The Marines quickly regrouped and arrived at the dock, then orderly escorted the prisoners aboard.
The incorruptible Captain Smoker accepted no valuable gifts, only gladly taking the local specialty oranges Nami and Nojiko had given him.
Smoker had to hurry off to clean up the remnants of Captain Nezumi's corruption, so Garen, Nami, and Wallace naturally remained in Cocoyasi Village for the time being.
Along with the cheering villagers, the two sides held a lively yet touching farewell at the dock.
"Garen!"
Before leaving, Smoker specifically called out to Garen.
"What is it?"
Garen responded amiably to this Marine friend he had only recently met and was already about to part with.
"I gave it some careful thought."
Smoker took a deep drag on his cigar, then said seriously:
"Although that sword light was quite convincing,"
"I still don't believe that nonsense about the 'power of justice'!"
"Power is just power. How can it be divided into good and evil?"
"You're right."
Garen did not put on an act. He simply replied frankly, "Power has no good or evil. People do."
Smoker gazed deeply at Garen.
"Even so, your actions have lived up to the word 'justice,' though perhaps not as perfectly as that reporter wrote."
"I hope you won't lose your way in the future."
Garen did not waste words. He merely gave a brief, powerful answer: "I won't."
Smoker turned and boarded the ship, but Tashigi stepped before Garen with admiration in her eyes and gave him a respectful bow.
"Senior Garen!"
"Thank you for your guidance. I will never slacken in my training in the way of the sword."
"Keep it up!"
Garen cooperatively put on the gratified expression of a teacher pleased with a promising student, lavishly praising and encouraging Tashigi.
"My Sword of Justice sensed