This is the 38th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.

War Demon Wyper's Resolve!

Searching for the treasures of the lost City of Gold, the crew splits up into Nami's escape team and Luffy's exploration team. Agreeing to meet again at the Eastern Shore, they set out. Unfortunately, while heading south toward the ancient ruins, Luffy's team is attacked by a giant snake...and separated. Meanwhile, Wyper and the Shandorian warriors head for God's Shrine to defeat Eneru, but using all-seen 'Mantra', Eneru had his priests set up their Ordeals across the whole island. The Survival Game has begun.

Upper Yard

While the Shandorians are continuing to make their way to the Upper Yard to fight against the priests, Nami and her crew continued to sail across the cloud while making their way to the Eastern Short and avoiding the dangers in the jungle. Gan Fall continued to explain what happened at Skypiea since the Straw Hats have the right to know about what was going on in Skypeia. He started by telling them about the Sky Warfare.

"When we first met, I acted as a soldier for hire to protect you, because you Blue Sea Dwellers are unfamiliar with the ways of Sky Warfare." Gan Fall explains.

"Sky Warfare?" Usopp repeats, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Hmm...perhaps if you move that barrel over here." Gan Fall suggested.

"A barrel?" Nami, Usopp, and Sanji repeats as they did as he instructed while placing a dial at the top of it and the cook has a hammer leaning on his shoulder.

"Now observe." Gan Fall said, watching and showing the demonstration of how it works.

"Would someone explain to me why we're doing this." Nami said with a shrug.

"Better yet, why didn't you tell us about those dials what was used during the fight against those priests?!" Ventus adds.

"All will be clear." Gan Fall answered without looking at them. "Now, strike that shell with all of your might, young man."

Sanji glances over at Gan Fall with skeptic look on his face while holding the iron mallet on his shoulder, but Usopp looked at him with a serious expression on his face because he doesn't want the Going Merry damaged any further than it already is.

"Take it easy, Sanji." Usopp warns him sternly. "If you put a hole in my deck, I'll put a enough holes on you to make a Swiss cheese jealous!"

"Hit it with all the strength you've got." Gan Fall told him.

"HEY! HAVE A LITTLE RESPECT FOR OTHER PEOPLES PROPERTY WHEN YOU ARE A GUEST, OLD MAN!?" Usopp yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth, waving his fist.

"Well, it's your shell, old timer." Sanji said with a puff of smoke out of his mouth, as he winds up the iron hammer with a grunt.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Do you have to wind-up into it like that?!" Usopp protests, but it's too late when Sanji slams his hammer down at the shell, but instead of destroying it, the shell absorbs the impact, keeping it and the barrel intact which leaving Sanji, Nami, Ventus, and Caius shocked. But Usopp looks at him in disappointment. "Whoa, that was just sad. I know I said, 'take it easy', but you didn't have to be that pathetic. You didn't even put a ding in that barrel."

"I don't think that's the case, Usopp." Caius told him, looking at the Impact Dial. "The shell absorbs that impact."

"He's right, I gave that swing everything I had. Like I was really putting a hole on the deck." Sanji agrees with a ponder, after moving the hammer away and looking at the shell.

"Hey now!" Usopp said as steam comes out of the shell.

"It sounds crazy, but it's like the shell absorbed all of the force of the impact." Sanji continues, leaving them agape with their jaws dropped.

"Now, if you be so good as to turn the shells holes towards the barrel and lightly press the tip of the back." Gan Fall suggests as Sanji grabs the shell. "You're familiar with the operation of dial power, yes?"

Sanji then crouches down, placing the shell on the side of the barrel as he presses the apex, causing the shell to fire the impact and destroyed the barrel as dust appears, sending him flying against the railing. Usopp and Nami scream in fright while Ventus and Caius were blocking the wood debris, which one of them knocked the marksman out and causing him to grab hold of the wooden railing. Soon as the dust is cleared, leaving only a destroyed barrel and the shell on the deck as they look at the dial that has much impact.

"That, my friends, is an Impact Dial. It absorbs any impact it receives and then releases the energy when its pressed." Gan Fall explains, motioned the palm of his hand. "It is frequently affixed to the palm of the hand with the glove or a bandage. A direct hit from one of these has more than enough power to kill an average person easily."

Sanji, Usopp, and Caius then remembered the time during the fight against Satori back at the Ordeal of Spheres.

"I know." Sanji said seriously, glances at Usopp and Caius. "Usopp? Caius?"

They then remembered how Satori dodged the movements with his 'Mantra' and knocking them down with the Impact Dial from the palm of his hand.

"Huh, yeah, you're right!" Usopp said, climbing himself back up to the deck. "That's what that butterball priest was using."

