Journey to Elbaf

A few days later.

New World, Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki! Those guys from Las Noches are ruthless killers! Please send troops to rescue Hibari and the others as soon as possible!"

Marine Headquarters Colonel Koby stood before Sakazuki, raising his right hand and forehead, pleading for troops to accompany him to Hachinosu to rescue people.

Yesterday, after Helmeppo and the others returned, they told him that Hibari and the others had all been taken hostage by Las Noches.

Anxious and helpless, he could only run to headquarters to talk to the Fleet Admiral about the matter.

"Koby, it's good that you want to save your comrades, but watch your tone of voice. The man in front of you is Fleet Admiral."

Borsalino, who was sitting with his legs crossed and eating a banana, calmly reminded him to watch his attitude.

"I'm so sorry! The situation was just too urgent..."

Koby realized this and immediately lowered his head.

"The World Government's plans against Las Noches failed recently, resulting in the loss of a large number of high-end combat forces. The Navy currently has no forces that can be diverted."

Sakazuki didn't even look up at him, but continued to flip through the documents in his hands.

"But... Hibari, she..."

Facing this hot-tempered Fleet Admiral, Koby's lips trembled, and he could barely speak.

"One or two of them are acting recklessly just because they're members of SWORD Squad. If you really want to save Hibari, go and rescue her yourself!"

Akainu couldn't help but slam his fist on the table, creating a large hole.

"Yes... yes!"

Koby staggered backward and then left the office.

"That's really strict, Sakazuki!"

Kizaru teased his old friend without restraint.

"That brat! If it weren't for him, why would Hibari keep pestering me to come up with a solution every day!"

"With a major battle imminent, it would be safer to send her over there. At least the battlefield wouldn't be there, and it would also be a good opportunity to see how much sincerity this kid has for Hibari."

Sakazuki took out a cigar, lit it, and then put it in his mouth.

Before long, smoke enveloped him, obscuring his expression.

On the other side, Hachinosu.

"The beehive is now in your hands."

At Rocky Port, the Little Ul was preparing to set sail once again, Cifer's gaze swept over Enel and the others.

This time, Enel, Shirahoshi, Issei, Kuma, and Bonney will stay in Hachinosu.

"You bastard, you haven't mistaken God for door gods, have you?"

Enel frowned, and lightning crackled around him.

"How could that be? This is trust. Hachinosu is the most important place, and didn't we entrust the Cross Guild to you? They're not pushovers."

Cifer spread his hands and spoke earnestly.

"Yeah~ Hahaha~ That makes sense! The most troublesome things should be left to the God!"

Upon hearing this, Enel became elated and burst into laughter, arms crossed.

"Cifer! I've heard those guys in Elbaf are pretty violent, you guys better be careful!"

Hancock had been staying in Hachinosu for several days after arriving a few days ago, gave him instructions in the manner of a loving wife, completely unaware of who the more violent person would actually be.

"Brother Cifer ~ I'm very worried about you too~"

Beside her, the little S-Snake Woman also blushed and spoke shyly.

"You... you're nothing but an imposter, don't be so arrogant in front of me."

"You are... the mere venerable one, how dare you try to steal Brother Cifer me!"

The two empresses seemed to be born at odds, constantly arguing from the moment they met.

"Alright, let's go."

Cifer helplessly covered his forehead and Lucci set sail.

"Perfume Femur!" x2.

As the Little Ul sailed further and further away until it disappeared from sight, two figures, one large and one small, met on the harbor.

"Those two are really energetic! But that's all thanks to Captain Cifer!"

Sensing what was happening on the island, Nolan couldn't help but sigh, then covered her mouth, looking on with a gossipy expression.

"Bang!"

"Go cook."

As expected, Nolan put a bump on his head and walked bitterly into the cabin.

"Unbelievable! The Empress's love for Cifer has actually been passed on to the Seraphim through her genes. I must tell the original body immediately."

Lilith, who shamelessly hopped on the Little Ul, was constantly jotting things down in a small notebook.

"Boring~"

Hina took a beach chair from somewhere and lay down next to Cifer.

"Hey? There looks like a warship up ahead!"

After sailing for some time, Chopper, who was standing on the lookout tower looking around with binoculars, spotted something and shouted excitedly.

"Hey~ If it's the Navy, we can just rob them!"

Lilith scrambled up to the lookout tower, placed one hand on her forehead, and looked in the direction Chopper was pointing.

As Vegapunk's "evil," she'd been itching to bully others for so long.

"I'm sorry, it's not possible. It's an acquaintance who came."

Hina spoke calmly, shattering her beautiful fantasy.

"Eh~"

As she lamented, the warship gradually approached and docked with the Little Ul.

"Hina, you really are like this..."

On the bow of the warship, a man with slicked-back hair and two cigars in his mouth looked knowing.

"Smoker, you've acted without permission again, haven't you?"

Hina didn't get up; she simply lifted her sunglasses slightly and teased her old friend from the same period.

"I am not the main navy; the branch has its own autonomy."

The Smoker leaped onto the deck of the Little Ul, his gaze sweeping over the group of people.

"So you really have joined Las Noches..."

Smoker took a deep breath, but seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Hina was one of his only friends, and he rushed over after learning that news had come from headquarters that she had been taken hostage by Las Noches.

The purpose was to confirm whether she was truly being held hostage, or, as he suspected, had already completely left the Navy.

"Smoker, there are some things you should understand without me saying them. Do you still want to continue down this path?"

Cifer stood up and walked straight to the other person.

"Stop rambling."

Smoker didn't answer; having already received the answer, he had no intention of lingering any longer.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cifer, Vice Admiral Smoker is still the same as always."

On the bow of the warship, Tashigi pushed up her glasses and apologized helplessly to her superior.

Cifer ignored him, simply waved his hand, and the two parted ways as if they had never been close.

"How strange, despite being the so-called Sea Emperor, I always feel that the Cifer have a very good relationship with the Navy..."

Uta looked a little confused, resting her chin on her hand and murmuring in bewilderment.

On the warships of the G-5 branch.

"Everyone, have you ever thought about what you would be willing to sacrifice your life for?"

Smoker watched the Little Ul gradually disappear into the distance and suddenly spoke.

"Naturally, it's for Vice Admiral Smoker and Sister Tashigi!"

The marines underground started to jeer.

They were once considered trash in the Navy, long neglected and ignored. It was these two men who made their lives meaningful.

"Seriously, what a bunch of idiots!"

Smoker was surrounded by smoke, but the smile on his lips was still clearly visible.