Sengoku took a moment to suppress the sourness in his heart before getting to the point.

"Chiga, Commander-in-Chief Kong wants to see you. He'll be in Mary Geoise for the next few days, waiting."

"Oh? Is that his own decision?" Chiga asked with a calm but pointed tone.

Sengoku furrowed his brows. Was Chiga implying Kong was acting on someone else's orders? But who had enough authority to compel the Supreme Commander of the World Government's military forces?

Then, five aged faces flashed through Sengoku's mind. He frowned. "What's going on? Is there something else behind this?"

Chiga gave a faint smile. "Heh. Maybe someone's getting impatient."

"Someone? Who?" Sengoku pressed.

Chiga simply shook his head. He didn't plan on discussing Im—the secret ruler at the top of the world. That matter tied directly to the Ōtsutsuki Clan and was something he intended to deal with alone.

"Maybe it's Nerona," Chiga said casually. "Didn't she call Headquarters several times requesting to see me?"

"Ah, her... she's desperate to see you. She's been persistent, but surprisingly humble."

Sengoku knew enough about their unusual relationship, so he accepted the answer easily.

When Nerona's name came up, a faint smile crossed Chiga's lips. Her face always carried that spoiled expression that made people want to scold her, but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to dislike her.

Visiting Mary Geoise wouldn't just be about Kong. It was also a chance to see her—and if things didn't feel right, he'd take her away early.

---

Mary Geoise – Holy Land

At the entrance of one of Mary Geoise's main elevators, several black-cloaked agents stood guard. They'd been stationed there for two days, awaiting a particular arrival.

One of them sighed. "Why hasn't the Purple Kirin shown up yet? How long are we going to stand here?"

"Shut it," snapped their squad leader. "He took down a Yonko by himself. We were told to make sure everything runs perfectly. If anything goes wrong, we're done."

"Yeah... I watched that broadcast. The Four Emperors looked like rookies compared to him. I even thought they were fake."

"They weren't. Only Kaido's territory remains intact. The other three have already been carved up."

"It's crazy... the era of the Four Emperors just ended like that."

"No... now it's the Navy's era."

"Wrong again. The Navy still answers to the World Government. They're just a tool."

Suddenly, a calm voice interrupted their chatter.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Who's there?!"

The agents froze. When they saw who had appeared silently before them, their faces drained of color.

It was Chiga.

He had arrived alone.

He stared coldly at the short agent who had just spoken, his voice low. "You said the Navy is just a tool?"

The man trembled violently, sweat pouring down his face. "P-Purple Kirin Marshal, I was talking nonsense. Please, ignore me! I won't speak out of turn again!"

Chiga didn't respond. He simply walked past them, calm and silent.

The short agent let out a quiet sigh of relief, reaching up to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Bang.

His body suddenly exploded into a fine mist of blood, splattering the faces of the other agents. Where he had stood moments ago was now only a dark, wet stain.

The rest of the squad fell back in terror. Even their leader was visibly shaken.

He took a breath, forced composure, and rushed after Chiga without a word about what had just occurred.

"Purple Kirin Marshal, Commander Kong is expecting you in the central hall. I can take you—"

Chiga stopped and turned slightly, his eyes glinting with the Rinnegan's terrifying light.

"Do I need your permission to go where I please?"

Under Chiga's gaze, the man's mind clouded, nearly blacking out from pressure alone.

He bowed low, his voice desperate. "Of course not! You may go wherever you like, Chiga sama!"

Without acknowledging him further, Chiga continued walking. Only when his figure disappeared did the agent dare stand straight and return to his post.

Another subordinate approached, nervously asking, "Boss, about Rick..."

Rick was the one who'd just died.

The leader glanced at the bloodstain and sneered. "Clean it up. He talked too much. He deserved it."

---

Inside a Lavish Chamber – Pangaea Castle

Nerona rode on a mechanical doll, pulling at its ears like a spoiled child.

"Stupid thing! Ignoring me again? Do you even need ears?!"

Two plump maids stood by in silence, heads bowed, too frightened to speak during one of Nerona's tantrums.

After a few minutes of venting, she seemed to soften. She hugged the doll tight and gently stroked its ears.

"I didn't hurt you, right? You shouldn't ignore me. If you just paid attention... maybe I'd even give you a kiss."

She pouted and leaned in to kiss the doll on the cheek.

A dry, amused voice interrupted.

"That's a new one. Kissing your doll now?"

Nerona's eyes widened with joy. That voice—she turned instantly.

"Chiga!!!"

At the hall's entrance, Chiga stood with his arms crossed, watching with thinly veiled amusement.

"Why'd you stop? Go on, kiss it."

Nerona's cheeks flushed red, but embarrassment was quickly replaced by pure joy.

She threw the doll aside and rushed toward him. For someone of her condition, it was almost a sprint.

Chiga opened his arms and caught her as she practically flung herself at him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a bright kiss on his cheek, leaving a vivid red lip mark behind.

Chiga wiped it with mock disgust. "Really?"

"You're wiping it off?! You hate it that much?!"

"Should I not?"

Nerona faltered. Her mouth opened, but she couldn't come up with a response. Instead, she buried her face in his chest and muttered something too soft to catch.

Chiga smiled faintly and stroked her hair.

"Relax. I came to see you before even meeting with Kong."

Nerona made a small sound of agreement, pressing her face tighter into his chest, her arms hugging him a little closer.

---