One Piece Chapter 257: Dial Battle

High above the clouds, a ship sails near massive tree roots as narration explains, "BECAUSE THE CITIZENS OF THE BLUE SEA ARE QUITE INCAPABLE OF SKY COMBAT." A voice questions, "SKY COMBATI" On the deck of the Going Merry, an old man sits beside a large barrel while Sanji stands with a rifle and Nami watches. The old man says, "YOU WILL KNOW SOON ENOUGH. TRY TO BREAK THAT SHELL." Sanji asks, "WHAT IS THIS THING FORI" The old man replies, "NOW, WATCH CLOSELY." Sanji swings the rifle butt down hard at the barrel. Usopp panics, "WAIT—!! DO YOU HAVE TO SWING SO HARD!!I" Sanji retorts, "DON'T SAY THAT JUST 'CAUSE THIS AIN'T YOUR SHIP...!!!" Nami warns, "DO IT GENTLY, SANJI!!! IF YOU MAKE A HOLE IN THE DECK, I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

Sanji's powerful swing connects with the barrel, creating a massive impact with motion lines and the sound effect "どゴッ...". The barrel remains completely intact. Sanji stares in shock, "I SWUNG AS HARD AS I COULD. I THOUGHT I'D BREAK INTO PIECES." He questions, "STRANGE..." and "HUHI". The old man observes, "... I TOLD YOU GENTLY, BUT NOT THAT GENTLY..." Usopp adds, "YOU DIDN'T EVEN DAMAGE THE BARREL...". Nami wonders, "I". Smoke rises from the top of the barrel as the old man notes, "ABSORBED ALL THE IMPACT SOMEHOW..." and "IT'S AS IF THIS DIAL...".

The old man instructs Sanji, "AND PRESS THE PART YOU'RE FACING... NOW AIM THE OPEN SIDE OF THE DIAL AT THE BARREL...". Sanji holds the dial close with a puzzled "I". Usopp and Nami react with shock, "EH!!I". A sudden massive explosion erupts from the dial with the sound effect "ドゴォーン" and impact lines, sending Sanji flying backward violently. Usopp screams, "GYAAAAA-AAH!!!" while Nami yells, "KYAAH!!!" and someone shouts, "WOW!!!" amid the chaos of debris and motion.

Inside the ruined temple, smoke drifts through the air as the old priest Gan Fall sits calmly while Usopp lies sprawled on the floor after a powerful blow. Impact lines and debris scatter across the scene. Gan Fall explains, "IT ABSORBS AND STORES ENERGY FROM IMPACTS TO BE RELEASED LATER." Usopp groans as the priest continues, "THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM A MERE PUNCH. THIS IS AN 'IMPACT'!!!" A close-up shows the priest's stern face. "WAS AN 'IMPACT DIAL.' WHAT YOU SAW..." Usopp sits up, asking, "... YEAH... THAT MEATBALL PRIEST WAS USING THE SAME THING... REMIND YOU OF SOMETHINGI" Gan Fall replies, "EH, USOPP, DOESN'T THAT... THEY ARE USUALLY FIXED TO THE PALM UNDER A GLOVE OR A BANDAGE. A DIRECT HIT IS ENOUGH TO KILL A NORMAL PERSON."

Gan Fall elaborates on the dials' history while Usopp and a short-haired woman listen intently. "IT WAS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. THEREFORE, IT WAS RARELY USED. IT IS ALSO SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THE DIAL WAS SO STRONG THAT IT COULD KILL THE USER. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NOW EXTINCT 'REJECT DIAL' HAD A POWER 10 TIMES STRONGER THAN AN 'IMPACT DIAL.'" Usopp shouts in shock, "... WHAT A DANGEROUS DIAL... IT MIGHT AS WELL BE CALLED A WEAPON!" The priest adds, "ACCORDING TO LEGENDS, THERE EXISTED EVEN MORE POWERFUL DIALS ON SKY ISLAND." Gan Fall notes, "BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE DEVASTATING IN BATTLES.... DIALS ARE VERY USEFUL, THAT'S TRUE... CAN ALSO HARM MAN. IT IS ALL UP TO THE USER'S INTENTIONS. THAT IS STILL TRUE — HOWEVER, ANY TOOL THAT BENEFITS MAN..." The woman replies, "I THOUGHT THAT THE DIALS WERE JUST LIKE EVERYDAY ACCESSORIES..." Below, a winged bird-like figure appears with a large bird, discussing Flame and Heat Dials: "IF EQUIPPED IN A BIRD'S MOUTH, A RARE AND POWERFUL 'FLAME-BREATHING BIRD' IS BORN. THE SAME GOES FOR A 'FLAME DIAL' THAT STORES FLAMES... WHEN EQUIPPED ON A LANCE, A SUPER-HEATED 'FIRE LANCE' IS CREATED. THE 'HEAT DIAL' USED FOR COOKING... FOR EXAMPLE..."