They then remember how Satori first demonstrates the Impact Dial against the Straw Hats which made them knocked out and wounded after the heavy impact. Sanji then smacks Gan Fall on the head repeatedly.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN US?! THAT SCARED THE LIVING HELL OUTTA ME, OLD MAN!?" Sanji yelled.

"I have heard that the ancient times on other Sky Islands, they're existent dials even more powerful than this." Gan Fall explains, ignoring Sanji's ranting. "The so-called 'Reject Dial' is said to capable of magnifying the energy instore and release ten times the power of the mere Impact Dial, but that incredible power was a double-edge sword. For it threaten the life of the attacker, as well as his opponent. As a result, it was very rarely used."

It got them shocked of Gan Fall's explanation of how the Reject Dial works and how dangerous it is.

"These little shells are that dangerous?!" Usopp exclaims. "They're worse than any weapon I know!"

"Yeah, I thought Dials were supposed to be common everyday objects." Nami adds.

"So, they are." Gan Fall said when he turns to her while Sanji sweeps up the deck, cleaning up the mess with his broom and dustpan and piling it on the wooden debris. "But it seems that man has a talent for finding deadly uses for beneficial discoveries, no matter how mundane it may seem to be. It all depends upon the user. Dials are very useful, but when applied in battle, their power and destruction can be awesome. For example, the Heat Dial used for cooking can be placed inside the lance and use to generate thermal energy, creating a deadly weapon known as the 'Heat Javelin'. Or the Flame Dial which stores fire and be placed in the mouth of a bird, creating a creature that seems to breathe fire."

"Yeah, Ventus and Chopper mentioned something like that." Usopp stated, which they even remember Ventus, Gan Fall, and Chopper fought Shura and his buzzard back the Sacrificial Altar.

"So, that's how that overgrown feather duster was able to breathe fire." Ventus said with a ponder, remembering how that vulture spews fire during the aerial combat.

"Yes, but even on Skypiea, it has dark secrets that felt rather unpleasant." Caius points out, now realizing why they're here in the first place.

"And that's Sky Warfare?" Nami inquires.

"It is." Gan Fall replied. "Blue Sea Dwellers who know nothing of Dials have no way of seeing through these tricks, same holds true for our many types of artificial clouds. The priests have forge these into foams that they can control them. If you don't understand, then you'll be helpless against them."

"Wait a sec, then is there any truth to this 'Mantra' thing that tubby was talking about? That lead him predict our moves?" Sanji questions when he thought about it.

Gan Fall began to see what Sanji ask that question, but unfortunately, he doesn't have the answer, nor he has the ability to use 'Mantra'.

"Yes, Mantra. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I myself am unable to use it. So, it's rather difficult for me to explain." Gan Fall said as he gives them the basics about the 'Mantra', which it got their attention. "Mantra is described as an ability to hear, the ideas that as long as a person lives, his or her body admits its own voice."

"The voice?" Sanji repeats, confused.

"Yes. By listening to the voice, you're supposed to know your opponent's next move." Gan Fall explains, giving them more details. "With practice and training, you can hear these voices over a very large area. The priests can hear over all of the Upper Yard. Eneru's powers extend across this entire land, the exact nature of those powers remains a mystery, but because of them, the people of this land can never know a moment cease."

"Which would also mean that Eneru is predicting our movements and planning ahead before we ever get a chance of escaping." Ventus states with a ponder, then sighs. "I guess escaping is off the table."

"And why is that?" Nami asks, turning to the young Dragoon.

"We need to deal with Eneru and his goon squad first before we ever get to leave and going back to the sea." Ventus answered. "And as far as I can tell, this is going to be a pain in the ass."

Nami and Usopp didn't like what he told them but does make a valid point. It them wondering if they're ever get to escape and hoping to avoid the fight, which it won't be easy.

Skypiea, God's Shrine

While at the God's Shrine, Eneru called out the informants since he needed to know if his priests have found the location to set an ordeal along with the Divine Warriors and Yama, after given them the order on taking down the Shandorians and the Straw Hats. Even though, he already knows because of the 'Mantra', but doesn't show it and he wanted to keep himself entertained by using the Sky Warfare.

"I wonder if they've made it down yet." Eneru said, sitting on his throne, waiting.

"Yes, lord. They are lying and wait as we speak. The two priests have placed their ordeals and Commander Yama has taken 50 Divine Warriors with him. My lord, it looks as if though this is becoming an all-out war. Is it really necessary to go to such extremes? The Shandorians and a few Blue Sea Dwellers hardly seem worth it."

"Come now. The more players there are, the more fun the game." Eneru shrugs with a laugh, smirking with his hands at the back of his head. "You, my hairy friend, underestimate the power of Sky Warfare."

"Sky Warfare, my lord?"

"That's right." Eneru answered. "You'll see soon enough."

Eneru then starts laughing but grabs some fruit as he extends it to the servant girl.

