One Piece: Curse of Immortality

The Island of Gods, Upper Yard.

Rising above the White-White Sea, this island had been embroiled in a 400-year-long conflict. 

The Skypiean natives and the Shandia warriors had waged countless wars over its ownership. 

In the end, the Skypieans took control of the island and designated it a sacred forbidden zone, where only their "God" and chosen followers could reside.

On this particular day, sunlight poured down, creating a brilliant rainbow across the skies. 

A gentle breeze swept through while the animals of Upper Yard lay lazily under the sun. 

Insects chirped harmoniously, filling the air with a tranquil melody. Everything seemed calm and peaceful.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, growing louder and stronger. A shadow cast over the forest canopy, drawing curious gazes from the animals. 

Their expressions froze, and their eyes soon filled with terror. In an instant, they scattered, fleeing in every direction.

"Whirr! Whirr! Whirr!"

The sound of propellers filled the air, accompanied by the roar of thunderous wind. 

A massive fleet of airships cut across the skies, their powerful presence bending the treetops and shaking the forest.

"What is that?"

The Shandia warriors, hidden in the jungle with their distinctive wings, looked up in shock. 

Twelve enormous airships roared overhead, their decks lined with imposing figures standing tall. 

Just one glance at the disciplined soldiers sent chills down the spines of the onlookers.

"They don't have wings!"

"Are they people from the Blue Sea?"

"To enter this land so brazenly… How dare they?"

The Shandia exchanged glances, their expressions filled with astonishment and curiosity. Without a word, their intentions were clear.

"Let's follow them and see what they're up to!"

"These Blue Sea people seem dangerous!"

"If they clash with the Skypieans, it might give us a chance to reclaim our homeland!"

The Shandia scouting party quickly moved through the jungle, closely monitoring the fleet above.

Meanwhile, at the forefront of the airship fleet, Arashi stood with his arms crossed, a calm smile on his face.

"Is there gold here?"

Capone Bege couldn't help but feel sceptical. 

Upon arriving at Skypiea, he had been awestruck by the dazzling white sea and the immense sun and moon hanging overhead. 

He felt both amazed and insignificant. But as their fleet passed over the island, something seemed off.

"This looks just like any other island on the surface…" he thought.

Arashi's voice broke through his musings.

"The Skypieans call this island Upper Yard, and they've declared it sacred, a domain of their gods." 

"But in reality, it's just Jaya Island from 400 years ago, carried to the sky by a massive knock-up stream."

Bege's eyes widened. "Jaya Island from the Grand Line?"

Arashi nodded lightly, his gaze fixed ahead. Out of the corner of his eye, he also noticed the Shandia warriors trailing below. 

He even overheard their whispered discussions but paid them no mind.

Arashi's aura expanded, enveloping the entirety of Upper Yard instantly. 

His focus shifted to the distant clouds, where a majestic palace stood. Sitting on a throne within was the current Skypiean "God," Gan Fall.

Moments later, the airships hovered above the ruins of Shandora. Bege, seeing the ancient city below, looked stunned.

"Is this the place?"

Arashi nodded. "Begin loading the gold onto the ships. I have another matter to handle."

With that, lightning flashed across his body, and he disappeared.

At the same time, inside the grand palace of the "God":

"God, we have a problem!"

A palace guard burst in, panting heavily.

"What happened?" Gan Fall asked, stepping down from his throne to assist the soldier.

"A fleet of airships from the Blue Sea has entered Upper Yard and is now over Shandora!"

Gan Fall's expression changed. "Blue Sea people?!"

Without hesitation, he issued orders. "Summon the guards! We're heading there immediately!"

A deafening rumble echoed from above as he donned his armour and prepared to depart.

"Boom!"

Thunder roared, and blue lightning arced down like the tendrils of a colossal beast, striking the palace grounds. 

The white clouds burned black as electricity seared through them.

"There's no need to go."

A cold voice echoed in Gan Fall's ears. Startled, he saw a figure descending from the lightning, stepping out from a brilliant flash.

"Who are you?" Gan Fall demanded, his body trembling under the stranger's overwhelming presence. 

Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his hands shook involuntarily.

Arashi smiled faintly and pointed a finger. Bolts of lightning darted toward the guards surrounding Gan Fall, knocking them unconscious instantly.

"You'll learn about me in time," Arashi said, stepping closer to Gan Fall.

When he stood directly before the Skypiean god, Arashi leaned down slightly, staring directly into his eyes.

"But for today, I've come to declare one thing."

