The earth shook violently, as though a colossal beast stirred beneath the surface.
Mountains trembled. The floating island above began to split apart, huge chunks of rock falling toward the sea below.
"Captain! What's happening?!" Issho shouted, sensing the tremors.
He turned toward Kaito, his usually calm expression shadowed with concern.
The floating island had remained suspended for years thanks to the power of the Float Fruit, Shiki's Devil Fruit.
But now, with the Golden Lion dead, its power was gone. The island was plummeting back toward the sea.
"There are still civilians up there!" Fujitora said, his brow furrowed.
"Can you stop it, Captain? I can manipulate gravity, but at most, I can only slow down half the island's descent!"
Kaito placed a reassuring hand on Fujitora's shoulder,
"There's no way I'd just stand by."
In an instant, he pulled Fujitora into the protective shell of his Susanoo.
The colossal spectral warrior flared with deep azure light, spreading its massive wings.
Whoosh!
In a blur of motion, Susanoo vanished into the air, streaking like lightning beneath the falling island.
Suspended below the massive landmass, Kaito gathered his chakra.
His hands formed seals in rapid succession.
"Wood Style, Tree World Creation!"
Crack! Crack!
From beneath him, titanic trees erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling like serpentine dragons.
Within moments, thousands of colossal branches surged upward, weaving together beneath the island, holding it aloft.
The ancient trees groaned under the island's weight but held firm, their roots intertwining and digging deep into the earth.
Above, Susanoo braced itself, gripping the largest of the trees with both massive hands to steady the descent.
Watching the scene, Fujitora sighed in quiet awe.
"Captain… your power truly humbles me."
After a pause, he asked, "Where should we place this island? It's far too large to leave floating forever."
Kaito looked toward the horizon, his expression calm.
"Logue Town," he said.
"It's the largest settlement in the East Blue. Its defenses and command are stronger than any other Marine base nearby."
He glanced down at the people below, his tone steady.
"There are civilians, pirates, and those creatures Shiki experimented on for twenty years.
If we set it down elsewhere, they'd slaughter entire islands. Only Logue Town can handle it safely."
Fujitora hesitated.
"Will they even agree to that, Captain?"
Kaito smirked.
"Whether they agree or not, we'll leave it there and inform the Marines.
There may be corruption within their ranks, but most still serve the people. The higher-ups will know what to do."
Fujitora nodded.
"Understood."
Under the pale crescent moon, Susanoo's immense form carried the island through the night sky.
Its wings spread wide, a shining blue titan that illuminated the sea below.
Countless eyes across the East Blue gazed upward in stunned disbelief.
Logue Town
Tashigi stood atop the Marine branch headquarters, her glasses glinting as she looked at the distant glow approaching through the clouds.
Her brow furrowed.
"A power like that in East Blue… that can't be good news."
Then her face went pale as she realized the direction of the giant's flight.
"It's heading straight for Logue Town!"
"Everyone, prepare for impact! Full alert!" she shouted.
Even without her command, Marines had already begun to gather, drawn by the impossible sight in the sky.
Civilians poured into the streets, their eyes wide as they watched a floating island approach, carried by a colossal blue warrior.
Excitement quickly turned to fear.
"It's coming right at us!"
"If that thing falls, we're done for!"
Panic rippled through the town.
Some fled toward the harbor, boarding ships in desperation.
Others froze in place, unable to tear their eyes from the giant shadow that darkened the sky.
Within moments, the entire town was cloaked in the island's looming shadow.
Tashigi stepped forward, sword at her side, standing her ground despite her trembling hands.
"Who are you?! Why bring that island here? Do you intend to destroy Logue Town?!" she shouted upward.
Kaito narrowed his eyes, then released the massive trunk of wood he had been holding.
The colossal trees descended carefully into an open plain near the outskirts of the town.
Boom!
The ground shook violently as the island settled into place.
Enormous roots spread through the soil, anchoring the island in place without collapsing the town below.
Hovering above with Fujitora, Kaito smiled down at the stunned Marines.
"This island was once the Golden Lion Shiki's fortress," he explained.
"It's filled with dangerous creatures and pirates. I couldn't just leave it adrift, so I placed it here — the safest spot in East Blue."
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"Golden Lion… Shiki?"
Her face drained of color.
The name alone was enough to send shivers down any Marine's spine.
The legendary pirate who once stormed Marineford, battling Garp and Sengoku for three days and nights, leaving half the base in ruins.
"This matter is far beyond my authority!" she said, gritting her teeth.
Kaito's tone remained calm, though his gaze was sharp.
"I didn't say it was your job. Not even your superior Smoker could handle this.
Inform Garp and Sengoku — they'll understand what to do. Tsuru's wisdom will take care of the rest."
Without waiting for a reply, Kaito turned to Fujitora.
The two lifted into the night sky, vanishing into the distance.
Tashigi glared up at their departing figures, her fists clenched.
"Damn it…!" she muttered.
Her frustration melted into weary resignation as she took out her Den Den Mushi and called Smoker.
Before the line connected, Kaito's calm voice echoed faintly through the air:
"Consider this a friendly warning — the beasts on that island are dangerous.
Your forces aren't equipped to deal with them. Wait for reinforcements from Marine Headquarters."
Tashigi's teeth ground together as she slammed her boot into the ground.
"That infuriating man…!"