"Peel that for me, would you?" Eneru offered as she nods and walked away. "Now let's see, we have the 50 Divine Warriors at our disposal. Plus, our 2 priests, including me? That's 53. There are 20 Shandorians heading towards the island, the 6 Blue Sea Dwellers in the forest, and the 6 escaping down the Milky Road. Altogether, that makes 85. This battle will determine who will be left standing. Shall we guess how more remained after the 3 hours' time?"

It left them confused, wondering why Eneru is asking a question. Apparently, Eneru thought using the Sky Warfare in order for them down below in the Upper Yard to kill each other is a game, which to him, it does...in his own twisted way.

"Pardon, lord? You wish us to make a game out of death?"

"Oh, why don't you lighten us." Eneru remarked, then turns to the servant girl while eating the banana. "You, take a guess."

It left the servant girl shocked and confused when she's being asked by Eneru. Though, she doesn't know what to tell him.

"What? Aren't you talking to me, my lord? But I...I don't know anything about it. I'm just a humble servant girl."

"Oh, c'mon! What's wrong with you people?! You're not fun, just take a guess! Any guess at all!" Eneru said in annoyance while eating the banana, bored as he then turns to one of the informants. "Alright then, you try it. Go ahead, guess!"

Though, he doesn't want to guess but decided to humor Eneru since he wants someone to guess on who will remain during the battle in the Upper Yard.

"W-well, um...well, two priests are very strong, of course, and those Divine Warriors are all extremely powerful as well. I doubt many of them will be defeated, but the enemy has shown their power rivals the priests. So, in 3 hours' time, I think 30 will fall. Leaving, let's see...85-30...leaving 55 alive, how's that?"

Eneru just laughed at his answer.

"55, eh? That's your best guess?" Eneru said, amused. "Don't you think you're being just a little optimistic, or are you just shrewish? I think you're underestimating the results of this battle."

It got them confused, wondering what the result of the battle is as one of them ask.

"Uh, then, what do you think, my lord? If I may ask."

Eneru then smirks, decided to give him the answer.

"Well, it's obvious if only you give it a little thought. In 3 hours of the 85 fighters on this island, all that will be left are...5." Eneru told them, showing them his hands and 5 fingers, counting the result of the fight.

Then, Eneru uses his 'Mantra' to sense below at the Upper Yard, sensing that the Shandorians making their way to the island to get ready for a fight against the priests, but little did they know is the Divine Warriors along with Yama are ready and waiting for them to arrive. However, the Divine Warriors failed to realize that the Shandorians had a weapon so powerful, yet dangerous it could kill Wyper...they had the Reject Dial, a strong version of the Impact Dial that's been wrapping on his right arm. His tribe were already aware of the capabilities of the Reject Dial, which would kill the attacker along with Wyper.

"And the Shandorians arrived in the Upper Yard, venturing further to their deaths. Now, we wait until the battle begins." Eneru said with a smirk. "And it would seem Satori's brothers are making their move, they're heading to where the 6 Blue Sea Dwellers are headed."

"Wha-What? But shouldn't that be added as 87?"

"Like you shouldn't underestimate the power of Sky Warfare. The fool." Eneru said, then laughed which one of the informants were shocked at his dismissive tone.

"But...Surely, this is a disaster! No priests have been defeated in the last 6 years and now, suddenly, Satori and Shura are dead few days ago!"

"Yeah, and they were defeated in the end. So, what." Eneru scoffs without care, leans back on his throne with a smirk and the hands on the back of his head. "Perhaps they lacked, Divine Protection."

He then laughed again at this, which leaving them in dread of his tone.

Upper Yard

Meanwhile at the Upper Yard, Yama and the Divine Warriors were gathered around since the Commander had a few words to say to his men.

"Listen up men, we're up against 20 Shandorians and 12 Blue Sea Dwellers!" Yama informed them. "They pose no threat. We don't need to trouble the priests with them. Destroy them without mercy."

The Divine Soldiers responds with bleating like goats, getting ready to fight against the Shandorians and the Straw Hats, which neither of them neither what those pirates are capable of. While outside of the Upper Yard, Raki watches her tribe continuing to venture inside of the jungle while remembering what Wyper have told her and the Shandorians.

'If you can step over the bodies of your dying comrades and keep fighting, then follow me! Now, I swear, Eneru's head will be mine!'

These words have echoed on her mind, while trying to gather the Verth into the bag, but remembering of Kamakiri's words.

'Once we kill Eneru, there will be no need to sneak around obsessing a single bag of Verth...A single bag of Verth.'

All of the words have echoed on her mind, starting to have some thoughts about what Kamakiri and Wyper have told her.

While inside of the Upper Yard, the Shandorians continued to venture further since neither of them were able to find the priests, which they were wondering if they're in a different location. They decided to stop, and Wyper makes a suggestion as he turns to his tribe.

