Kuzan's Misguided Path

After being gifted various juices for several days straight by the mess hall navy uncle, Yaen couldn't help but subtly hint to the uncle that he was an adult, didn't have many duties to attend to at the moment, and that drinking too much juice wasn't good for him.

Yaen's original intention was to express that he was an adult and didn't need to be treated like a child with daily juice gifts.

Furthermore, since he didn't hold a position on the warships, he felt awkward receiving such special treatment, and drinking too much juice would be bad for his health.

After a moment of thought, the mess hall navy uncle's face showed a look of sudden realization, as if he had completely understood Yaen's meaning. He said, "I understand."

Then, the navy uncle snatched the water bottle from Yaen's hand and sneakily walked towards the back kitchen.

Yaen was completely bewildered by this scene.

Could it be... the navy uncle thought he meant for him to be more discreet about it, rather than so open?

However, what Yaen didn't know was that the navy uncle, carrying the water bottle, slipped into the back kitchen's storage room, quietly took out some sealed fine wine, and poured it into Yaen's water bottle.

Immediately after, the navy uncle handed the filled water bottle to Yaen, winking and saying, "Little brother Yaen, this is good stuff. Don't let your colleagues see it."

Yaen could only thank him helplessly and, feigning seasickness, wobbled back to his room.

Then, Yaen, who had barely touched alcohol since his transmigration, instinctively took a big gulp as if it were juice.

"This taste, why is it a bit... intoxicating? And it feels familiar..."

Deeply confused, Yaen took another sip to investigate. As he swallowed, he smacked his lips, increasingly feeling that the taste was somewhat familiar.

Until... Yaen inexplicably felt a sense of ethereal lightness. His slightly muddled brain suddenly awoke for a moment, and he murmured, "Oh no, it's over. This is alcohol..."

However, Yaen was already completely tipsy at this point. Not only could he not resist the urge to continue drinking, but driven by the intoxication, he even started singing loudly.

"Life... life..."

"Life is but a few short autumns, I won't stop until I'm drunk..."

This singing attracted Kuzan, who was not far away. Seeing Yaen's somewhat unrestrained behavior, he couldn't help but question him, "Yaen, you're drinking in broad daylight? Where did you get this wine?"

In response, Yaen, in a drunken state, casually waved his hand, tilted his head, and chuckled, "Brother Kuzan, don't worry about... don't worry about the details. As the saying goes, a drunk mind solves a thousand worries. I'm just feeling down, this feeling of complete relaxation is truly wonderful."

"Is that so?" Kuzan frowned slightly and said.

"Want some?" Yaen invited.

Just as Kuzan was tempted but hesitated due to his long-held adherence to military discipline, Yaen pulled him into the room from the doorway and shut the door.

"Drink!"

Yaen casually found a cup in the room and poured a full glass for Kuzan.

"I think I'll pass. Military regulations clearly state that drinking is not allowed during non-rest periods. It's not appropriate," Kuzan hesitated and shook his head, refusing.

"What's the big deal?"

Yaen, with his drunken eyes, tried to persuade him, "Isn't Grandpa Garp sleeping every day? He still became a Marine hero. So, Brother Kuzan, having a few minor flaws will make it easier for those above to accept you."

Kuzan, who also rarely drank, thought about it. Yaen's words moved him, and he frowned before downing the glass of fine wine in one go.

Instantly, the atmosphere became much more harmonious and relaxed. Kuzan casually asked, "Yaen, I can understand myself, but what troubles could you possibly have?"

"Ha, my troubles? They naturally stem from the Marines, from this sea, and even from this era."

Fortunately, Yaen still had some rationality and knew to conceal important keywords, speaking vaguely.

"Brother Kuzan, don't you feel the Marines lack purity? Don't you feel this sea is too chaotic? Don't you feel this era is simply terrible?"

Hearing this, Kuzan looked at Yaen with some surprise.

In Kuzan's impression, Yaen had always resisted taking credit and he had thought he was just a kind-hearted but extremely unmotivated second-generation Marine.

"It seems, Yaen, you are indeed not as simple as you appear," Kuzan said.

"Of course. What normal person doesn't hide a few trump cards up their sleeve?" Yaen replied with a matter-of-fact expression.

Kuzan.

Hearing this, Kuzan inexplicably felt like he wasn't a normal person.

Then, Kuzan subconsciously took another large gulp of fine wine and asked in confusion, "Why are you hiding so many trump cards?"

"Of course, it's for... revo—"

Yaen's head tilted, and he then said, "For justice. After all, everyone's justice is different. Perhaps due to many restrictions and the justice of others, I cannot uphold it openly, but hiding trump cards allows me to secretly achieve my justice."

This statement caused Kuzan, who had been feeling lost and self-doubting during this period, to fall into deep thought.

Is that so?

Indeed, everyone has different thoughts and standpoints, so their sense of justice naturally differs as well.

For example, there's a huge conflict between my ideals and Sakazuki's. If I were to clash with Sakazuki every time, it would clearly be inappropriate.

Especially in the future, if an internal war were to break out between the Marine Admirals, who are considered the "Marine's strongest forces," it would likely severely damage the Marines' prestige and cause pirates on the seas to become even more rebellious and rampant.

But if I were to let things happen that my sense of justice cannot tolerate, then what would be the meaning of everything I uphold as a Marine?

Yaen is indeed right. Rather than this...

"Hey..."

Just then, Yaen shook his empty wine flask and said, "Brother Kuzan, go get us some more drinks."

Kuzan thought for a moment, his usually tense face seemed to relax considerably. He readily agreed and walked out the door.

"Oh, and don't forget to grab some peanuts, kelp, and stuff..." Yaen shouted from behind him.

"Got it!" Kuzan replied.

Soon, Kuzan returned, followed by several Marines, each carrying a large jar of fine wine and a generous spread of various side dishes.

"I..."

Yaen, in his drunken state, tilted his head and mumbled indistinctly, "Did I lead Kuzan astray?"