One Piece: Killer Method #199

As they approached the looming silhouette of the Upper Yard, Cedric rode atop his fiery cloud, the wind tousling his hair and the thrill of adventure coursing through his veins. Beside him, Kieran maintained his position on his own fire cloud, his eyes fixed on their destination.

Gan Fall, astride his trusty companion Pierre, soared gracefully alongside Cedric and Kieran. The exiled Sky Knight's demeanor was a mix of determination and anticipation, his gaze stern as he looked at the Upper Yard.

Below, the Shandian warriors glided skillfully over the pristine white sea of clouds, their shooters propelling them forward with agility and precision. Their expressions were stoic, their commitment to the mission evident in the determination etched onto their faces.

As they descended, the giant trees and colossal green plants of the Upper Yard stretched out before them, their verdant foliage shrouding the landscape in an emerald canopy. The sight was awe-inspiring, embodying the unique and lush beauty of the sky island.

The Upper Yard's eerie atmosphere settled around them as they entered the Lost Forest. It was a place where everything seemed to grow excessively, resulting in bizarre and oversized creatures. Cedric observed a colossal mantis pouncing on an even bigger spider, its swift strike resulting in the arachnid's decapitation.

Cedric turned to Gan Fall, his curiosity piqued. "What part of the Upper Yard is this?" he inquired, scanning the surreal landscape.

Gan Fall's expression mirrored the gravity of their surroundings as he responded, "It's known as the Lost Forest, the grounds for one of the many twisted ordeals Enel has created."

Kieran's brow furrowed as he sought further information. "An ordeal? What ordeal are you talking about?" he asked, his gaze flitting between their surroundings and Gan Fall.

Wyper, his demeanor etched with a combination of bitterness and vigilance, chimed in with a scoff. "A test imposed upon those deemed guilty by Enel's arbitrary laws," he explained, his hand firmly gripping his Bazooka. His words carried a sense of grim determination. "In this forest, you either pass the test or meet your end."

With Wyper's warning echoing in the air, the group pressed forward through the tangled foliage of the Lost Forest.

Kieran's curiosity burned as he sought more information about the ordeals that awaited them. "How many other ordeals are out there? And what does this one entail?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice, eager to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Gan Fall's response carried an air of uncertainty, reflective of the limited knowledge they had about the Upper Yard's inner workings. "No one was allowed into the Upper Yard since Enel took over, so we can't be sure," he admitted, his expression marked by a sense of frustration. "But from what little we managed to gather, there are four ordeals—String, Swamp, Iron, and Balls."

The mention of "Balls" prompted an unexpected reaction from Cedric, who couldn't contain a raised eyebrow and a suppressed chuckle. Gan Fall merely shrugged, the absurdity of the ordeal's name not lost on him.

Cedric furrowed his brow, trying to recall any relevant details from the anime about this particular ordeal. An image of a comically round man in white clothes flickered in his memory.

But before he could remember anything else, a distinct, strange laugh echoed through the forest, causing everyone to halt their steps "Ho, ho hoooo!!"

The eerie laughter reverberated through the dense foliage of the Lost Forest, creating an unsettling atmosphere. It was as if the very trees themselves shuddered at the sound, rustling their leaves in response to the strange presence that loomed.

Suddenly, a large, round cloud descended from above, settling gently on the forest floor. Upon the cloud stood a figure that matched the bizarre nature of the situation—a rotund man with fair skin and long, dark red hair, crowned by a jaunty yellow hat that added a comical touch to his appearance. He tipped his hat in greeting to Cedric and the others.

"Welcome to the Ordeal of Balls, dear guests!" the rotund man declared, his voice exuding a peculiar mix of theatricality and amusement. "My name is Priest Satori, and I will be your host for this endeavor!" He mockingly bowed, his exaggerated gesture bordering on the absurd.

Cedric regarded Satori with a bemused expression, crossing his arms over his chest as he awaited further explanation. The priest, however, seemed momentarily flustered, scratching his head as if unsure of how to proceed. He scrutinized Cedric and the rest of the group, his gaze sharp as he considered his options.

After a brief moment, Satori snapped his fingers, as if an idea had suddenly clicked into place. He spoke with a wry smile, his tone carrying a touch of whimsy. "Normally, you'd be riding the Milky Way clouds with boats that you'll mount at the entrance of the trial..." he began, trailing off as he observed his audience's reactions.

"Your mission would be to stay on top of the boats, but since you're already here, I guess I just have to exterminate the lot of you!" He nodded to himself as if he had made a rational decision. "Any questions?" He asked, alternating his gaze between Cedric and his group.

Cedric exchanged glances with his companions, their expressions a strange mixture of confusion and curiosity. Still, Cedric couldn't help but play along, smiling as he raised his hand.

As Cedric posed his question, a wave of perplexed expressions swept through the group. Kieran, in particular, couldn't help but shoot Cedric a bemused look, his lips twitching with suppressed laughter. Gan Fall's gaze carried a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

However, Priest Satori appeared absolutely delighted by Cedric's inquiry. His round face lit up with glee, and he pointed directly at the captain with an enthusiastic gesture. "Yes, you there, the handsome fellow in the black coat!" he exclaimed, confirming Cedric's suspicion that this ordeal was going to be as unconventional as its name suggested.

Cedric leaned forward slightly, his curiosity unabated. "Why is it called the Ordeal of Balls?" he asked, his voice a curious blend of restraint and amusement, as if he were on the verge of laughter himself.

Satori, evidently delighted by the question, leaned in closer, his round form wobbling slightly with his exuberance. "Because you have to deal with my balls, of course!" he exclaimed with a hearty laugh, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. "You deal with them, or you die, get it, ordeal?" he added, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

Cedric couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his expression an odd mix of amusement and curiosity. "By your balls, you mean?" he clarified, unable to resist the opportunity for further wordplay.

Satori's response was delivered with the same bizarre enthusiasm that seemed to be his trademark. "My surprise cloud balls, of course!" he declared, his arms sweeping outward in a grandiose gesture. He gestured toward the numerous spherical clouds that floated in the vicinity, each resembling the one upon which he rode.

Cedric glanced around, taking in the sight of the spherical clouds with a newfound appreciation for the absurdity of the situation. "Well, I can't say I've ever dealt with surprise cloud balls before, but there's a first time for everything," he remarked, his grin growing wider.

With a confident smile, Cedric turned to his companions, a playful glint in his eyes. "Let me deal with this," he suggested, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Kieran, ever the easygoing member of the crew, merely shrugged in response. Meanwhile, Gan Fall and the Shandian warriors exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confusion. After a brief moment, opting to let Cedric do as he pleased.

Cedric couldn't help but grin at their reactions, appreciating their faith in him. With a nonchalant swagger, he turned his attention back to Priest Satori, who remained perched atop his round cloud, his demeanor oddly relaxed.

"You don't mind if I play first, do you?" Cedric inquired, his tone carrying a playful note as he addressed Satori.

Satori, seemingly unfazed by Cedric's request, casually picked at his ear with his pinky finger. "Suit yourself," he replied with an indifferent shrug. His voice was tinged with an air of confidence that matched Cedric's own.

"I'll have to exterminate you all anyway, so it doesn't really matter in what order," he added, his grin mirroring Cedric's playful demeanor.