Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the office of the Fleet Admiral, the atmosphere was terrifyingly oppressive, as if the air itself had stopped flowing.
Silence reigned all around, broken only by the relentless ticking of the clock on the wall, marking the passage of time.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, it has been a long time since anyone at headquarters has seen Kuzan and the others... I'm afraid they have all left the headquarters."
Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, a flicker of complex light flashing beneath the lenses.
His expression remained calm, his tone as nonchalant as ever, yet his words carried a hint of underlying concern.
Borsalino had not sustained any serious injuries in the previous battle.
Now, among those who participated in that battle, he was practically the only one still bouncing around.
The rest were still nursing their wounds, the headquarters' infirmary filled with pained groans and whispers, the scars of battle lingering on their bodies.
Kong, with his steel-like bones, rubbed his forehead, his brow deeply furrowed, a hint of fatigue etched on his face.
The disappearance of Jin An was already a massive headache, and now his subordinates were adding to his worries.
He knew that the potential of Jin An's group was among the highest in the entire Navy, and if something were to happen to them, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Navy.
"I understand, Borsalino."
Kong spoke, his voice low and powerful.
He placed his hands on the desk, feeling a sense of powerlessness even in his toned muscles.
His gaze was deep, a flash of contemplation and helplessness in his eyes.
The light in the office was dim, the map on the wall outlining intricate lines, as if narrating the Navy's difficult situation.
Kong was silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.
"I think... they probably went to Wano Country."
His voice was deep, tinged with a hint of certainty.
The Navy wasn't stupid; all the evidence pointed to Kaido.
The destination of Kuzan and the others was therefore obvious.
But now, the Navy Headquarters had a mountain of messes to deal with, various emergencies and thorny issues piled high, and the only ones with complete combat power were Borsalino and himself.
Borsalino nodded slightly, a complex wave rippling in his eyes.
Even he was well aware of the severity of the current situation, and understood the Fleet Admiral's helplessness and pressure.
He leaned forward slightly, his hands in his pockets, the light beneath the lenses of his glasses still shimmering with that unique glow.
"So, how should we respond?"
Borsalino asked softly, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
Kong took a deep breath, his gaze becoming firm and sharp.
"We must resolve the immediate challenges as quickly as possible to ensure the stability of the Navy Headquarters."
"At the same time, we must send reliable personnel to Wano Country to find Kuzan and the others, and provide support if necessary."
His voice conveyed an undeniable determination, he wanted to take care of both sides.
Borsalino smiled slightly, nodding in agreement, a flash of recognition in his eyes.
He knew that the Navy was still facing an extremely difficult situation.
The events of the recent period had triggered a series of chain reactions.
Although the Navy had won the battle against the pirates led by Shiki, many problems had also emerged.
The aftermath of the battle had not yet subsided, and the Navy was under immense pressure both internally and externally, making the situation increasingly tense and complex.
Kong sat behind the large desk, his brow furrowed, his heart heavy.
He was well aware of the urgency of the current situation and needed to act quickly.
"Wano Country needs you to lead troops on a trip there."
His voice was low and powerful, his gaze fixed firmly on Borsalino, who was standing in front of the desk.
Borsalino frowned slightly, a hint of confusion and hesitation on his face.
Such a mission would normally never fall to him; he had always disliked trouble and was unwilling to get involved in such complex matters.
But he had a deep friendship with Jin An, so a trip wasn't entirely out of the question.
If he happened to run into Kuzan and the others, he would only need to provide backup.
He pondered for a moment, a glint of shrewdness and calculation flashing in his eyes, quickly weighing the pros and cons of the matter.
"Understood, then I will gather people now to prepare for departure."
Borsalino had already made his decision, his tone calm and firm, agreeing without hesitation.
Kong was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Borsalino to agree so easily.
He had originally prepared a speech filled with emotional appeals and reasoned arguments, but he hadn't expected the result to be so smooth, feeling both relieved and slightly surprised.
Borsalino turned and left the office, his steps steady, quickly planning his next actions in his mind.
He knew the importance of this mission and understood the complexity of the situation in Wano Country.
Although he had always liked to be free, this time, he was willing to temporarily put aside his personality for the sake of his friends and the future of the Navy.
Kong watched Borsalino's departing figure, his heart filled with complex thoughts.
He knew that this voyage would be extremely difficult, but he also believed that Borsalino had the ability to complete the task.
Borsalino quickly gathered elite troops and began preparing for departure.
On the deck, Navy soldiers were busy preparing, Borsalino stood aside, his gaze sharp, his thoughts meticulous.
His gaze turned to the distant horizon, the sea breeze blowing his coat, bringing a hint of salty moisture.
He sighed inwardly, although he believed in ambiguous justice, he also had his bottom line.
He frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
"I hope Jin An is alright."
Suddenly, heavy footsteps came from behind.
Borsalino turned around and saw Zephyr walking to the front of the warship.
Zephyr was tall, and although he was wrapped in bandages, his aura of authority and indomitable spirit could not be ignored.
His eyes were firm, a hint of uninhibited smile on his lips.
"Borsalino, you're setting sail, kid."
Although Zephyr's injuries had not yet healed, his voice was still loud and powerful.
"Take me with you."
Borsalino was slightly stunned, then revealed a smile, a flash of complex emotions in his eyes.
He knew Zephyr's strength and his persistence, but he couldn't help but ask with concern.
"Admiral Zephyr, your injuries haven't healed yet, have they?"
His voice was tinged with concern and hesitation.
"The mission I need to complete this time is not easy."
Zephyr laughed loudly, his voice full of heroism and determination.
"Good kid, I'm responsible for my own safety, so don't worry."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly leaped and easily jumped onto the warship, landing with a gust of wind.
Borsalino looked at Zephyr's indomitable figure, a sense of respect welling up in his heart.
He knew that with Zephyr accompanying him, this mission would be even more guaranteed.
He nodded slightly, a flash of determination in his eyes.
"Then let's set off together."
The warship slowly sailed out of the harbor in the waves, Borsalino and Zephyr stood at the bow of the ship, their eyes looking into the distance.
The sea breeze brushed their faces, and Borsalino's heart was filled with anticipation.
The sea unfolded beneath their feet, and the figures of Borsalino and Zephyr shone particularly brightly in the sunlight.
...
