Black Arm Zephyr furrowed his brows.
"Oh? He's already gone?"
"He moves fast…"
Jinbe spoke up. "Admiral Zephyr, sounds like you don't actually want to fight Uchiha Chiyu. So why are you in such a rush to find him?"
Zephyr let out a hearty laugh.
"Who said I wanted to fight him?"
"Quite the opposite—I want to team up with him and flip this entire world upside down!"
That took Jinbe and the others by surprise.
But… it made sense.
After all, both men had defected from the Navy and were now at the top of the World Government's most-wanted list.
Uchiha Chiyu – 2 Billion Berry Bounty
Admiral Zephyr – 1.5 Billion Berry Bounty
If these two forces joined, their strength would easily rival a Yonko crew.
Even though Jinbe and the others were deeply grateful to Chiyu, they still couldn't read Zephyr's true intentions—so they kept their guard up.
King Neptune noticed this and cleared his throat.
"Admiral Zephyr, even though you're now a wanted man, Fish-Man Island knows its limits. We can't stop you, so you're free to leave."
Zephyr smiled.
"You're a cautious one, King Neptune."
"Don't worry, I'm not here to lie to anyone."
"If you're not picking a fight, neither are we. We're heading for the New World—to catch up with Uchiha Chiyu."
He gave the order, and his fleet of warships began sailing away toward the New World route behind Fish-Man Island.
Jinbe and Neptune exchanged a look.
"Even Zephyr's crossed the line…"
Jinbe said seriously, "The World Government's just getting darker. Can't blame him. I heard one of the new Warlords slaughtered his students—and even cut off his right arm. No wonder he left. It's hard to say he's wrong."
Neptune nodded. "If he teams up with Chiyu, that could actually be good news. It might give Chiyu-sama a real foothold in the New World."
Jinbe smiled.
"Technically, we shouldn't be saying this… but you're right, Your Majesty."
"The New World—it's the most dangerous sea there is."
"Chiyu would never bow to a Yonko, though. The real question is, which one will he take on first?"
Neptune frowned. "What if it's Whitebeard?"
Jinbe paused, then shrugged with a smile.
"Both of them helped us. If that happens, we'll just have to stay neutral and let their strength decide the outcome."
"But let's be real—Chiyu isn't ready to take on Whitebeard yet."
"That man's still considered the strongest in the world."
Neptune nodded again.
The peace on Fish-Man Island existed thanks to Whitebeard's protection. Naturally, Neptune was grateful to him.
But at the same time, he didn't want anything bad to happen to the man who saved his daughter—Uchiha Chiyu.
He sighed and said a silent prayer.
…
Raijin Island
The Uchiha ship sailed on.
Following the Log Pose, they gradually neared their first island in the New World: Raijin Island.
Even from a distance, the pressure was intense.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, as thick as ink. Bolts of lightning crashed down from the sky, exploding against the land with terrifying power.
Nami couldn't help but shudder.
"This really is the New World… and this really is Raijin Island…"
"How are we supposed to land somewhere like this?!"
Hina smiled. "What's there to be afraid of? We've got Chiyu-sama."
As they approached, Chiyu casually raised a hand—and the violent lightning literally froze mid-air, like someone had pressed the pause button.
Thanks to the powers of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he could control all forms of lightning.
And no matter how wild the storms on Raijin Island were, they were nothing compared to his power.
Nami was thrilled and eagerly jumped off the ship, taking in the surroundings.
But the island was desolate—scarred by constant lightning strikes.
Cracks and craters littered the ground. Not a single plant could grow. It was just barren rock and scorched earth.
"There's really nothing here…"
She frowned. "How long will it take for the Log Pose to lock on?"
"About half a day," Hina said. "That's normal for New World islands."
"Half a day? Guess we're stuck here for now…"
But Chiyu had already sensed something was off.
Without saying a word, he discreetly signaled his three subordinates—former Major Blade the Elephant Swordsman, Box with the Giraffe Fruit, and Barbara with the Bubble Fruit.
Then he stepped onto the island alongside Hina, Nami, Franky, and the others.
As expected—
Enemies closed in from all directions. Marines, fully armed and armored, emerged from the shadows and completely surrounded them.
"What the—?!"
"The Navy?!"
