Since You Can't Do It, Follow Me

[I posted the wrong picture earlier, sorry!]

Lin Yan's eyes held an extremely powerful and oppressive force.

The atmosphere in the hot spring suddenly became heavy.

"What's the problem?"

Aokiji frowned as he looked at Lin Yan, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

It means exactly what it says.

A cold smile appeared on Lin Yan's face.

"If you want to be an ally of justice, then achieving complete impartiality is necessary, isn't it? Kuzan, do you really think you can do that?"

Lin Yan stared coldly at Aokiji.

No one is absolutely fair!

As long as emotions and a sense of mission exist, no one can be completely impartial, including Kuzan and Lin Yan herself.

Absolute fairness is perhaps only achievable by gods who have no emotions.

But Kuzan is clearly not qualified yet!

"You think I can't do it...? What are your reasons?"

Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, Aokiji fell into a subtle silence. When he looked up at Lin Yan again, his eyes were filled with hostility.

As stated before, Kuzan will not allow anyone to deny his sense of justice.

Especially now that I've made up my mind to leave the Navy!

The atmosphere between the two instantly became tense.

However, Lin Yan only showed a cold smile.

"You mean you can do it? Then Kuzan, can you explain to me... what's going on with Ohara?"

"..."

Aokiji's pupils contracted instantly.

The man suddenly stood up.

"How could you possibly know?!"

Aokiji looked at Lin Yan with disbelief in his eyes.

The truth about Ohara is top secret!

Even back then, very few people knew about it, let alone now, more than a decade later.

But what's wrong with this man in front of me?!

Not just knowing the truth about Ohara.

It even directly points to some of the things he did back then?!

Knowing those things was something Aokiji intended to keep secret for his entire life, something he would take to his grave.

"You don't need to know how I knew."

However, in the face of Aokiji's shock and anger, Lin Yan simply waved her hand dismissively.

"Just tell me, in your eyes or the World Government's eyes, were the things you did back then, and some of the decisions you made, considered to be partners in justice?"

"..."

Aokiji stood frozen in place.

Unsurprised by his reaction, Lin Yan spoke again with a cold smile.

"So now the problem is quite simple, isn't it? You couldn't even be fair back then, and now that you've left the Navy, you think you can suddenly become a champion of justice?"

As she spoke, Lin Yan paused slightly.

"If thinking like that can erase everything from back then, aren't you being too simplistic?"

"..."

Aokiji fell completely silent.

Standing in the hot spring, Aokiji's expression was uncertain, showing both fear of Lin Yan and deep confusion.

Finally, Aokiji sighed and plopped back down.

How much do you know?

"All!"

Aokiji froze again, a deep emotion flashing in his eyes, before finally letting out a long sigh.

"So, what's your purpose? As the Seventeenth Division Whitebeard Pirates, you shouldn't be so bored as to come here and tell stories to a retired idle man like me, right?"

Seeing that Aokiji immediately calmed down, Lin Yan nodded approvingly.

This is the kind of mentality I want in a subordinate!

In light of this, Lin Yan also spoke frankly and openly.

"My Seventeenth Division is short-staffed right now, and since you've just stepped down from the Navy, Kuzan, why don't you consider joining me from now on?"

"... What's the reason?"

For a fleeting moment, a hint of annoyance flashed across Aokiji's face, but he quickly regained his composure.

If Lin Yan had said these words to herself just ten minutes ago...

Aokiji was certain that he would act immediately!

Even though he has already stepped down from the position of Marine Admiral.

I would never stoop to associating with pirates!

But now...

Aokiji suddenly wanted to hear Lin Yan's reasons.

For no other reason than...

Because the man in front of me had just left me speechless!

"The reason is quite simple."

Seeing Aokiji's attitude—not refusing, but definitely not agreeing— Lin Yan smiled gently.

"Because I can't stand your Lazy Justice."

"..."

Aokiji's expression turned angry, and he was about to retort, but Lin Yan waved her hand to interrupt him.

"Don't rush to refute me. Back in Ohara, you killed your best friend but let Nico Robin, who survived, go. In my opinion, that was nothing but self-consolation."

"Watching Akainu order the bombardment of the refugee ship but then fail to act, he used orders to convince himself to kill his friend..."

"Do you think that by letting Nico Robin go on your own, you can erase this blood debt? Is it a sin for the people of Ohara to study history?"

"Is the so-called justice that your Marine Admiral upholds justice itself, or the World Government?"

Lin Yan stared intently at Aokiji.

How long are you going to keep lying to yourself?

"Your so-called lazy and leisurely justice is nothing more than knowing you can't change certain things, so you just go with the flow. And you think you can transform yourself into a partner of justice? Don't you feel ashamed?"

"..."

Aokiji had fallen completely silent, his eyes swirling with intense emotions. Seeing this, Lin Yan laughed heartily.

"So since you don't know what to do, why don't you just follow me!"

"I cannot guarantee that you will become a partner of justice."

"But I can guarantee that from now on, you won't do anything that would make you feel guilty!"

As she spoke, Lin Yan extended a hand to Aokiji.

"..."

Aokiji remained silent, staring intently at Lin Yan before him. After a long while, he shook his head, seeing Lin Yan's unsurprised expression.

"As expected of Lin Yan, the Seventeenth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, I have to admit that what you said before almost made me waver."

Instead of taking Lin Yan's hand, Aokiji simply smiled.

"My previous sense of justice may have been flawed, but how are you Lin Yan, going to prove it to me...?"

As he spoke, Aokiji paused slightly, and a flame-like light appeared in his eyes.

"Do you have the magnanimity to lead me and help me achieve my dreams?!"

"It really did turn out like this..."

Lin Yan withdrew her hand somewhat helplessly.

I originally thought I could win over Aokiji with Talk no Jutsu, but it seems I was overthinking it.

But this is for the best.

If you don't even have this much self-discipline, you'll waver just because someone criticizes you.

They wouldn't be qualified to be my subordinates!

Thinking of this, Lin Yan spoke to Aokiji with a serious expression.

"Then how do you want me to prove it?"