Back at the Marine Headquarters, it was already evening.
The sky was dim, and the air was filled with the tranquility and coolness unique to the night.
Because Toki and the others wanted to spend more time with Rouge on the Sky Island, Jin decided to return alone first.
Along the way, he encountered many Marines strolling with their families, and everything was so harmonious.
When Jin entered his residence, he found that the lights in the room were actually on.
He pushed open the door and immediately saw Zephyr sitting on the sofa with a slight frown.
His back looked somewhat tired, and he was holding a glass of wine, swirling it constantly.
"Jin, you're back so late. I've been waiting for you for quite a while," Zephyr's voice carried a hint of helplessness and fatigue, which was particularly noticeable in the quiet room.
After Jin adjusted to the light in the room, he walked closer and asked with concern:
"Zephyr-sensei, why do I feel like you're not in a good mood…"
Zephyr shook his glass, the liquid swirling gently, reflecting his face full of the marks of time.
"You make it sound like I only come to you when I'm in a bad mood," Zephyr said with a wry smile.
"But, I'm indeed not very happy today."
He looked up, his eyes showing a hint of fatigue and disappointment.
"Come, have a drink with me."
Jin walked to the cabinet, took out a bottle of cola, poured a glass, and then walked to Zephyr's side, sat down, and clinked glasses with him.
"Tell me what's wrong. Although I may not be able to solve your problems, it'll feel better to talk about it."
Zephyr was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and then slowly opened his mouth:
"I always feel a strange sense of distance between Sakazuki and the others and me. It's more comfortable here with you…"
Jin looked at Zephyr, his eyes filled with understanding and concern. "Maybe you're mistaken. They're just too busy, which is why you feel this distance."
Zephyr nodded, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
"Maybe…"
"But, I've never been able to agree with Sakazuki's extreme sense of justice."
"They are now the backbone of the current Marine force. This old man is increasingly feeling out of place."
Jin gently patted Zephyr's shoulder and said softly:
"Sensei, many people also adhere to your sense of justice."
"Your existence is a great source of strength and support for us."
Zephyr took a sip of his wine, a trace of comfort appearing in his eyes.
"Jin, you always know how to say things that make me feel better."
Jin smiled slightly.
"That's because I respect you from the bottom of my heart, Sensei."
"Your teachings and beliefs have deeply influenced many people."
Zephyr looked at Jin, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.
"Seeing your achievements today also makes me feel very gratified."
"Perhaps I really should communicate more with you young people and listen to your thoughts more."
Jin nodded.
"That's right, times are changing, and ideas are constantly being updated."
"But true justice should not be shaken by time and the era."
Zephyr looked deeply at Jin, then raised his glass.
"Alright, it's time for this old fossil to see the changes in this world."
Jin also raised his cola and clinked glasses with Zephyr again. This could be considered a rare moment of tranquility for them after joining the Marines.
Just as he was about to finish his drink, Zephyr paused and continued:
"You weren't at Marine Headquarters today."
Jin nodded:
"A child of an old friend was born today, and I went to help out."
He smiled.
"I already told Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Today doesn't count as being absent without leave."
Zephyr was amused by Jin and scolded with a smile:
"I didn't say you were slacking off. No need for that reaction."
He then said seriously,
"It's a good thing you weren't here today."
Jin was a little puzzled and put down his cup.
"Sensei, what do you mean by that?"
Zephyr's eyes became solemn.
"If you were at Marine Headquarters, you might have had to carry out that mission."
"I don't want you to be stained with the blood of those innocent people…"
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at the starry sky outside the window and sighed deeply.
Jin noticed Zephyr's renewed despondency and felt a pang in his heart.
"Zephyr-sensei is troubled by this matter."
He began to search his mind for the major events that had occurred recently, but having been in this world for too long, many memories had become blurred.
Zephyr's tone was filled with helplessness and heaviness:
"Kuzan and Sakazuki have been dispatched to carry out that mission."
"If you were here, you probably would have had to go as well."
"Another island is about to disappear from this world, but there are still many innocent people there…"
Zephyr's voice revealed a deep sense of powerlessness.
Jin suddenly remembered a major event. He widened his eyes and looked at Zephyr.
"Is it Ohara…"
Zephyr nodded, his face heavy.
"The Five Elders have ordered Ohara to be erased from this world…"
"The Buster Call, unstoppable…"
Jin's heart sank, and the image of Ohara, a land once full of knowledge and wisdom, and the faces of those innocent scholars and residents flashed in his mind.
"Those scholars only care about their research and don't consider what their research means to everyone and what it means to the World Government…"
Zephyr's eyes dimmed, and his voice was low and sorrowful:
"They know too much. The Five Elders will not allow any existence that could threaten their rule."
"Those innocent people are just sacrifices in this struggle."
Jin's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking slightly.
He suppressed the anger and sorrow in his heart, took a deep breath,
"To think they would send Kuzan to carry out this mission. I'm a little worried about him."
Zephyr shook his head, a trace of helplessness and pain flashing in his eyes.
"This is an order from the Five Elders. No one can disobey."
"Kuzan and Sakazuki are also acting on orders."
Jin felt a heaviness in his chest, and endless sorrow and anger surged within him.
He knew that in the face of such an order, Ohara's fate was sealed, and those innocent lives would become sacrifices in this struggle.
"Zephyr-sensei, I…"
Jin murmured, wanting to do something.
Kuzan must be reluctant to personally destroy an island, and for Jin, he wanted to disrupt everything the World Government wanted to achieve.
He didn't want the World Government to have it too easy.
Zephyr looked at Jin, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He patted Jin's shoulder, his voice gentle and firm:
"Jin, remember, no matter what orders and realities we face, we must adhere to our own justice and beliefs."
Jin nodded, took a deep breath, and the anger and sorrow in his heart gradually subsided.
"I understand, Zephyr-sensei."
Jin said firmly,
"No matter what difficulties I face, I will adhere to my beliefs and protect those innocent people."
Zephyr showed a gratified smile.
"Very good, Jin. I believe you can do it."
After he finished speaking, he raised his glass and clinked it with Jin's.
In the Marine Headquarters at night, the lights were still warm.
But Jin's thoughts had already drifted far away.
...
...
