Enies Lobby
The command room of the Justice Tower lay in ruins.
Jabra sprawled in the corner, his body partially charred. Fukurou, eyes frozen in terror, lay like a shattered statue. Kumadori still smoldered, wrapped in faint embers.
Spandam trembled against the wall.
Blood pooled beneath Riser's boots like a living frame. He didn't move. His coat swayed lightly with the residual heat of the executions. His eyes, however, were alive. Spinning.
The Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed in his left eye, its black spirals turning slowly, as if chanting a silent hymn.
Spandam gasped. His mouth hung open. His eyes writhed, trying to avoid Riser's gaze but failing.
"Let's talk."
The words were a trap.
Spandam tried to retreat, but his spine was already pressed against the wall.
"I… I only follow orders!"
Riser tilted his head slightly. His eyes kept spinning.
"Exactly."
Spandam's mind crumbled there.
The Sharingan flared.
The beam of light pierced his optic nerve and plunged straight into the core of his mind. No resistance. No barriers. Only fear, weakness, and despair.
Riser took a step. The dry sound of his boots on the cracked floor echoed like snapping bones.
"You'll do exactly what I say."
Spandam's body froze for half a second. His eyes widened. His eyelids flickered, but not of their own accord.
"Yes… yes… yes…"
Riser didn't smile. His voice was steady.
"Pick up the Den Den Mushi."
Spandam obeyed.
His fingers slid across the desk, finding the communication snail with the CPs.
Riser spoke softly, as if dictating a strategy.
"Call Kalifa. Tell her her current mission is aborted."
Spandam turned the dial.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound of the channel opening echoed through the room.
"Kalifa, this is Spandam. I have new orders."
Riser watched.
The distortion in his eyes reflected whispers of the future.
"Abandon the Pluton operation."
A pause. The voice on the other end crackled with static.
"Repeat: the Pluton operation is canceled."
Riser's eye gleamed.
"Say you received direct communication from the World Government's high command."
Spandam repeated.
"New objective: infiltration and surveillance of the Shichibukai known as Riser Phenex."
The voice on the other end shifted. Kalifa was tense.
"According to our records, he'll pass through Water 7."
Riser crossed his arms.
"She'll find me. And she'll think it's for a mission."
Spandam's voice remained steady, despite his trembling hands.
"Kalifa, you're authorized to use all available resources. Seduction, disguise, or force."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
"Infiltrate his group. Uncover his intentions. Maintain regular contact through this channel."
Spandam glanced at Riser.
The eye spun again.
"And remember: don't trust him."
Kalifa responded with a simple:
"Understood."
The channel closed.
Spandam dropped the Den Den Mushi as if it burned.
Riser stood there. The aura around him seemed to bend reality.
"Well done."
He turned.
The Sharingan faded slowly.
Spandam collapsed to his knees. His hands touched the still-warm blood of his colleagues.
"What… are you?"
Riser lowered his face to meet Spandam's eyes directly, emotionless, merciless.
"I am the end."
Spandam tried to retreat further, his back pressed against the cold wall, sweat streaming down his face, marked by absolute terror.
"Please… have mercy! I'm just a servant of the Government! I never had a choice!"
Riser said nothing. He merely raised his right hand, black and gold magic shimmering around it like living flames.
"I beg you! I'll do whatever you want, I'll be loyal! DON'T KILL ME!"
The fire surged. The room's temperature spiked in seconds. Spandam's clothes began to smolder as he screamed, his body consumed by flames until only ashes remained.
Riser stood silent for a moment, watching Spandam's remains blend with the others.
Then he turned.
The space behind him folded silently. A black distortion opened like the maw of a whirlpool. No sound. No effort.
He stepped into Kamui, leaving behind only ashes, death, and absolute silence.
FWOOSH.
---
Impel Down
The gates of Impel Down opened slowly with a metallic groan. Heavy chains were dragged aside with a grating, harsh sound.
Garp walked into the cell.
The marines around him stood in absolute silence. No one dared speak. No one dared question.
Ace sat, shackled in seastone. His head hung low, shadowed by disheveled hair. His body was marked with bruises, cuts, and burns.
Garp stopped in front of him.
"Portgas D. Ace."
His voice was firm, impersonal.
Ace didn't respond.
"Stand up."
Ace slowly raised his face. His eyes met his grandfather's for a second. There was no anger there, only deep, bitter exhaustion.
Garp didn't react.
"Stand up now."
Ace rose with difficulty. The shackles clinked softly.
Outside the cell, the soldiers stood rigid, but their eyes averted with silent respect.
Garp gripped Ace's arm, without gentleness.
"Walk."
Their steps echoed through the cold stone corridor.
Inside, the old vice admiral felt his chest burn.
'This is the path you chose, Ace.'
Each step was a sentence.
'I warned you so many times… and still… you chose the fire.'
The silence in the corridor was absolute, broken only by the heavy echo of boots and the clinking of chains.
'I failed you as a grandfather. But as a marine… I cannot.'
Garp held firm. No hesitation. No weakness. No words of comfort.
'Because I chose duty. I chose the Marines.'
The eyes of the subordinates averted silently as they passed. The tension in the air was thick as oil.
'Don't cry, Ace. Don't beg. Don't make me fail again.'
Impel Down's outer gates opened. Light pierced through like a cold blade.
Outside, the ship waited, its white sails billowing in the ocean's strong wind. The gangplank leading to it seemed endless.
Garp pushed Ace lightly forward.
"Walk alone."
Ace looked back one last time. His grandfather's eyes were steady but deeply sad.
'Don't look at me, kid. Just walk.'
Ace turned forward and began to walk, the chains echoing with each step.
Garp took a deep breath.
'I can't be your grandfather here. I can only be Garp, the hero of the Marines.'
He watched Ace board. Saw the marines secure the chains.
'May the justice I serve… not destroy what's left of my heart.'
Garp turned away. The wind hit his battle-scarred face hard.
He walked back into Impel Down, into the silence and the pain no one could see.
Behind him, the ship set sail slowly toward Marineford, carrying Ace toward his inevitable end.
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