Enel and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit

Two days later, the small boat entered the Birka region.

Before they even reached shore, Urouge could not help asking, "How are we supposed to find that thing? Should we ask the people here for help?"

"There's a temple where you're from. They should have something similar here, so we can just go straight there."

Van had long since considered how to find the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

This Devil Fruit had been gone for years. It had surely respawned somewhere in Birka, and it had to be in an unfrequented place. Otherwise, someone would have found it before Enel.

Birka was only so large, its resources relatively scarce, and its buildings nowhere near as complex as those of the Blue Sea.

Therefore, they could basically rule out any place in or around town that residents could easily visit, including their own homes.

What place could residents not enter and remain unchanged year after year?

Without a doubt, it was a center of power like a temple, specifically some rarely used and neglected area within it.

As long as Enel had not eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit yet, it was most likely there.

"They won't let outsiders in, will they?"

After docking the boat, Urouge looked somewhat worried.

As a fellow Skypiean, he did not want to see this place drenched in blood or even mercilessly destroyed.

"You can try persuading them first. If they agree, that would naturally be for the best."

"If they refuse, then sorry, but I can only reason with them."

Van jumped off the boat and headed straight toward the town at a brisk pace.

"I'll lead the way!"

Urouge quickly caught up, moving ahead of Van as he entered the town first.

"That guy is so tall. I don't think I've seen him before."

"Huh! Why doesn't the person behind him have wings?"

"Maybe he's like Enel—another arrogant fool who thinks being different makes him superior to everyone else."

"That one has even more nerve. At least Enel only talks big and doesn't dare act on it."

"Removing your wings means a public trial. If you're thrown in prison and still refuse to repent, your life is over..."

Hearing the residents' discussion, Urouge showed no particular reaction, but Van smiled.

Their words had revealed two things: Enel had a bad reputation, and he possessed no great power. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was still here.

Van stopped a little girl and asked kindly, "Can you tell me where this Enel they mentioned is?"

Perhaps because she was shy around strangers, the little girl took several steps back and hid behind a passerby.

Afraid Van would get angry, Urouge immediately stepped forward and asked the passerby, "I'm from another Sky Island. I have business with your leader. Can you show me the way?"

"The God has lived in the temple year-round. It's in the center of town, so you can go there yourself."

The passerby pointed in a direction, then added, "Enel is a temple guard. Your friend doesn't have wings, so he'd better not go there."

"Temple guard... removing wings... trial and imprisonment... I think I understand."

Van said something cryptic, then headed for the center of town.

"I told you not to go. Don't blame me if something happens."

The passerby looked thoroughly unlucky as he hurriedly pulled the little girl away. The onlookers nearby also quickly dispersed.

Urouge caught up to Van and asked cautiously, "Is there something special about that guy called Enel?"

Van did not answer, because Enel had already arrived, followed by four Skypieans dressed like divine soldiers.

These four were the future four priests. They were probably close to Enel, which was why they would later be entrusted with important positions.

"Hey! Which Sky Island are you from? Why did you enter without permission?"

Enel eyed Van and Urouge sideways, his long earlobes swaying as he cut a rather comical figure.

"I'll leave them to you. Bring them to the temple to see me later!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Van's figure flashed, and he appeared behind Enel.

By the time Enel sensed something was wrong and turned around to check, Van had already vanished from the street.

"Take me to the temple, and I won't lay a hand on you." Urouge cracked his knuckles. "Or I'll knock you down and drag you there."

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

The divine soldier wearing a flight cap flew into a rage. He slapped his waist, and a knight's lance made of Iron Cloud appeared in his hand.

Seeing this, Enel and the other three also took out Dials and summoned their weapons.

Though Urouge was unarmed, he showed no fear and immediately clashed with them.

Meanwhile, Van had arrived at the temple entrance and unfolded his Operation Room.

It was called a temple, but it was merely a flashy, nearly fifty-meter-tall structure made of solid cloud. From its roof, one could indeed overlook the entire town.

But in essence, it was only a shell protecting the circular wooden building inside, preventing outsiders from peering in.

The so-called God did not live inside the wooden building. Instead, he had spread a layer of soil across the empty space in the center and set up several tents as his residence.

In terms of comfort, it was definitely inferior to the homes of ordinary Skypieans.

"That guy doesn't have wings. He's probably from the Blue Sea."

"Quick! Capture him! If we can find a Blue Sea man's ship, it'll be a huge achievement!"

"Perfect, Enel isn't here, so no one can compete with us..."

A large group of divine soldiers streamed out of the temple and surrounded Van.

Shockwave Impact!

Van raised a hand and clenched it. The interior of the Operation Room immediately began to vibrate, producing continuous shockwaves.

In an instant, every divine soldier suffered internal injuries, and cries of agony rose one after another.

Only after they coughed up blood and collapsed did Van stop, then stroll into the temple at an unhurried pace.

There was no one left standing inside either. He went directly to the rear of the wooden building and pushed open a door.

Because it had not been ventilated for years, a stench of mildew and old wood rushed at him, making him frown slightly.

"A pile of junk... But luckily it's junk. That's why no one discovered it all these years. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is hidden here."

"And I should thank every previous God. They would rather let this junk rot than take it out and distribute it to their subordinates and residents."

Van extended his hand, and an old wooden box buried beneath miscellaneous clutter in a corner instantly vanished and appeared in his palm.

When he opened the box, a bright yellow, pear-shaped fruit that looked as though it had been tempered by lightning appeared before his eyes.

"This thing is crucial. I can't handle it carelessly."

Van used his ability to dismantle the wooden building and tents, creating a new wooden box and a backpack. He carefully stored away the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

Afterward, he walked out of the temple, sat by the entrance, and pondered as he waited.

How should I deal with Enel? Are those four future priests qualified to establish a Fate Event?

"System, I want to designate the divine soldier Shura as an anchor and establish a Fate Event."

Van remembered someone named Shura, so he simply used him as a test.

[System evaluation in progress...]

[Evaluation failed. Event cannot be established.]

"Since that won't work, designate Enel as the anchor and establish a Fate Event."

Van was not disappointed. The four priests had only been minor characters in the original story. They were not Devil Fruit users and had merely a simple hostile relationship with the Straw Hat crew.

If it had worked, he would have found it strange instead.

[System evaluation in progress...]

[Evaluation passed! Congratulations, Host. You have consumed 2,000 points to construct the Fate Event: Choice.]

[Fate Anchor: Enel]