Above the island
Kaido's massive dragon body twisted violently in the sky. The earlier strike from Susanoo had inflicted a deep, horrifying wound. Blood gushed out in torrents, falling to the ground like rain.
Despite the injury, Kaido barely paid it any attention. His focus was on Chiga—on those eyes. He opened his massive jaws, his voice thunderous:
"Uchiha Chiga… those eyes—you're no ordinary human, are you?"
He asked this out of instinct. As a member of the Oni race, Kaido knew what it meant to be different—rare. His kind was powerful, and that's why Big Mom had valued him so highly back when they sailed on Rocks' ship. Perhaps Yamato had inherited that same blood… who knew?
Inside the diamond-shaped space atop Susanoo's head, the now silent Corazon and Law stared at Chiga's back. They seemed to share the same question.
Chiga, sensing their stares, rolled his purple eyes slightly and muttered calmly,
"You wouldn't know it even if I told you. I'm from the Uchiha clan."
"Uchiha clan?"
Kaido dug through his memories. There was no such name among the countless races he'd encountered at sea. Perhaps a rare bloodline that preferred isolation?
Still, the power Chiga had displayed was unquestionable.
Kaido, a man who respected strength above all, gave a grin and said,
"You're impressive. Why not join me? With me, you'd rise far beyond what the Marines can offer!"
Chiga scoffed, eyes cold.
"Don't insult me. Even being a Marine grunt is better than serving under you."
"Well said!"
A crisp voice rang out. Everyone looked toward the source—Vice Admiral Tsuru, soaring through the air using Geppo. Behind her were Onigumo and several other officers.
Kaido's eyes narrowed. He let out a cold snort, the thought of leaving crossing his mind. Not out of fear—Kaido feared no one, not even the Admirals. But this situation had lost its value. There was no reason to stick around.
Not to mention Doflamingo, still slumped in Kaido's claw, barely clinging to life.
Kaido sneered and unleashed a stream of dragon fire, roaring:
"Uchiha Chiga… I'll remember you. Next time, you'd better be stronger."
With that, his massive form turned and vanished into the clouds.
His departing attack—a blazing wave of destruction—rushed toward the Marines. It was far too massive to dodge in the air. The only option was to withstand it.
Yet, inside Susanoo's head, Chiga stood calmly. Corazon and Law looked on in awe. Especially Corazon—Sengoku's words echoed in his mind: "You can trust Chiga completely." Now, he believed it.
The giant purple avatar wielded its blade again and cleaved straight through Kaido's attack. The blast split in two, dispersing into harmless streams.
The Marines—Tsuru, Onigumo, and the others—could only stare in disbelief at the towering form that stood between them and obliteration.
Tsuru's eyes were locked on the purple giant. She had suspected Chiga summoned it, but seeing it with her own eyes was still shocking.
Chiga's voice cut through the silence:
"The mission's done. Let's return."
Susanoo descended. Tsuru and the others, shaking off their awe, followed.
Upon landing, the massive form dissolved into a fading phantom. Chiga stepped down, holding Corazon, who in turn carried Law.
Tsuru approached, looking them over before turning to Chiga, voice filled with restrained admiration.
"So… you really were the one who summoned that thing. I can hardly believe it."
Even the usually stoic Onigumo gave a firm nod. In his eyes, Chiga's Susanoo was on par with the catastrophic power of Akainu's magma.
He recalled the earlier battle at sea—how the warship had nearly been lost. Now, he understood just how wide the gap in strength truly was.
The most shocking part? That slash from Susanoo hadn't even been its full power.
Chiga gave a relaxed smile.
"It's called Susanoo. You could say it's the god of destruction. But to the Uchiha clan, it's our guardian deity."
"So… anyone in your clan can summon that?"
"No. Even in the Uchiha, very few can awaken Susanoo, let alone wield it at that level."
"I see. Then maybe I'll— never mind."
Tsuru gave a sheepish chuckle. Chiga just raised a brow, already reading her intent.
Tsuru, clearly embarrassed, turned and glared at the officers behind her, then returned to Corazon and Law.
"You must be Lieutenant Commander Rosinante. And the child?"
Corazon stepped forward quickly.
"Yes, Vice Admiral. I was sent by Fleet Admiral Sengoku on an undercover mission within the Donquixote Family. This boy is Trafalgar D. Water Law, the only survivor of the Amber Lead Syndrome in Flevance."
Tsuru's gaze softened as she looked at Law. The tragedy of Flevance was well-known among the higher-ups. Her eyes lingered on the white spots on Law's skin, and she sighed deeply.
"Such a terrible fate…"
Chiga said nothing. He had already instructed Corazon and Law to keep it secret that he could cure the disease. If that information got out, there would be no room for mercy.
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