Waiting for the Hare

"Take a, soak in the hot spring...?"

Hearing Lin Yan say such things so matter-of-factly, even Zephyr was taken aback.

Is now the perfect time for a hot spring bath?!

To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that this man in front of him had brought about so many miracles, Zephyr would have roared out loud.

You came here to recruit Aokiji, didn't you?!

Is it reasonable to go to a hot spring now?!

Consequently, Zephyr's expression towards Lin Yan gradually became strange.

"Lin, are you serious?"

Zephyr looked at Lin Yan with a suspicious expression.

"How come I didn't know you liked hot springs?"

"After a long journey, it wouldn't hurt to relax a bit. Who knows, we might even meet some special guests at the hot springs?"

However, in response to Zephyr's extremely strange expression, Lin Yan simply replied with a nonchalant remark.

His deep eyes held a hint of a smile.

"Look at this."

As she spoke, Lin Yan casually tossed the newspaper in her hand to Zephyr.

Zephyr took it with some skepticism, then his eyes widened in surprise.

"Kuzan has stepped down?! Could it be that the special guest you mentioned, Lin, is...?"

"..."

Zephyr suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

To be honest, he had seen Lin Yan's all-knowing look before.

But this time, Zephyr felt a chill run down his spine!

The reason is quite simple.

First, he inexplicably told me he wanted to recruit Aokiji while he was with the Whitebeard Pirates, then he waited patiently in the Sabaody Archipelago, and now he's saying he's going to Saiken Island.

It seemed that Lin Yan had a complete plan from the very beginning!

Even more terrifying is...

Everything happening now seems to be subtly in line with Lin Yan's actions!

But where did he get the information?

You should know that Zephyr has been staying by Lin Yan's side the whole time recently.

While we wouldn't say we're inseparable, we're at least together most of the time.

Zephyr was absolutely certain.

Lin Yan absolutely did not go to gather intelligence on her own!

But how do you explain all of this now?

Zephyr's gaze towards Lin Yan gradually turned to one of horror. Could it be that the man before him could actually Future Sight?!

"Don't look at me like that. It's not what you think. I just knew some things beforehand. After all, I spent quite a bit of time traveling the seas before I met you, Zephyr, and joined the Whitebeard Pirates."

However, Zephyr's expression gradually turned horrified.

Lin Yan simply pursed her lips and offered an explanation that hardly counted as an explanation.

After all, this is something that can't be clearly explained!

How can I tell Zephyr?

Saying you've seen the plot?

After Aokiji stepped down, Luffy and his crew saw Aokiji again two years later on Saiken Island, where they happened to find him recuperating in a Aokiji spring.

Let's not even discuss whether Zephyr believes it or not.

I'm afraid I'll be treated like a monster.

So Lin Yan just gave a perfunctory answer.

"I see... I understand now."

Hearing Lin Yan's nonchalant explanation, Zephyr's expression finally relaxed.

Although something felt off, Lin Yan's explanation was barely plausible.

Without further hesitation, Zephyr turned around and went back to the cabin, steering the fishing boat toward Saiken Island.

And just like that, two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, Zephyr and Lin Yan sat in the hot spring as usual. Looking at Lin Yan, who looked relaxed beside him, Zephyr finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Lin... is it possible that your deduction is flawed?"

Zephyr looked at Lin Yan and asked, unusually cautiously.

He wasn't doubting the man in front of him.

But the two of them had already been soaking in the hot springs on Saiken Island for two weeks!

Who could possibly stand this?!

Although I've heard that soaking in hot springs is good for your health.

But this isn't the right way to soak it!

Not to mention, there hasn't been a single word about Aokiji in the recent newspapers.

The two of them waited there.

Isn't that a bit inappropriate?

Despite trusting the man before him greatly, Zephyr couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

"That's why I said, Zephyr, you're not some old man, there's no need to nag all the time, right? Besides, it hasn't been that long, has it?"

Lin Yan glanced at Zephyr beside her with amusement.

"Are we really going to be impatient to wait even a little while for a strong opponent like Aokiji? That's just too insincere!"

"I have no idea where your confidence comes from..."

Seeing Lin Yan's nonchalant expression, Zephyr couldn't help but curl his lip.

Despite his deep suspicion, he didn't say anything more.

Trusting Lin Yan is certainly one aspect.

And the hot springs here are quite nice...

What Zephyr didn't know was...

Just as he decided to continue trusting Lin Yan and waiting there, Lin Yan herself was actually feeling a little apprehensive.

Why isn't it here yet?!

It's been two weeks!

Wasn't it supposed to be that Aokiji would come here to recuperate, and then Luffy and his companion two years later?

Could it be because that guy wasn't injured at all?

So there's no such thing as self-cultivation?

It was obvious that Lin Yan's heart was not as calm as Zephyr thought.

The atmosphere between the two gradually fell silent.

Then, at a certain moment, Lin Yan, who was feeling somewhat conflicted, suddenly jolted, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, and abruptly looked up at the entrance to the hot spring. (Meow Meow said...)

"It's finally here!"

Meanwhile, outside the entrance to the hot spring.

"Call..."

Aokiji stretched his shoulders slightly and couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.

It has been almost two weeks since I stepped down Marine Admiral!

To avoid being discovered by people all over the world, he has been keeping a low profile these days.

Having finally waited until the storm had passed, Aokiji wanted to find a quiet place to rest for a while.

Saiken Island was his choice!

This is a great choice for a vacation; it's quiet enough and has excellent hot springs, perfect for my current state of mind.

Furthermore, I need to carefully consider the path I should take next.

Thinking of this, a sense of relief couldn't help but appear on Aokiji's face.

After stepping down from his position Marine Admiral, he was no longer burdened by busy official duties and finally had the opportunity to think about the path he wanted to take next.

It's hard to say there's no regret about this.

Aokiji exhaled another breath, a relaxed expression on his face. He held the bathtub in his left hand and opened the door in front of him with his right.

"..."

Then, the air froze.

Aokiji stared wide-eyed at the scene before him, so shocked that he didn't even notice the bathtub in his hands clattering to the ground.

Lin Yan laughed.

"Is it a coincidence, Aokiji... no, I should call you Kuzan now, right?"