Upper Yard, at the edge of a deep pit amid the ancient ruins.
Enel lay among the rubble. Though covered in wounds, his arrogant face still bore a hint of defiant acceptance. He looked up at the black-haired young man before him and finally admitted that after six years of lording it over the sky, he had indeed run into an immovable object powerful enough to turn the world upside down.
"Rustle..."
Soft footsteps sounded from the bushes nearby.
"Looks like your fight's over too, Captain."
Sabo emerged first from the forest's shadows. His fine tailcoat had several gaping tears in it, and he smelled of gunpowder, but his blue eyes shone with triumphant exhilaration.
Then came the heavy rumble of machinery.
Jeno strode over the rubble, carrying an enormous Hydraulic Power Hammer. Several Sky Island Dials he'd stolen from the Priests had been conspicuously fitted onto his already rough Mechanical Exoskeleton, giving him the air of a walking industrial weapon that warned everyone to keep their distance.
Leona followed close behind, carrying two bloodstained Bone-Cleaving Blades. She showed no sign of fatigue from her injuries. Instead, her slit pupils gleamed with the wild excitement of a hunt just ended.
Last to appear were a sweat-soaked Buggy and Carina, sitting on his shoulder and leisurely holding a chart. The parrot, Beli, circled above them, diligently serving as their radar. To clarify, Ace had called Buggy over using Carina's Devil Fruit ability.
"Everyone's here."
Ace turned and looked at his companions, whose presence had grown ever more imposing. A hearty smile curled his lips. "Looks like those so-called Priests and trials didn't give you any real trouble."
"Tch. Just a bunch of bumpkins who rely too much on their toys." Jeno scoffed. His gaze swept casually over Enel at the bottom