One Piece: Killer Method #198

Conis' eyes widened as she read through the contents of the paper. In her surprise, she opened her mouth to say something, but Cedric quickly put a finger to his mouth and shushed her.

"It's not gonna happen until a few more days, so there's no use talking about it..." he said with a smile. "Just enjoy the night for now..." He added, turning away from Conis and looking at the two Flying Fish Riders drunkenly beating one another.

The night air was filled with laughter and merriment as the crew and the Skypiean residents celebrated together. The warm glow of lanterns hung overhead, casting a warm light on the festivities. 

Conis, still holding the piece of paper in her hand, couldn't contain her curiosity. She leaned closer to Cedric and whispered, "Do you really intend to do this? It might not end well..."

Cedric glanced at Conis and smiled. "I know what I'm doing," he said softly, "It's not something you should concern yourself with..."

Conis could only shake her head. She didn't approve of Cedric's plans to fight Enel, knowing how powerful the latter was, but she couldn't voice her thoughts, afraid that Enel would find out. 

...

It had been a week since Cedric and his crew arrived at Skypiea. Cedric spent the past days enjoying Skypiea as he intended, trying out the different delicacies and savoring the many unique sights of the sky island. They explored the lush forests and marveled at the incredible plant life that thrived in the clouds. 

Cedric had also reunited with Gan Fall, the former god of Skypiea, and they had set a date for their assault on the Upper Yard. Today was that day.

Cedric slipped out of the ship early in the morning, moving with the utmost care not to awaken anyone on The Golden Ape. He knew that he could trust his crewmates to face most opponents, but Enel was no ordinary enemy. 

The self-proclaimed god possessed incredible powers thanks to his Lightning Logia Devil Fruit, allowing him to move around-- appearing and disappearing at will like lightning. 

What made him even more dangerous was his monstrous Observation Haki, enabling him to sense the locations and intentions of everyone on Skypiea. Against such an adversary, Cedric's shipmates would only be a hindrance, though he hated to admit it. 

The sky over Skypiea was a mesmerizing blend of colors as dawn approached. The golden hues of early morning bathed the land in a warm, ethereal light. Cedric had decided to venture out alone, hoping to evade Enel's notice until the very last moment. 

Cedric couldn't help but smile as he gracefully moved around the Golden Ape's upper deck, expertly navigating through the scattered bodies of Duval and the Flying Fish Riders, who were sprawled on the wooden planks in a drunken stupor. The previous night's revelry had left its mark, and the ship's deck resembled a chaotic aftermath.

With an agile leap, Cedric propelled himself into the air, his powerful legs coiling and then releasing, launching him with precision. He landed with finesse on the sandy beach below, his boots imprinting the golden grains as he prepared to create a fire cloud and take to the skies.

However, before Cedric could execute his departure, a voice laced with curiosity sliced through the tranquil morning air, causing him to stop. "Going somewhere?" Kieran inquired, his tone nonchalant as he stepped out from the concealing shadows of a palm tree nearby.

Cedric's response was tinged with playful exasperation. "I knew you were hiding there, you know?" He couldn't help but roll his eyes at Kieran's  entrance, which seemed designed for dramatic effect rather than stealth.

Undisturbed by Cedric's observation, Kieran shrugged, his demeanor unruffled. "I take it that you want to tag along?" Cedric asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Kieran responded with his characteristic dry humor. "No. I just enjoy waking up early in the morning and hiding behind palm trees for no reason," he deadpanned, his eyes carrying a hint of bemusment.

Cedric couldn't contain a chuckle at Kieran's sardonic humor. "Is that so?" he replied, his amusement evident. "I'll see you later then."

With that, Cedric conjured a fire cloud beneath him, its incandescent form materializing in response to his will. He gracefully rose into the air, leaving the sandy shore behind as he ascended toward the azure heavens.

"Wait, you bastard!" Kieran exclaimed in exasperation. He was on the verge of launching into a tirade of curses directed at Cedric. But before he could unleash his colorful vocabulary, a fire cloud materialized beneath him with a courtesy befitting Cedric's abilities. The cloud swiftly lifted Kieran into the air, interrupting his impending outburst.