"We should split up and take care of those priests." Wyper said with a suggestion. "We're still in the middle of the enemy territory, there still two priests are left to deal with."

"If I can guess, it looks like they've changed the location of their ordeals." Braham agrees, twirling his pistols as he walks past them and ahead. "We can't have everyone getting caught in the same ordeal again. We have to be smarter than them. Wyper, I'm going ahead."

And with that Braham goes ahead on finding the priests by leaping in the air with his waver skis.

"I'm heading out as well, see you at the God's Shrine." Kamakiri told him. "Just don't forget to pray for our safety."

Then, Kamakiri did the same which he's gliding on the Milky Road by using the waver board.

"Okay, men, just be careful." Genbo warned them. "We'll meet at God's Shrine. And Wyper, don't die."

And with that, the rest of Shandorians went ahead to look for the priests while Wyper heads for the God's Shrine. The two of the Shandorians were gliding through the Milky Road, but the sound of bleating was heard as one of the Divine Warriors took down one of them with the Dial and sending him falling down to the ground, causing the other Shandorian to stop.

"Hey you! Are you mad?!"

The Divine Soldier lands on the Milky Road, readying his fighting stance.

"Peso!"

"A Divine Soldier!?"

"Correct! By the order of Almighty Eneru, we've been commanded to purge his enemies from the width of our breath in the Upper Ya-a-a-ard! We are Lord Eneru's eli-i-i-ite! There is no place for you to hi-i-i-ide!"

The Shandorian flinched, taking a step back as the Divine Warrior continued speaking.

"We possess the power of the Axe Dial, which is not found in Skypiea!"

"Out of my way!"

The Shandorian fires his rifle, which the Divine Warrior dodges with ease as he leaps in midair.

"Your efforts are futile! Your shots useless! Axe Dial"

The Shandorian brings out his shield to block.

"Your shield won't help you!"

And with that, he activates the Axe Dial to destroy the shield and slices a Shandorian, making him grunt in pain and the blood splatters, killing him in the process and him fallen to the ground. The Divine Warrior lands with killing intent as he leaps in the air to find his other target to kill.

Luffy, continued venturing around in the Upper Yard, which he still got himself lost and still don't know where the Skull's Right Eye is.

"Oh, the islands in the South are warm and their heads get really hot~! They grow a pineapples, they grow a coconuts, and there ones-"

Then, his song was interrupted when he heard the bleating sound, as he turns his head.

"A goat? Was that a goat? Where is it?" Luffy questions himself and the bleating sound gets louder as the Divine Warrior leaps behind him. "Here, goat!"

Luffy then launches his fist and punches at the Divine Warrior in the jaw, sent him flying from tree to tree and down to the ground, knocked out as he turns to him with disappointment look on his face while grabbing his straw hat.

"Who's this jerk? Man, he got me all excited! I thought I was gonna get to see a goat." Luffy grumbles, placing his hat on his head and then walks away, then sings again. "Next verse! The islands in the North are snowy and their heads get really cold~! They're very very chilly, very very willy nilly~! And they're idiots~!"

His song is interrupted again, very annoyed as he glanced over his head and noticed Wyper at the top of a tree trunk. Apparently, Wyper is in no mood on fighting Luffy because his main priority is find and kill Eneru at the God's Shrine.

"Oh, it's you." Luffy said when his expression turns into serious.

"That's right." Wyper replied with a scowl. "And just what are you doing here? I warned you to leave this island!"

"Shut up! I can do whatever I want!" Luffy retorted.

"No, you can't!" Wyper snapped back. "This island belongs to us Shandorians!"

"Oh, really? It does? I thought it was God's! Well, I beg your pardon." Luffy said, bows to him and then walks away. "Next verse! Islands in the East-"

"Hold it!" Wyper called him, cuts him off.

"Now what?!" Luffy demands in annoyance with a tick mark on his head, turning to him.

"No! I'm through wasting words on you." Wyper said, glances his head and turning to Luffy with his bazooka ready. "And I'm sick and tired of listening to your idiotic babbling. So, I'm gonna destroy you."

"I see." Luffy said, tosses the stick aside as he readied his fighting stance with a big grin on his face. "If you wanna fight, you just have to say so."

"And once I'm done with you, I'm going to find that friend of yours and kill him!" Wyper told him, angered of his humiliation. "Don't think I didn't forget of my humiliation ever since the White-White Sea! My pride is tarnished because of him! And I'll bring it back by find and kill your friend!"

It got Luffy scowled in anger when Wyper mentioned Ventus, who's the first pirate on beating the leader of the Shandorians as they get ready to fight.

That's it for the 38th chapter.

I know it's short, but it'll get interesting in the Upper Yard.

Oh, and don't forget the 9/11!