Although Fleet Admiral Sengoku had already announced the resolution, the meeting was not yet over.
After the vice admirals left to carry out their tasks, only six people remained in the Navy's highest‑level conference room:
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and the three admirals—Akainu (Sakazuki), Aokiji (Kuzan), and Kizaru (Borsalino).
Sengoku spoke in a low voice. "The next topic is restricted—even vice admirals have no right to attend."
"You all know that, besides killing Crocodile and that other scoundrel, Uchiha Chiyu also killed the 'Devil Child'…"
"Nico Robin."
At once, everyone's expressions shifted in subtle ways.
"Nico Robin, huh?"
Aokiji Kuzan recalled the scene on Ohara all those years ago.
"In the end, she still couldn't escape her fate…"
Akainu Sakazuki said coldly, "To this day we still don't know how she escaped Ohara, Kuzan! After the Navy launched the Buster Call and I personally destroyed every ship, how did that eight‑year‑old girl get away from you?"
"Or was it that you deliberately let her go?!"
Faced with the harsh accusation, Aokiji Kuzan remained unruffled.
"Sakazuki, accusations require evidence. I was punished back then for my failure, but if you want to pin 'intentional release of a criminal' on me, you'd better have proof."
Of course Akainu had no proof, though he was sure of what Kuzan had done.
Sengoku cut them off. "Enough, you two.
"Whatever the case, Nico Robin was the last person on earth who could read the Poneglyphs. With her dead, the World Government's secrets can never be leaked.
"On this point, the Government—indeed, those even higher up—are extremely pleased with Uchiha Chiyu's actions and have ordered that he be lavishly rewarded."
Akainu sneered. "You mean those Celestial Dragons?!"
At that name even Sengoku's face tightened.
"Sakazuki, watch your tongue."
Akainu snorted but fell silent; the topic was too sensitive for even "Buddha" Sengoku to pursue.
"Ahem. It's enough that you understand. With Nico Robin dead, if we simply do nothing and let events fade from view, Ohara, the Poneglyphs, the Void Century—all of it—will sink into the dust of history… Exactly what the World Government wants."
No one replied.
Sengoku concluded, "Very well, this high‑command meeting is adjourned.
"Sakazuki, keep an eye on Uchiha Chiyu. He's riding a wave of popularity—almost worshipped, both by the public and inside the Navy, nearly like a cult leader.
"I've always tolerated differing views of Justice in the Marines… but don't let anything get out of hand."
Akainu answered flatly, "Understood."
"Good."
…
"Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!"
Nami's eyes shone with delight; her gaze on Chiyu-sama grew even more fervent.
"As expected of Chiyu-sama! That promotion speed is unimaginable!"
Hina nodded. "Indeed. Hina has never heard of anyone treated so favorably. In barely half a year, rising straight to HQ Vice Admiral—Hina is truly stunned."
Nami giggled. "Hina‑neesan, you were promoted too! After the Alabasta battle you rose from Colonel to Rear Admiral."
Rear Admiral Hina smiled. "True enough. But all this glory came from following the Rear—no, the Vice Admiral. Hina herself did little; it's rather embarrassing."
Nami shook her head. "No—Hina-neesan, your contribution was big as well."
Hina patted Nami's head fondly, then thought of her old classmate, Smoker.
"Hina's a brigadier now. I wonder if that guy Smoker has been promoted. A branch captain posted to a Grand Line base starts again as a mere lieutenant… With his strength, promotion shouldn't be hard, but HQ may not tolerate that foul temper of his."
Nami laughed. "The chain‑smoking guy? Yeah, sounds right."
This conversation took place aboard the warship that had already left Alabasta. Rewards from the World Government had arrived: Chiyu was now a Vice Admiral; Hina a Rear Admiral; the three HQ lieutenants on board were all made majors. Virtually everyone had been promoted, and a host of material rewards had the whole crew buzzing.
Chiyu had even granted Nami's symbolic request—that she be promoted to Seaman Third Class… though he still disapproved of someone so young taking part in combat.
Nami stepped forward and saluted.
"Reporting, Vice Admiral, sir! Seaman 3rd Class and navigator Nami awaiting orders. Where is our next destination?"
In fact, Chiyu's HQ warship, Uchiha, did not need to follow standard routes. He possessed Eternal Poses for several islands—Marineford, Impel Down, Enies Lobby, and so on. The keel was lined with seastone, and an auxiliary engine provided a third source of propulsion, so they could sail almost anywhere directly.
But Chiyu had someplace specific in mind—and someone he intended to kill. He looked up at the Grand Line sky, clear and brilliantly blue.
