INIIDF-Chapter 99 The Speed of Light

You can read ahead up to 20 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/marvel6395

**[Grand Line, Karakuri Island—]**

In the distance, a massive mushroom cloud drew the attention of all the residents on the island, making them look in the same direction.

Everyone recognized where it came from.

Dr. Vegapunk's research facility...

Uncle Kini's eyes almost popped out in shock, and the hunting rifle in his hand fell into the snow.

His daughter, Kidman, and the modified dog she was holding, both gaped in shock, their jaws dropping to the ground.

"…They really did it?!"

****

**[The Middle of the Grand Line, Beneath the Holy Land of Mariejois on the Red Line—]**

**[Marine Headquarters, Marineford]**

In a clean and spacious room, two rows of Marine officers sat in parallel, holding a collective meeting at low tea tables.

After a long and impassioned speech, a senior, nearly retired Marine officer, dressed in a Marine coat adorned with numerous medals, sat down at the head table, taking a sip of tea.

Getting old, talking to the juniors for just an hour left him with a dry throat.

"Now then..."

Though sporting a green Mediterranean-style haircut, Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander Brannew was actually only 35 years old and in his prime. Holding two freshly printed photos, he stepped forward.

*Clap, Clap.*

He pinned the two photos, with final bounty amounts yet to be determined, onto the presentation whiteboard.

"Next, we will discuss these two criminals…" Brannew said seriously, wearing sunglasses. "According to the latest reports from the Karakuri Island branch, Dr. Vegapunk's research facility on the island was completely destroyed by these two individuals. Countless research materials were lost in the explosion…"

The location of Karakuri Island isn't too far from the entrance of the Grand Line—in other words, the chances of encountering extremely dangerous pirate crews weren't too high. 

The Marine forces stationed on Karakuri Island were fairly adequate… But now, someone had gone so far as to blow up a research facility that was heavily guarded by the Marines?

This news was naturally shocking!

But fortunately, the officers present were all key figures of Marine Headquarters, so they didn't lose their composure or react in panic.

They simply turned their gazes to the two photos Brannew had pinned on the whiteboard.

Vice Admiral Kuzan was also present at the meeting, and he looked at one of the photos on the whiteboard— the face of the young man hadn't changed much since he last saw him.

He just hadn't expected that the little guy, after escaping less than a year ago, had already entered the Grand Line and done something like this.

As for the short-haired girl in the other photo… Kuzan silently studied her for a moment, confirming that she was indeed not Nico Robin.

Speaking of which, Nico Robin hadn't been seen for a long time…

Lieutenant Commander Brannew picked up a marker and wrote the names beneath the two photos— Chopperna Giorno and Jolyne Kujo!

"Chopperna Giorno was originally a somewhat famous young hunter from the West Blue. In just over half a year, he hunted pirates with a total bounty of 43.96 million Beli..." Brannew explained. "As for Jolyne Kujo, there is currently no detailed information about her past, but according to the reports from the Karakuri Island branch, among the two, this girl— Jolyne Kujo— is the captain! The only thing known for sure is that she is a Devil Fruit user of unknown abilities, who can at least make people, including herself, disappear into thin air… Additionally, Jolyne Kujo's combat skills are not weak! She is stronger than the average branch officer..."

Kuzan: "..."

The Marine officers began discussing in low voices.

"They're really young!"

"Didn't expect them to become pirates…"

"And commit such an unforgivable crime…"

"How much should their bounties be?"

"This concerns Dr. Vegapunk, so it definitely won't be low! It can't be low."

"They burned down the entire research facility and all its data; the bounty must be set high!"

"And they must be captured as soon as possible!"

…

"For pirates being bounty-listed for the first time, our highest recorded amount is 20 million Beli…"

As for the Devil Child, that was naturally an exceptional case outside the usual discussion range.

Brannew read from the document in his hand, "However, to emphasize the gravity of the crime committed by these two pirates, which can be described as the most heinous of the century… the current proposal is to set the bounty at 70 million Beli for Captain Jolyne Kujo and 30 million Beli for former bounty hunter and crew member Chopperna Giorno!"

This bounty amount, though unusually high, was deemed necessary by the Marine officers present, as it warranted exceptional handling.

"Such wicked criminals must be eliminated as soon as possible to serve as an example!"

As the Marine officers were discussing, Vice Admiral Kuzan suddenly stood up and said, "Regarding these two individuals..."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Kuzan, a Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit) user, was among the Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters and was clearly seen as someone with the potential to become an Admiral.

"To be precise… it's about the boy."

Wearing suit pants, he walked forward and took the marker from Lieutenant Commander Brannew. He added a name below the one written under Liam's photo, "Chopperna Giorno," writing "Dio Brando" underneath it.

"When I met him a year ago in the West Blue, the name he gave me was this one."

Kuzan put down the marker.

Looking around at all the Marine officers present, he said in a deep voice, "This means… neither of these names might be his real name. When capturing him, be especially mindful of this."

"Vice Admiral Kuzan, have you had dealings with this Giorno… with this boy before?"

"Yes." Kuzan slowly replied, "At that time… I wanted to bring him back to Marine Headquarters, hoping to educate him into an outstanding Marine! He had the potential for it. Hmm… the current situation somewhat confirms my judgment from another perspective. This kid is indeed quite capable!"

His joke was so dry that no one laughed.

Kuzan continued, "And at that time, when I was close to him, my Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki)… sensed a humanoid 'ghost' around him!"

He pointed at the bold and brash smile in Liam's photo, a layer of frost creeping over it.

"The stories circulating in the West Blue about the so-called 'wicked spirit of the Pirate King'… those were his doing!"

As his words fell, the entire meeting hall couldn't help but break into a slight commotion.

"Is there really such a thing?"

"This Giorno… this boy, has really grown too bold!"

"How wicked!"

The officers present immediately understood why Kuzan said he wanted to bring the boy back for education—such a dangerous kid needed reform! Now that reforming him was out of the question, he must be apprehended, brought to justice, and thrown into prison for forced rehabilitation.

The previously proposed bounty amounts for Jolyne Kujo and Chopperna Giorno were immediately overturned, and the officers began discussing again…

Finally!

An unprecedented bounty amount was stamped onto the two freshly printed bounty posters!

The short-haired, resolute girl, Captain Jolyne Kujo, had a bounty of 100 million Beli!

The black-haired, brash boy, former bounty hunter, Chopperna Giorno, had a bounty of 100 million Beli!

"Troublesome little brats… a ghost ability that only Kenbunshoku Haki can detect? That's really unsettling…"

Wearing a brown suit and a small ceremonial hat, Vice Admiral Borsalino of Headquarters stood up slowly.

"Your speed is faster," Kuzan said lazily as he walked over to him. "You should go."

Borsalino pouted and lazily replied, "I suppose—"

Before he could finish his sentence, his silhouette seemed to disintegrate into golden light particles, *whoosh, whoosh, whoosh*… flying toward the entrance of the Grand Line, directly opposite Marine Headquarters!

In just a moment, Vice Admiral Borsalino had transformed into a beam of golden light, arriving at the snow-covered Karakuri Island.

...