Peace: Does anyone know what's wrong with Leone?

Shiho: Other than the fact that she almost twisted my spine yesterday?

Peace: No, when she returned back to the store, she was bloody and beaten. She was carrying her left arm in her hand when I saw her.

Yang: She probably just fought a tough monster or something.

Freddy: It wasn't the first time. Yesterday I saw her getting tossed multiple times in the air over the forest.

Varvula: Someone managed to toss her easily? Is she being bullied?

Shiho:...It's weird to hear "Leone being bullied" in a sentence. Considering she's the strongest in terms of muscle in our group.

Sanya: Should we back her up? Or else they would kill her.

Gwen: You don't need to worry about her.

Raven: Yeah, she's going to be fine.

Varvula: You know what's up with her?

Raven: We'll tell you guys after this chapter's finished.

Varvula: You and your stupid cliff hangers.

"I'm sorry for what I've done to your friend,"

After Shirabe and Kirika freed Kouta from the bandages, the boy immediately kneels on the ground in a dogeza pose apologizing.

"Even if I were under Aoi's control, I cannot justify the actions I took yesterday and today," Kouta insisted desperately. "I only came here to treat her injuries! Its…it's the least I can do after she saved me."

"That's what you were doing?" Shirabe blinked in confusion.

"Well…" He turned away while frowning. "I was trying to wrap the stupid bandages on her, b-but one thing happened to another and…I ended up getting tangled in it."

"..." Shirabe and Kirika stared at him in silence. During the briefing yesterday, Cynthia warned them about Shizuka and Kouta being quite dangerous. If they didn't see Hibiki state, it would be hard to take him seriously.

"I understand that you don't trust me," Kouta took the silence as their answer. He got to his feet and walked towards the exit. "I was going…to stay with her until Luminous Tail or…one of her friends…came…back…"

Upon reaching the doorway, Kouta collapsed onto his girl's suspicions were deleted as they rushed to his prone body.

"Is he…" Kirika asked in concern.

"...No, he just passed out," Shirabe sighed after noticing him exhaling. She and Kirika noticed that he had a lot more bruises and a slightly open scratch mark on his leg. "He must've been more concerned for Hibiki than himself though. He hasn't even attended to his own injuries."

"You're right," Kirika nodded. "It looks like we've got three patients to take care of~!"

Chapter 43: True and Unstoppable Nature

Kamakiri sped along the Milky Road on his Dial-powered surfboard. He along with his companion were scanning the trees for any enemies, whether be Blue Sea or one of Eneru's Enforcers.

Despite how he looks, Kamakiri still wasn't over his injuries he received after saving Laki from Ohm yesterday. This was noticed by his companion wearing a Viking helmet. "Are you okay Kamakiri?"

"Don't worry about me," Kamakiri told him. "Stay focused on our surroundings."

When he reached the gap of the trees, he spotted massive spiral beanstalks in the distance. "Up ahead! I see Giant Jack! We're so close to the roots of Shandora. Eneru must be up there!"

"AHHH~!"

Kamakiri stopped and quickly turned around upon hearing his companions screaming, only to find nothing behind.

"You called?" Eneru's voice echoed. "And I'm right behind you."

Kamakiri spun around again and spotted Eneru sitting on a branch that went over the Milky Road ahead of him. He held onto one of Kamakiri's comrades by the head, dangling over the edge of the branch. He was charred up as smoke emitted out of his body.

"Did you want something, brave Kamakiri of Shandora?" Eneru asked. He casually dropped the fat Shandian as its body landed in the dirt motionless.

"ENERU YOU BASTARD!" Kamakiri roared in anger.

"Have you forgotten who you're speaking to?" Eneru inquired, a bit annoyed by his tone. "I am God after all. I know exactly what you're thinking, warrior. You're wondering why I came down here."

"Mantra?" Kamakiri questioned.

"YAHAHAHA~!" Eneru laughed. "I don't need my Mantra to know what's written on your face. I don't blame you. Normally I don't bother to fight. But this time I'm a player of this Survival Game too. Besides, I'm leaving this island soon. I was just saying goodbye to Gan Fall. Call it Professional Courtesy."

