Justice Lost in Confusion

On the warship's deck, a large amount of Marine soldiers were closely watching the movements inside the ship's cabin.

Until...

"I think I just heard Vice Admiral Sakazuki apologizing!"

A Major exclaimed in disbelief.

"Nani?"

"How is that possible?"

"You must have misheard?"

For a moment, the Marine soldiers were in an uproar.

Who was Vice Admiral Sakazuki?

Even within the entire Marine force, he was a strong person known as a "monster," rumored to be on the verge of promotion to Marine Admiral.

Furthermore, Vice Admiral Sakazuki was famously known for sacrificing everything to complete a mission and absolutely refusing to leave any trace of "evil," a man who upheld "Absolute Justice."

However, for such a man, the Marines could hardly imagine him apologizing voluntarily, let alone apologizing to someone he considered a criminal.

As the many Marine soldiers were discussing amongst themselves, Sakazuki's figure, filled with intense heat, emerged from the ship's cabin, instantly silencing the deck.

"What's all the commotion? Such a chaotic demeanor, lacking discipline, what's the difference from evil pirates?" Sakazuki's scolding voice rang out, making all the soldiers lower their heads instantly.

"Alright, alright."

Vice Admiral Spandine, standing nearby, saw the situation and actively spoke to ease the atmosphere. "The soldiers have just completed a 'Buster Call,' and they do need to relax a bit."

Sakazuki glanced at Spandine and spoke directly. "As Marines, as long as we are sailing the seas, we cannot afford the slightest carelessness. Vice Admiral Spandine, please be more strict with your subordinates."

Immediately after, Sakazuki used "Marine Six Powers: Moon Walk" to leave the warship and head back towards his own flagship.

Vice Admiral Spandine didn't pay too much attention to Sakazuki's words. Instead, he waved his hand, telling the Marine soldiers to disperse and prepare for the return voyage to Marineford.

The "Buster Call" was over, and they needed to return to Marineford as soon as possible to rest and then be deployed to suppress the seas.

Since the "Great Pirate Era," even though the Marines had continuously increased their suppression of the seas, new pirates still emerged endlessly, and the overall quantity was increasing year by year.

It could be said that even a behemoth like the Marines was gradually starting to feel overwhelmed.

And soon, after the situation was reported to Admiral Sengoku, who was in charge of this "Buster Call" operation, and the World Government, and after an inspection of the Ohara sea area confirmed no omissions.

Under Sengoku's command, these ten Marine warships, which participated in the "Buster Call" and could be called iron behemoths, began their return voyage.

However, during the return journey, the flagship where Kuzan was located left the main fleet and headed towards another route alone.

"Hey, hey, hey, Vice Admiral Kuzan, don't mess around. The current situation at sea is so tense, especially in the latter half of the Grand Line, where those Great Pirates are causing constant trouble. You're taking me to catch Mafia now?"

Yaen's expression twitched slightly, causing the makeshift bandages on his face to loosen considerably as he repeatedly asked.

"Are you serious?"

"Serious." Kuzan nodded expressionlessly, showing no hint of emotion.

Yaen.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan, you've changed. You're acting like a hoodlum now. You used to uphold 'Passionate Justice'."

In response to Yaen's words, Kuzan remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Perhaps, I really need to reconsider what true justice is."

Hearing this, Yaen suddenly understood.

Kuzan... was lost!

The past Kuzan was a student of Marine Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr. After graduation, he became a subordinate of Vice Admiral Garp, the "Hero of the Marines," whom he admired. Therefore, Kuzan was deeply influenced by Garp.

Compared to Sakazuki, who firmly stood on the World Government's side, Kuzan was not as steadfast.

In a sense, Kuzan's approval of the World Government was almost identical to Garp's.

It was precisely because of this that Yaen, who Sengoku had been worried about, was not psychologically affected by the "Ohara Incident." Instead, Kuzan fell into self-doubt and confusion.

'So, rather than Kuzan specifically taking me to catch Mafia, he wants to use this opportunity to have some quiet time for self-reflection?'

As Yaen vaguely reached a judgment, he looked at Kuzan's iceberg-like expression and stopped talking, quietly returning to his room to lie down.

'It's fine, take your time to think. I'm not in a hurry to go back and see Old Man, lest I be subjected to further 'persecution' by him.'

Yaen said leisurely, watching the scenery by the window while sipping the juice "gifted" by the cafeteria.

It was indeed "gifted," not stolen, and it was the kind of thing Yaen couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.

Initially, Kuzan's subordinates saw Yaen as a sickly, extraordinary person with a significant background, and naturally didn't take him too seriously.

However, after the "Ohara Incident," they witnessed Yaen blocking Sakazuki's cannonball and saving the entire Evacuation Ship.

Even in many rumors, Yaen had even made Vice Admiral Sakazuki, who was of the same status as Vice Admiral Kuzan and had always been tough and fierce, personally visit the ward to apologize sincerely for the "accidental firing on the Evacuation Ship."

Yes, "accidental firing on the Evacuation Ship"!

If Sakazuki had truly annihilated the Evacuation Ship, the outside world would naturally not have known about its existence.

But with Yaen saving the evacuation ship, the matter was inevitably spread.

To prevent the Navy's reputation from being damaged, after discussions within the Staff Department at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, the incident was quickly classified as a mistake.

The reason for the mistake was that a Marine Cadet, temporarily serving as a gunner, did not operate according to regulations, causing the cannon to misfire in the direction of the evacuation ship.

As for why several more cannonballs were fired after the initial shot.

That was also because the Marine Cadet, flustered by the mistake, accidentally operated it incorrectly again.

For this, the Navy decided to dismiss the Marine Cadet, sending him back to his hometown, and offered sincere apologies to the frightened civilians on the evacuation ship.

As a result, when Yaen woke up in a daze, he learned from the Navy soldiers that the reason Sakazuki had visited his bedside had evolved into an apology and thanks for Yaen preventing the "misdirected shot at the evacuation ship."

This led to Yaen, who hadn't even joined the Navy yet, inexplicably gaining popularity on Kuzan's flagship, even earning a degree of respect.

And Yaen, unable to explain himself, could only worry about one thing...

Will the Old Man mistake this for my accomplishment?

Yaen took a sip of juice, feeling a bit melancholic.