"It's Uchiha Chiga!"
"Boss Chiga!"
Everyone on the ship was stunned when they saw Chiga suddenly appear. The students who recognized him, along with Chiga's roommates, quickly swarmed around him.
Seeing Chiga at this moment was like seeing a savior, but he simply waved his hand, gently pushing the crowd aside, and made his way to Ain's side.
Holding Ain's already cold hand, Chiga said softly,
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Ain forced a smile, her gaze fixed on Chiga.
"It's not your fault. I'm still too weak. I'll never be able to catch up to you."
Shaking his head, Chiga carefully took Ain from Alice's arms, letting her lean against him.
Ain moved her head slightly, her consciousness beginning to fade. She took a few trembling breaths and raised her hand to gently touch Chiga's face. Using her last strength, she spoke—afraid that if she didn't now, she'd never get the chance.
"I think… this is it, Chiga. Actually… I've always looked up to you. I…"
"Don't say anything more. I understand. Just look into my eyes."
(Makes me remember that scene in the anime 'Code Geass' when lelouch used his geass on Shirley to prevent her from dying...sad tho, cos she died.)
"Mm…"
Even on the verge of unconsciousness, Ain instinctively obeyed his words. She forced her eyes open, looking into his.
The four tomoe in Chiga's right Rinnegan began to spin rapidly. Ishikoridome activated, and for a moment, four tomoe briefly appeared in Ain's own eyes. A cool sensation surged through her body.
Everyone on the ship stared in awe.
Before their eyes, the severe wound on Ain's abdomen began to heal at a visible speed. Her pale complexion returned to a healthy glow. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Ain, still in Chiga's arms, suddenly sat up, staring down at her stomach in disbelief. Though stained with blood, her skin was completely healed.
"Save what you want to say until we return to Marine Headquarters. Then, you can tell me everything in person. Got it?"
Ain stared blankly at Chiga and nodded. Before she could respond, a loud explosion rocked the ship, drawing everyone's attention.
Chiga turned toward the sound. Ain said urgently,
"It's Teacher Zephyr. He's still fighting that pirate. That man is terrifying… I don't know how much longer Teacher Zephyr can hold on."
Chiga patted Ain's shoulder with a calm smile.
"The battle might reach this ship. You all need to leave quickly."
Before Ain could reply, the others around them spoke up in alarm.
"Boss Chiga, that pirate's insanely strong! Even Teacher Zephyr's struggling! We should call for reinforcements together!"
"That's right, Chiga! You're Teacher Zephyr's favorite student. He wouldn't want you throwing yourself into danger like this!"
Ain, hearing everyone else speak, stayed silent, only giving Chiga a pleading look.
She had seen Weevil fight with Zephyr. She had a clear idea of how strong that monster was. More than anyone, she didn't want Chiga to face that kind of power.
But Chiga had no intention of backing down. Helping Zephyr through this was something he had resolved from the beginning. How could he walk away now just because the enemy was powerful?
For the Uchiha clan—who held emotion and resolve above all—retreat was never an option.
Chiga turned his back to them and raised one hand to silence the crowd.
His Marine coat billowed in the wind, the bold kanji for "Justice" on his back standing out clearly.
"I'm leaving."
With those final words, Chiga shot into the sky toward the source of the explosion.
---
Elsewhere…
A powerful boom split the sea as two figures crashed down onto the deck of a ruined warship.
Zephyr gasped for air, sweat rolling down his battered face as he stared at the monstrous opponent in front of him. His thoughts drifted to Ain and the others, who he had helped escape earlier.
Across from him, Whitebeard Jr.—Edward Weevil—grinned blankly.
"Mom, this guy's strong! A little tough to deal with!"
On a small boat next to the warship, Miss Bakkin—short, hunched, and dressed in a leopard print coat—scoffed and shouted,
"My precious son! He's a former Admiral, after all, but don't worry! He's no match for you! You're the son of Whitebeard—the strongest man in the world!"
"That's right! I'm Whitebeard's son! I'll definitely kill this guy!"
Emboldened by her words, Weevil pounded his chest and launched himself forward with explosive power, vanishing from sight.
Zephyr braced himself, using Observation Haki at full power to predict Weevil's movements. But he was already wounded from earlier, and although he had been temporarily boosted by Ain's Devil Fruit ability, his strength was waning.
Pfft!
Zephyr failed to react in time. Weevil's blade tore into his back, sending him stumbling. Gritting his teeth, Zephyr used Soru to retreat to the corner of the deck, barely staying on his feet.
Miss Bakkin cackled below.
"That's it! Finish him now while he's weak!"
Weevil let out a wild roar and charged again, blade swinging down toward Zephyr.
With no strength left, Zephyr dodged narrowly, dragging his wounded body.
But Weevil had learned. His first attack had been light—no wasted motion. There was no cooldown.
He instantly followed up, swinging again—this time aiming to sever Zephyr's right arm.
Zephyr's pupils contracted. He knew he couldn't dodge twice.
So this is how it ends… A twinge of relief passed through him. He could finally be with his family again.
But there was regret too. He would never get to see Chiga rise to become Fleet Admiral.
Just as Weevil's blade closed in—
A laser beam pierced through the air, slamming into the weapon. The attack was deflected, hitting the railing and blasting apart the warship even further.
Miss Bakkin's expression shifted.
"A laser? Kizaru?! We need to retreat!"
She knew full well that her son—idiotically strong as he was—couldn't stand against both Zephyr and Kizaru at once.
---
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