Gan Fall's breath hitched as he listened.

"From now on, this island… belongs to me."

Gan Fall's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"

Realizing the intruder's intent, he instantly drew his spear and lunged at Arashi. 

The weapon pierced through Arashi's chest—but to Gan Fall's disbelief, there was no reaction.

"Impossible!" he muttered, his face pale.

Arashi chuckled and placed a hand on Gan Fall's shoulder. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

Lightning surged from his palm, enveloping Gan Fall entirely. The self-proclaimed god trembled and collapsed, powerless against the lightning's might.

"Let me make one thing clear," Arashi said, withdrawing his hand. "I bear no hostility toward anyone here."

He paused, his voice growing colder. "But that all depends on your willingness to obey."

Gan Fall, paralyzed with fear and pain, struggled to move. Yet the lightning coursing through his body left him unable to resist. 

He could only watch as the stranger turned and walked away, his proclamation echoing in his ears.

"You can continue being the God of this land, overseeing everything here," Arashi said casually. "I won't interfere. I might even offer you some conveniences."

Gan Fall froze at the unexpected words, his eyes filled with doubt.

"Ridiculous!" he retorted. 

"This is just one sky island! Have you ever seen the vastness and breadth of the world below? Do you truly think I'm interested in ruling this place?" 

Arashi replied with a playful smirk.

"Then what are you after?" Gan Fall asked through gritted teeth.

"I simply need to make use of this island's secrecy," Arashi said with a sigh.

If he had possessed the abilities of the Golden Lion, capable of lifting islands into the sky, he wouldn't have even considered bringing Skypiea into his plans. 

After all, this place was far too distant from his base in the West Blue.

"Secrecy?" Gan Fall muttered, still puzzled. 

However, he was well aware of Arashi's immense power. The man before him could render him completely helpless in just an instant. 

The gap between them was terrifying. After silence, Gan Fall gathered his strength and forced himself to stand.

"As long as you guarantee the safety of the island's civilians, I'll follow your orders," he said solemnly.

Arashi smiled faintly and walked toward the throne. Sitting down leisurely, he spoke:

"Upper Yard originally belonged to the Shandia, but it was taken by your Skypiean ancestors."

Gan Fall was momentarily stunned. "Belonged to the Shandia? But this island has always been the domain of the Gods, passed down through generations."

Arashi chuckled and replied, "Do you know the true origin of Upper Yard?"

Gan Fall shook his head.

"Upper Yard was once called Jaya, a land from the Blue Sea below," Arashi explained. 

"What your people regard as precious and sacred is nothing more than a fragment of the vast oceans below."

Gan Fall's eyes widened in shock.

"Perhaps, to you, I am just an invader from the Blue Sea," Arashi continued. 

"But to the Shandia, your people are the ones who invaded and plundered their homeland."

Gan Fall's expression shifted as he silently digested the revelation. 

These were truths he had never known, truths that overturned everything the Skypieans had believed for centuries.

"Inform the Shandia," Arashi said as he stood, his body crackling with lightning. 

"From this moment on, they are free to return to their homeland."

With that, Arashi disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving Gan Fall in a daze.

The words Arashi had spoken unravelled centuries of history and shattered the narrative the Gods of Skypiea built.

"We… we're the ones who took their home?" Gan Fall murmured. "And Upper Yard… came from the Blue Sea?"

He stood there, lost in thought, wondering if he might descend to the Blue Sea one day to seek out the truth.

"Who is that man?" he whispered. "A being who commands lightning and is invulnerable to blades and spears…"

Meanwhile, in the ruins of Shandora, the Shandia scouting party remained hidden, watching the fleet carefully.

"There are so many of them," one of them whispered. "And they're moving the gold!"

The group's tension was palpable. Even from a distance, they could sense the overwhelming strength of this fleet.

"Strange… why hasn't the God's army arrived yet?" one of them asked, puzzled.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning tore through the air, heading straight toward them at incredible speed.

"Be careful!" the leader of the Shandia group shouted as they instantly readied themselves for combat.

"They're not coming," a calm voice said, sending chills down their spines.

"Behind us!" the tall, slender leader yelled.

The group turned quickly, their eyes widening in shock.

Standing on a tree branch above them was a towering figure surrounded by crackling lightning. 

His presence exuded strength, reminiscent of the legendary Shandia warrior Kalgara.

"Warriors of the Shandia, greetings," Arashi said faintly. "I am the new master of this island."

The Shandia warriors froze, their bodies trembling with disbelief.