed Upper Yard over to such a group.

On the other side, Nami stood on the Holy Sword, looking at Robin with concern, and asked, "Lu... how is the battle of the gods going?"

Robin slowly opened her eyes and shook her head. "The clash between that terrifying sword light and the thunder was too intense; I could not continue watching. However, it seems the Sword God has not fallen into a disadvantage."

Conis, standing beside them, had a look of astonishment in her eyes.

That person... no, that god, is he really as powerful as Lord Enel?

Standing while leaning on his sword, everything around Lu Zhuo had been leveled; within a radius of nearly a hundred meters, nothing remained.

Lu Zhuo panted a few times, looking at Enel, who also appeared slightly fatigued in the air, and said indifferently, "Not bad... your strength is great; you are worthy of the title of Thunder God!"

Although it looked like Lu Zhuo had been forced into a passive defense, appearing to be at a disadvantage, a swordsman was one of the most dangerous professions. If Lu Zhuo were to fight to the death now, he was still confident he could take Enel down with him.

Enel was well aware of this. Although Lu Zhuo looked a bit disheveled, he hadn't suffered any substantial damage, having only expended some stamina.

Moreover, in the clash between the Phantom Sword Dance and the Thunder Dragon, it was the Thunder Dragon that had been extinguished.

Although Enel still had his "Raigo" technique, he didn't believe Lu Zhuo lacked even stronger sword moves.

"You are also strong, Blue Sea dweller—oh no, I respect you as a fellow god-like existence."

Lu Zhuo looked up and said coldly, "I am the Sword God, Lu Zhuo."

"I am the Thunder God, Enel. If we continue to fight, neither of us will be able to bear the consequences. Besides, a group of ants is heading this way. Shall we call a truce?"

"Agreed!" Lu Zhuo replied instantly. He then sheathed his sword and looked at Enel. "I intend to reside here for a while. I have no interest in any of your plans, nor will I interfere."

Enel looked at Lu Zhuo with some surprise, thought for a moment, and nodded.

After all, if Lu Zhuo insisted on staying, he couldn't drive him away unless he fought him to the death.

But that was completely unnecessary. This was only their first meeting, and there was no real hatred between them. The previous talk of divine majesty was merely posturing—a matter of pride before mortals.

Since both were gods and equals, neither felt truly offended by the other.

Glancing at Enel, Lu Zhuo said faintly, "Those ants... I leave them to you."

With that, he turned and left.

In this battle, although he had extinguished the Thunder Dragon and his sword dance had wounded Enel, his body had still been struck by lightning. Fortunately, Kitetsu had absorbed the vast majority of the electricity, so he hadn't been harmed; instead, the stimulation had only made the cells in his body more vibrant.

Furthermore, his battle with Enel had deepened his comprehension of sword intent, leaving him seemingly only a hair's breadth away from becoming an intermediate swordsman. Consequently, he had also made many new discoveries regarding Observation Haki, mastering a few finer details.

Although he could not cultivate it directly yet, he was certain he would learn it after a few more bouts.

Lu Zhuo thought to himself, while in the distance, Enel, having regained his indifferent expression, had no idea he was already being treated by Lu Zhuo as a target for sword practice.

On the Holy Sword, seeing Lu Zhuo with his clothes in tatters and disarray, Nami no longer cared about Conis standing nearby and shouted directly, "Lu Zhuo... are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Had a scrap with Enel; it was a draw. Still, the Goro Goro no Mi is truly a powerful fruit. If that guy Enel had mastered Armament Haki and possessed better physical techniques, he would probably be on par with Borsalino (Kizaru) among the Admirals." Waving his hand to signal he was unharmed, Lu Zhuo sighed.

"In other words, your plan has already succeeded?" Seeing that Nami and Lu Zhuo were no longer acting, Robin naturally stopped pretending as well. Looking at the strong muscles exposed through Lu Zhuo's shredded clothes, she couldn't help but blush slightly.

Lu Zhuo flashed over to Robin's side, chuckled, and said, "Of course. I'll take you to find the Poneglyph right away."

Robin dodged Lu Zhuo's hand and laughed as she stepped aside.

Watching this scene, Conis's beautiful eyes widened instantly.

Isn't this person a god? Why?

Lu Zhuo didn't mind not getting his way. Looking at Conis, whose small face was filled with astonishment, he chuckled and said, "Well, from now on, you are my companion."

Having domineeringly declared Conis's status, Conis shook her head, recovering from her shock.

Just as she was about to refuse, she saw Lu Zhuo straighten his face and say in a deep voice, "This is a god's command..."

"Uh, okay..." Conis, wanting to cry but having no tears, looked at Lu Zhuo, who had mastered the art of changing faces, and no longer knew what to do.