When the previous group of Marines was mentioned, Kuzan fell silent again, quietly enjoying the sea breeze, until after a moment of silence, he looked at Ian and said, "Captain Kaz... Thank you for that."
"Kaz? Who's that?"
Kuzan: "..."
Kuzan, who had been wearing a complicated expression, was suddenly rendered helpless by these words and said irritably, "The marine captain you burned to death, who was escorting the Heavenly Tribute!"
"Oh, it's that person!"
Upon hearing Kuzan say that, Ian also remembered who it was.
Only one group of marines was burned to death, the marines he encountered during the first raid on the Heavenly Tribute!
As for the marines who escorted the Heavenly Tribute later... None of them was as unyielding as the one they encountered at the beginning.
After the World Government's hyenas were all killed, they all chose to compromise and leave.
"Then you should thank Zephyr. Honestly, I was planning to throw him into the sea to feed the fish. It was Zephyr who said he hoped they could die with some dignity. And strictly speaking, that guy was struck dead by lightning. To be honest, he and his subordinates were pretty stubborn."
"The Marine Headquarters already knows the details. That guy chose to die for the justice he upheld."
Kuzan wasn't angry at Ian's words, but rather smiled, though a complex emotion lingered in his smile, as he said, "It's just a bit of a pity!"
"What a pity? To die so bravely for justice?"
These words made Ian shake his head, but he didn't laugh. Instead, he said in a calm tone, "If it were for justice, he shouldn't have helped those hyenas capture civilians!"
"He is a member of the Marines, and the Marines cannot refuse the orders of the World Government."
Kuzan sighed, and after saying just one sentence, he said nothing more.
Instead, he gazed at the sea in front of him with a confused and melancholy look and did not say another word.
Ian didn't say anything more about this, and he understood what Kuzan meant.
After all, this is a very common thing. Not to mention in this world, even in another world, when faced with orders from superiors, no matter how ruthless or outrageous the order may be, subordinates can only accept it.
Being unable to control one's own destiny is very common!
Some people even accept promotions, raises, money, and fame without a second thought, willingly becoming lackeys of those in power.
In a world with extraordinary powers, this situation would be even more extreme!
Of course, he wasn't interested in all that nonsense from the Marine Headquarters; he'd rather go fishing.
If he hadn't felt it was inappropriate to leave like this, he would have gone fishing.
Regardless, Kuzan has helped him and his wife a lot, so he should still give him some face.
Only…
"So..."
At this moment, Kuzan, whose eyes had been filled with confusion, revealed a determined expression and said resolutely, "I want to change all of this!"
Ian: "...?"
Change all of this?
Ian stared blankly at Kuzan, who had suddenly become engrossed in his lofty ambitions.
If you want to change it, then change it!
Why suddenly tell me?
Don't tell me you want me to join the Marines?
Don't be ridiculous. Even if he were willing to join the Marines now, the Marine Headquarters would probably hesitate.
Ian nodded perfunctorily, "Ah, yes, yes, yes!"
Sure enough, as soon as his answer fell…
"Ian."
Kuzan turned his head, looking at Ian with a serious expression. "I must become Fleet Admiral. Only then can I change all of this. I need your help..."
"I refuse..."
"For special training!"
"I refuse...?"
Before he could finish speaking, Ian froze, then looked at Kuzan in surprise. "You want me to give you special training?"
"Yes, I've made a deal with Sakazuki. Whoever loses forfeits. But Sakazuki is incredibly strong. To be honest, I'm not entirely confident I can defeat him. But to change all of this, I have to defeat him."
Kuzan's face was serious, his eyes radiating determination and a glimmer of hope as he stared intently at Ian. "Fight me, Ian!"
Upon hearing this, Ian, who had been stunned, immediately broke into a warm smile and said without any hesitation, "With pleasure, my friend, Admiral Aokiji!"
...
Meanwhile, in the Fleet Admiral's office on the other side.
"Most of the headquarters collapsed, but how come your office isn't even scratched?"
Garp said with a hint of regret as he ate some snacks and looked at Sengoku. "Is that kid, Ian, blind? Of the Five Elders, he only managed to kill one, and your huge office was left standing? I'll have to give him a good talk next time!"
"Hehehe, what can I do?"
Sengoku, who was lying on his perfectly intact Fleet Admiral's chair, chuckled upon hearing Garp's words. "My luck has always been excellent!"
However, Garp raised an eyebrow at Sengoku's lazy demeanor and unique smile, then he looked seriously at him from head to toe. His expression, as if something major had happened, startled Sengoku, who quickly sat up straight and looked at Garp with a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong? Is there something dirty on me?"
"Something's wrong, something's definitely very wrong."
But Garp didn't answer Sengoku's question. Instead, he stood up, walked over to Sengoku, and carefully examined him again. "Sengoku, something's wrong with you!"
"So, what's wrong with me?"
Upon hearing Garp's words, Sengoku became even more puzzled and frowned.
Garp said in a serious tone, "Sengoku!!!"
"What's wrong?"
"You didn't secretly buy a bunch of snacks and hide them, did you?!"
Looking at Sengoku's puzzled expression, Garp remained serious, his eyes fixed intently on Sengoku. "Tell me, where did you hide them? You can't keep them all to yourself, okay?"
"No!"
Sengoku was completely bewildered, not understanding why this guy was suddenly so serious.
"So much has happened lately, how could I have had time to eat snacks?"
"I don't believe it. If it's not real, why are you so happy?"
However, upon hearing Sengoku's explanation, Garp's expression remained unchanged. "You yourself said that so much has happened recently, so how could you possibly be happy? You're not me!"
"I'm going to fucking kick your ass!"
Sengoku blurted out a vulgar curse, his face dark as he stared at Garp in front of him.
That's it?
He wondered if his complexion was affected by staying up too many nights lately.
So it was because he was too happy?