In a split second—
BOOM!
Chiyu and Smoker launched into action at the exact same moment.
Both figures vanished from sight—one transformed into a bolt of lightning, the other into a thick cloud of smoke.
RUMBLE—
In an instant, thunder and smoke collided head-on!
Smoker reappeared first, slamming his Sea-Prism Stone jitte down with crushing force.
CRACK!
The brutal strike cut through the lightning and landed cleanly on Chiyu's true body.
"Sea-Prism Stone, huh?"
"But that's not all…"
"So you've mastered both Observation and Armament Haki too, huh, Smoker?"
Smoker gave a small grin.
"I may not have your talent, but I haven't exactly been slacking in the New World."
"Good."
Chiyu instantly drew his sword—Wano's national treasure, the black blade Shusui.
It crackled with Armament Haki as he brought it down hard toward Smoker.
"Now that's a sword," Tashigi couldn't help but gasp.
Smoker's expression hardened as he raised his jitte to block.
CLANG!
The force of the clash cut through the clouds and smoke, sending sparks flying in every direction!
Smoker was stunned by Chiyu's power. The blow sent him flying.
Luckily, thanks to his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, he turned into vapor midair, softening the impact.
He didn't hesitate to counter.
"White Snake!"
His arm turned into a massive stream of smoke, snaking toward Chiyu like a giant white serpent, trying to bind him.
"Trying to trap lightning?"
"You're way too naive, Smoker."
Chiyu's form flickered and vanished, becoming a streak of lightning.
Smoker's expression changed.
Pushing his Observation Haki to the limit, he barely sensed Chiyu's movement.
"Behind me?!"
Reacting instantly, he whipped his jitte behind him in a crossguard—just in time to block a sneak attack from Chiyu.
BOOM—
The slash roared like thunder.
Smoker blocked the hit, but couldn't hold off Chiyu's monstrous strength.
He was blasted backward again, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
An Armament Haki–infused slash like that couldn't be defended against, even by a Logia body.
"Rear Admiral Smoker!"
"Smoker-sama!"
Tashigi, Nami, and the Marines all cried out from below.
Hina frowned deeply.
"Are they seriously going to fight to the death?"
"Hina really doesn't want to see that happen…"
Nami was clearly distressed.
"Chiyu-sama, Smoker…"
Ignoring his injury, Smoker wiped the blood away and actually smiled.
"You really are something else, Uchiha Chiyu. Stronger than I imagined."
Chiyu replied calmly,
"You've grown too, Smoker. Much stronger than when we first met…"
"But you're still not even close."
Smoker laughed.
"Then let's find out."
"White Jet!"
He roared, launching himself like a missile in a stream of white smoke, his jitte wrapped in Armament Haki for extra power.
CRASH!
Chiyu countered with Shusui.
The shockwave tore through the misty battlefield—electricity ripped from the clouds, shooting out like golden spears.
No one could make out their figures anymore.
All they could hear were explosions and the clash of blows echoing endlessly through the air.
No one knew how long the fight lasted.
Then—silence.
Moments later, Smoker's body fell silently from the sky.
"Rear Admiral!"
The crowd panicked and rushed forward.
Hina quickly raised both arms—her Cage-Cage Fruit activated, launching two steel bars that caught Smoker midair, slowed his fall, and safely lowered him to the ground.
At the same time, Chiyu dropped from the sky in a crackle of lightning.
Smoker let out a long breath.
"I lost…"
"And I accept it."
Nami looked at his pale face, heart aching.
"Why did it have to come to this…?"
"You're supposed to be friends…"
Smoker shook his head.
"Even friends can stand on opposite sides."
"I gave it everything I had. I stood by my justice as a Marine. But I still couldn't stop you. What happens next—it's your call."
Chiyu understood exactly what Smoker meant.
He needed to hit Smoker hard—or the Marine couldn't explain this loss to his superiors.
"You're right. Right now, I'm a criminal, and you're a Marine. This fight had to happen."
"But at the end of the day, you're just another defeated opponent."
"I don't show mercy—not to pirates, scum, or corrupt Marines. You're none of those."
"So… go."
