Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

"Something's not right..."

Gion moved a few steps closer to Aon, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly, and said, "Aon, I've had a feeling lately that something's off about you."

Arn glanced away, avoiding Gion's gaze. While his mind raced through his past actions, he feigned composure and said, "Wh...what's not right..."

Gion gazed at Aon and said slowly, "You usually seem lazy, but there's also a hint of uneasy impatience hidden within you. What's going on, Major General Aon?"

Upon hearing this, Yann's breath caught in his throat.

Was it still discovered?

Corazon, that idiot, messed up the whole thing, ruining people's lives!

In fact, Aon was aware of Gion's feelings.

However, Aon often teetered on the edge of a certain critical point, hesitating to take another step forward, worried that getting too close to Gion would lead to Gion discovering his secret.

Unlike Aon, who is inherently opposed to the World Government, Gion, as Vice Admiral Tsuru's adopted sister, will inevitably stand firmly on the side of the Navy, and by extension, on the side of the World Government.

Therefore, Aon, who had absolutely no intention of turning Gion against her, which was extremely unlikely and risky, could only choose to show no understanding of Gion's feelings.

Even though Gion was willing to lie in the same bed with Aon every day, with only a sheet between them, Aon always maintained a respectable distance from Gion.

Of course, Yann never allowed Corazon to find a reason to remove the seastone handcuffs, but he had an important purpose in doing so.

That is to... completely sever Aon's ties with Hueco Mundo.

After all, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had shown suspicion towards Yan after returning to Marineford from the Holy Land of Mary Geoise last time.

Although he was barely fooled by Yann's jokes last time, no one can say for sure when the Warlord might suddenly have a fit of madness and turn on his own family.

Therefore, Yann forced himself to stay constantly bound to Gion, allowing Gion, who was completely trusted by the Navy's high command, to supervise him and clarify that during his time in the Dressrosa Kingdom, he had not done any serious work and had spent his days eating, drinking, having fun, and sunbathing.

When Hueco Mundo appears, it will implicitly prove that Yann is an innocent Marine.

only……

Did trying to take advantage of the situation backfire?

Ahn's mind raced as he considered what to do if he were to completely break ties with Gion.

Sacrificing her beauty in hopes of turning Gion against her?

Or should I kill my sister to prove my path and avoid future troubles?

Sweat seeped from Yan's forehead without him even realizing it.

While preparing "Binding Spell No. 81: Sky Severing" to deal with any possible attacks from Gion, Aon also tried to conceal his true intentions.

"You found out all of this? Gion, did the old man tell you this secret?"

"Huh?" Gion.

"My birthday is coming soon." Yann took off his sunglasses, his eyes revealing a hint of homesickness and longing, and sighed.

"Sigh, I never imagined that I would spend my twenty-sixth birthday as a prisoner in the Kingdom of Dressrosa."

"So...so it's Arn's birthday?" Gion stammered.

"Eh? Don't you know Gion? Then what did you mean just now?" Aon asked in a surprised tone, taking the initiative.

Gion instinctively tried to hide her feelings from her beloved, saying, "No, no, of course I know... I know your birthday, Aeon."

"Really? Sigh..."

Yaen sighed again and said, "I thought that after seven years, I could spend my eighth birthday with the old man, but I didn't expect to be stuck here again."

"Although Corazon doesn't dare to make things difficult for us for the time being because of the World Government, this kind of life as a prisoner, being bound and restrained, is probably the most uncomfortable birthday I've ever had?"

[Chapter 225. Everything is but a mirage]

After hearing what Aon said, Gion felt even more guilty.

I seem to have doubted someone I shouldn't have.

If it's because his birthday is approaching that he's feeling so emotional, then Major General Yan's somewhat unusual behavior is perfectly reasonable.

Besides, Rear Admiral Yann is clearly an upright navy officer who is not lustful or greedy, and who holds a firm belief in justice. I have absolutely no reason to worry that he will go astray.

"Major General Yann..."

After hesitating for a moment, Gion spoke up. "You won't be all alone. On your birthday, I'll be there with you, won't I?"

Ya'en put his sunglasses back on and shook his head.

Just as Gion's mood plummeted, thinking that Aon was angry that she doubted him, Aon spoke up.

“Gion, it’s not just my birthday, now you’re with me every day.”

Upon hearing Aon's words, Gion felt completely at a loss, her heart pounding like a deer.

However, what Gion couldn't see was that Aeon's eyes, hidden behind his sunglasses, flickered with a hint of helplessness.

Gion has keen observation skills. No matter how careful Aon is in his daily life, he will always test Gion's sleeping state multiple times before doing anything he plans to do at night.