"A game…" Kamakiri clenched his spear in anger. So many of his comrades were killed by Eneru's forces, and he's treating it like a contest. "A GAME!?"

"I also don't need my Mantra to know that you want to kill me right now," Eneru noted with no reaction to Kamakiri's outburst. "Very well. I must admit, you show great courage for reaching me. So I think you deserve a reward. Call it a display of God's Mercy…I'll give you five minutes…For five minutes I won't move a muscle."

"W-What?!" Kamakiri questioned with his voice stuttering.

"I won't dodge your attacks, and I won't fight back. Fry me, skewer me, I am at your mercy," Eneru laughed after explaining to him.

Kamakiri glared hatefully at Eneru looking down on him like he's some kind of bug. "But once those five minutes are up." He continued. "You will see what it means to face God in the very depths of your soul."

"RAHHH~!"

Fueled by anger, Kamakiri tossed a Milky Dial, creating a cloud bridge up towards Eneru. He then rushed up the bridge on his surfboard. "I JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OUT OF YOU!" When got to the end, he leaped into the air, pulling his spear back. "TIME TO DIE!"

Back on the Going Merry, some of the others which George retrieved were resting in the Sickbay after being treated. Those above deck were, Honey, Nami, Lucy, Natsu, Shervan, Happy, Awatsuki, Kinoko, Index, Tsubasa, Gray, Juvia, and surprisingly Tsuchimikado. Since Akita was healing some of the wounded, Yozura was kept tied up beside Jackal along with one other person.

"So they're called the Elite Ultimates?" Nami concurred after hearing Tsubasa and Gray's story.

"Yeah, according to what Kaito said, there are two others on the island," Gray responded. "He mentioned one of his colleges was responsible for the bugs."

"In that case, then the girl that Natsu and I came across is one of them too," Happy added. The images of Maki almost killing Natsu appeared in the cat's head causing him to shudder in fear.

"Did they mention anything about capturing Shervan?" Kinoko questioned while hugging the emerald boy.

"No, but Kaito mentioned looking for Dimanu Heims," Tsubasa replied. "Possibly trying to bring him back on their side."

"If that's the case, then we won't have to worry about them tailing us," Nami declared in relief. "We already have Eneru and the Shandorians on our backs. We don't need Crimson Blood Elites after us."

"You hear that Shervy, they won't be targeting you~!" Kinoko chimed, cuddling Shervan too tightly.

"K-Kinoko, you're squeezing me too hard…" Shervan weakly cried out. He still hasn't recovered from his flight, and his arm is covered in a white towel to ease the sting.

"Still, the Elites are not an opponents to underestimate," Tsubasa stated, ashamed of her defeat.

"I bet I can kick that Astrobot's guys ass," Natsu smirked.

"It's astronaut Lame brain," Gray corrected. "And at least my attacks hit him, compared to your fight with that Assassin Chick."

"I dare you to call me that again Ice-hole~!" Natsu snapped.

"What was that you Flame-tard?!" Gray growled back.

"Those two can still argue after getting their ass handed to them is beyond me," Nami deadpanned while watching the two butt heads at each other.

"Yeah…" Tsubasa couldn't help but let out a light chuckle at the two boy's antiques.

"So let me get this straight…"Lucy began as she and Index were staring down at the guilty Juvia. She was kneeling between Yozura and Jackal, with some of the nun's tooth of wrath marks on her forehead. "After Touma's clumsy misfortune which involved you two kissing, you punched him into the air and a bird captured him?"

"Yes…" Juvia comically wept. "Juvia apologies for my action…Please no more biting!"

"I wish I were there to see that," Jackal chuckled. He was tricked by Nami into wearing a new pair of Sea Prism Stone cuffs.

"I have never seen someone who was more misfortunate than me," Yozura mumbled in awe.

"Honestly, it's kind of hard to believe that all that happened due to his right hand," Lucy sighed before turning to Index. "Is his luck always this bad back in your world?"

"Pretty much," Index said as she shook her head. "At times he would go out to get me some food, and the next he would get himself in the hospital injured."

"And then you would bite him for not feeding you right?" Lucy questioned with a sweatdrop.