Sanji questions the explanation with a raised eyebrow, "WHAT ABOUT READING MANTRAI WAIT A MINUTE..." Gan Fall responds, "NOR ABOUT THE ARTIFICIAL CLOUDS... DON'T STAND A CHANCE AGAINST WARRIORS PERFECTLY TRAINED TO THEM. CORRECT. THE CITIZENS OF THE BLUE SEA, WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIALS... SO THAT'S WHAT 'SKY COMBATS' ARE!" The priest continues, "IT IS SAID TO BE A POWER OF PERCEPTION. EVERY HUMAN WOULD EMIT A KIND OF VOICE INSIDE THEIR BODY. AS I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE MANTRA MYSELF... IT'S QUITE HARD FOR ME TO EXPLAIN IT." In a wide view of the island, he adds, "THE PRIESTS ARE THEN ABLE TO HEAR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON UPPER YARD. ENEL CAN EXTEND THE RANGE FURTHER TO COVER EVERY SOUND IN THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY. IT'S A TERRIFYING POWER!" Sanji replies, "I DO NOT KNOW THE LOGIC BEHIND THAT POWER EITHER... YES, ONE CAN PREDICT A PERSON'S NEXT MOVE BY LISTENING TO IT. A VOICEI WITH TRAINING, IT SEEMS THAT THE RANGE OF MANTRA CAN BE INCREASED..."

A priest-like figure with a headband smirks and touches his face, "SHURA WAS DEFEATED. WELL, WELL, THAT'S KIND OF A SURPRISING BEGINNING..." Below on a cloud platform overlooking a distant temple, a voice exclaims, "WHAT!!I SHURA-SAMA!!I" The figure laughs, "THE FOOL UNDERESTIMATED HIS OPPONENTS TOO MUCH. YAHAHAHAHA..." In a close-up, a wild-haired man bursts into laughter, "GOD WASN'T ON THEIR SIDE! IT SEEMS THAT...... YEAH! IT CAN'T BE HELPED IF THEY GOT BEAT UP. THIS... THIS IS TERRIBLE NEWS! IN TWO DAYS, TWO PRIESTS HAVE FALLEN! THEY HAVE BEEN UNDEFEATED FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. YAHAHA-HAHAHA-HAHA!!!"

A fierce Skypiean commander rallies the troops from a close-up shouting face: "THERE'S NO NEED FOR THE PRIESTS TO DIRTY THEIR HANDS FOR SUCH A SMALL FIGHT! THE ENEMIES ARE ONLY 20 SHANDIANS AND 7 CITIZENS OF THE BLUE SEA! EVERYONE! LISTEN TO ME! LET'S GO KILL THEM ALL!!" The massive lower panel reveals God's militia assembled on a rocky outcrop beneath a giant tree. Fifty winged soldiers in robes and armor stand ready, with a central horned leader raising his arms as enormous SFX "ど k き" and "MEEEH —!!" explode across the scene. A caption box reads "- Skypiea - God's militia, 50 fighters."

On a windswept shore, a determined woman with long dark hair faces a small distant figure and declares, "ONLY THEN SHOULD YOU COME WITH ME! IF YOU ARE READY TO STEP ON YOUR COMRADES... BECAUSE TODAY, I'M GOING TO CUT OFF ENEL'S HEAD." A tiny "..." bubble lingers. Below, hands sift through a bagful of Vearth while narration continues: "A BAGFUL OF VEARTH!!! THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO BE ENVIOUS OF..." The final panel shows the same woman kneeling before a small winged child in the forest, vowing "ONCE WE DEFEAT ENEL..." as faint "シャララ" and "シャ..." sounds accompany the sand-like particles.

A bird flies over a steep cliff as "KUKA KUKA KUKA KUKA KRA!!" echoes. Below, a winged warrior is violently slammed into the ground with massive impact SFX "ば k き!!" and "は". In the next sequence a battered fighter clutches a Dial device while an enraged bird-masked man with goggles screams "WAIPAA!! YOU IDIOT! YOU WANT TO DIE!!I" and warns "IF YOU USE YOUR 'REJECT DIAL' ONE MORE TIME... YOU'LL BLOW YOURSELF UP!!" Debris and smoke fill the rocky battlefield as the two clash.

The bird-masked warrior stands bloodied and determined beside a massive broken pillar, declaring "THAT'S WHAT ONE CALLS DETERMINATION." Nearby panels show the same fighter swinging a weapon with "SHWIP!!!" and unleashing a massive explosive Dial blast marked "ズチャ...!!" and "FWOOP!!!" while shouting "IF YOU WON'T MAKE SOME SACRIFICES, HOW WILL YOU DEFEAT THEM!!!I" The final wide shot reveals the devastated battlefield with a lone figure holding a large shield; a voice remarks "WHAT A FOOL..." as lingering SFX "く..." and motion lines fade across the ruined landscape.

