Friendship Shattered

"Roar"

The sky roared, a massive shadow looming over the clouds, leaving a long trail before disappearing into the clouds.

"Boss, are you alright?"

Seeing Ye Chen's chest caved in and blood gushing from his mouth, the group stood on the fire's back, and Bai Doudou sighed with worry.

"Click-clack"

His body trembled violently, Ye Chen remained indifferent. He slapped his hands together and forcefully reconnected the broken bones.

Hearing the jarring sound, the group twitched their lips.

"It's nothing!" Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Ye Chen shook his head.

"Boss, I almost killed those two guys! Are we just going to let it go like this?" Enel somewhat dissatisfied. If the stalemate continued any longer, the heavily injured Kizaru would definitely not be a match for him.

"If this drags on any longer, the navy will provide other support. The Sabaody Archipelago is getting closer to Mary Geoise."

"Damn it, all our efforts have been in vain." Enel was somewhat unwilling.

"It's not like we gained nothing at all." Ye Chen's gaze was deep, his face cold.

"Where do we go now?" Rob Lucci was the most seriously injured, and even after drinking the recovery potion that Bai Doudou gave him, his face was still very pale.

"There's a Devil Fruit would suit you perfectly." Turning to look at Rob Lucci, Ye Chen already had an idea in mind.

"I don't want to eat Devil Fruit." Rob Lucci arrogantly, not believing that Devil Fruit could bring him anything.

"This Devil Fruit will definitely not disappoint you. If you develop it well, fighting the Four Emperors will be a piece of cake! In terms of high-end combat power, we still lack it. I have high expectations for you."

Seeing Ye Chen's reaction, Rob Lucci paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. Since even this man longed for the Devil Fruit so much, he would never let him down.

He also wanted to become stronger, and if that was the case, Devil Fruit was one option.

"Could it be Logia?" Pinching his chin, seeing Ye Chen's high expectations—that eating this Devil Fruit would allow him to rival the Four Emperors —what else could it be besides Logia?

"But it's just a matter of luck; I'm not even sure if it'll happen." Recalling his memories, Ye Chen gazed at the sea of clouds.

Meanwhile, Marineford, after restoration, is even more majestic and grand than before.

In the massive conference room of the tallest building, a heavy silence hung in the air. At the head of the table, Sengoku's face was grim.

Below them, Garp, Borsalino, Kuzan were all wrapped in bandages, and their faces looked terrible.

"Brubrubru"

A series of urgent Den Den Mushi) rings broke the oppressive atmosphere.

"Hello!" Sengoku answered the Den Den Mushi.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is Impel Down. I am Magellan. After careful investigation, we have confirmed that God Ye Chen is no longer in Infinite Hell. As for how he escaped, we are still investigating and there is no progress at the moment."

You could hear that Magellan's voice was also angry, but he was suppressing it tightly.

"Were there any other mistakes by the other criminals?"

"No, only God Ye Chen disappeared."

"You absolutely must take this matter seriously. Let's leave it at that for now!"

"Good!"

The Den Den Mushi hung up, and all the navy personnel in the conference room frowned.

"How on earth did that guy escape from Impel Down? There are so many levels from the Infinite Hell to the first level; he couldn't have just left without a sound!"

He frowned, considering many possibilities, but ultimately rejected them all.

"Is Magellan alright?" A Vice Admiral looked up at Sengoku.

"Besides having Warden Magellan's help, I really can't think of any other way to leave Impel Down silently."

"It's probably impossible, but I've already reported it to the Five Elders. I believe there are arrangements made above." Sengoku rubbed his temples. Ever since Ye Chen left Impel Down without alerting anyone, Sengoku had begun to suspect Magellan.

As Sengoku said, the Five Elders have indeed sent P0 to investigate Magellan and Impel Down, and Magellan and his men are cooperating.

"Let's put this matter aside for now. Regardless of whether Impel Down has any issues, we'll leave that to other World Government agencies to investigate. Our Navy's mission is right now."

Sengoku changed the subject, his expression grave. "The myth of Impel Down has been broken twice, which is a problem, but the biggest problem now is Ye Chen."

