Back at Marine Headquarters, Crane(Tsuru) reported the situation to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Upon hearing that Kaido had been involved in the mission, Sengoku couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. He knew Kaido's strength all too well.
To encounter Kaido—not once but twice in a single day—was a nightmare scenario. That any Marines returned alive was already worth celebrating.
Thankfully, Uchiha Chiga had been part of this mission; otherwise, the consequences could've been catastrophic. The Vice Admirals were among the top-ranked Vice Admirals in terms of strength. Losing either of them would've dealt a heavy blow to the Marines.
Crane was an even greater symbol of the Marines. If something had happened to her, Sengoku wasn't sure he could've stayed composed—or stopped Garp from charging into Onigashima alone for revenge.
Fortunately, everyone returned safely. Compared to their lives, the Op-Op Fruit was of little significance.
Thinking of this, Sengoku considered the mission's failure trivial. Chiga had fought until total exhaustion. All that was left was to argue with the Five Elders.
Crane then asked with concern,
"What did Mary Geoise say?"
"You don't need to worry," Sengoku replied. "I'll handle explaining the mission's outcome. You and Chiga should just focus on resting."
"Alright then, I'll leave the diplomacy to you."
With that, Crane left Sengoku's office, and Sengoku proceeded to contact the Five Elders.
As expected, the Five Elders were furious at the mission's failure, but the blame couldn't fairly fall on Sengoku or the Marines.
A difficult opponent had shown up: Kaido. Intelligence about the Op-Op Fruit had likely been leaked to Kaido by Doflamingo.
It was highly possible that Doflamingo had already told Kaido about the fruit's hidden power—granting immortality through the Perpetual Youth Surgery. Otherwise, Kaido wouldn't have acted so personally.
And the reason Doflamingo knew such a secret likely stemmed from his former status as a Celestial Dragon.
So in the end, the root of the issue was on their side… but they couldn't admit that. In the end, they simply chose not to push further blame and left the matter at that.
As for Chiga, Sengoku had already granted him a week's vacation. Everyone knew he had blocked Kaido yet again. the others even suggested extending his break.
"No, really. I'm fine."
Back in his office with Kalifa and Ain, Chiga reached into his Door-Door Space and pulled out four Devil Fruits, placing them neatly on the table.
Kalifa and Ain stared wide-eyed, as if they were looking at vegetables instead of powerful fruits.
Among the Devil Fruits was the one Ain had gifted him. He still hadn't had a chance to research it, but he figured he'd test it on some low-level pirate later.
Chiga introduced the fruits to them, listing their names and powers, then asked Kalifa if any caught her interest.
Ain had already eaten a Devil Fruit—this meeting was mainly to avoid excluding her.
Kalifa hesitated, then shook her head. She wasn't particularly drawn to any of them. Although the fruits were strong in combat potential, she now preferred abilities with more auxiliary or support functions.
After all, with Chiga around, she felt like the safest woman in the world.
Seeing her disinterest, Chiga didn't push. There would be plenty of opportunities to gather more fruits later.
Of the four, one fruit did interest Chiga: the Pop-Pop Fruit.
As the name suggested, it granted explosive abilities. Not self-detonation like Mr. 5's Bomb-Bomb Fruit, but rather the power to detonate inorganic matter—which made it more destructive and deadly.
Unlike Mr. 5's bombs—which were, bizarrely, made from his own boogers—the Pop-Pop Fruit was a more refined and dangerous ability.
Thinking of booger bombs, Chiga involuntarily imagined Garp using them. That man loved picking his nose—especially in Sengoku's office.
He shivered. That visual was cursed.
Shaking off the thought, Chiga stared at the Pop-Pop Fruit.
It looked like a black watermelon with a vine-like fuse sticking out of it.
(At least, that's how it looked in his imagination).
Placing his hand on it, Chiga closed his eyes and used the Preta Path.
A few seconds later, a normal watermelon appeared on the table.
Kalifa, pulling a knife from who-knows-where, sliced it and handed half to Chiga.
Then she offered a slice to Ain and kept one for herself, munching contentedly.
They watched Chiga quietly, as he absorbed the fruit's power.
Once finished, Chiga opened his eyes to see both women holding watermelon slices and staring at him eagerly.
Kalifa leaned in, her pretty face close.
Chiga tensed. What now? Ain's standing right there!
Kalifa stared at his right eye, then nodded.
"As expected… there's another tomoe. Incredible."
"...That's it?" Chiga muttered.
Kalifa tilted her head. "What else, Boss? What were you thinking?"
Ain giggled beside her.
Damn this insolent secretary, Chiga grumbled internally, but let it go.
He focused on his new ability.
After a few minutes, he reached out and touched a cup on the table. The moment he did, the cup rapidly expanded, then shattered into fine dust.
Kalifa and Ain jumped in surprise.
Chiga looked at the dust and grinned slightly.
"You two are getting way too bold."
Then he turned his attention back to the fragments. His control over the explosion was far beyond that of Gladius. He could easily compress the blast's range and amplify its power. The fact that only dust remained proved it.
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