Kieran's indignant expression shifted rapidly, caught between frustration and bemusement as he ascended higher into the sky. He shot a wry glance at Cedric, who was hovering nearby, an impish grin on his face.

Cedric couldn't help but chuckle at Kieran's predicament. "Well, I guess you're coming with me," he quipped, his voice carrying a note of amusement as they both soared higher into the azure heavens, leaving the ground below them.

...

Somewhere in the White Sea, where clouds stretched like cotton candy against the azure sky, Cedric and Kieran arrived at a cloud island some distance away from Skypeia. It was a secluded spot, chosen strategically to fall beyond the menacing reach of Enel's Observation Haki, where his keen senses could not penetrate.

As Cedric touched down on the cloud, the fluffy surface giving slightly beneath his weight, he found Gan Fall waiting for him. The exiled Sky Knight wore a serene expression, his white wings folded behind him as he stood at the edge of the cloud island, looking out toward the horizon.

"Young man," Gan Fall greeted him with a nod as Cedric approached. His voice was calm and measured, betraying the weight of responsibility he carried. "I'm glad you could make it."

Cedric returned the greeting with a nod, the solemnity of the situation apparent in his eyes. "I wouldn't miss this for the world," he replied, his grin conveying his intetions. .

Wyper stood nearby. His expression was a mix of hostility and thinly veiled annoyance. He made no effort to hide his displeasure, crossing his arms defiantly as he glared at Cedric. skewed

Cedric couldn't help but notice Wyper's animosity but chose not to engage in the confrontation he clearly desired. Still, Kieran couldn't help but comment. "I think your definition of allies is slightly askew, captain..." He dryly said, looking at Wyper and the Shandia warriors. 

Kieran's skepticism hung in the air like a heavy cloud as he furrowed his brow. "Are you sure they won't stab us in the back?" he inquired with a deep frown, his tone cautious.

Before Cedric could offer a response, Gan Fall addressed Kieran's concerns with a measured tone. "Your captain has left quite the strong impression on the Shandian people..."

"Well, he does have a tendency to do that," Kieran remarked dryly, his skepticism momentarily giving way to a touch of amusement as he sent Cedric a side glance, to which the latter could only shrug. "Regardless of who's at fault, can they be trusted?" 

Gan Fall, however, remained unwavering in his assurance. He spoke with conviction, his voice a bastion of confidence. "I assure you they are all honorable warriors," he declared firmly. "They would not even stab an enemy in the back, never mind an ally."

Kieran turned to Cedric with a questioning look, and his captain merely nodded, to which The tension in Kieran's expression eased slightly.

Gan Fall continued with a friendly demeanor, extending a hand toward Kieran. "But I'm afraid we haven't been formally introduced," he said. "I am Gan Fall, and you are?"

Already impatient, Cedric couldn't resist the urge to interject, his mischievous grin lighting up his face as he placed a hand on Kieran's shoulder. "This here is Kieran," he declared with an air of playful mockery, "He's one of the idiots who follow me around like lost puppies and call me captain."

Kieran shot Cedric an exasperated look, one that silently implored him not to escalate the situation any further. But his efforts were in vain as Cedric continued, taking Kieran's arm and thrusting it towards Gan Fall. "Kieran, meet Gan Fall. Gan Fall, meet Kieran," Cedric announced, his tone suggesting a sense of theatricality in the introduction.

Gan Fall, however, remained unfazed by Cedric's antics. He greeted Kieran with a warm smile, shaking his hand firmly. "A pleasure," Gan Fall said, his voice sincere as he acknowledged Kieran's presence.

Kieran offered a reluctant nod, a begrudging acceptance of the formalities, even if they were presented in a somewhat unconventional manner.

Cedric, content that the introductions were now complete, shifted his focus back to the task at hand. "Now that the pleasantries are out of the way," he declared with a hint of urgency, "let's get moving."