Passing through a marble-paved corridor, Nerona led Chiga to the chamber where the Five Elders frequently held their meetings.
This time, the entrance wasn't lined with the usual black-suited guards.
Instead, two figures in white robes stood silently at the doorway, wearing distinctive masks—one red, the other black.
Chiga glanced at them impassively. These had to be CP0 agents, the direct enforcers of the World Government.
He recognized the red mask—it belonged to Guismonda, who had appeared in the anime. But the black-masked figure was unfamiliar. Chiga's gaze lingered.
With the Rinnegan's heightened sensitivity to life and death, he could immediately tell that the black-masked individual wasn't alive—more like a puppet than a person.
Nerona frowned. She hadn't seen these two before, and she was puzzled by their inaction. Why hadn't they moved aside despite her presence?
The two masked agents remained unmoving until an aged voice echoed from within the chamber:
"Let Uchiha Chiga enter."
At the command, the masked figures silently stepped aside to clear the path.
Nerona shot them an annoyed glare and raised her foot to enter—but Guismonda extended a hand to block her, speaking respectfully:
"Saint Nerona, the elders only summoned Uchiha Chiga. Please remain here."
Nerona looked indignant and was about to protest when Chiga gently patted her on the shoulder and said,
"It's fine. Thank you for showing me the way. And don't worry—I haven't forgotten our deal. If there's a chance in the future, I'll take you shopping in Sabaody."
"Of course. I keep my word."
"Then I'll head back now!"
Nerona knew she had little influence in this place. With Chiga's promise secured, she wisely chose to leave.
After giving him a final, lingering glance, she turned and walked away.
Chiga didn't give the masked guards another glance as he strode confidently into the chamber.
Inside, five pairs of eyes immediately turned to him.
Unfazed, Chiga calmly observed the Five Elders seated before him on a long sofa.
They were clearly seasoned manipulators. While he didn't know if they matched Danzo in underhanded tactics, their presence was far more commanding.
They were, after all, the highest authority in the World Government. Compared to them, Danzo couldn't even qualify as a village chief—his legacy reduced to a brief stint as the unofficial "5.5th" Hokage before being taken out by Sasuke, ironically dying on a bridge.
While the Five Elders looked like ordinary stern-faced old men if you didn't know who they were, Danzo looked like trouble from a mile away.
Their eyes lingered on Chiga's Rinnegan.
The white-robed elder with a sword resting on his lap was the first to speak:
"Uchiha Chiga, it's our first meeting. Your eyes are just as extraordinary as we've heard. They're unique to your clan, yes?"
Chiga raised an eyebrow. They were diving straight into talk about the Rinnegan? This one was playing the friendly elder card, but Chiga wasn't fooled.
Even if they did covet his eyes, he wasn't remotely concerned. At his current level, unless Mary Geoise had a force stronger than a Yonko hiding in the wings, he could destroy this whole place and walk away unharmed.
"Yes. Have you ever seen anyone else with eyes like these?"
The blonde Five Elder frowned. Chiga's tone wasn't exactly respectful.
He opened his mouth, ready to rebuke, but the elder in the black flat hat beside him gave him a sidelong glance and a small shake of the head.
Stifling his words, the blonde elder simply sat there, face tense.
The elder in the white kimono remained composed.
"Perhaps we have?" he said, smirking.
The air in the room seemed to thicken.
Chiga narrowed his eyes, a faint purple glow flashing within his Rinnegan.
Then, the white-robed elder chuckled softly, tapping his katana.
"Just kidding. You said you're the last of the Uchiha, didn't you?"
"Heh. I was starting to think there were others still alive."
"Oh? And if there were?"
"Then they'd be my last remaining kin. I'd invite them for tea and catch up."
"Haha. Sentimental, aren't you?"
The blonde elder had finally had enough. This small talk was wasting time.
"Uchiha Chiga," he interrupted. "Is the Op-Op Fruit really in Kaido's possession? Our intelligence network hasn't confirmed this."
"I wouldn't know. The fruit was indeed stolen by Kaido. Every soldier on those five battleships saw it happen."
"The mission was under your charge. Shouldn't you take some responsibility?"
"Oh? So should I go fight Kaido?"
The blonde elder's face turned red with frustration, but once again, the flat-hatted elder signaled him to calm down.
He clenched his fists. The very sound of "Uchiha" now irritated him to no end.
The flat-hatted elder turned to Chiga with a placid expression.
"Uchiha Chiga, we'd like you to visit Onigashima and gather intelligence on the Op-Op Fruit. Given your strength, it shouldn't be difficult."
So they really did want him to test Kaido. Classic.
Chiga wasn't bothered. Whether he fought Kaido or not didn't matter—he already had business to take care of on Onigashima.
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