One Piece: Killer Method #193

Cedric's grin remained affable as he engaged Gan Fall, his approach straightforward. "Well, I won't beat around the bush..." He punctuated the statement with a casual shrug, creating an atmosphere of candid conversation. "I've recently acquired a ship, and let's just say the purchase left me broke..."

Turning his gaze back toward the distant Heaven's Gate, Cedric's expression hinted at a mixture of determination and pragmatism. "I know a city full of gold flew into the clouds many years ago, and I know that gold is useless in these parts..."

Gan Fall, the seasoned observer, raised an eyebrow as he continued to sharpen the stick, checking its sharpness meticulously. His curiosity was piqued, and he chose to inquire further, his tone measured. "And you intend to claim this gold for yourself?"

Cedric's response was candid, his voice carrying the weight of a calculated plan. "As much as my ship can carry..."

Gan Fall couldn't help but chuckle at Cedric's ambition. He reached for the sky fish nestled in the basket beside him, his fingers deftly handling the delicate catch. "I see. But it's better for you to turn back," he advised, shaking his head slowly. "The gold is of no use to us, true enough. 

However, the man ruling over Skypeia seems to have found a use for it..."

With practiced ease, Gan Fall skewered the fish onto the sharpened stick, the task completed with precision. He continued, his voice tinged with a sense of caution. "He's a ruthless, powerful man-- a petty tyrant. It's in your best interest that you don't cross him..."

Cedric's laughter filled the air, a confident response to Gan Fall's warning. "All I'm hearing is that I just need to kick that guy's ass and take the gold. I'm no pushover, myself..." His arms crossed in a display of self-assuredness. "And with how you described him, I doubt anyone would miss him..."

Gan Fall's smile held a touch of wariness as he carefully arranged the skewered fish over the bone fire, allowing the flames to embrace the catch. He glanced back at Cedric, his expression conveying both caution and respect. "I don't imagine anyone would miss him." He then shifted his attention fully to Cedric, his demeanor solemn. "But I'm afraid it's not that simple. God Enel is unbeatable...."

A grimace of realization crossed Gan Fall's features as he explained further, his words resonating with a sense of helplessness. "Not only does he hear everything in Skypeia, but he commands lightning and thunder..." He emphasized the daunting nature of their adversary. "His body is lightning itself. It cannot be touched..."

Cedric's amusement remained undiminished, and he dismissed the formidable description with a casual wave. "He ate a Logia Devil Fruit, so what? That doesn't make him unbeatable..."

Noticing Gan Fall's unfamiliarity with the term, Cedric pointed his finger skyward, directing the gaze toward the dotted bird that circled above Gan Fall's home. He clarified with a gesture, "It's the same fruit your friend over there ate. Only instead of turning into a horse, it allows him to turn into lightning..."

Gan Fall's eyes widened at those words, registering the depth of Cedric's understanding. However, he quickly gathered his bearings and complimented, "To think you'd even realize Pierre had such a power. Your Mantra's level must be extraordinarily high..."

Cedric waved off the notion with a dismissive shake of his head. "Observation Haki had nothing to do with it," he clarified. "It's only natural to assume a half-bird half-horse had eaten a devil fruit..."

Despite Cedric's confidence, Gan Fall maintained a sense of caution. He shook his head and said, "Be that as it may, that doesn't change the fact that attacks cannot reach Enel..."

Cedric's grin remained, unwavering in the face of the challenge. "That's where you're wrong," he asserted boldly. "All devil fruits have weaknesses. In fact, I beat the man who could turn into sand before coming here..." 

He held up three fingers, listing the vulnerabilities matter-of-factly. "Most devil fruits, especially Logia, have three weaknesses..." He elaborated, "Armament Haki, Seastone, and the element's natural counter—in this case, rubber..."

Cedric continued to explain how Armament Haki and Seastone worked, providing a practical demonstration that left Gan Fall in awe. He effortlessly shattered a knife he swung onto his bare hand and even allowed Gan Fall's bird companion to touch one of the Seastone bullets he possessed.

Gan Fall could only watch with wide eyes as the bird's posture instantly slouched, its tongue hanging out of its beak, its body going limp as soon as it made contact with the bullet. The fact that the bird instantly regained its liveliness once it stopped touching the bullet was even more shocking. Gan Fall couldn't help but scratch his flowing white beard at the sight, his mind racing to process the events that had just unfolded.

Nodding slowly, he finally spoke, acknowledging the significance of what he had witnessed. "It seems there is merit to your words, young man..." He added, "With everything you have demonstrated, we might stand a chance to defeat Enel indeed..."

Cedric's smile persisted, a glimmer of optimism in his eyes as he contemplated their potential partnership. "We?" he inquired, intrigued by Gan Fall's choice of words.

Gan Fall's smile turned bitter, his gaze fixed on some distant memory. "I'm afraid I wasn't entirely forthcoming with you," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "Before Enel came to this land, I was the ruling god over Skypeia...." He shook his head in self-criticism and added, "Alas, I was helpless to stop him, and my people have suffered under his rule due to my incompetence..."

With a determined expression, Gan Fall offered his assistance. "If you intend to take down Enel, then by all means, please allow me to assist in any way I can..." He rose to his feet, his posture reflecting a readiness to act. "I might be old and beyond my prime, but I can still fight!"

Cedric, however, seemed confident in his abilities. He replied, "I can take care of Enel on my own. I just need you to act as a guide and take me to him."

Gan Fall couldn't help but smile at Cedric's unwavering self-assuredness. Still, he felt the need to caution him. "Regardless," he began, "Enel has an army of lackeys—should you attempt to face them all by yourself, you would be exhausted before even laying eyes on Enel himself..."

Cedric crossed his arms, a hint of defiance in his tone as he retorted, "You're saying you can take on an army of lackeys?"

Gan Fall chuckled in response, a wry amusement dancing in his eyes. "No," he admitted, "But I know a group of capable warriors who wish for Enel's downfall even more than me..." He added, "With their help, we can clear the way for you to face Enel..."

...

In the bustling marketplace of Lovely Street in Skypeia, Nico Robin, Den, and a contingent of Flying Fish riders embarked on their mission to fulfill Cedric's instructions. 

Their task: procure food for the upcoming meal and acquire as many Dials as possible to complete the construction of the ship's weaponry. Conis, familiar with the island, joined them to aid in selling the Vearth barrels they had brought and to guide them through the unfamiliar territory.

Den, engaged in heated negotiations with a stall owner over various types of Dials, was engrossed in his task. Meanwhile, the Fishmen combed through the food stalls, diligently selecting a wide array of ingredients for their culinary endeavors.

Robin walked alongside Conis, her observant eyes catching sight of a peculiar cloud path flanked by two enormous green vines, leading to a massive island in the distance. The island's appearance was markedly different from the typical sky island landscapes, bearing an uncanny resemblance to something from the Blue Sea. Intrigued, she couldn't resist inquiring, "That island in the distance looks like it came from the Blue Sea..."

Conis, her expression tinged with unease, nodded in response. She offered an explanation, "That's the Holy Land. It flew into the clouds many years ago, and it's currently the residential area for God Enel and his followers..."

Robin's mind immediately raced with possibilities. She remembered Cedric's cryptic words about a Poneglyph on the sky island. Could this island, known as the Holy Land, be the location she sought? She couldn't help but probe further, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Is it possible to visit the island?" she inquired.

Conis' expression transformed from unease to outright fear. She hurriedly interjected, her tone pleading, "That's impossible. Please don't even think about it..." The caution in her voice underscored the danger associated with any attempt to venture towards the enigmatic Holy Land.