"Not all the time," Index shot back pouting. "Most times I punish him for making me worried, and being around girls."

"So you're jealous that your brother's creating a harem?" Jackal questioned.

"He's not my brother, he's…" Index trailed off, as she turned away.

"Your chew toy?" Jackal answered snarkily.

"YOU ZIP IT!" Lucy yelled after slamming her foot into his face.

"E-Either way," Index said, changing the topic. "Touma will definitely return back alive, Injured and beaten up, but alive."

"That's Kamiya for you, getting into ridiculous situations," Tsuchimikado said, joining in the conversation. "And comes back with a woman in his arms."

"Shouldn't you be resting?" Lucy asked in concern while ignoring what he said.

"It's all thanks to my Level 0 Auto-Rebirth," Tsuchimikado announced. "It's slow, but my body can regenerate any life-threatening injuries. I played dead to get Yama off my back, and regenerated."

"Incredible," Lucy said, impressed. "But why is it Level 0 though?"

"It takes about two hours or more depending on the injury," He replied.

KABOOM~!

Something exploded up ahead of the Going Merry, startling everyone on board. After a loud horn blared, a Waver with a bull figurehead appeared.

"HESO~!" Connis called out to them, in the backseat.

"Heso~!" Pagaya greeted, as well. He sat at the front, as he continued to blare the horn.

"Connis and her father?!" Nami questioned. "What're you guys doing here?!"

"QUIT IT WITH THE STUPID HORN~!" Natsu and Gray comically barked.

The Waver also included another passenger, Aisa, who glared at the pirates. She was about to jump off, only for Pagaya to catch her.

"Wait, it's not safe to stay in the forest," He protested, trying to get the girl back in the boat.

"I DON'T CARE LET ME GO!" Aisa yelled, trying to break free. It took a while but Aisa calmed down as she went aboard the pirate ship.

"So who's the kid?" Nami asked, glancing at Aisa, who hid behind Pagaya while glaring at the pirates.

"Oh, this young girl is Aisa," Pagaya introduced. "We found her stranded on our way here. She was almost eaten by a school of sky sharks if we didn't get there on time."

"S-Stay back Blue Devils!" Aisa threatened as she pointed her weapon at them. "Or I'll crush all of you. I am a Shandian Warrior!"

"Oh are you?" Natsu questioned. He along with Gray, Kinoko and Index looked down on the little girl, with a threatening aura. "In that case, we've gotta beef to pick with you gorillas guys."

"I-I'm not scared of you!" Aisa gulped as she tried to act threateningly in front of them.

"What about me?" Happy asked, flying beside her.

"AH~!" Aisa shrieked, pointing at him. "A TALKING BLUE CAT MONSTER!"

"EH?! I'M A MONSTER?!" Happy exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah, you better watch out, Happy will eat you alive if you try anything!" Natsu grinned mischievously while playing along.

"QUIT GIVING THE KID NIGHTMARES~!" Lucy roared while dope-slapping Natsu.

"I apologize for the sudden visit," Pagaya apologized. "Quickly, turn your ship up the path we came from. We used a Milky Dial to create a new path that will lead you to the exit directly to the White-White sea. Now quick before the enemy realizes we're here."

"Then shouldn't you be a little quieter getting here?" Index questioned.

"Oh, that reminds me," Pagaya suddenly realized. He revealed a fixed-up Waver. "I repaired the Waver you brought along from the Blue Sea. Please take it. It belongs to you after all."

"Really?!" Nami cooed as she surveyed the newly repaired Waver. "That's cool!"

"I'm sorry, I forgot to mention," Pagaya said. "This Waver is far more powerful than the normal one."

"Hey, why does it belong to her only!?" Natsu demanded.

"Because she's better at riding the thing than any of us," Gray retorted.

"I haven't ridden on it," Natsu pouted.

"Knowing you, you'll probably break it somehow," Nami retorted bluntly. "Touch it, and I'll feed you to the sky sharks. Got it?"

"A-Aye~!" Natsu and Happy complied nervously.

