One pirate took the lead and charged straight for the cliff.
"Staying on this island is a death sentence. Might as well risk it and see if I can float to another island!"
The others quickly realized the plan and followed, sprinting toward the cliff as well.
"Heh! I did boast that I would wipe you all out. If you escape, where's my face?"
Oguro's lips curved into a cold smile as he sheathed his Zanpakuto, raising his right hand toward the fleeing pirates.
"Bakudo #62: Hyapporankan!"
A silver-gray rod of light condensed above Oguro, then split into hundreds of smaller rods, shooting rapidly toward the crowd.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The rods rained down like pellets.
Pirates struck by them were pinned to the ground, completely immobilized.
"Damn! What kind of Devil Fruit is this?!"
They screamed in desperation as the cherry blossom storm engulfed all of Mock Town.
Within seconds, the town fell silent.
The magnificent sea of cherry blossoms disappeared as well.
This small town, ruled by pirates for years, now lay covered in corpses.
Only about two thousand had survived.
Byakuya had handpicked these survivors at Oguro's request for forced labor.
They were the weakest in the entire town and had shown no resistance from the start.
These were the safest to send to Skypiea.
Oguro surveyed the gathered survivors in the plaza, his tone calm:
"Those still alive, congratulations—you won't die… yet. But remember, from today onward, you do as I command.
Otherwise… your life ends without hesitation."
The pirates, having narrowly escaped death, dared not speak. They nodded frantically like chickens pecking grain.
"First, clean up the town!"
The bodies of tens of thousands of pirates and the bloodstains would need some time to clear, even for the surviving two thousand.
Meanwhile, Oguro marked the coordinates for the interdimensional gate in Mock Town.
He intended to turn Jaya Island into a forward outpost and transfer station—monitoring anyone approaching Skypiea and facilitating his own forces' movements.
The massive upheaval naturally caught the attention of Montblanc Culichet and the Saruyama Allied Forces.
When they arrived and saw the field littered with corpses and busy pirates, they were utterly stunned.
"Enemies?"
Suddenly, a long blade pressed against Culichet's neck.
Rukia Kuchiki had silently appeared behind him.
"Don't… don't attack! I'm not your enemy!"
Culichet raised his hands frantically.
The nearby apes wanted to intervene, but with their leader in danger, they dared not act rashly.
"I live on the other side of the island. I just came because I heard the commotion! I'm not allied with these pirates!"
Culichet continued explaining, desperate not to be killed alongside these pirates without reason.
"Montblanc Culichet?"
Oguro noticed the disturbance and approached, instantly recognizing the descendant of Roland, the "Great Talker."
Culichet also recognized Oguro.
A 200 million berry bounty pirate who, upon entering the Grand Line, had already defeated Warlord Crocodile—a monstrous rookie!
"Mr. Oguro! We, the Saruyama Allied Forces, are not with these pirates! Please, have mercy!"
Faced with a pirate worth 200 million berries, caution was mandatory.
Oguro waved his hand, signaling Rukia to sheath Sode no Shirayuki.
Though technically a pirate crew, the Saruyama Allied Forces were actually a shipwreck salvage team. Oguro had no intention of harming them.
Clang!
With Sode no Shirayuki sheathed, Culichet and his group let out long breaths of relief.
Oguro turned to Culichet and spoke:
"You want to find El Dorado, right? To clear your ancestor Roland's name?"
Culichet trembled and said despondently:
"Even if I want to, what's the point? Four hundred years, and no one has found even a hint of El Dorado!"
Roland had assumed El Dorado sank into the ocean, so Culichet had been searching underwater all along.
He never suspected that El Dorado hadn't sunk… but flown into the sky.
"I can help you find El Dorado… even let you ring the Golden Bell!"
Oguro's words hit him like a hammer to the skull.
For a moment, Culichet thought he'd imagined it.
"Y-you… really mean it?"
His first instinct was disbelief—but then, why would Oguro lie?
Oguro smiled slightly and continued, "I have already found El Dorado. If you wish, you can personally ring the Golden Bell."
Culichet calmed down, considering:
"What do you want in return?"
Nothing in this world comes free. He didn't believe Oguro was helping out of goodwill.
Oguro nodded, pleased to talk to someone with sense:
"Simple. From now on, the Saruyama Allied Forces will be my subsidiary. You'll guard Jaya Island and assist my main base."
Turning Mock Town into an outpost required stationed personnel.
The Skypieans have wings—too conspicuous.
The Saruyama Allied Forces were perfect as local guardians.
Culichet hesitated.
Though nominally pirates, they never committed atrocities. Joining Oguro's crew didn't mean they had to pillage and kill.
Oguro, noticing his concern, smiled:
"No need to worry. I'm not asking you to do anything bad. Just act as sentries while stationed here."
He paused, voice serious:
"And we're not a pirate crew. Once you join, you'll be part of a legitimate army."
Under the banner of the Divine Nation, who would dare call them pirates?
Culichet understood the hidden meaning behind Oguro's words.
He nodded:
"If you really can help me find El Dorado, I'll stay and help. But whether my comrades stay must be their choice!"
He could stay to repay the favor, but wouldn't force anyone.
"No problem!" Oguro nodded in agreement.
He didn't need people staying against their will.
Oguro then led Culichet, along with the apes and orangutans, to the coordinates of the interdimensional gate.
With a wave of his hand, two gates appeared before them.
Seireitei.
Culichet and his group widened their eyes in shock, staring at Seireitei and the Skypiea outside.
The solemnity and majesty of Seireitei left a strong impression.
On the way to the Golden Bell, many Skypieans respectfully saluted Oguro.
Culichet thought:
"This Oguro… isn't ordinary! He even took Skypiea!"
"He's letting us guard Jaya Island… he must have big ambitions!"