The Revolutionary Army had been officially rebranded as the "Army Division of the Kingdom of Joy."
And the newly appointed Chief of Logistics, Sabo, had become the busiest man in the organization.
With his continuous and intense usage of his Devil Fruit powers each day—and with Ghidorah's special attention—his strength had skyrocketed like a rocket.
Through the combination of two Devil Fruits, Sabo's combat prowess had already placed him at the top tier of their entire force.
Even Dragon, who had once stood as the strongest, likely no longer matched the sheer terror Sabo now represented.
Due to the unique nature of his abilities, once entering the New World, Sabo split off from the main group and traveled to uninhabited islands in search of materials.
Or more accurately—to devour them.
The fusion of the Dark-Dark Fruit (Yami Yami no Mi) and the Swallow-Swallow Fruit (Baku Baku no Mi) after awakening had revealed a level of destruction and utility that was utterly beyond imagination.
With a handful of logistics personnel and two massive transport ships, Sabo landed on an uninhabited island.
After carefully scanning the terrain to confirm no signs of human presence, he activated his powers.
Black darkness—a swirling vortex of void—erupted from beneath his feet, spreading outward in a fan shape. Within moments, half the island was engulfed.
Rocks, trees—everything—was swallowed by the darkness.
And under Sabo's precise control, the Swallow-Swallow Fruit converted the materials into raw building resources, which were directly deposited onto the transport ships.
In no time at all, half the island had been transformed into a construction supply cache.
Leaving behind a small boat and a few crew members, the main ship returned to the forward base with its cargo.
Sabo, meanwhile, having reached his limit from absorbing so much, collapsed onto the beach for a nap.
"Director Sabo! Trouble!"
A panicked subordinate shook him awake mid-slumber.
"Mmmgh… what's the matter…?"
Sabo yawned, stretching lazily before sitting up.
"Someone's here!"
"Someone?"
That word made Sabo pause.
He wouldn't be surprised if a ship had shown up.
But a person?
Did someone already live on this island?
That didn't make sense.
Confident in his Observation Haki, Sabo immediately spread it outward—sensing all life nearby.
Then his expression changed.
There was someone—but they weren't from the island.
They were approaching from the sea, and their presence carried an unmistakable icy aura.
"Former Marine Admiral… Aokiji?"
Feeling the chilling power close in, Sabo stood and walked toward the shore.
"Sabo of the Revolutionary Army?"
"Mind if I ask… what the hell happened to this island?"
Standing at the edge of the beach, Kuzan—wearing his signature black shades—glanced at the half-devoured terrain, visibly puzzled.
When he saw Sabo approaching, he raised an eyebrow.
"Eh, just a deserted island, that's all."
Sabo shrugged.
**"Also, for the record, the Revolutionary Army is now the Army Division of the Kingdom of Joy."
"I just manage the logistics department."
He came to a stop about ten meters away from Aokiji and added curiously:
"Heard you've been wandering the New World since quitting the Marines… rumors haven't exactly been flattering."
"Doesn't matter. I only represent myself now."
Kuzan parked his bike by the sea, then casually sat down on a flat spot on the beach.
Seeing this, Sabo's eyes briefly flickered with alertness.
But he then walked over and sat beside Kuzan, lying down with his hands behind his head, eyes gazing at the drifting clouds.
"Ever considered joining the Army Division?"
Sabo asked, voice relaxed.
"Oh?"
Kuzan looked surprised but didn't tense up.
"Even after saying my reputation's in the mud? Not afraid I'm a Marine spy or something?"
"Spy?"
Sabo chuckled.
"Hahaha… That's funny."
Kuzan turned his head, visibly puzzled.
After a few moments, Sabo asked out of nowhere:
"Say, if you were a spy… think you could make it to Commander-in-Chief of the Army?"
"Hah? No way."
Kuzan replied immediately, brushing it off.
"No way?"
Sabo smirked.
"Well, my uncle did it."
He didn't elaborate—but his implication was clear.
Then he added with a light smile:
"Spy or not, it doesn't matter. Once you join us, you'll realize—this place is where you truly belong."
"Sounds nice… but joining so easily wouldn't sit right with me."
Kuzan muttered, gazing at the sky.
"How about we have a fight? Win or lose, at least it'll feel earned."
"Sure."
Sabo yawned.
"But let me nap first."
Then, like it was nothing, he closed his eyes and actually went to sleep.
Kuzan blinked in surprise, but his lips curled into a faint smirk. Without another word, he lay down as well.
The sun dipped toward the horizon, casting the sky in fiery red.
"Yaaawn… I'm starving."
Sabo sat up, stretched, and scratched his golden hair sheepishly.
Not far away, Kuzan was roasting meat over a fire, sitting on the beach like a man without a care.
"My bad. Must've dozed off for a while. Been… a bit exhausted lately."
Kuzan didn't know what this kid was so busy with, but given how soundly he'd slept, it was clear the exhaustion was real.
"Want some?"
Kuzan asked, tossing a roasted animal leg toward Sabo without waiting for an answer.
"Weird island though—hardly any animals around."
Sabo caught the meat and devoured it without hesitation.
Once he finished, he stood up, brushing sand off his clothes.
"Alright… let's fight. I've got stuff to do tonight."
"Alright."
Kuzan stood as well, a little reluctant after only a few bites.
"I'll go first then!"
"Watch yourself."
The moment Sabo finished speaking, he vanished from Kuzan's view.
"Eh?"
Kuzan flinched.
He hadn't underestimated Sabo—after all, this was the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command.
Still… he'd misjudged him.
That speed was already beyond his own.
Before he could react, his Observation Haki flared—detecting a sudden strike coming from the left.
He tried to move aside, but his body couldn't keep up with the attack's speed.
He had no choice but to activate his Logia form in defense.
"BOOM!"
A blackened claw, hard as iron, struck with explosive force—shattering half of Kuzan's shoulder into shards of blue ice.
Freezing mist erupted around him.
"Impressive… that speed is something else."
Even with a limb destroyed, Kuzan didn't retreat.
He immediately conjured an ice blade and slashed toward Sabo.
"CLANG!"
The frost-laced blade was caught mid-air by Sabo's black-gloved hand—and crushed to pieces.
"If you don't start getting serious…"
"You'll lose in an instant."
Sabo stepped back, activating his Dark-Dark Fruit, and grinned.
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