Partners of Justice

Can anyone tell me what's going on?!

Aokiji couldn't help but roar inwardly.

I just came here to soak in the hot springs!

How could I possibly run into you, you jinx?!

Did I owe you something in my past life?!

Seeing Lin Yan smiling at him, even Aokiji couldn't help but want to flip the table in his mind.

There's a limit to how elusive you can be!

However, after realizing what was happening, Aokiji instantly became wary, and half of his body was instantly covered in ice.

They've clearly entered a battle stance!

Aokiji had no choice but to be vigilant.

The man before me is far from being an unknown nobody in the Whitebeard Pirates!

He participated in the Marineford War single-handedly, nearly breaking through the entire Navy, and finally escaped from the encirclement of these top-tier powerhouses using bizarre methods!

Any one of these points would be enough for Lin Yan to make a name for herself on the high seas!

Even Aokiji, one of the Three Admirals, was a proud person.

Even he wouldn't dare say he was Lin Yan's match!

Even escaping might be difficult!

"Don't be so tense. We're here to soak in the hot springs, and so are you. Besides, I heard you're no longer Marine Admiral, so we have no reason to continue being your enemy."

However, Lin Yan laughed loudly in response to Aokiji's extremely wary attitude.

"..."

Aokiji paused upon hearing this.

I must say, that makes sense!

He is no longer Marine Admiral, nor does he represent the Navy's justice. Even if Lin Yan is still a pirate, at least in terms of their stance, he is no longer his enemy.

Most importantly.

This man in front of me doesn't seem to have any intention of making a move here?

Thinking of this, Aokiji hesitated for a moment, but ultimately slowly withdrew the ice from his body.

Why are you here?

Aokiji frowned as he looked at Lin Yan.

"Didn't I already tell you? I came here to soak in the hot springs. To be honest, I was a little surprised to run into you here."

Lin Yan began to lie through her teeth.

Aokiji snorted coldly at this, clearly unconvinced.

He didn't believe that the famous Seventeenth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates had come here just to soak in the hot springs.

And then, by sheer coincidence, they bumped into each other.

What a coincidence!

And now there's another problem.

Should I go in, or not?

Seeing Lin Yan's smiling face, even Aokiji hesitated for a moment.

On the other side, Zephyr was clearly not as composed as Lin Yan.

"They actually... came?"

Zephyr stared wide-eyed at Aokiji.

He had this look on his face, like he'd seen a ghost.

He never expected that Aokiji, who had disappeared for two weeks, would actually appear in front of him like this.

Even though Lin Yan had given an explanation before, two weeks later, Zephyr was more suspicious than trusting.

After all, this matter has a somewhat mystical aspect.

But the facts are right in front of us!

Aokiji was right in front of her; Lin Yan's deduction was absolutely correct!

Even with Zephyr's composure, he remained stunned for a long time before finally exhaling heavily.

"Lin is right, Kuzan. Since we're already here, let's have a chat."

Suppressing the shock in his eyes, Zephyr spoke slowly to Aokiji.

"Anyway, you're not Marine Admiral anymore, are you?"

"Professor Zephyr? You're here too?"

Upon hearing Zephyr's voice, Aokiji, who had been focusing his attention on Lin Yan, realized that there was another person present.

This shows the extent to which he was wary of Lin Yan.

They didn't even notice there was someone else standing next to them.

However, after a moment, Aokiji's expression became somewhat complicated.

Even though we've gone our separate ways now.

Zephyr, standing before him, remained his teacher.

This friendship is not something that can be easily forgotten.

At least for now, Aokiji cannot be as ruthless as Akainu.

"... Then I'll take my leave."

After hesitating for a long time, Aokiji finally let out a slow breath, walked into the hot spring, and sat down opposite Lin Yan and Zephyr.

It's clear that they've tentatively accepted both of their versions of events.

Seeing Aokiji sit down, Lin Yan's eyes flickered slightly.

Although he was indeed there to recruit Aokiji, he didn't need to appear too hasty.

Thinking of this, Lin Yan smiled and spoke.

"How does it feel to resign from the Navy?"

"... That's a bit easier now."

Although he still didn't consider Lin Yan a friend, her lack of hostility won Aokiji some favor.

After thinking for a moment, Aokiji exhaled and answered.

"That sounds like a more relaxed answer, doesn't it?"

Seemingly unsurprised by Aokiji's answer, Lin Yan laughed again.

"So now, are you still clinging to that so-called Lazy Justice?"

"..."

Aokiji immediately fell silent.

His previously calm gaze sharpened once more.

What do you mean by that?

A hint of annoyance appeared on Aokiji's face as he stared intently at Lin Yan, as if demanding an explanation.

So-called Lazy Justice?

Even though he is no longer Marine Admiral, Aokiji does not deny that his heart has been worn down a lot in the Navy, but he has never given up his sense of justice.

Even though he has left the Navy now!

Aokiji would never allow anyone to deny this!

"Alright, it seems you haven't grasped my point. Perhaps it's too early to discuss this topic now. Let me ask you a different question, Kuzan: what do you think your next step should be?"

Seeing the hint of annoyance on Aokiji's face, Lin Yan waved her hand as if she were getting a little bored, and then asked again.

"..."

Aokiji's anger subsided.

Although I'm not entirely sure what Lin Yan meant.

However, he doesn't seem to deny his own sense of justice.

As for what I should do next...

Aokiji stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and snapped his fingers.

"Perhaps I'll try to become a champion of justice?"

"A partner of justice?"

Upon hearing Aokiji's answer, Lin Yan's face showed a wry smile for a moment, then her eyes gleamed as she looked at Aokiji.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course, now that I've left the Navy, I want to do some things I want to do."

Aokiji answered without hesitation.

Lin Yan laughed again.

"I never expected that someone as Marine Admiral like you would have such naive ideas, Kuzan. Do you even know what it means to be a champion of justice...?"

As she spoke, Lin Yan's expression changed, and her eyes became extremely imposing.

"What kind of price will we have to pay?"