Kuma's tearful words-"I'll never be able to repay Mr. Gern's kindness, not in my entire life"-
Landed like a final verdict, utterly shattering Ivankov's last shred of hope.
Now he finally understood. Kuma had not returned because he had changed his mind, but because he intended to say goodbye.
He had come to make a clean break with him, with Dragon, and with the entire Revolutionary Army.
At that thought, Ivankov parted his lips. Looking at his dear friend's tear-streaked yet unwavering face, he found a thousand words caught in his throat.
He understood Kuma's choice, but that understanding only made it hurt all the more.
Meanwhile, Dragon stood a short distance away, taking everything in.
He took a small step forward, his lips trembling a few times as though he wanted to speak.
He wanted to explain why he had had no choice back then, to persuade this important comrade to stay, to express the guilt in his heart...
But in the end, he realized that any explanation offered after everything was settled would be hollow and powerless... perhaps nothing more than an "excuse."
So Dragon could only sigh and say heavily, "Kuma... about what happened before, I... am truly sorry."
"Mr. Dragon..."
Dragon's apology was sincere, but under the circumstances, it seemed so insignificant.
Of course, not everyone present understood the truth as Dragon and Ivankov did.
Especially those passionate young fighters who had only recently joined the Revolutionary Army and viewed the World Government and the Marines as absolute evil.
All they saw now was a once-respected senior officer.
Who had suddenly donned a Marine justice cloak symbolizing "oppression" and "hypocrisy," placing himself in opposition to the Revolutionary Army!
That enormous clash between what they saw and what they believed instantly ignited their anger.
"Traitor!" Someone in