He Was the God

Thunder God, Enel.

A Logia user who had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he could command lightning and possessed a host of incredible abilities.

The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was known as one of the most offensively powerful Logia Devil Fruits.

Beyond controlling lightning, he could turn his body into electricity, rendering most physical and energy attacks ineffective. He could also become lightning and hide inside conductors such as metal.

He could transform into lightning to move rapidly through electric fields, use electromagnetic waves to extend the range of his Observation Haki, and even serve as a power source for a flying ship.

Without question, Enel was a formidable powerhouse on the Grand Line. Even in the New World, his abilities would make him a force to be reckoned with.

He had simply encountered Luffy, a guy blessed with plot armor, early on and suffered a crushing defeat.

And now, following that defeat, Enel was at his most disappointed, lost, and dejected.

If River could find him now and extend an invitation, the chances of recruiting him would be extremely high.

With a little guidance and training, Enel's abilities would make him one of the strongest fighters under River's command.

Crocodile was clearly fascinated by this god River had mentioned. Gazing ahead, he murmured, "A god high above the clouds?"

"I'm looking forward to meeting him!"

River smiled. "He'll give you quite a surprise!"

Time passed as Foxy's Ship wound its way along the river.

Following River's directions, the ship slowly docked at a small island that afternoon.

"Is this the place?"

Crocodile asked.

The island ahead looked rather strange to him. Its base was made of white clouds, while its surface was covered in soil and sand. An ancient building of a distinctly different style stood clearly in view.

Flight after flight of steps led straight to the temple-like pavilion at the top.

"No."

River shook his head. As he studied the familiar building ahead, memories surfaced.

Twenty years ago, he had pursued the Roger Pirates alone and arrived in this world ten thousand meters above the sea.

Here, he had met a boy and built this island.

Everyone disembarked and climbed the steps. Only when they neared the pavilion did they see the three large characters carved into the plaque above its entrance.

Void Night Palace.

Crocodile's pupils contracted, and he instinctively looked at River beside him.

"That's right. I built this place!"

River nodded.

He walked at the front. As his footsteps rang out, wisps of wind swept past, stirring the fallen leaves on the steps.

Soon, they reached the pavilion. Its doors stood open, but the interior was pitch-black, leaving everything inside hidden from view.

Suddenly, Crocodile's gaze sharpened. Looking inside, he raised his right hand, sand gathering in his palm. "Who's there? Come out!"

His keen senses told him someone was inside the pavilion.

River remained calm, watching ahead.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

Footsteps followed, and a tall, burly figure appeared before them, with dark skin and white feathered wings on his back.

"H-he's so tall!"

Foxy and the others tilted their heads back in shock. The man emerging from the pavilion cast a shadow over him, blocking out the sunlight.

The man was enormous, nearly four and a half meters tall. His limbs were thick, his muscles bulged, and his entire body radiated strength.

"Twenty years. You've finally returned!"

The moment the man stepped out of the pavilion, his eyes locked onto River.

An overwhelming aura rolled off him, making Crocodile, Foxy, and the others tense involuntarily.

"Nien, you're still guarding this place!"

River's expression grew complicated as he looked at the newcomer.

"I promised you I would be your Palace Guardian!"

Nien's voice rumbled.

He was bare-chested, with loose shorts and bare feet. In his right hand, he held a strange metal staff that gleamed with a dark luster.

"Thank you."

River sighed softly.

Twenty years ago, he had pulled Nien from the river. Even then, the boy had stood over two meters tall, despite being only twelve or thirteen.

Now, he had reached four and a half meters, with a physique so powerful it inspired admiration.

"But I cannot leave this place, so I have no way of knowing how the other candidates for Numbered Ones in Void Night are doing."

Nien spoke gravely.

That year, Void Night had only just been founded. The man before him had become its Palace Guardian, receiving River's gift and gaining tremendous power.

He had met several Numbered Ones, all powerful seniors. But after that, he had heard nothing more of them.

"Is that so?"

River sighed softly.

The former Numbered Ones had died or grown old, and all had vanished without a trace. Since leaving Impel Down, he had not found a single clue.

Still, he held out little hope on that front.

He only needed to rebuild Void Night and recruit new Numbered Ones. What he had done twenty years ago had merely been a beginning.

"I've returned to rebuild Void Night and recruit new Numbered Ones."

After a long pause, River spoke softly.

"I will support you with everything I have!"

"And continue serving as Void Night's Palace Guardian!"

Nien said solemnly.

"Good!"

River smiled. After a brief pause, he continued.

"But I need to learn about the current situation on Sky Island."

"Tell me everything you know!"

Nien sat down on the ground, crossed his legs, and slowly began to speak.

"Sky Island was once ruled by the god Enel. He's a powerful man."

"He came here a few years ago, but left in the end."

Those words made River narrow his eyes.

Given Enel's personality, he could not possibly have come just to look around. He had most likely fought Nien.

"A few days ago, several Blue Sea People arrived and defeated Enel."

Nien slowly raised his head again and asked in a solemn voice.

"So, my lord, the purpose of your journey must be the defeated Enel, correct?"

River paused in surprise, then realized that the man before him was also highly proficient in Observation Haki.

Nien had already awakened his Observation Haki when River first met him.

"That's right. Enel is my target."

Nien nodded at that. "He would indeed make a suitable Numbered One."

Then he slowly rose and struck the ground with his metal staff. The earth shook with a bang, and a crack split its surface.

"I know where he is."

His eyes shone as he gazed ahead, flashes of light passing through them.

"I can see every person and object here!"

River smiled and went to pat his shoulder, only to realize that the boy had grown far too tall for him to reach.

"Sorry for the trouble, Nien!"

With Nien leading them, the group moved faster.

They passed through the dense jungle. Roughly three hours later, as evening approached, they spotted a figure flickering with blue arcs of electricity in a deep, secluded valley.

He had long earlobes, a white cloth wrapped around his head, a bare torso, and four Thunder Drums behind his back. His legs were crossed and his eyes tightly shut as he hovered in midair.

He looked somewhat battered and seemed to be healing himself.

Bzzzt!

Blue arcs crackled around his body, radiating a majestic, oppressive aura.

Suddenly, the cross-legged figure raised his head and snapped his eyes open, staring straight at them.

Crackle!

A streak of lightning seemed to flash through the air.

"Mortals!!"

His commanding voice shook the air as his icy gaze fell upon them all.

Foxy and the others were horrified. Their pupils contracted, and their entire bodies trembled.

"H-he's the god?!"