The atmosphere in Impel Down became lively again due to Jin's return.
This time, he brought back even more pirates, especially those who had escaped from here before.
He walked through the dark corridors of Impel Down, the roars and wails of the pirates echoing in his ears, his expression stern and his steps firm.
In the infirmary, Magellan lay weakly in bed, his eyes filled with deep remorse.
He looked at the medicinal fluid beside his bed, gently blowing away the rising steam, and sighed, "You've really been troubled."
Although Magellan's voice was not loud, the self-reproach and helplessness in it were deeply empathetic.
As the chief warden of Impel Down, he should have been the one guarding the prison, but now he could only lie paralyzed in bed, watching Jin handle the matters he should have been responsible for.
This feeling of powerlessness felt like a thorn deeply embedded in his heart.
Beside him, Hannyabal lay half-reclined on another bed, groaning in pain, "With such serious injuries, shouldn't the position of warden be given to me? Ouch, it hurts so much..."
His tone was serious, but clearly mixed with unwillingness and weakness.
He looked at Jin, trying to ease the oppressive atmosphere in the ward with his words, but could only barely maintain a smile through the pain.
Jin looked at the two men in bed, his brow furrowed slightly, feeling both helpless and speechless.
"Just doing what I could," he said calmly, his tone as still as water, but with a hint of comfort, "Besides, I was carrying out the orders of the Five Elders this time, so there's nothing to thank me for."
Magellan stared intently at Jin, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, knowing that Jin was not acting solely for the sake of the Five Elders' orders.
He knew that if Jin was unwilling, even the orders of the Five Elders would not be easily obeyed.
Jin's commitment to justice was the true driving force behind his actions.
"One thing is another," Magellan said in a low but firm voice, enduring his physical weakness, his voice filled with respect and gratitude, "If you were unwilling to capture those pirates, the Five Elders' orders would have been useless."
"So, I not only owe you my life, but also countless favors."
Each of Magellan's words carried heavy weight, and Jin felt his sincerity and self-reproach.
Magellan's sense of responsibility and regret intertwined, making him appear particularly silent in the ward.
Hannyabal chimed in, not wanting to be outdone, "That's right, I, Hannyabal, always repay kindness!"
His tone was still somewhat serious, but his eyes revealed his heartfelt gratitude towards Jin as he spoke.
Although he was usually cynical, he knew that Jin had made great contributions to Impel Down at critical moments.
Jin was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Magellan and Hannyabal, the two guardians of Impel Down, who were still upholding their duties despite their serious injuries.
He knew that although the prison had been through many storms, its guardians had never truly fallen.
"Rest well," Jin said softly, his tone with an imperceptible gentleness, "Impel Down still needs your protection."
With that, Jin turned and left the ward, his figure stretched long in the dim light of Impel Down.
......
Zephyr stood on the deck of the warship, the sea breeze blowing past him, raising his cloak.
He looked rather serious.
With his hands behind his back, he gazed at the distant horizon, as if trying to find an answer in the endless ocean.
His brow was slightly furrowed, and wrinkles carved by time appeared on his face.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on his face, reflecting a hint of weariness, "Is everything done?"
His voice was low, like a sigh from the bottom of his heart.
Jin stepped forward, nodding slightly, his expression calm, but his momentary silence revealed that things were not as simple as they seemed.
He had just experienced a lot of pressure, facing the choice between the orders of the Five Elders and his responsibilities, and although he had completed some of his goals, he inevitably felt somewhat burdened.
Zephyr looked at him, his gaze complex, and a trace of pity arose in his heart.
He sighed, a breath that seemed to come from deep within his chest, carrying an undisguised fatigue and helplessness.
He continued, his voice filled with endless weariness, "Ah... it's been hard on you too. I think I've finally seen the true colors of the Five Elders."
A deep sense of helplessness was revealed in Zephyr's eyes.
His former faith—justice—was being slowly eroded by the Five Elders' series of absurd orders and decisions.
Once upon a time, he firmly believed that the World Government and justice were synonymous, and that the Navy was a sharp sword guarding world peace.
However, as time went on, the truth gradually surfaced, and reality was disappointing.
"Let's go back to Marine Headquarters first," Zephyr said with some weakness, unable to maintain his former enthusiasm, the passion in his heart seemingly blown away by a silent storm.
He knew Jin's strength, but he also knew that strong people in the World Government system often shouldered not only simple combat missions, but also complex political intrigues and power struggles.
He could see that Jin was not fearless in the face of these things, even though his face did not show the slightest timidity.
Jin looked at Zephyr, a relaxed smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, trying to defuse the heavy atmosphere.
"Zephyr-sensei, there's no need for you to be so heavy-hearted," he said in a slow and firm voice, as if comforting and reminding him, "With my strength, the World Government wouldn't dare and couldn't do anything too drastic."
Jin knew that with his current strength, the Five Elders, although highly respected, could not truly control his destiny.
As long as the World Government did not have the confidence to kill him, he could live comfortably in this corrupt system.
This confidence came not only from his powerful strength, but also from his clear understanding.
He understood that justice and power had long been separated, and that all he could do was to hold his ground in this chaos.
Hearing Jin's words, Zephyr's heavy mood seemed to be gently pried open.
He looked at Jin's confident expression, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes, and a long-lost smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "You still have a good attitude."
There was some helplessness in his words, but more of admiration for Jin.
The two stood side by side on the deck, the sea breeze gently blowing, silently.
Jin's gaze passed over the distant horizon, but he knew in his heart that even if he could escape unscathed from the Five Elders, there was still an unknown existence, quietly waiting for an opportunity to move—Im.
That was an enemy he could not easily ignore.
...