George managed to warp the unconscious Ray and Megumi onto the deck. But his breathing became heavy as the portal vanished instantly. He was able to gently carry both of them over his shoulders. "Nami," George called out, walking over to her. "I have located Touma. Unfortunately, I'm at my limit with my stamina to create a portal after retrieving these two."

"..." Kinoko glanced at George worriedly. Knowing that George's energy is depleting due to the mark on his chest.

"You deserve it after teleporting some of our wounded back. Go and rest up George," Nami said with a nod. "We'll have our retrieval team pick him and stragglers up."

"Retrieval Team?" Laura and Index questioned.

"Honey, Shervan, Natsu and Happy~!" Nami named, getting their attention. "Why else did I want the four of them in the Home Team?"

"Leave it to us~!" Honey winked.

"Aye~!" Happy added.

"And I don't need to remind a certain someone," Nami said, glancing at Natsu. "About not bothering any of the Ultimate Elites on this island."

"Yeah, Yeah I get it," He scoffed with a pout.

"I-I'm ready," Shervan declared.

"Are you sure you're okay to continue?" Honey asked in concern.

Shervan nodded instantly. "T-The swelling went down a bit. I can still use my powers…"

Aisa glanced at the emerald boy with a mix of fear and confusion. Her mantra was able to detect something off about him. 'What's up with him and why am I hearing three voices inside him?'

The sounds of explosions and battle cries continued to echo in the forest. Despite this, Eneru let out a long yawn, looking uninterested as he sat in the same spot on the tree branch.

"RAHHH~!"

"Oh, you're still here?" Eneru glanced boringly at Kamakiri who charged towards him.

Kamakiri thrust his spear which went straight through the man's head. However, Eneru didn't look phased by being impaled.

Once more, static electricity traveled along Kamakiri's spear and was coursing through his body. "UGHH~!"

"Sorry, I must've dozed off," Eneru stated. Despite his promise to not attack the warrior for five minutes, Kamakiri was the only one in pain. "Is something wrong? You seemed conflicted, Kamakiri. I gave my word, I haven't moved an inch."

The electrical current going through Kamakiri finally stopped, causing him to gasp. "I…I can't beat you…can I?" He wheezed with a bit of smoke emitting out of his body.

"No you can't," Eneru replied. The electricity traveled back up which made Kamakiri gasp in pain again as blood dripped out of his wound. "Do you understand now? I'm living as you might, no man can defeat such Divine Power. Surely as a native of the sky, you have seen flashing lights have you?"

"Since ancient times, men have trembled before the unknown force of nature and worshiped them as Gods," Eneru continued while Kamakiri gritted his teeth in pain."Anything these fools could not comprehend reduces them to abject terror. No matter what happens to mankind for good or for evil, it is always to be set as the work of God. It is inevitable. Mankind can never defeat such disastrous nature. I am one of them. That's what makes me god…Do you understand?"

"RAHH~!" After Eneru's speech ended, Kamakiri jumped back and took out Dial on a stick. When he swiped it, the Dial released a blue invisible gas.

"Amusing a Breath Dial," Eneru noted.

The Shandian warrior then turned up the heat, causing the stick to turn into a long flaming sword that was superior to Todd's. "BURN BLADE~!"

Out of rage, Kamakiri swings his sword, cleaving Eneru along with the top of the tree behind him. As the tree timbered into the forest floor, Eneru was still in the same pose despite being cut, his head and shoulder hovered above his leg and waist while his midsection had vanished.

Eneru's head and legs glowed into light blue lightning.

Knowing that he's been outmatched, Kamakiri leaps off from the tree and speeds away from him as fast as possible. 'I have to tell Wyper. We can't win this fight. Even if he uses the Reject Dial to sacrifice himself, it won't work!'

Once Eneru's body joined back together, he stood up. "It's too late to run now."

'We have to fall back and regroup…or else…' Lightning shot over Kamakiri's head and instantly, Eneru was already in front of him.

"YAHAHAHA~! Did you really think you could move faster than lightning?" Eneru laughed. "You five minutes are up. And now it's my turn."

Time slowed down as Kamakiri turned to escape while Eneru slowly extended his hand. "One Million Volt…"

"WYYYYYYPEEEEEEERRRR~!"

"Vari!"

