"The Navy is coming!"
With the thunderous arrival of massive warships, the once-peaceful horizon of the Sabaody Archipelago was now pierced by the cold gleam of naval steel.
Countless marines stood ready on deck, rifles in hand, eyes steeled with resolve as they stared toward the archipelago.
At the forefront stood Vice Admiral Momousagi.
To the native inhabitants of the Sabaody Archipelago, her appearance evoked only fear and hatred.
The navy's posture was clear: scorched earth.
It didn't matter that these civilians had done nothing. They had been oppressed and exploited every day. Now, when someone had finally taken action against their oppressors, the ones at the bottom were expected to pay the price.
But this time, someone had spoken up for them — someone who reminded the world that they were human, not beasts.
At the gates of the Fish-Man Island Palace, King Neptune, flanked by his three sons and holding his royal scepter, looked toward the distant naval ships anchored in the water.
He could see the endless ranks of marines.
"The deaths of the Celestial Dragons on Fish-Man Island have nothing to do with the Sabaody Archipelago," he said solemnly.
Neptune had known this was inevitable the moment he learned that Celestial Dragons had died on Fish-Man Island. Now, all he could hope for was that the marines wouldn't drag innocent civilians into it.
Elsewhere, Sentomaru stood silent.
He had heard the news on the way: Naruto had killed the Celestial Dragon.
The information came from a fish-man soldier — who, to Sentomaru's surprise, hadn't shown an ounce of fear. Instead, there was something else in his eyes:
Fanatical admiration.
"Does this Uzumaki Naruto really inspire that kind of loyalty?" Sentomaru murmured.
His gaze drifted upward, where the massive ball of earth still hung ominously in the sky.
A Navy Admiral — defeated.
A Celestial Dragon — slain.
Despite everything he'd been taught, Sentomaru no longer felt the same disgust or fear toward Naruto as before.
Camie had brought the mermaid girls from the bay and was now helping escort the children from the Sabaody Archipelago to safety in the Fish-Man Island Palace.
She glanced back at the incoming naval fleet.
"It's the navy… just as expected."
"Camie, don't worry. We can't do much now… but Naruto-chan can handle it," said Pappug, patting her on the shoulder.
At the same time, Sentomaru stood before Naruto.
"So the navy's here?" Naruto asked, withdrawing his spiritual focus — most of the resistance to the world fusion had been suppressed. All he needed now was to maintain the progress.
Even in the One Piece world, faint traces of natural energy could now be felt.
"Yes, Naruto-sama."
Sentomaru straightened. "The one leading them is Vice Admiral Momousagi from Marine Headquarters. She's regarded as a sister by Vice Admiral Tsuru."
"She was likely dispatched by higher command because of the Celestial Dragons' deaths."
"Because Fish-Man Island is located under the sea, they couldn't just use a Buster Call."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "They sent her?"
"I thought it would be Akainu or Aokiji. Looks like Kizaru's issue didn't bother them enough."
Sentomaru paused, realizing that no matter how he explained it, the Navy — and by extension, the World Government — would always see him as a traitor.
Still, he continued honestly.
"Naruto-sama… I think they're also here as a countermeasure against the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Not just because Fish-Man Island was once under Whitebeard's protection."
"Also… Ace, the Fire Fist, is scheduled for public execution soon. He's the Pirate King's son."
"And Straw Hat Luffy — he's going to be executed as well."
"The execution will take place at Marineford, so they're reinforcing the lines."
"Sending Momousagi here is also part of awarding her a golden merit medal. She's expected to become the next admiral."
Naruto nodded slowly. "I see."
"Go help escort the civilians."
Sentomaru's eyes widened in disbelief.
Escort civilians? He was a top combat asset — wasn't this… beneath him?
Naruto saw the hesitation and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Do you know why the Navy, pirates, and even the World Government aren't loved by the people?"
Just one sentence — and everything clicked.
Sentomaru looked at Naruto, deeply moved. Then, with newfound clarity, he bowed respectfully.
"Understood, Naruto-sama."
"I won't let a single civilian come to harm."
He raised his head and grinned. "I forgot to introduce myself properly. I'm the toughest guy on the sea… and the tightest-lipped man in the world!"
Hoisting his massive battle axe, Sentomaru strode off.
Soon, he reached the escort team — and froze in his tracks.
"Old man?"
"Yo~ Sentomaru."
His eyes welled with tears.
"I thought you were dead, old man!"
Kizaru rolled his eyes. "You came at the right time. Take these kids — I'll go grab the next group."
Sentomaru: "..."
He looked at Kizaru — who failed to dodge his emotional pounce — and paused.
But seeing that infuriating face still held no grief or guilt, he held his tongue.
Meanwhile, Neptune arrived at the naval ship, accompanied by his three sons.
A tall woman stepped forward, her eyes cold and proud.
"Are you Neptune, King of Fish-Man Island?"
Vice Admiral Momousagi stood before them, exuding authority.
"What does it mean that Fish-Man Island has surfaced?"
Neptune replied solemnly, "It doesn't mean anything. Fish-men and merfolk deserve to enjoy the sun and the sea too."
"We no longer need to live in fear of those who consider themselves superior."
Momousagi (Peach Rabbit) frowned slightly.
"Are you aware that a Celestial Dragon died on Fish-Man Island?"
Neptune's face remained blank.
"So what?"
"Those parasites only came here to abduct mermaids, didn't they?"
"If one of them died while lusting after Shirahoshi... then let him die."
