Chiga strongly suspected that this incident was deeply connected to Im. When he left Mary Geoise, the Five Elders — particularly the one with blond hair — had vanished just as suddenly and mysteriously.

If Im was truly involved, then Chiga wanted to see for himself what that entity was planning.

Kalifa, as efficient as always, was already at work. It didn't take her long to notify all high-ranking officers still at Marine Headquarters. The orders were dispatched swiftly, and the Vice Admirals and Admirals were already heading to the conference room.

After hanging up the last Den Den Mushi call, Kalifa turned toward Chiga with crisp precision.

"Boss, everyone's been notified!"

Chiga gave a short nod.

"Good. Kalifa, go rest for a while. Nerona is devastated over her father's death. You two have a close bond — go be with her."

Kalifa's expression shifted. She had spent a great deal of time with Nerona and considered her a friend. Seeing her like this, she was deeply concerned.

But at the same time, the simultaneous deaths of twenty Celestial Dragon family heads was a cataclysmic event. Kalifa knew her absence right now would create more pressure for Chiga and the staff around him.

Chiga noticed her hesitation and decided for her. With a flicker of teleportation, he sent Kalifa back to Nerona's side — and transported himself directly to the Marine Headquarters conference room.

When he appeared, Sengoku was already there.

Now serving as the Navy's instructor and head of training, Sengoku spent most of his time wandering the Marineford grounds. It seemed he had been nearby when the emergency call was sent.

As soon as he saw Chiga, Sengoku strode forward and asked sharply,

"Chiga, what's happened?"

"There's been an incident in Mary Geoise. Twenty Celestial Dragon family heads are dead."

"What!?" Sengoku's voice thundered through the room. His eyes widened in shock. "Who was behind it?!"

"I don't know yet," Chiga replied. "Fleet Admiral Kong contacted me. He said the deaths were so sudden, they weren't discovered until their Life Cards burned to ash."

That last part seemed to weigh heavily on Sengoku.

Chiga remembered that Sengoku and Kong were long-time comrades, so he continued,

"Sengoku-san, try contacting Kong directly. We need more information about the situation in Mary Geoise."

Sengoku nodded solemnly, reached into his coat, and pulled out a Den Den Mushi. He placed the call.

The snail rang once, twice… a dozen times. No one answered.

Sengoku's face darkened with every passing second. Even if Kong wasn't available, his aides or assistants should have answered. A total communication blackout was not normal — and definitely not good.

Chiga frowned.

"Put it away. Something must have happened to Kong. This is worse than we thought."

As the rest of the Admirals and Vice Admirals arrived in the conference room, Chiga repeated the situation, adding that Kong was uncontactable.

The air in the room grew tense.

Aokiji leaned forward, voice steady but cautious.

"Maybe we should send someone to scout things out first. This feels... too sudden. Too strange."

Even Kizaru, usually the least concerned among them, had dropped his nonchalant demeanor.

"No word from Vegapunk either," he said, brows furrowed. "Things are spiraling. I can go — quickly."

To everyone's surprise, Akainu remained silent, his gaze fixed firmly on Chiga. He didn't offer his usual fiery input, but there was no mistaking the respect in his eyes. Since the War of the Best, Akainu had become one of Chiga's strongest supporters.

It was Tsuru who finally broke the silence.

"Chiga. What are you planning?"

Every gaze turned to him.

Within the Navy, no one doubted his authority. Regardless of whether someone leaned toward hawk or dove, all had come to follow Chiga's lead.

His voice was calm but full of purpose.

"We send our forces to Mary Geoise."

The words dropped like a stone into still water.

Akainu was the first to rise, his expression grim but resolute.

"Agreed. This situation leaves no room for hesitation."

One after another, the Admirals and Vice Admirals voiced their support. None questioned the risk of challenging the World Government by deploying troops to the Holy Land. Their loyalty now lay with the Navy — and with Chiga.

Chiga's lips curled slightly into a thin smile. He raised his hand.

"Very well. Inform the entire Marine force. We move out immediately!"

---

On the Red Line, the air was unnaturally still.

Rows of black-cloaked guards patrolled the perimeter of Mary Geoise, accompanied by towering masked figures in heavy cloaks. The sudden loss of twenty Celestial Dragons had thrown the remaining nobles into a state of chaos.

Inside one of the great marble halls, four of the Five Elders had gathered, faces grim.

The swordsman among them — dressed in traditional kimono — sat silently, hand resting on the hilt of his katana. His expression was unreadable.

The other three, however, were deep in frantic debate.

The elder in the flat cap was practically shaking with frustration.

"What on earth is going on?! Twenty Celestial Dragons killed — without a single witness?! Who dares to pull this off?!"

"I've already dispatched CP0," one of the others muttered, "but they've come back with nothing. Not a single lead."

"Useless. And what about Kong?! Where is he?!"

"We haven't heard from him either."

"You think this was his doing?"

"Don't be stupid. Kong isn't Uchiha Chiga — he's always been loyal to the World Government."

"Then could it be Chiga?!"

"I doubt it. He left Mary Geoise before the incident, and the timing doesn't match."

The flat-cap elder's fist clenched.

"Twenty of them — dead just like that! Do you understand how disastrous this is if word gets out?!"

"The news has been sealed... but I don't know what the Navy's reaction will be."

"Hmph. With Uchiha Chiga leading them, do you think the Navy will still obey us?"

"They belong to the World Government!"

"For now. Are we really considering asking them to handle this?"

"What are you saying? That we can't manage our own affairs?"

That's when the kimono-wearing Elder finally spoke, his tone quiet but cutting through the noise.

"Enough. Im Sama is already aware of what happened. He said not to act rashly for now. When the time is right… he will take care of it personally."

"Nani!?"

The three others turned toward him in shock.

"Im-sama… will act himself?!"

Before they could say more, a black-cloaked agent burst into the room, gasping for air.

"Elders! The Navy has arrived!"

---