Even so, Gion still keenly noticed the abnormality.

It seems they've successfully gotten away with it this time, but what's next?

For some inexplicable reason, Arn seemed to sense the same feeling as the original owner of the "Soul-Slaying Blade: Mirror Flower Water Moon".

Longing is the emotion furthest from understanding!

“Gion, how about I perform a magic trick for you?” Yan said with a smile.

"Hmm? What kind of magic trick?" Gion asked, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Immediately, Yann drew his Zanpakuto from his waist and spoke.

"My Devil Fruit is the Cherry Blossom Fruit, which allows me to manipulate and attack objects around me by turning them into cherry blossoms. Generally, to increase the lethality, I choose this sword in my hand as the vessel to activate my ability."

This was the first time Gion had heard Aon give a complete explanation of his abilities, and she listened intently.

“However, this knife contains some peculiar little secrets that can be described as magic. I’ll show you, how about it?” Yann asked with a smile.

“Okay!” Gion nodded in agreement.

"Ahem, in that case, Gion, you'd better watch carefully. When you find the flaw in this magic, I'll tell you a real secret, okay?" Yan said seriously.

"Hmm? Really?" Gion also became interested and started to take it seriously.

“That’s right, or rather, Colonel Gion, whatever secret you want to know, I can tell you,” Yann promised with a smile.

"Can you use Observation Haki?" Gion asked.

"It will be all right!"

Aon readily agreed, then held the Zanpakuto upright in front of Gion and whispered something.

"Shatter, you illusion, you mirage!"

……

Finally, amidst Gion's gasps of surprise, Aon performed a stunning magic trick for Gion.

This made Yann feel slightly melancholy.

If possible, Yann would not want to use the "Mirror Flower Water Moon" ability on the people around him.

After all, once you use "illusion" (or "mirage"), besides those around you seeing yourself as a dreamlike illusion, a mirage that is both real and unreal, you'll also be left with a different perspective.

Even Yaen felt that the people around him had turned into elusive illusions.

Between truth and falsehood, those around him couldn't distinguish between illusion and reality, and Ya'en couldn't tell whether the feelings those around him had for him were genuine or not.

To truly perceive the flaws in "Mirror Flower, Water Moon," ordinary Observation Haki is insufficient; only advanced Observation Haki, particularly those involving intuition, is possible.

For example, Barak's Observation Haki allows him to perceive real danger to a certain extent even under the influence of "Mirror Flower Water Moon".

"Gion, I'm sorry. When you realize the flaws in the illusion, I will sincerely apologize to you and answer all your questions."

Of course, Gion couldn't hear Aon's somber words.

Throughout Gion's five senses, Aon continues to perform ingenious and stunning magic tricks for Gion.

"Speaking of which, my birthday is coming up soon. I wonder what kind of Zanpakuto I'll awaken this time. I hope it'll be useful..."

"Ya'en murmured."

……

Meanwhile, in the Devil's Triangle, the first half of the Grand Line, Bartholomew Kuma's enormous body appeared.

"Is this the place? The location the Chief of the General Staff mentioned?"

Bear flipped through the documents and nautical charts in his hands, his eyes searching for his target—Gekko Moria.

Gecko Moria disappeared completely after his defeat in Wano Country several years ago, and his whereabouts are now extremely unknown.

However, based on the original trajectory, Yann guessed that Moonlight Moria was likely hiding in this area of ​​the sea, which was covered in thick fog, dark all year round, and was known as the "Devil's Triangle".

Immediately, the bear took off its gloves and patted them on its body.

With the activation of his "Paw-Paw Fruit" ability, Kuma quickly moved among the crumbling ships in the "Devil's Triangle" in search of Gecko Moria's whereabouts.

Soon, the bear arrived at a place that was so huge it was comparable to a small island.

"Moonlight Moria's flagship, the Thriller Bark, is truly terrifying in terms of intelligence capabilities, Chief of the General Staff."

The bear spoke calmly, and then, with the power of the "Paw-Paw Fruit," it quickly moved towards the center.

"Who dares to trespass on my ship?"

Soon, Moria's slightly shrill and strange voice, somewhat like a bat's call, rang out.

Furthermore, as Moria used the "Shadow-Shadow Fruit," numerous dark shadows moved about in this dark area shrouded in endless fog.

"boom!!!"

The sounds of fierce fighting suddenly erupted.

However, the battle lasted only a few moments before it ended.

The bear looked at Moria, who was buried deep in the mud, looking disheveled and coughing up blood, and commented in bewilderment.

"Too weak. It's hard to imagine that you were once a pirate who survived under Kaido of the Beasts."

"asshole……"