Hina could see through it all—the heavy hearts, the forced conflict. She sighed softly, unable to help feeling a bit moved.
Tashigi helped Smoker to his feet, her tears flowing.
"Rear Admiral Smoker…"
Smoker gave a weak chuckle.
"A loss is a loss. But for someone like Uchiha Chiyu to actually let me go… that's rare."
"Let's go."
Ignoring his wounds, he turned to leave with Tashigi and the others.
With the paths they now walked, it was unlikely they'd meet again as anything but enemies.
Chiyu said nothing more.
Their reunion ended quietly—no greetings, no farewells.
Nami and Hina both looked a little down, but there was nothing they could do.
"Let's set sail once the Log Pose finishes locking onto the next island," Chiyu said calmly.
"Where to?"
Wiping away tears, Hina and Nami pulled out the pointer and map.
"Next up… the Kingdom of Dressrosa."
Chiyu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Dressrosa…
That's Doflamingo's territory.
"Got it," he said flatly, hiding his thoughts.
…
Meanwhile, back at G-5 Base…
A battered and bruised Smoker returned and went straight to report to his superior—Vice Admiral Vergo.
Vergo wasn't happy.
"Smoker. You were supposed to ambush Uchiha Chiyu at Raijin Island. What happened?"
Already upset, Tashigi snapped.
"Vice Admiral Vergo, Smoker gave it his all! Chiyu overwhelmed him. The power gap was just too big—he did everything he could!"
Vergo responded coldly:
"If 'doing your best' is enough for a Marine officer, then who's left to protect the world?"
Tashigi flared up.
"Then why don't you go fight Chiyu yourself?!"
Vergo smirked.
"Oh, I will. But don't think I don't see what's going on between you and him."
"Chiyu kills without mercy—so why did he spare you?"
"Isn't that proof you're in cahoots with him?"
Tashigi shouted,
"He only kills the wicked—pirate or Marine! Rear Admiral isn't like that!"
"How naive."
Vergo's eyes narrowed.
"You think I'm buying that crap?"
Before Tashigi could speak again, Smoker raised a hand.
"That's enough, Tashigi."
He looked Vergo straight in the eye.
"Say whatever you want. If you think I betrayed the Navy, then report me."
"All I'll say is—I've got no regrets."
"Come on, Tashigi."
As they left, Vergo's expression shifted—from cold to chilling.
Alone in his office, he picked up a Den Den Mushi and called a secure line.
"Vergo? Well, this is rare. What's up, calling me out of the blue?"
"Still enjoying life as a Navy man?"
The voice on the other end oozed arrogance—carefree and mocking, as if the world was a joke.
Vergo replied calmly,
"Doffy, my intel says Uchiha Chiyu was just at Raijin Island. His next stop is probably Dressrosa."
"Oh?"
"Hahahahaha…"
"Now that's interesting."
"I've been meaning to meet this guy anyway."
"Killed two Warlords… took down a Celestial Dragon… how could I not want to see him in action?"
Vergo's voice was serious.
"Doffy, you're a Warlord too. You know he won't ignore you."
"I just don't want to see you fall to him."
The voice burst into laughter.
"You think I'd die?"
"Don't underestimate me, Vergo. I'm not just anyone…"
"I'm the Heavenly Yaksha—Donquixote Doflamingo!"
Yes—Vergo's call was to Doflamingo himself.
Vergo was never a loyal Marine—he had been Doflamingo's agent from the start.
Even when Doffy was a kid, Vergo was there.
He'd infiltrated the Navy, climbed the ranks to Vice Admiral and G‑5 Base Commander—Smoker's direct superior—all for Doflamingo.
Everything he did—watching Smoker, tracking Chiyu—was for Doffy's benefit.
Vergo let out a sigh.
"Doffy, it's not that I doubt you… but Chiyu isn't like anyone we've ever faced. He's not a pirate or a Marine. Right now, he might be the most dangerous man in the world."
"So be careful."
"Yeah, yeah," Doflamingo muttered before hanging up.
Vergo stared at the receiver, then suddenly picked it up again.
"Navy HQ?"
"I'd like to report a Marine officer…"