The tall, muscular warrior in a fur-trimmed coat raises his arms and declares, "LET'S SPLIT UP. THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE PRIESTS. WE ARE IN ENEMY TERRITORY." Braham, wearing goggles and carrying a large weapon, replies, "BRAHAM... QUIT SAND-BAGGING IT..." In the next panels, the group moves through the ruined, pipe-filled landscape. One shouts, "I'M OFF!!" while others discuss, "WE CAN'T LET THAT KIND OF HUMILIATION HAPPEN AGAIN. WE WOULDN'T WANT TO GET STUCK ALL TOGETHER... IT SEEMS THEY HAVE MODIFIED THEIR TRIAL TERRITORIES..." The bird-masked fighter grips his weapon and says, "WHATEVER, THEN. OK! I GOT THAT. I WISH YOU ALL GOOD LUCK, MY BROTHERS!!!" Explosive sound effects erupt as the warriors charge forward through the chaotic terrain.

The warriors leap into action. One yells, "LET'S MEET AGAIN IN GOD'S SHRINE!!" while another responds, "...WELL THEN... TAKE CARE, EVERYONE." Massive impact lines and "ズォ" sound effects shake the scene as a figure is hurled violently through the air and crashes into the ground. A fallen warrior lies sprawled amid debris. In the lower panels, a long-haired fighter with a fierce expression grunts, "HMI" as another voice cries, "MEEH —" while a cloaked figure on a board speeds across the clouds with dramatic motion lines and "ダァァァァ——!!" effects.

Chaos erupts as a massive impact sends figures flying. "WAH!!" and "!!I" fill the air while a small figure is knocked backward. A surprised voice asks, "ARE YOU FROM THE MILITIA...I" Another shouts, "HESO!!" and "ZARU!!" as a winged fighter is struck and sent spinning. "WHO IS THAT!I WHAT DID YOU DO!I" rings out. In the large lower panel, a stern winged man with horns raises his hand and declares, "THERE IS NOWHERE TO RUN FROM THE 50 ELITE FIGHTERS OF THE MILITIA!!! THAT'S RIGHT!! UNDER ENEL'S DIRECT ORDERS... WE SHALL CLEAN UP THE MESS IN UPPER YARD. MEH—!! PLEASE ENJOY THE DIAL WHICH CAN'T BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE ON SKYPIEA, THE 'AXE DIAL' MEH—!!"

The axe dial activates with a sharp string attack. The horned man screams, "MEEEH—!!" as "YAAH!!!" and "MUUN!!!" erupt. A cloaked fighter yells, "OUT OF MY WAY!!" while swinging a weapon. Massive "ズドンッ!!!" and "バァバァ——" impact effects explode across the page. The winged man taunts, "YOUR LITTLE SHIELD IS USELESS!!!" as the cloaked warrior is blasted backward with "!!I" The final panel shows the horned man standing victorious amid debris while two defeated figures lie on the ground.

Luffy walks alone through the dense Skypiea forest, surrounded by massive roots and tropical foliage. A cheerful singing voice drifts through the trees: "LA LA LA LA LA— THE SOUTHERN ISLAND IS REALLY WARM—" accompanied by musical notes. Another voice comments, "THEIR BRAINS ARE MEEELTING—" Luffy pauses, puzzled by the distant sounds. He spots movement ahead and questions, "A GOATI IS IT REALLY A GOATI" His eyes widen in surprise as a small goat-like creature appears in the distance. Luffy reacts with shock, clutching his head: "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT... A GOAT IN THE FOREST!!!I" The creature lets out a loud bleat: "MEEEH—!!!" Luffy stares in disbelief at the unexpected forest animal.

Luffy charges forward with a fierce punch, his fist smashing into the unseen target with massive impact lines and the sound effect "GRRRR!!!" The strike sends debris flying as Luffy grits his teeth in effort. The panel erupts with motion lines and the exclamation "!!!I" In the aftermath, Luffy stands dejected with a sweat drop, muttering, "JEEZE! WHERE DID THIS ONE COME FROMI THAT WAS A SILLY JOKE TO MAKE. MADE ME EXCITED FOR NOTHING." He walks away disappointed, staff in hand, while the background shows the forest clearing and a large impact crater from the missed or deflected attack.

Luffy continues through the jungle, now hearing a new singing voice: "NOR—THERN ISLAND IS REALLY COLD—" paired with the earlier comment "THEIR BRAINS ARE FREEZING." He reacts with confusion, "HMI" A sudden large black impact shape "ドン!!" erupts near him. Luffy turns sharply, staff ready, and spots a figure in the trees holding a weapon. The mysterious figure speaks: "WHAT, YOU STILL DOING HERE, BRATI" Luffy glares back angrily and replies, "YOU AGAIN." Close-ups show Luffy's intense expression and the stranger's face partially visible among the leaves as tension rises.

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