Meanwhile, in the solemn and imposing hall of Marine Headquarters, Aokiji sat quietly, his stern face unusually grave.
Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows onto the floor, yet it could not dispel the gloom hanging over the entire room.
At that moment, Hina entered with firm steps. She had now been promoted to vice admiral at Headquarters, and her outstanding abilities had earned everyone's recognition.
Furthermore, it was said that she was likely to become Vice Admiral Tsuru's successor, remaining stationed at Marine Headquarters for the long term as Aokiji's strategic adviser—a tacit partnership that recalled the days when Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru had fought side by side.
On the other side, Smoker appeared before Aokiji in his equally crisp military uniform.
He had come to Headquarters this time precisely to attend a grand vice admiral conferment ceremony.
Yet despite being in such a solemn setting, his expression remained suffocatingly grim.
Smoker drew a deep breath and slowly let it out, his eyes filled with regret.
He muttered, "If I'd known this would happen, I never should have gone after that damned Straw Hat Pirates... If I'd stayed behind and persuaded Moke to join the Marines, perhaps everything would have turned out differently." Endless self-blame and remorse seeped through his words.
"If not for that, today..." Before Smoker could finish, Hina cut him off bluntly. "How can you blame yourself? Who could have expected that guy named Moke to possess such terrifying, unbelievable talent?
"In less than two years, his strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, rising all the way to where it is today."
Aokiji naturally heard every word exchanged between Smoker and Hina. He deeply agreed with what Hina had said as well—yes, it was simply too absurd. No one could possibly have foreseen it.