Instead of dealing with Rizwell immediately, Hancock first sat down to eat with Chiga and Nerona. After the meal, she summoned a few of her subordinates, had Rizwell stuffed into a black bag, and personally carried her away.

This time, Hancock didn't choose to stay overnight either. But judging by the hatred burning in her eyes before she left, it was unlikely Rizwell would return from this trip alive.

After Hancock departed, Nerona leaned toward Chiga and asked,

"Chiga, what kind of grudge does Hancock have against Rizwell?"

This matter involved Hancock's personal secret, and unless she chose to reveal it herself, Chiga wasn't about to speak on her behalf.

He shook his head and replied,

"It's best if you don't ask. Wait until you're close enough to her to bring it up. As for whether you'll end up as a stone statue... I can't make any promises."

At the mention of it, Nerona recalled the scene where Sylvia had been turned to stone moments ago, and she involuntarily shivered.

She leaned in closer to Chiga, her voice low and pitiful,

"But Chiga is here…"

"Tch, if you go looking for death, don't expect me to save you."

"Scumbag."

"What did you just say?"

"...I said it's really difficult to get along with Hancock!"

"Tsk tsk. Sometimes your reactions aren't so slow after all."

"Hmph..."

Nerona didn't care whether Chiga was teasing her. As long as it sounded like praise coming from him, she took it as a compliment.

Chiga reached out and flicked Nerona's forehead with a smirk. But before he could speak, a gurgling sound came from inside his coat — a Den Den Mushi.

He pulled it out and answered. Kalifa's voice came through, sharp and urgent.

"Boss! Fleet Admiral Kong just called. Something major happened in Mary Geoise. The life cards of all twenty Celestial Dragon family heads have turned to ash. They're all dead!"

"What!?"

Nerona shrieked. Her face turned pale, her legs gave way, and she fainted.

Her father was one of the Celestial Dragon family heads. That news struck like a lightning bolt. She couldn't bear it.

Chiga moved instantly, catching her before she fell and pulling her into his arms. He carried her back to her room and used Iwanagahime's power to rouse her.

When Nerona's eyes fluttered open, they were full of confusion. The moment she saw Chiga, her expression twisted into deep sorrow.

She threw herself into his embrace on the bed and cried out,

"Chiga! My father... he's gone…"

Chiga gently stroked her back, comforting her quietly.

He had never met Saint Roswald before, but based on the anime's portrayal, the man wasn't exactly a saint. Still, for Nerona — who clearly loved him dearly — Chiga couldn't show disdain.

Out of consideration for her, he even tried to search for Roswald's soul in the underworld.

But there was nothing.

No trace of Saint Roswald's soul at all.

That alone was terrifying. Life cards don't lie. If they turn to ash, the owner is dead. The only explanation for the lack of a soul was that it had been completely obliterated — body, spirit, and all.

But who could possibly have the power to destroy the souls of twenty Celestial Dragon family heads in Mary Geoise, without even a ripple of warning?

If not for the life cards, the world wouldn't even know they had died.

Nerona raised her tearful eyes and looked at Chiga.

"Chiga... please... help me get revenge for my father... I'm begging you!"

She didn't even consider asking her brother, Charlos. That man had never been reliable.

But Chiga… this might have been the first time Nerona had ever lowered herself to beg someone — and that someone was Chiga.

His brows furrowed. He cupped Nerona's flushed face and looked into her eyes, speaking slowly, each word firm and deliberate.

"Don't ever say 'beg' to me again. Between us, there's no need for that. Do you understand?"

Nerona stared at him blankly for a few seconds, then buried her face into his chest again, sobbing softly.

"Understood… Chiga, I only have you left. Please don't abandon me."

"You're still such a fool… Fine." He gently wiped her tears. "Today, I swear in the name of the Uchiha — I, Uchiha Chiga, will never abandon you. From this day on, we're together, for life. Are you at ease now?"

"…Mm."

Nerona didn't know what the name Uchiha meant, but she believed in Chiga. When he said they'd be together for life, her heart finally settled.

Chiga held her quietly, letting her rest against his chest. Though Iwanagahime had treated her physically, the emotional shock had drained her.

Soon, Nerona drifted into sleep, still curled in Chiga's arms.

Seeing her asleep, Chiga thought of laying her down. But the moment he let go, Nerona stirred and gasped in fear,

"Chiga? Where are you going?"

Seeing her like this, Chiga couldn't bring himself to leave. He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you."

He lay beside her and wrapped his arms around her again. Nerona clung to him tightly, curling into his chest like an octopus.

Chiga exhaled, long and soft. His fingers brushed gently along her back.

She was his woman. And now, someone had made her suffer like this. He wouldn't let it go.

His Rinnegan pulsed silently. Using it, Chiga hypnotized Nerona into a deep, peaceful sleep — and gave her a beautiful dream.

A smile returned to her lips.

Chiga smiled as well. This was how she should be — peaceful, content.

He rose from the bed. In an instant, his clothes morphed into his Marshal's uniform. The cloak on his back flowed gently in the still air, brushing softly against Nerona's cheek as he tucked her in.

"Sleep well. Leave the rest to me," he whispered.

And with that, his figure vanished from the room.

He reappeared in his office a second later.

Kalifa was there, reviewing several photographs spread across the desk. One of them was clearly Lord Roswald.

When she saw him, Kalifa stood at attention.

"Boss."

Chiga's expression darkened. His voice was calm but sharp as steel.

"Kalifa, summon all Vice Admirals and above in Headquarters. Have them report to the conference room immediately."

---

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