Enel challenged Lott

It was the first time Gan Fall and the chief had heard of the "New World." They did not know where it was, and confusion showed on their faces.

"This world is divided into the Four Blues and the Grand Line, and the Grand Line is further divided into its first and second halves. Sky Island is in the first half.

"So, if we want to establish ourselves in the New World, we need formidable strength."

After listening to Lott's explanation, the two elders understood why he wanted to move Sky Island to the New World.

They exchanged a glance and both nodded.

Gan Fall said, "We know little about the world of the Blue Sea to begin with. Our people have lived on this island for generations, so wherever you intend to move Sky Island, God, it won't actually make much difference."

The chief also spoke up. "Then when do you intend to move it, God?"

Lott's brows furrowed slightly. After thinking it over, he said, "Within a year at most. So we need to improve our strength during that year."

Gan Fall nodded and replied, "Starting tomorrow, I'll organize the people of Angel Island to build homes and shopping streets according to the plans."

The Shandia chief also said, "Then I'll lead the Shandia in clearing and putting the surroundings in order."

Looking at the two eager elders, Lott could not help feeling a surge of respect. These were two old men who had spent their entire lives striving for their peoples' prosperity.

He handed them a bag of Senzu Beans.

"God, what are these?"

"A miraculous medicine that can heal any injury within minutes, no matter how severe, as long as the person still has a breath left."

After hearing Lott's explanation, the two elders hesitated. "This..."

"There are two thousand in here. Come to me for more when you run out."

The chief said, "Such precious pills, we..."

Before he could finish, Lott waved a hand. "I have plenty of these. Don't be stingy with them. Accidents are inevitable during construction, so keep them as a precaution."

"Besides, you'll need them to help with your training later. Just consider them a gift from your god."

The two elders were about to kneel in thanks, but Lott waved his hand and stopped them with electromagnetic force. "With me, and throughout the Xia Kingdom, there's no need to kneel like that. Not now, and not in the future."

The two elders nodded, feeling the responsibility on their shoulders grow a little heavier.

Lott said, "Thank you both for your hard work."

The two old men exchanged a look, and Gan Fall said, "Not at all. We're already deeply honored to be able to help you, God."

With that, they headed back first to study the plans Lott and Kuro had drawn up.

Kuro also returned to the Shrine to make detailed plans for the construction ahead.

Only after watching everyone leave did Lott raise his head to gaze at the jade disk of the moon, identical to the one in his previous life. He could not help beginning to doubt whether he could truly fulfill his dream.

"Sigh... what a daunting task."

Suddenly, he felt a small, warm hand wrap around his own. Tilting his head, he saw Nami's delicate face.

"Lott, I believe you can do it. And I'll always support you." The girl's clear eyes shone so brightly in the moonlight.

Lott gently stroked the back of Nami's hand and nodded. "I will."

Nami knew how grand Lott's dream was, but he did not want Lott to wear himself out so much. He leaned gently against Lott's shoulder. "Lott, don't push yourself too hard."

Lott looked at Nami, his eyes full of tenderness. He was hardly a paragon of restraint around women, but he could only wait until the girl matured before devouring her.

The next day, the morning sun shyly showed half its face, bringing Sky Island its first hint of morning warmth.

Lott was already flying through the air early that morning, planning the use of each plot of land. He flew over the site of last night's feast.

Looking at the scene below, he felt a sense of accomplishment rise within him, along with a sense of responsibility.

Traces of the previous night still lingered at the bonfire feast's venue, where many people now lay sprawled every which way on the ground.

Some were hugging one another, some were piled on top of one another, and some were even sleeping with their arms around wild wolves.

Clearly, they had enjoyed themselves far too much last night.

Lott smiled, shook his head, and flew off into the distance.

"Wyper, take your squad this way."

"Kamakiri, take a squad this way."

"Laki, take Aisa and this squad over there."

The chief, who had risen early, was already directing the Shandia in clearing the land.

Next, Lott flew to another stretch of coast.

There, too, he saw Gan Fall directing Angel Island's residents as they used island cloud to build temporary roads.

Lott nodded in satisfaction. He knew that whether they were Shandia or residents of Angel Island, nothing would make them happier than building a peaceful, prosperous country of their own.

Thinking that all these lovable, simple people would become citizens of the Xia Kingdom, Lott felt that his seemingly distant dream was now within reach.

Lott saw so much along the way that it felt unreal. This island ten thousand meters above the sea had actually become his territory.

For a moment, a powerful sense of belonging welled up within him again.

"Looks like I'll have to hurry and move Alabasta up here too."

After returning to the Shrine, Lott called Kuro and the others to the plaza.

"My friends, we may have to put our voyage on hold for a while. After all, we're a little different from ordinary pirates. Only by establishing a base of our own will we have a chance to stand against 'God.'"

Kuro and the others looked at Lott, smiles curling their lips.

Nami said, "Lott, I'll support you no matter what you do."

Ling'er said, "Same here."

Crocodile blew a smoke ring. "Building a country with our own hands that can stand against the World Government... just thinking about it is a little exciting."

Ling'er said, "Same here."

Kuro said, "A country where we no longer have to fear pursuit or flee for our lives will give all our future journeys roots. I'm willing to do my part."

Ling'er said, "Same here."

Robin said, "Writing history ourselves sounds rather nice."

Ling'er said, "Same here."

Zoro said nothing, but kept nodding.

Enel said nothing either. Knowing this was meant to oppose the "God" of the Blue Sea, he wholeheartedly approved as well.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Lott was somewhat moved. "Thank you for forgiving my selfishness."

At that moment, his heart was filled with gratitude-gratitude that he had crossed over into this world, and gratitude that he had a group of companions willing to join him in his madness regardless of the consequences.

It was something he would never have dared imagine in his previous life. Here, he found fulfillment in feelings he had never experienced back then.

Perhaps this was why most One Piece fans loved this world.

Kuro spoke up then. "For now, let's print out and post the laws and systems we drafted earlier. That will make it easier for the people to cooperate with our work going forward."

Lott nodded in agreement.

The afternoon sunlight streamed horizontally from one side of the sea of clouds. At that moment, the rolling clouds were tinged with a faint rosy red, like a swarm of Antarctic krill chasing one another.

Meanwhile, two people stood facing each other in the plaza before the Shrine.

Many people were sitting on the Shrine's eaves. Aside from Lott's crew, there were Wyper, Gan Fall, the Shandia chief, Laki, Aisa, and others.

"Nami, why do you think Enel's lost his mind enough to challenge Lott?" Ling'er tilted her head toward Nami, her face full of puzzlement.