Companions

"What happened to the Blue Sea?"

Enel began gnawing on the apple in his hand.

"It's ruled by a bunch of people who think they're gods too. Don't you want to take them down?"

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Cifer naturally had to keep piling it on.

Enel had already figured it out. He was no god. If he were a god, then what was Cifer? And what was that woman who could hit him?

But he could become a god! He only needed to do what a god ought to do.

"Even a man like you can't do it?"

In Enel's eyes, someone as strong as Cifer should have been capable of anything in this world.

"Enel, don't underestimate the world!"

Cifer had indeed considered overthrowing the World Government's rule, but at the very least, not now.

Marine Admirals, the Four Emperors, the Revolutionary Army, the Knights of God, and Im—who among them was human and who was a monster remained unclear.

His strength alone was limited. Even if he truly had the ability to overthrow them, what would he do afterward?

To him, rebuilding would be even harder than overthrowing them. He could not become some ruler managing all sorts of affairs; that ran contrary to the freedom he sought.

So, everything could only wait. When the time came, he would naturally make his move.

"Take me with you!"

After swallowing the last apple core in his hand, Enel reached toward the food in front of Cifer.

"Show me this world. I want to know how to become a qualified god!"

"Welcome aboard!"

Their fists bumped together.

The two hit it off immediately. All the unpleasantness brought by their earlier battle vanished at that moment, and Enel officially became Cifer's companion.

"Did you work it out?"

Seeing the two bump fists, Hina walked over and plopped down beside Cifer.

"Of course. Do you want to be my navigator?"

Cifer invited Hina once again. This time, she did not refuse, but neither did she agree. She fell silent.

Over the past month or so sailing with Cifer, she had seen sights she had never seen before and experienced things she had never experienced in the Marines.

During her years in the Marines, she had also witnessed plenty of the government's darkness. She had been confused too. What exactly was justice?

If she became Cifer's companion, could she still uphold justice as she had before?

Cifer had his own way of doing things, a path completely different from that of the Marines. Could she, as she was now, keep up with him?

Cifer saw Hina's hesitation and understood that she was not like him. She had family who loved her, close friends who cared about her, and teachers who thought highly of her. She could not simply do whatever she wanted.

"I'll wait for you."

"There will always be a navigator's place for you on my ship."

"Honestly, Hina is a Marine..."

Hina had intended to brush it off out of habit, but she found that she could not stop the tears from flowing. She could only raise a hand to cover her face.

"Why are you crying? You're a colonel of Marineford."

Cifer casually pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to her.

"What, colonels aren't allowed to cry?"

Hina wiped away her tears and replied with a haughty look. Her reddened eyes and pink cheeks were especially captivating in the glow of the bonfire.

"Buru buru~ buru buru~"

Unfortunately, at that very moment, the Den Den Mushi inside Cifer's robe began ringing.

"Big Brother Cifer, it's Joni!"

The Den Den Mushi took on an adorable expression.

"Joni! How have you been lately?"

He had thought it would be Sakazuki or Doflamingo. He had not expected it to be this little girl.

"Very well! Uncle Sakazuki brought me to Marineford to play. His house is so big!"

Joni went on and on about how Sakazuki had taken her to eat all sorts of food and play everywhere these past few days, making Cifer sigh. He had not expected that guy to be such a doting father.

Hina also chimed in from time to time. The three chatted for quite a while, while Enel stared at them in bewilderment as they talked to a snail.

"Alright, little Joni. Let Uncle talk about something now!"

"Okay!"

Sakazuki's voice came through from the other end.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked which Shichibukai you intend to replace."

"I'm not sure yet. If I don't happen to run into a Shichibukai, I think I'll make a trip to Alabasta."

The implication was obvious. If nothing unexpected happened, Cifer would take Crocodile's head to pave his way toward becoming a Shichibukai.

"It's best not to touch those backed by a country, and try not to kill anyone!"

Those with a national foundation, like Crocodile and the Empress, could easily provoke public outrage if mishandled. As Cifer's friend, Akainu naturally did not want that to happen.

If Devil Fruit Users were killed, their fruits would reappear somewhere in the world, becoming new uncontrollable factors.

"I understand. That's all. Take good care of Joni!"

Cifer hung up without hesitation, lest Sakazuki ask why Hina was still with him.

"What a hassle!"

Cifer wondered whether he should change targets. Alabasta's situation was indeed more complicated. He would have to talk to the king and princess, then talk to the rebels. Just thinking about it gave him a headache.

He could not just go beat Crocodile down and say he was the culprit, could he? Cifer could not even remember what Crocodile had done.

"Why think so much? Eat!"

Seeing Cifer deep in thought after the call, Hina stuffed a slice of pizza into his mouth.

"How cozy~"

Enel watched the two bicker, the corners of his lips lifting.

Cifer and the others continued enjoying themselves on Sky Island. Like an ordinary girl, Hina went shopping everywhere with Aisa and the others, riding a Waver and taking in Sky Island's local customs.

Wright constantly studied all kinds of cooking and knowledge about various shells, while KureKke wandered through the ruins deep in the forest with Wappa.

The three Priests and the remaining members of the God's Squad were sent to the cloud fields as laborers. After Enel offered a sincere apology, everyone forgave him.

After all, without the trouble he had caused, no one knew when the war would have ended.

Besides, though he was cold and merciless, he did not attack people without reason. Most of the time, he merely enjoyed toying with outsiders.

Before they knew it, a week had passed.

Cifer had decided to return to the Blue Sea. In addition to the original four, Enel would be joining them.

As for the Ark Maxim, it would remain on Sky Island. Once Enel and Cifer had settled matters in the Blue Sea, if he still wanted to go to the Infinite Land, he could come back for it.

"Big Brother Cifer, I want to go to the Blue Sea too!"

The little girl Aisa kept tugging at Cifer's pant leg and acting cute. As a curious little girl, she deeply longed for the Blue Sea Hina had described.

Was there really an endless ocean made entirely of water? And there were several people even stronger than Enel...

Aisa did not dare tell Wappa that she wanted to go to the Blue Sea. Instead, she told Cifer directly. Wappa was too fierce and would definitely scold her, but Cifer would not.

Besides, if Cifer agreed, Wappa definitely would not object.

"What a pity. I won't have time to accompany Aisa next."

Cifer rubbed Aisa's little head and gently refused.

"I'll take you next time, Aisa!"

Even Wappa, whom she considered fierce, had become gentle now, because he too wanted to see the land where his ancestors had once lived.

He had already instructed the three Priests and their group to build a sailing ship suitable for traveling the Blue Sea. Going down was easy, but coming back up was difficult, so he had to make thorough preparations.

"Alright~"

Aisa reluctantly released her little hand from Cifer's pant leg.

"Goodbye, everyone!"

The Little Ul vanished beyond the end of the clouds.