Just as Chiyu's party was setting course for the Sabaas Sea…
At the Navy branch in Loguetown, Captain Smoker was called to account by Marine Headquarters.
HQ: "Captain Smoker, we have intelligence that personnel from your branch barged into the 16th Branch and—without authorization—killed Captain Nezumi! What is the meaning of this?!"
Smoker had already received the news.
Although Chiyu's methods were cold‑blooded, he was not irrational.
Before departing for the next stop, he had sent part of the crew back to Loguetown with evidence of Nezumi's collusion with Arlong.
Smoker, shocked yet impressed, felt even surer he had backed the right man.
Taking a drag on his cigar, he signaled Tashigi.
She produced the files Chiyu had provided and, via a special Den‑Den Mushi device, faxed them to HQ.
Headquarters fell silent.
HQ: "Unbelievable—Captain Nezumi really was in league with the Arlong Pirates!
He hid their crimes and worked hand‑in‑glove with them!
But, Smoker…
Even so, an HQ team should have investigated. Your branch had no right to overstep—this is a grave breach of naval discipline!
We know you ignore orders, but this time you killed a fellow captain! No matter his crimes, it wasn't your place to execute him!"
Smoker offered no excuse.
Smoker: "I didn't kill Captain Nezumi or wipe out the Arlong Pirates.
I agree with what was done, but I won't claim another man's credit."
HQ: "Who was it, then? Our intel says he's under your command!"
Smoker: "Yes, but he acted on his own.
His name is… Uchiha Chiyu."
HQ: "Uchiha Chiyu? Never heard of him!
You're telling us a nobody killed Nezumi and a 20‑million‑berry pirate like Arlong? Impossible!"
Smoker chuckled.
Smoker: "Have I ever lied to you?"
Silence again—Smoker might defy orders, but he never lied.
HQ: "So your subordinate is even more reckless—and just as strong?"
Smoker: "Stronger. And his will far surpasses mine. Remember his name; soon it will shake the world."
HQ hesitated.
HQ: "The Navy needs talent, but we need talent that obeys orders—otherwise we're no different from pirates!"
Smoker: "Obey orders? Nezumi obeyed orders—look how that turned out. Do you want a two‑faced coward like him, or a Marine like Uchiha Chiyu who hates evil and strikes it down?"
HQ: "You—!"
Smoker: "That's all. If you plan to punish Uchiha Chiyu, punish me first. And be ready to invent a story explaining Nezumi and Arlong's deaths."
He slammed the receiver down.
Tashigi sighed, hand to forehead.
Tashigi: "Captain, your attitude was too harsh…"
Smoker: "HQ's rotten to the core. Talk nice and they won't hear a thing."
Tashigi: "Still… I can't believe it.
Not only Nezumi—the entire Arlong Pirates, gone… A 20‑million bounty pirate—the highest in East Blue."
Smoker smiled.
Smoker: "Told you bringing him into the Navy was right."
Tashigi: "Maybe… you're right. I dislike his extremes, but without him, who knows how long Nezumi and Arlong would have run wild."
…
Marineford, Marine Headquarters
Vice Adm. Doberman (slamming a Den‑Den Mushi): "That bastard Smoker hung up!"
Vice Adm. Onigumo: "Let it go—you know his temper. And he may be telling the truth… For someone to kill Arlong and destroy his crew in East Blue, that Uchiha Chiyu must be exceptional—perhaps stronger than Smoker. Exactly the kind of talent we need."
Doberman: "Easy to say. One Smoker is headache enough; add an even stronger, less obedient fanatic and East Blue will be chaos!"
Onigumo: "Not necessarily. From Smoker's words, Chiyu is ruthless but hates evil—maybe the resolve this era needs. Besides, the world needs an explanation for Nezumi and Arlong."
Doberman considered.
Doberman: "Fine. We'll announce HQ uncovered Nezumi's collusion and dispatched Smoker's unit. Uchiha Chiyu will be hailed a hero and promoted directly to Lieutenant Commander."
Onigumo (admiring): "Cunning as ever—other branches won't know it was an unsanctioned raid, and we gain a new role model. Let's inform the Admiral about this… and for the Admiral…"
Doberman (lowering voice): "Clearly, this man must be that Admiral's protégé…"
Together: "…Admiral Sakazuki, the Red Dog."
A towering figure strode in; both vice admirals broke into a cold sweat.
Both: "Admiral Sakazuki!"
Sakazuki—Akainu—one of the three Admirals, embodiment of Absolute Justice.
Akainu: "What are you discussing?"
They briefed him.
Doberman: "Before joining us, he single‑handedly annihilated the Nass Pirates, then killed Nezumi and wiped out the Arlong Pirates. According to Smoker's fax, his goal is 'to Purge all the Pirates'—step one: East Blue."
Akainu frowned, then smiled faintly.
Akainu: "Still a Marine like that? Rare… If he can cleanse East Blue, send him to the Grand Line. Perhaps he really can cleanse the world."
Doberman: "Admiral, you truly believe he can?"
Akainu: "Compared with bureaucrats who've lost their edge, you can't comprehend a real warrior's will. As for 'reining him in'—a man of such ambition won't care about your slap on the wrist."
Both: "Yes, Admiral!"
