124. Goro Goro no Mi

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The difference from before was that there were now two guards from the Tru Kingdom stationed outside the shrine, particularly at the gate.

The moment Anos appeared, they immediately bowed and shouted, "Your Majesty!"

"Is everyone inside?" Anos asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After hearing the response from one of the Royal Guards, Anos smiled slightly and began striding toward the entrance.

However, Enel, who accompanied him, remained bewildered. Just moments ago, he had been on the outskirts, and now, he suddenly found himself at the shrine's gate.

Seeing the composed demeanour of his brother, Anos, Enel snapped out of his thoughts and hurried to follow. The guards at the door did not attempt to stop him.

As they entered, the expansive courtyard revealed priests lounging in the sun, utterly relaxed, with no trace of tension or concern.

They behaved as if they were in their own homes, indifferent to any potential threats.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Tru Kingdom stood guard nearby, ensuring the priests' safety.

As Anos walked deeper into the courtyard, the Tru Kingdom guards stationed there saluted him respectfully, calling out, "Your Majesty!"

It wasn't until their voices rang out that the priests, previously basking in the sun, finally stirred.

They stood up one by one, their curious gazes fixed on the young boy approaching.

From one of the nearby buildings, Abona and Daiki emerged, followed by Gan Fall.

This marked the formal meeting. As the two stepped forward, Anos asked, "Has anything happened?"

"Your Majesty, nothing unusual. Gan Fall has been cooperative with us. In fact, he stayed awake all night, awaiting your arrival," Daiki reported, standing at the forefront.

Anos's gaze shifted to Gan Fall, who appeared fatigued, his face showing signs of sleeplessness.

"Let's talk inside," Anos said calmly, glancing at the surrounding priests. Despite their earlier display of leisure, their expressions remained indifferent, as if the issue of control over Skypiea didn't concern them. To them, it seemed unimportant who held power.

Without addressing the priests further, Anos headed toward the shrine's main hall.

Behind him, Enel hesitated, unsure whether to enter or stay behind. The priests' indifferent attitudes left him feeling uneasy.

The shrine's main hall was striking in its simplicity. Everything, from the walls to the furniture, was crafted from pure white clouds, giving it a solemn and pristine ambience.

Unlike royal palaces below the clouds, there was no throne at the centre. Instead, a large statue dominated the room, holding a purple Devil Fruit in one hand.

The fruit was the first thing anyone noticed upon entering, yet no one had dared touch it.

As Anos entered, he paused, his gaze fixed on the statue's hand.

"Your Majesty, it seems you've noticed it too?" Abona said, stepping forward with a smile.

"The Thunder-Thunder Fruit... One of the strongest Logia Devil Fruits. Are you interested?" Anos asked, smiling faintly at Abona.

"Your Majesty, please don't joke. I have no interest in such things," Abona quickly replied.

"When I saw it yesterday, I thought I was mistaken. But upon closer inspection, it was unmistakable," Daiki added with a wry smile.

"Leave it for now. It will serve its purpose in due time," Anos said, his tone calm yet confident.

The Thunder-Thunder Fruit, if mastered, could create an immensely powerful individual capable of dominating the seas.

Yet, to Anos, its value was insignificant. A person could only eat one Devil Fruit in their lifetime. No matter how powerful the fruit, it held no appeal for him personally.

The shrine's residents also refrained from touching the fruit. It wasn't ignorance but their unwavering faith in their gods that kept them from claiming it.

The statue itself, carved in the image of a female seraph, was strikingly lifelike.

Without dwelling on the statue, Anos turned his attention to the rest of the hall.

The space wasn't large; it could comfortably accommodate forty or fifty people.

A dozen cloud-made chairs lined the sides, blending seamlessly with the white décor.

Choosing not to sit, Anos addressed Gan Fall directly: "Have they explained why we're here?"

"They have, Your Majesty," Gan Fall replied. "But I don't understand why people from the Blue Sea are so interested in controlling Skypiea."

This question had plagued Gan Fall throughout the night. The sky island, suspended 10,000 meters above the Blue Sea, was perilous for anyone attempting to reach it.

A fall from this height meant certain death, even for the strongest of warriors. The logistical challenges of travelling between Skypiea and the Blue Sea made its value seem questionable.

Still, if the struggle for control meant peace for Skypiea's people, Gan Fall felt compelled to seek clarity.

Though aware his strength was no match for theirs, he still believed that as the former ruler, he deserved a reasonable explanation before relinquishing power.

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