The person soaking in the hot spring behind Kuro is none other than the former admiral, 'Aokiji' Kuzan, who has retired from the Navy.
"Don't say that. Everyone has their own way of doing things," Kuzan said with a smile.
Kuro rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't understand you at all. There's intelligence that you participated in the [Battle of Settlement]. What exactly are you trying to do, and what is your role in this operation, Kuzan?"
"Identity?"
Kuzan chuckled, "A partner of justice? It doesn't seem so, considering I've been cooperating with pirates. But... I have my reasons. By breaking away from the World Government, perhaps I can see justice from a different perspective."
“As expected of old man Zephyr’s most prized disciple, he’s stubborn, and you’re a bit of a nutcase too,” Kuro said.
"Spare me, Kuro. I didn't call you here to listen to your lectures."
Kuzan pulled out his other hand as well, rested his head on his hands, and said, "I asked you to come because only you can stop Teacher Zephyr's actions."
"Um?"
Kuro frowned. "Shouldn't you be looking for the straw hat?"
"straw hat?"
Kuzan paused for a moment, then said, "You mean Straw Hat Boy? Oh dear, that's strange, why would I be looking for him?"
These words surprised Kuro for a moment.
Yeah, what does he want with that straw hat?
This matter seems to have nothing to do with him.
This is an internal naval matter.
What kind of ridiculous connection does it have with a pirate?
It's perfectly normal for Kuzan to seek out the Navy.
“You can do it yourself, right? Although that old man Zephyr is very strong, with your abilities, you should be fine,” Kuro said.
Kuzan's ability, such as the explosion of explosive rocks, is useless against his power.
“I have no reason to. I’m just a confused person right now. In comparison, you’re the real Navy officer,” Kuzan said.
Kuro exhaled a puff of smoke, relaxed, and shifted his position in the hot spring. He said, "Don't worry, there are two islands. The old man and I will each guard one side. Nothing will happen. I'm not the kind of person who puts the battlefield in only one place."
"Speaking of which, headquarters asked me to ask you what you've been up to lately, what problems you're facing, and I need to report that."
"Hey, can you just say that to me directly? Wasn't this supposed to be a test?" Kuzan scratched his head.
"Come on, there's no need for that between the two of us. To be honest, I don't care what you're up to or what your purpose is."
Kuro clicked his tongue and said, "But you should still tell me what you can, so I can explain myself. It's a win-win situation for both of us, so don't make things difficult for me. What are you going to do with Blackbeard?"
"Hey, are we getting straight to the point? I can't tell you about this yet."
Kuzan stood up and exhaled: "I've been waiting for you until you're about to faint from soaking. Let's go outside and talk."
"Sit down, I haven't had enough of soaking yet."
Kuro reached out his hand and made a slight squeeze. Suddenly, the hot spring water in Kuzan's pool rose up and submerged Kuzan.
The pool churned, and Kuzan resurfaced, wiping his face in surprise. "Hey, can your current abilities really go this far? That's terrifying!"
"Stop joking, Kuzan. It's just using the air as a medium. Can't you do that yourself?" Kuro said, pursing his lips.
Kuzan was silent for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "That old man, anyway, if possible, it's best not to kill him."
"That depends on what he does. After all, I have a rough idea of the old man's true purpose. If we can't change our thinking in time, then we can only let him have his way."
Kuro sighed and said, "Kuzan, if you run into that old man beforehand, give him a piece of your mind. We can ignore the explosive rock; he can use it to fight pirates or blow up their island. In short, don't cause trouble at Endpoint."
"I'll pass on the message, provided I run into that old man."
Kuzan said, looking at Kuro, "You've met him before, and he's still just as strong, right, Kuro?"
Kuro closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips: "You're an old fogey, but your fighting strength hasn't changed much. You're just as strange as you."
"Same as me?"
Kuzan paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile: "The same...confusion?"
The atmosphere fell silent.
Splash!
After a while, Kuro stood up from the pool and walked down with his back to Kuzan.
"Remember to pass on any information you can share so I can report back. As for you, I'll pretend I never saw you. If you're not from the Navy, try to avoid appearing in front of us; you're a nuisance..."
"Hey, I'm your former colleague, how can you be so heartless?"
Kuzan shrugged, letting Kuro leave alone. Kuro rested his head on his arms, his eyes unreadable, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
After leaving the hot spring facility, Kuro turned on his Den Den Mushi and made a phone call.
Is it Kuro?
The person who answered the phone was Stoloberg.
Of course he wouldn't call the old man; who knows how often that old man answers the wrong phone.
"Brother, tell the old man to come directly to Kazanosen. That stubborn old man will definitely come here," Kuro said.
"I understand. Is there anything else, Kuro?"
Kuro was silent for a moment, then said, "No need to bring anyone irrelevant. Tell the old man that all of that old geezer's disciples should come... If nothing unexpected happens, we'll see him off on his final journey."
Kuzan's words have already conveyed a lot of information; this old man's next destination is definitely here.
Then there's no need to guard them in shifts.
All his disciples saw him off, giving him the prestige of being both an admiral and a naval instructor.
After all, this old man did something so drastic, wasn't he just trying to die?
It would be nice if he could see his lovely disciples one last time before he died.
He's a true authentic Kuro.
...
Evening, at the sea.
The black fleet sailed on.
Inside the ship's cabin, the NEO Navy personnel were huddled together, looking exhausted.
On the deck, Zephyr sat by the mast, his eyes obscured by his sunglasses.
Ain looked at the old man with a pained expression.
"The end of the world."
"If I really disappear."
"The all-knowing sea will guide the way..."
A faint, almost imperceptible murmur seemed to echo throughout the world.
The fleet approached and landed on a shallow, undiscovered beach.
Zefa glanced at the high cliff in front of him, a smirk playing on his lips, and strode up.
At the highest point of the cliff, a man wearing a coat and a hat was humming this song with his back to him.
"I actually really dislike this song. It's a song that glorifies the sacrifice of the navy and such; it's too boring."
Kuzan turned around and tossed a bottle of wine over. "Long time no see, Professor Zeff."
*Smack*
Zefa took it with one hand, glanced at it, and saw that it was his favorite sherry.
"I often try to drink it like you, it's really cool."
Kuzan paused for a moment, then said, "Zeff... please stop."
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