Marine Headquarters, Admiral Aokiji's office.
Several dishes to go with drinks sat before the two men, along with two bottles of sake. Raising his cup, Aokiji toasted the old man across from him. "Thank you for this, Mr. Kane."
"No need to thank me. With Teacher Zephyr in that state... I'm an old man, but I want to take this gamble too!"
Still wearing his faded, patch-covered major's uniform, Kane watched Aokiji quietly without touching his drink. Aokiji didn't mind. He drained his own cup and silently picked at the food.
After a pause, Kane continued, "Ain is a good girl. I don't want her seeing too much of the darkness. Everything I've done has been for her..."
"I understand. I'll keep her away from the war and let her live happily with Teacher Zephyr. It's just..."
Aokiji set down his cup and frowned. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku will probably spot something wrong soon. I can stay out of trouble, but you'll likely be arrested. Have you figured out how to get away?"
"Why bother thinking about that?"
Pipe between his teeth, Kane said casually, "With the Westin Family behind me, I can keep this old life of mine as long as the World Government doesn't pass judgment. As long as I'm alive, I can hope to see how it all ends one day..."
A gentle smile suddenly spread across Kane's face. His eyes lost focus as he recalled something.
"After all, I promised Ain I'd be there as her elder when she gets married!"
"Really? Kids grow up fast these days."
"They do. So many ideas in their heads..."
Kane silently blew a smoke ring.
The next day, Sengoku personally arrested Kane on the grave charge of leaking a Marine battle plan and locked him in the underground prison at