Akainu (gazing at the photo): "His justice may surpass mine. All intel on him—bring it to me first."
…
Chiyu, oblivious to the politics (and indifferent if he knew), was sailing toward the Sabaas Sea.
Though barely twelve or thirteen, Nami—"Cat Burglar" and genius navigator—soon won the crew's respect and guided the Uchiha to their destination.
Chiyu learned that the Sabaas Sea was the region where the floating restaurant Baratie lay—only one point in a vast area.
Sword (squatting by Nami): "Nami, where exactly is the Krieg Pirates' base?"
Nami: "Somewhere in the Sabaas Sea—I don't know the precise spot."
Sword: "Then which way do we sail?"
Nami (patting his shoulder): "Relax—we'll find those jerks. But first, let's eat! Navy food's awful—why not try the famous Baratie and pick up intel? Chiyu-sama—what do you think?"
Chiyu (calmly): "Fine."
Nami cheered.
Soon their warship docked at Baratie and was warmly greeted, though Chiyu led ashore only Nami, Sword, and a few others. Their hold had food and cooks; this trip was for information.
Baratie looked like a gigantic fish‑shaped ship, famed for haute cuisine, visited even by HQ officers. Chiyu noticed another Navy vessel moored nearby but ignored it.
Inside, they found a spacious table. Nami, well‑travelled despite her age, quickly ordered more than a dozen dishes.
The waiter, forcing a grin that mixed comedy with menace, took the order. Nami shivered.
Just then—
???: "Wow, what a beautiful lady!"
A fourteen‑ or fifteen‑year‑old boy stepped up with wine—instantly captivated by Nami.
Boy: "A pleasure to serve you. This is our house red. To meet such beauty on the open sea—may I learn your name?"
Nami froze, overwhelmed. Chiyu recognized the lad: Vinsmoke Sanji, future Straw Hat cook—but had no fondness for womanizing types.
Chiyu (flat voice): "Say one more useless word to her… and I'll shatter all your teeth."
His tone was mild, yet the calm menace made young Sanji tremble.
Sanji: "Y‑Yes, sir…"
Nami, amused, rested her chin to watch the show; Sanji fled.
Waitstaff: "Serves you right, Sanji! That's karma!"
Sanji: "I only said a few words… That Marine's terrifying…"
Baratie's owner, Red‑Leg Zeff, hobbled over on his wooden leg.
Zeff: "I warned you, Sanji. Not everyone will tolerate your antics at sea."
He glanced at Chiyu—eyes narrowing.
"That man… unfathomable."
Sanji: "Why?"
Zeff: "I've sailed the Grand Line, met Marines, pirates, bounty hunters, revolutionaries… never seen eyes like those. His aura feels otherworldly—like something that fell from the sky."
Everyone was shaken.
Zeff: "Whatever he asks, do it. Do not provoke him."
All: "Yes, boss!"
The food arrived. As the waiter turned to leave, Sword called out:
Sword: "Wait—we're looking for the Krieg Pirates. Any idea where they are?"
At "Krieg," the lively hall fell deathly silent. As East Blue's overlord, Krieg's name carried weight.
Waiter (frantically waving): "We just run a restaurant—we know nothing of those monsters!"
Another voice, arrogant, cut in.
???: "Hmph. Why ask about the Krieg Pirates?"
A well‑dressed man with pink hair, a steel gauntlet on his right hand, and a wine glass stood up—face brimming with disdain.
Chiyu knew him: Headquarters lieutenant "Iron Fist" Fullbody.
Sword did not.
Sword: "We intend to eliminate them. Do you have intel?"
Fullbody swirled his wine.
Fullbody: "Eliminate the Krieg Pirates—you East Blue Marines? Hahahaha! Funniest joke I've heard all day."
He turned to his date. She forced a smile.
Sword bristled.
Sword: "What's so funny?"
Fullbody: "Clearly you don't know me. I am Navy HQ Lieutenant Iron Fist Fullbody! And who are you?"
Sword paled—HQ lieutenants outranked East Blue captains.
Standing, he saluted.
Sword: "Sergeant Sword, Loguetown Branch.
This is our Chief, Uchiha Chiyu."
Fullbody snorted.
Fullbody: "A mere sergeant and one warship want to wipe out Krieg's fifty ships and five thousand men? Are you insane?"
The East Blue Marines swallowed their anger, but Nami had had enough.
Nami: "You coward! Calling yourself Iron Fist?
Chiyu-sama single‑handedly destroyed the Nass Pirates, killed Captain Nezumi, slew the 20‑million‑berry pirate Arlong, and eradicated the Arlong Pirates! What right have you to yap at him?!"
Dead silence.
Patrons/Staff (whispering): "He killed a 20‑million pirate?! He's that scary?!"
Fullbody staggered back, face drained.
Fullbody: "Y‑You're serious? Arlong—worth 20 million—beaten by him?!"
His swagger vanished.
At that moment—
???: "Oh? So you destroyed the Arlong Pirates? Interesting… But compared to the Krieg Pirates, those fish‑men were child's play."
Everyone turned—and beheld a figure like a walking war machine:
Don Krieg himself, Admiral of the Krieg Pirates, overlord of East Blue!
~~~
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