Eight years before the Sky Island arc, after Enel destroyed his hometown of Birka, he overthrew Gan Fall through violence and crowned himself the new God of Skypiea.
But right now, Enel—who was the same age as Astrix—was still wasting time back in Birka.
As the saying goes, a single step ahead leads to staying ahead at every step.
Astrix chose a different approach: win over the Skypieans while negotiating with Gan Fall's forces, combining diplomacy and strength—a two-pronged strategy to take control of all of Sky Island.
In truth, Sky Island was simply too perfect as a base.
Located above the White Sea at an altitude of ten thousand meters, it was beyond the reach of the World Government and the Marines led by Garp.
Looking across the entire pirate world, there was no better place for cultivation.
Moreover, Sky Island possessed unique natural tools with supernatural properties—Wind Dials, Laser Dials, Reject Dials—all valuable assets.
Of course, all of this required one condition:
Becoming the God of Sky Island.
"How about I become your God?"
Kalpara froze.
If Roger had said those words, it might have been acceptable.
But Astrix?
Aside from being an exceptional cook, he didn't seem qualified.
"Astrix… you know our traditions."
The Shandians respected strength. To lead them, one had to defeat every warrior in the tribe and become the greatest among them.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Astrix had no patience for hesitation. The sooner he took control of Sky Island, the sooner he could begin his path to power.
"Come and fight."
Thunder roared across the sky.
White, yellow, blue, red, and purple lightning intertwined, as if the end of the world—or divine wrath—had descended.
At sea, Astrix summoned lightning from thunderclouds to strike his targets.
But here—
The lightning came not only from the skies above Sky Island, but also from the White Sea below.
Lightning from above.
Lightning from below.
In a world without Haki, the overwhelming pressure of a Logia-type Devil Fruit far surpassed that of Paramecia or Zoan types.
And the Rumble-Rumble Fruit stood at the very top.
Against Skypiean warriors who didn't even possess Haki, its power alone was enough. There was no need to use Conqueror's Haki.
It was just like the terror Enel inspired when he first appeared—against everyone except Luffy.
Kalpara and the others stared in stunned silence.
Such a divine display made fear rise instinctively in their hearts.
Even so, courage remained.
Some warriors stepped forward, drawing their weapons.
"We're not afraid of you!"
Fear is instinct.
Courage is humanity's hymn.
But in a battle so one-sided, courage alone was not enough.
In a single clash, hundreds of warriors collapsed.
And that was with Astrix holding back.
Otherwise, the Shandians would have been wiped out completely.
Devil Fruits were simply that unreasonable.
As the lightning faded, Astrix casually sat down and resumed the crew's banquet.
"Mihawk, have you thought of a name for our pirate crew?"
Mihawk set down his cup.
"Before that, I want to ask you something."
He looked directly at Astrix.
"Beelzebub Astrix—a man who has already reached the Final Island and learned the truth of the One Piece… why choose to go to sea again?"
There were too many mysteries surrounding this man.
If possible, Mihawk would have liked to pry open his head and see what secrets lay within.
Astrix downed a full cup of wine.
Without warning, his Conqueror's Haki surged outward, knocking every living being on the island unconscious—
Everyone except Mihawk.
Some words were only meant for those who stood at the same level.
"Mihawk… I did reach Laugh Tale with the Captain and the others. I saw the truth behind what the world calls the One Piece."
"But knowing the One Piece doesn't mean the journey ends."
"Because freedom isn't an answer—it's a state of being."
"Reading every sea chart doesn't mean you've felt every wind or wave."
"The One Piece showed me what the world could become… but it never said it had to become that."
"True freedom isn't choosing between given options—it's creating a path that even Joy Boy never imagined."
"I go to sea to feel that salty, free wind again."
"To raise a glass with new companions on unknown shores—just like we are now."
"To prove that dreams don't end just because you've learned the answer."
"Even knowing everything, I can still embrace this imperfect world with the same curiosity I had on my first voyage."
"So don't let the Final Island define our journey."
"Where we go is decided only by our will—and the sea ahead."
"Mihawk… this is my freedom."
Since the Roger Pirates disbanded, Astrix had never spoken so openly.
Perhaps—
This was what it meant to have a companion.
Mihawk raised his glass.
"To freedom."
"To freedom."
Astrix clinked his cup against his.
"My dear Vice Captain… now can you tell your Captain what our crew is called?"
Mihawk thought for a moment.
"How about…Thunder?"
"Why?"
"The lightning that appears during a storm."
Astrix shook his head.
"Too specific. This crew isn't just about me—we're a whole. No personality cults."
"How about Daybreak? It suggests darkness fading into light and hope."
Astrix frowned.
"Daybreak… sounds a bit unlucky."
Mihawk's grip on his cup tightened slightly.
"Glimmer? Morning Light? Dawn?"
Astrix swirled his wine, silently complaining.
Thus began a heated debate between Captain Astrix and Vice Captain Mihawk.
"Freedom?"
"Too blunt."
"Stars?"
"Too distant."
"Sun?"
"Already taken."
Finally, Mihawk let out a cold snort and stood up, drawing Yoru.
He had realized Astrix was doing this on purpose.
"Astrix—draw your blade."
Astrix immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. No need to get worked up."
"Give me one more name. I promise I won't object."
Mihawk took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to cut down his troublesome captain.
"…Morning Star."
He looked toward the eastern sky.
"The solitary star that shines before dawn—the last light in the darkest hour."
"It endures the long night and guides the lost."
"It represents hope, guidance… and vigilance."
Astrix followed his gaze and looked at the brightest star in the eastern sky.
Then, silently, he gave a thumbs-up.
"Mihawk… that name has real artistic merit."
"As expected of a cultured man."
He stood up and raised his voice.
"Then I hereby declare—"
"The Morning Star Pirates… are officially established!!!"
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