Momousagi narrowed her eyes, lifting her blade Konpira.
"So... Fish-Man Island has allied with Uzumaki Naruto?"
Fukaboshi stepped forward, brandishing the royal trident.
"If it's a fight you want, then so be it! You lapdogs of the World Government!"
But Momousagi wasn't looking at them. Her gaze drifted toward the distance — toward Naruto himself.
"Uzumaki Naruto... why can't I sense any aura from him?"
She shook her head.
"Fish-Man Island has made its stance clear. We have our orders."
"Let's get down to business."
"Fish-Man Island... no longer needs to exist."
With a cold finality, she raised her hand.
In response, all the naval cannons pointed toward the island.
"There are civilians from the Sabaody Archipelago here," someone pointed out.
Momousagi didn't blink.
"The Celestial Dragons are dead. The World Government demands an answer."
"Fish-Man Island is nearby — that's reason enough."
Her voice was calm, but her hand remained raised in hesitation.
"Of course..." she added, glancing back down, "there is an alternative."
"If you're willing to surrender and return with me... we'll call it even."
"Your presence was within my expectations — but it completely disrupted the Navy's and the World Government's plans."
"Use your life to save Fish-Man Island... and the countless innocents here."
"Not a bad trade, is it?"
She smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on Naruto.
Naruto simply shook his head.
With a soft motion, he tapped the ground with his toes and rose gently into the air.
"Actually, now that you mention it..." he said calmly, "I have a better idea."
"How about you surrender — and bring these soldiers with you — and we march together to Marineford?"
"We'll overthrow the Navy Headquarters... and the World Government too."
"Tch!"
Momousagi's expression instantly darkened.
With both hands, she raised Konpira high into the air. The blade shimmered as Armament Haki flowed over it, forming a dense, invisible coating.
At the same time, she activated her Observation Haki, searching for openings.
But the moment her aura reached Naruto, it vanished.
"So this is the man with a 4 billion bounty..." she muttered.
"My Haki... doesn't even work on him?"
Her eyes sharpened. And then — she struck.
Konpira vibrated with a low hum as the sword sliced the air, unleashing a wave of razor-sharp energy toward Naruto.
With Momousagi's attack, the deck of the warship burst into activity.
"Enemy contact! Marines, move in!"
Countless navy soldiers leapt down toward the island.
Momousagi's brows furrowed.
"Wait... that's the headquarters' Major General...?"
"How the hell did he sneak on board—? Damn it!"
But then, something else caught her attention.
Her blade — her powerful Haki-infused slash — disappeared the moment it reached Naruto.
"What...?"
"That wasn't a Devil Fruit ability — it was pure sword energy. How did it vanish?"
As a vice admiral — and a potential next admiral — Momousagi's strength was undeniable.
If she faced an enemy relying solely on a Devil Fruit, a single strike could end them.
But this… this was unprecedented.
Her expression grew serious.
"So this is the man who defeated Kizaru..."
"He's far more dangerous than anyone assumed."
Whoosh—
She took a deep breath. The situation had escalated. Negotiation was now impossible.
But before she could move again — she froze.
Below her, the battlefield had erupted into total chaos.
Navy soldiers who had just disembarked were being ambushed in the water by fish-men and merfolk lying in wait.
On land, things were no better.
Among the defenders were fish-men, mermaids… and even former marines who had discarded their uniforms, pirates… and civilians.
Momousagi's breath caught.
"What... is this?"
These people — enemies, former enemies, bystanders — they had no reason to be united.
Yet here they stood.
Together.
Fighting side by side.
Snap—
A single sound rang out like thunder across the battlefield.
Naruto landed lightly on the deck of the naval ship.
"Your strength isn't bad," he said, calm but firm. "But you're still lacking."
He turned away, as if the fight had already ended.
"That's enough. I have more important things to do."
Then, he raised one hand.
"Come here."
Buzz——
In an instant, a powerful suction force enveloped the space.
Without warning, Momousagi was yanked toward him, drawn in by an unseen gravitational field. Her body trembled, her face flushed as she resisted with all her might — and still, it wasn't enough.
"What... what kind of power is this?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"Power strong enough to change the world."
Momousagi's eyes narrowed. She could neither refute it nor deny it.
Now, she understood.
Now, she saw why even Kizaru, wielder of the Pika Pika no Mi, had fallen.
Before such overwhelming might… even light had no chance of escape.
She gritted her teeth. "Many of the marines down there... they serve the people. They're not all the World Government's lapdogs."
Naruto looked at her. His voice was low, resolute.
"Then choose."
"If I kill you — will you ask me to spare the others?"
"Remember, it was the World Government that ordered Fish-Man Island to be wiped out, not you... not all of you."
"You, Momousagi, claim to uphold 'true justice' just like Admiral Tsuru. And I believe many of your subordinates do too."
She opened her eyes, startled.
"You're not going to kill me?" she asked softly.
"The Navy is still... better than pirates." Naruto replied.
"Only when you reach a high enough rank do you learn what the Navy truly stands for — and what the World Government really hides."
Tear——
In a single motion, Naruto ripped the Cloak of Justice from Momousagi's shoulders and dropped it to the deck.
Then, without ceremony, he stepped on it.
Author's Note (PS):
This chapter leaves me torn.
Killing is the simplest and cleanest solution... but also the most superficial.
It hurts. Kill them all!
Anyone who resists, anyone who dares stand in the way — kill them!
...
TN:
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