"This guy harbors a deep resentment towards our navy."

With a sigh, Garp spoke.

"Sakazuki went too far back then, actually driving Hina to her death."

Below, in the Rear Admiral's seat, Smoker's eyes blazed with fury as he stared intently at Sakazuki in the Admiral's seat.

"Rear Admiral Smoker, watch your words. They violated justice and betrayed the Navy, and they should pay the price. Besides, what right do you have to criticize me?"

With a blank expression, Sakazuki raised his head and glanced at Smoker with disdain.

"Hmph, if you were the one going to Sabaody Archipelago this time, I'm sure you'd be beaten to death like a dog."

With his arms crossed, Smoker looked at Sakazuki with a mocking gaze and sharp words.

"You're asking for death." Being insulted by a Rear Admiral in front of so many people, Sakazuki's face instantly darkened, and the surrounding temperature rose instantly.

Am I afraid of you?

Seeing that Sakazuki was about to make a move, Smoker slammed his fist on the table, and white mist began to rise from his body.

At the same time, Vergo, who was in the Vice Admiral's seat, also stood up and looked coldly at Sakazuki.

The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.

"Enough!"

He slammed his hand on the table, and Sengoku's face instantly darkened as he looked at both sides. "Sit down, both of you!"

"Smoker, Vergo, remember your place. You are Marine Rear Admiral and Vice Admiral, Ye Chen is a traitor to the Navy. That's a fact. Don't forget your identities."

"Sakazuki, he knows in his heart who is right and who is wrong."

The Sengoku's fury caused both sides to glare at each other fiercely before they sat down in their chairs.

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense. When the meeting ended, Smoker walked out of the conference room with a grim expression.

Four figures walked side by side on the street, but the atmosphere was no longer as harmonious as before.

"Shu, Very Good, you two have disappointed me greatly."

Smoker stopped, clenched his fists, turned around, and looked at the two of them as if he were seeing them for the first time, his face full of anger.

Vergo remained silent, simply watching.

"Hina was killed by Ye Chen. If he hadn't betrayed the Navy..."

"Enough!" Smoker roared, his eyes red, staring at the two strangers. "I know you two like Hina, but that was Hina's own choice. That's not a reason for you two to turn your love into hatred. Chen is our friend, and you haven't cared about him since he was arrested. Why didn't you stand up for him in the conference room just now?"

"You two have disappointed me greatly. So many years of friendship have turned out to be so fragile. I, Smoker, am not worthy of being your friend."

With a flick of his wrist and a cold snort, Smoker left.

"You two have really gone too far!" Vergo said, leaving behind a single sentence before departing.

Even before that, when Ye Chen and Hina announced they were together, the friendships among everyone changed; their relationships became distant and no longer what they used to be.

After Ye Chen was captured, Smoker and Vergo both caused a huge scene, while only Shu and Very Good remained silent.

Naturally, all four were placed under investigation for dismissal. For five consecutive months, Smoker and Vergo were confined to the Navy until the investigation revealed that Ye Chen's actions had nothing to do with them, at which point they were reinstated.

However, it was too late, because Ye Chen had already been imprisoned in Impel Down.

This is why Smoker and the others didn't show up when Ye Chen got into trouble—because they were immediately taken into custody.

Hina's death was particularly heartbreaking for the group. Smoker and Vergo were alright, working together to investigate Ye Chen's case in an attempt to exonerate him.

But what chilled Smoker and Vergo to the bone were Shu and Very Good, because the two of them remained indifferent from beginning to end.

As for Sakazuki, Chaton, and the others who were the culprits in Hina's death, Smoker and Vergo had countless arguments and even physical altercations.

Ironically, throughout the entire process, including the argument that just took place in the conference room, only Vergo silently supported Smoker, while Shu and Very Good remained completely silent.

The friendship, after repeated silences, finally erupted, which is why Smoker was so angry.

Regardless of whether it's for justice or not, Ye Chen is their friend, so what if he betrayed the Navy? Most importantly, Hina is innocent.

However, Shu and Very Good blamed Hina's death on Ye Chen, while ignoring Sakazuki, Chaton, and the others.

This is what angers Smoker the most.