He raised a finger toward the heavens.
"Up there."
Nami blinked. "Huh? Where exactly, sir?"
"Sky Island," Chiyu replied.
Rear Admiral Hina gasped. "Sky Island?! Hina has heard of it… but isn't that only a legend?"
Chiyu shook his head. "Sky Island is real. That is our next stop. But first—Jaya Island."
Nami quickly found the tiny island on a naval chart.
"Jaya… here it is! A necessary waypoint to Sky Island?"
Though even a child like Nami found the idea of an island in the sky hard to believe, if Chiyu-sama said so, she would execute the order at once.
"Set course for Jaya and Sky Island—move out!"
Truth be told, Chiyu was less interested in the island than in a certain man: Enel, wielder of the Logia‑type Rumble‑Rumble Fruit—proclaimed the mightiest Logia user, with terrifying, unrivaled power. Chiyu was determined to "meet" him.
A few days later the ship reached Jaya, gateway to Sky Island. Chiyu knew the secret—that Jaya and Sky Island were once a single landmass, half of which had been blasted sky‑high centuries ago by the Knock‑Up Stream. No one else understood.
Nor did the Uchiha dock where Luffy once landed; instead it anchored at Mock Town—a den of pirates, thugs, and criminals: a paradise for villains.
Seeing a Marine warship, the scoundrels did not panic; their eyes burned with fanatic greed. Clearly they had faced Marines before, with good results—or so they assumed, for the entire town was made of criminals and even Marines dared not act wild here.
They did not know who had come this time.
Chiyu's party set foot in Mock Town, intent on learning when the Knock‑Up Stream would erupt. He knew how to ascend but not the timing.
Barely had they arrived when pirates attacked.
"It's the Navy!"
"Look at that beauty of a warship! Grab it and we'll rule the Grand Line! Hahahaha!"
"Kill them!"
Hina and Nami frowned.
"Vice Admiral, it's just as you said—nothing but villains. They all deserve to die!"
Before the words had faded, bullets roared toward them. Chiyu, Hina, and Nami dodged every round with ease, stunning the pirates.
"W‑what are they?!"
"So many shooters and they dodged all of it?!"
"Go get Boss Bellamy!"
Chiyu remembered—yes, Bellamy the Hyena was also on Jaya. He gave no quarter. At his order, Hina and the elite Marines counter‑attacked, slaughtering the pirates in short order.
A shrill voice rang from a cliff.
"Hey, clueless Marines! Know whose turf this is?!"
The man leapt down, his legs turning to springs so he rocketed earthward, cushioning the landing with spring‑legs.
Hina's face tightened.
"Spring‑Spring Fruit user—Bellamy the Hyena! Bounty 55 million!"
Bellamy grinned at her. "Pretty babe! What a waste to serve the Navy!"
"You want to die!" Hina launched black iron bars from both arms, trying to trap him. Bellamy sprang away in a blur. His crew cheered.
He taunted as he bounced.
"Can you Marines keep up with me? That woman's power is useless!"
"Know who I follow? Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo!"
Hina blanched: "Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo—the terrifying ruler of the New World…"
"Hahahaha! Scared now? Too late! Take my killer move—Spring Sniper!"
With all speed compressed into a single lunge, Bellamy hurtled toward Chiyu's group. The force was devastating.
Just as the pirates roared with glee, Chiyu finally moved. A flash of lightning—BOOM! Bellamy smashed into the ground, gouging a massive crater—and lay motionless. Some pirates peeked in: Bellamy was dead, head severed, body mangled.
"B‑Boss Bellamy!"
"H‑how… could that be? Did that man cut him down at that speed?! Impossible…"
Hina sneered. "Open your filthy eyes! This is Chiyu-sama—the Marine hero who just slew Warlord Crocodile!"
"Ch‑Chiyu… the Marine Reaper?!"
The pirates screamed in terror and scattered.
Chiyu ignored them. He addressed one pirate still paralyzed in the crater.
"When will the Knock‑Up Stream erupt?"
The man stammered, "Th‑this afternoon, sir! But… why do you—p‑please spare me!"
Chiyu had his answer and turned away.
"Vice Admiral, what do we do with these pirates and villains?" Hina asked.
"Bombard all of Mock Town," Chiyu said coldly.
Hina's heart chilled, but she did not hesitate.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
They returned to the warship. One order—every cannon roared. Explosions devastated Mock Town, turning it into a hellish inferno.
Chiyu paid no mind. He set course toward the imminent Knock‑Up Stream.
Next stop:
Sky Island.
~~~
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