"Aokiji, what are you planning to do now? Become a wandering adventurer like me?"
Werther picked up a wooden tray from beside the Hot Spring. Several wineglasses sat on it.
He had put the Pocket Watch around his neck before entering the Hot Spring, so he took a bottle of wine from it and filled the glasses.
Werther set the tray on the water, took a glass, and pushed the tray toward Aokiji.
The tray drifted across the water and slowly reached Aokiji.
Aokiji smiled at the tray, picked up a glass, and took a sip.
"Ah, good wine! Don't call me Aokiji anymore. That was my code name when I was a Marine Admiral. I'm Kuzan now.
"But since fate brought us together, I have a request. I don't know if you'll agree."
Werther drained his glass and gave Kuzan a puzzled look, unsure what he wanted.
"Hmm? I don't know what you want me to help with, but let's hear it."
Kuzan considered his words, then set down his glass.
"I want to enter the Underworld. But because of who I used to be, I won't be welcome there. I need someone to show me the way.
"If I'm not mistaken, you have quite a bit of standing in the Underworld."
Werther was taken aback by the request.
"Are you sure? There are plenty of deals in the Underworld you won't be able to stomach. If you go in and start wrecking them, even with your strength, you'll be hunted like a dog."
Kuzan's expression grew serious. He could tolerate some of the Underworld's illegal dealings, but he found it hard to believe anyone could hunt him like a dog.
It wasn't arrogance. It was the confidence he had built over years as a Marine Admiral.
"So you're