BZTOOMMMM~!

In the blink of an eye, the sky was illuminated as Kamakiri was consumed by Eneru's deadly lightning attack, coming out of his hand. The Shandian's fried body dropped to the forest floor, landing on his stomach, with his broken glasses landing beside him.

"Hmm?" Amused by his work, Eneru then realized that Kamakiri wasn't the only victim of his lighting.

"Did you hear that?" One of Eneru's enforcers asked his colleague. The two were on the Milky Road.

BZT~!

All of a sudden the two Goatmen were electrocuted by Eneru's lightning strike traveling across the Milky Road. They weren't the only ones as more of God's enforcers along with Shandian warriors who were fighting along the Milky road fell victim to the surge of lighting.

"AHHHHHHH!"

Aisa's sudden scream startled everyone on the Going Merry. The little girl collapsed on her knees with her hands over her ears. Lucy knelt down beside her. "What's wrong, Aisa?!"

"The voices," Aisa muttered in a panic. "They're disappearing."

"Voices?" Lucy questioned.

"Damn," Eneru cursed to himself. "My electricity travels down Milky Road. Seventeen voices were lost due to their stupidity."

Eneru then closed his eyes as he evaluated the remaining fighters on the Island. "In the Upper Yard, 147 people began the Survival Games…

And out of that number seven-six have fallen…

Gonta waves goodbye to Erza, and Todd while carrying Aoi over her shoulder. Little did they know that a large group of Divine Squads eying the two from the trees.

Yama continues to chase after Robin in the stone ruins.

Ohms awaited in an unknown ruins area with Holly by his side.

…One Priest and twenty-four of my Divine Squad still remain…

Levy, Akita, Connis, Awatsuki, and George were helping the wounded below deck.

Natsu with Happy, Shervan, and Honey decided to split up to cover more ground. Once he was all alone, a mischievous grin escaped the young innocent boy's lips.

Zoro and Cure Princess were arguing about which way they should go.

Chopper and Coral were climbing up Giant Jack.

Shirabe and Kirika were helping Kouta up to bed.

…Twenty-seven members of the Blue Sea are still with us...

Wyper gliding along a different section of the Milky Road.

Terra reunited with Simon close to Giant Jack.

Eguchi stretched his back, awoken from his nap.

Dimanu waves at Sinolia and Touma being carried by Fuza.

Eight warriors of Shandora along with seven fighters of Luminous Tail remained.

After his fight with the five, Kaito continued trekking on foot, while looking at his ripped jacket.

Maki sat cross-legged on a meadow, quietly meditating.

And let's not forget the three intruders…who have proven to be quite interesting…

…With that leads seventy fighters on the island." Eneru counted with a frown. "That's more than I predicted they would be…" He then smiled. "No matter, they will all fall one by one…"

A large black stalagmite made of ice erupted below Eneru's previous position as he leaped away. He then twirled his staff as a funnel of black wind flew from above towards him. Eneru managed to disburse it with ease.

"I've been waiting for you, God Slayer," Despite being attacked without warning, Eneru had an amusing grin on his face as he glanced up at Moses who stood on top of the branch." I hope you can be a worthy opponent compared to the God Killer."

"Don't worry…" Moses' cold gaze stared coldly at God. "I will end your Survival Game here and now."

Varvula: Now that we're done with this chapter, spill it you two! Why is Leone getting her ass kicked?!

Raven: Sorry, can't tell. I promise that I won't rat her out.

Gwen: Yeah, it's not like Leone's sparring partner is trying to kill her.

Peace: Sparring partner?

Raven: Yup, she's just sparring with someone who's stronger than her.

Yang: Wait, why doesn't she spar with me?! I'm…sparrible.

Shiho: Sparrible isn't a word…

Yang: Shut up grammar police!

Sanya: Leone isn't going to be killed?

Raven: Hopefully not. I mean the worst she got was her arm getting ripped off right?

Peace/Sanya: That's still a bit concerning.

Freddy: Next Chapter: God vs God Slayer.

Varvula: Still what kind of person is able to beat Leone? And not get their head smashed like a grape.

Yang: Great, now I want grapes.

Shiho: That got dark really fast.