45 Chapter 45 : Ordeal of Balls

[Sanji and Usopp, though hesitant, realized there was no better choice at this moment.]

"In that case, we'll trust Luffy's instincts!"

[With these words, Usopp closed his eyes, summoned his courage, and steered the ship towards the entrance of the Ordeal of the Balls...]

[Soon, after traversing a long, dim tunnel, the group arrived at a colossal waterfall.]

[In the air, countless small white orbs drifted mysteriously.]

[Luffy, always curious, couldn't resist reaching out to touch one, but...]

[A venomous serpent emerged from it!]

[Luffy, startled, instinctively punched it away.]

[Simultaneously, a small orb floated in front of Yamaji, who impatiently thought it might also contain a serpent and promptly kicked it away...]

BOOM!!!

[The resounding explosion sent Sanji and Usopp, who were standing nearby, flying.]

[At that moment, the three finally grasped the nature of the Ordeal of the Balls.]

[It turned out that the numerous white orbs floating here concealed various dangers, making it as thrilling as opening a blind box.]

[Suddenly, a peculiar individual, resembling a spherical shape, appeared before the trio.]

[Luffy recognized him instantly; it was one of the three priests who had pursued the Skypiea residents before.]

[Realizing he was an adversary, Luffy wasted no time and unleashed a Gum-Gum Pistol!]

[However, the priest appeared to anticipate the attack, effortlessly evading it while keeping his back to them. He then swiftly approached Luffy, raising his palm...]

BOOM!!!

[A potent air cannon sent Luffy hurtling away...]

The Red-Haired Pirates!

"Is this..."

Beckman and the others stood up instantly.

As seasoned individuals, they could discern at a glance that this spherical deity...

Mastered Haki!

"Observation and Armament Haki..."

"Is this one of Enel's four priests?"

The expressions on several faces soured.

They were aware that Luffy and his crew were yet to master Haki in any form. For foes who could employ Haki—whether through Observation or Armament—it posed a severe threat.

Initially, Enel, who had not yet made an appearance, had already cast a shadow over the battle, seemingly insurmountable.

Now, even his subordinates were demonstrating Haki...

Could Luffy and his crew genuinely triumph?

What perplexed everyone even more was...

"Countless small white orbs suspended in the air?"

"Air cannons expelled from one's palm, potent enough to shock a flyer?"

"These abilities... could this priest be a Devil Fruit user as well?"

At this moment, doubt clouded everyone's minds.

Even Shanks couldn't be certain...

As they had heard about Skypiea but had never ventured there, they remained unfamiliar with the creatures and weaponry in that realm.

If this Haki-wielding God also possessed a Devil Fruit power...

The battle would become significantly more perilous!

Just as the Red-Haired Pirates and others grappled with confusion, and nearly all factions watching the live broadcast were similarly bewildered...

The ongoing footage provided clarification!

[Luffy soared backward, grimacing in pain...]

[Usopp was astounded; Luffy possessed the Rubber Fruit, which granted him substantial immunity to physical assaults. How could these ordinary strikes inflict such agony?]

[The spherical priest grinned, "It's not a punch; it's a shock!"]

["A shock?" Luffy and his two companions looked baffled, but they didn't hesitate and attacked him again.]

[Yet, a dire scenario unfolded...]

[The priest seemingly foresaw their movements, deftly evading their attacks every time, preempting their strikes!]

[Even when Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp attacked in unison, they could only be passive targets, incapable of counterattacking!]

[Moreover, the priest sent their boats, which had rested on the clouds' river, drifting away...]

[With no boats, they were stranded, unable to move. Luffy instructed Usopp and Sanji to retrieve the boats while he remained to confront the priest.]

[However... the outcome remained the same.]

[With a triumphant expression, the priest employed an ability called (Mantra) "Heart Net," predicting each of their impending moves!]

[The shockwaves unleashed from his palm, known as "Shock Shells," were exclusive weapons of Skypiea!]

[Although these explanations left Luffy and his comrades bewildered, they were unaware...]

[That the priest's gloating would soon be his downfall!]

[Meanwhile...]

[Nami, Chopper, Robin, and Zoro, accompanied by Merry, found themselves at the Altar of Judgment.]

[Although they were wholly unfamiliar with their surroundings, they had no intention of remaining idle.]

[They entrusted Merry to guard the ship and, joined by Nami, they cautiously navigated the shark-infested waters around the altar, setting off into the forest to search for clues.]

[However, danger lurked once more...]

[A man mounted on a bizarre, giant bird swiftly approached!]

[He was none other than one of Enel's four priests, with a mere three percent chance of survival...]

[The Rope Trial Priest!]

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