A strange silence fell over the private dining room.
Boer leaned against the back of his chair, his red eyes calmly watching the man opposite him. His posture remained languid, his fingers gently tracing the rim of his wineglass, as though everything he had just said had been nothing more than idle conversation after a meal.
Sakazuki sat opposite him, his posture as straight as ever.
Neither man spoke.
In some ways, they were far too alike.
Sakazuki-for the order established by the World Government, he could sacrifice anything.
Aaron Ball-for the order he had built in his heart, he could destroy anything.
They stood on opposing sides, but each could feel the other's seriousness, the other's resolve.
Like two mirrors, reflecting what lay deepest within each other.
Carina cautiously looked at Boer, then at Akainu.
She could feel the weight of that silence.
But she spoke anyway.
Not because she lacked judgment, but because... there were some questions she truly wanted to ask.
"Admiral Akainu-"
Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of curiosity and a hint of tentativeness:
"May I ask you a question?"
Sakazuki's gaze finally focused, settling on the fox-girl.
A young girl.
She had quite some nerve, daring to interrupt a conversation like this.
He looked at Boer first-there was no anger or annoyance on the man's face. Instead, his eyes held a hint of fondness and encouragement.
It seems... he doesn't simply treat her as a pet or a toy.
Sakazuki thought to himself.
He said nothing, merely giving a slight nod-tacit permission.
Carina took a deep breath and asked:
"Can you really protect civilians and uphold justice the way you say you can?"
The moment the question left her mouth, even she felt it was a little pointed.
She hurried to add, a