Just when everyone thought Enel was doomed, a deafening "BOOM" echoed through the temple. The next instant, the guard who had been about to strike Enel down was engulfed in a bolt of lightning that had streaked across the room.
"Aaaah!"
A bloodcurdling scream filled the temple, sending chills down everyone's spines. Then, to their utter astonishment, it was the guard who collapsed, his body charred and smoking, completely cooked from the inside out.
The onlookers stared in horrified silence, unconsciously swallowing hard. Who could unleash such a devastating attack?
"Clip...clop...clip...clop..."
Footsteps, previously distant, drew nearer. From the shadows emerged a young man with short, golden hair and sunglasses. Trailing obediently behind him was the God of Birka.
The sight of Donquixote Doflamingo sent a wave of joy through the members of the Donquixote Family. Even Enel, weak and exhausted, managed a small smile.
In stark contrast, the people of Birka were consumed by despair. Even their God had failed. Hope was extinguished. What were they to do?
Doflamingo, having consumed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, had experienced a significant boost in the range and power of his Observation Haki. Sensing Enel's critical condition, he had instantly unleashed "God's Punishment," targeting the guard. He'd also given the former God a little "electro-therapy" to jolt him awake. To Doflamingo's surprise, the awakened God was unexpectedly compliant, offering no further resistance. This saved Doflamingo a considerable amount of trouble. After all, no matter what the former God did now, he stood no chance against Doflamingo. Any further struggle would be futile.
"Doffy, was that attack yours just now? Did you eat a Devil Fruit?" Diamante rushed to Doflamingo's side, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Fuffuffuffu... That's right, Diamante. I did indeed eat a Devil Fruit. And I have God to thank for it," Doflamingo replied, clearly in high spirits.
"Congratulations, Doffy!"
"Congratulations, Young Master, on obtaining god-like power!"
"The Young Master is a god!"
The Donquixote Family members showered Doflamingo with praise, creating a lively atmosphere.
The Birkans, on the other hand, were ashen-faced, resigned to their fate. They didn't dare utter a word, fearing they might draw unwanted attention.
"Alright, enough. How's Vergo?" Doflamingo, already tiring of the adulation, shifted his focus to the well-being of his crew.
"Doffy, I'm fine. I'm not going to die from this," Vergo, with Pica's help, stood up and approached Doflamingo. Since the String-String Fruit could repair internal organs, Vergo was able to endure his injuries. However, it was unclear whether he could actually heal himself to that extent.
"That's good to hear," Doflamingo said, visibly relieved.
"Zzzzt!"
With a burst of speed, Doflamingo teleported to Enel's side and extended a hand. "Can you stand?"
This display of power further astonished some of those present.
"Of course. I'm not going down that easily," Enel replied, accepting Doflamingo's hand and pulling himself to his feet.
"Everyone, listen up! Allow me to introduce the newest member of our family: Enel!" Doflamingo announced to the assembled Donquixote Family.
"Welcome, Enel-sama, to the Donquixote Family!"
The rank-and-file crew members immediately offered enthusiastic applause and cheers. Kapac Usman, who had long desired to join the family but had been rejected by Doflamingo, felt a pang of envy.
"Welcome," the other family executives added, giving Doflamingo a polite, if somewhat lukewarm, greeting.
"Doffy, what should we do with these Birkans?" Diamante, ever attentive to Doflamingo's needs, immediately raised the crucial question.
Hearing the question of Birka's fate, the Birkans ceased their feigned death throes and fixed their gazes on Doflamingo, awaiting their final judgment.
"Enel, do you want to destroy Birka, or do something else? It's entirely up to you," Doflamingo said without hesitation, handing the decision over to Enel.
The Birkans instantly shifted their pleading gazes to Enel, their eyes filled with a desperate hope for survival.
"Enel-sama, we were blind! Please, have mercy on us!"
"Yes, yes, Enel-sama! Treat us like a fart and just let us go!"
"Enel-sama, the ones who used to bully and insult you are all here. We never went against you!"
The infamous quartet, singled out by the speaker, were utterly despondent, unable to even speak.
The desperate pleas revealed the many faces of humanity in the face of death.
Enel watched the scene unfold. This was a scenario he had often dreamt of. Now that his dream had come true, he felt an exhilarating rush, his body trembling with excitement.
Doflamingo and the others stood by silently, observing the unfolding drama.
Pica, however, couldn't resist a snide remark: "Big-eared punk, hurry it up! If you're going to kill them, kill them! Get it over with!"
Enel, jolted out of his revelry by the insult "Big-eared punk," retorted angrily, "Shut up, you sissy! Doffy put me in charge. I'll do what I want!"
The Donquixote Family members were amused by the bickering, but being professionals, they managed to suppress their laughter.
"Enel, I am the one responsible for all of this. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Please, spare Birka. This is, after all, your homeland," the former God said, shouldering the blame with unexpected responsibility, unwilling to see Birka destroyed.
"You think you can take all the blame? What a joke! Playing the hero now?" Enel retorted, showing no mercy.
"Yes, I don't expect you to forgive me for the crimes I've committed. But Birka is the sky island that gave birth to you and raised you. Can you really bear to destroy it?" The former God appealed to Enel's emotions, attempting to reason with him.
Enel fell silent. His original plan had definitely included Birka's destruction, a complete annihilation of his past humiliations to start anew. But the former God's words held some truth. No matter what, Enel still held some affection for Birka.
As Enel hesitated, the Birkans held their breath, terrified of hearing the word "destruction" from his lips.
After a long, agonizing internal struggle, Enel finally exhaled heavily and spoke to Doflamingo, "Doffy, this is, after all, my home. I don't want to destroy it. As for them...let them live in fear of me. I won't forget the past grievances, and I will deal with 'God' myself. Borrowing your power, Doffy, is not what I truly desire."
The Birkans collectively released a sigh of relief. They were safe, for now.
Doflamingo regarded Enel with a newfound respect. The young man, after everything he had endured, had grown considerably.
With the situation resolved, the Donquixote Family took control of Birka. The Donquixote flag flew proudly over the island, proclaiming its new master.
The Donquixote Family members took the opportunity to rest. The residents of Birka, for the most part, returned to their daily lives. For the ordinary citizens, it was merely a change of Gods, and this new one was even more powerful, better able to protect them.
The new God: Donquixote Doflamingo.
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