"They were already here?! Waiting for us?!"
"Don't they care about the lightning?!"
Hina pointed at the umbrellas in their hands.
"Those are special insulated umbrellas. I heard they can block lightning strikes. Looks like the Navy came well prepared."
Franky let out a low chuckle.
"Right… forgot we're wanted criminals now."
"Of course we'd be targeted wherever we go."
"But seriously, these weaklings think they can take us down?!"
He opened up his cybernetic arm—already prepped for battle.
But Chiyu raised a hand to stop him.
Franky blinked. "Huh? Chiyu-sama?"
And then… Nami and Hina saw something even more shocking.
Chiyu smiled.
Yes—smiled.
A rare sight on its own. But while surrounded by enemies?
"Chiyu-sama, why are you smiling?"
He replied calmly, "Because it's good to see old friends again, isn't it?"
"Come on out…"
Suddenly, the marines stepped aside—and familiar figures appeared.
"Long time no see, Chiyu."
"Yeah, it's been a while."
Smoker and Tashigi.
Hina and Nami were stunned at first… then they both smiled warmly.
"It's really you!"
"Captain Smoker! Tashigi-nee!"
Smoker, still puffing on his cigar, tossed his umbrella aside with a grin.
Tashigi smiled brightly and waved.
Nami immediately ran up and hugged her tight.
"This is amazing! I can't believe the first people we meet in the New World aren't enemies—but you!"
Tashigi hugged her back and gently ruffled her hair.
"Nami, you've grown so much…"
"It hasn't even been that long…"
Nami beamed. "Of course I've grown—and not just taller. After everything I've gone through with Chiyu-sama, I'm not a kid anymore."
Tashigi's smile dimmed a bit, but she nodded.
"Yeah, I can see that…"
"What's wrong, Tashigi?"
Tashigi sighed.
"You're definitely not a child anymore. Even the Navy's got your name on a wanted poster now."
"Oh, that? That just proves I'm valuable!"
Hina glanced at Smoker.
"Heard you're a Rear Admiral at G-5 now. Moving up fast, huh?"
Smoker exhaled smoke calmly.
"If you'd stayed in the Navy, I'd outrank you now. Mind your tone, Hina."
Hina smirked. "Too bad I'm not Navy anymore. No need to show respect to a superior."
Smoker sighed.
"Chiyu… didn't think we'd end up like this so soon."
Chiyu was unfazed.
"You knew who I was when we first met."
Smoker thought back.
"Yeah… I did."
Back then, Chiyu had slaughtered the entire Yes Pirates crew—no survivors. Even Smoker had been shaken.
But he still recommended Chiyu for the Navy. Maybe he always knew this day would come.
Tashigi sighed.
"I didn't agree with your methods back then, Chiyu-sama… but everything that happened afterward showed me your justice."
"Sadly, by the time I understood… the Navy and the World Government had already cast you out."
Chiyu said, "You weren't wrong, Tashigi. Honestly, you saw me clearer than Smoker did."
"I was never meant to be a Navy man."
"This version of me suits me better—free, unchained, killing whoever I damn well want."
Smoker gave a crooked smile.
"Like you weren't already doing that before."
Chiyu smiled faintly. "It's different now."
Then his expression turned sharp.
"So tell me—this ambush. Was it official?"
Smoker nodded.
"Not just G‑5. The entire Navy and World Government have orders: stop you at any cost—dead or alive."
Chiyu nodded calmly. "So... we're enemies now."
Smoker said nothing.
Tashigi sighed. "Yeah… even if Smoker and I support your ideals completely, it doesn't change the fact…"
Chiyu cut her off. "I get it. You don't have to say more."
What started as a warm reunion suddenly turned cold.
Nami froze. "Why does it have to be like this…"
Hina sighed. "There's no avoiding it."
Smoker took a long drag from his cigar and exhaled.
"Chiyu—no matter what side we're on, I still consider you a true friend."
Chiyu didn't hesitate.
"Same here."
To Chiyu, Smoker wasn't just the first friend he'd made in this world—
He might still be the only one.
Smoker smiled. "That's all I needed to hear."
"Now then—let's fight."
In a flash, the air changed.
Old friends… now prepared for battle.
The clash was about to begin.
~~~
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