"Ah la la."
Aokiji raised his hand and touched his forehead; his tone became unusually serious, with no trace of his usual lazy demeanor.
He lowered his gaze to the photograph of a woman lying in a pool of blood, but what surfaced in his mind was the scene more than ten years ago.
Ohara burning amidst cannon fire, his dear friend Saul laughing before being frozen into an ice sculpture, and Robin sobbing yet desperately rowing her way to escape…
Saul's accusations once again echoed in Aokiji's mind.
But this time, he had no chance to ask whether his original choice was right or wrong. Only his heart seemed to be tightly grasped by something, making him feel suffocated.
"It's just a man's dying request."
His indifferent tone made it sound like the most ordinary statement, but Zephyr could tell that beneath Aokiji's seemingly calm exterior, emotions were surging.
A man who once believed in burning justice, how could he possibly have a heart as cold as his powers?
For someone like Aokiji to fall from his passionate ideals into his current state of aimlessness, there was only one explanation, his faith in justice had wavered.
"A confused fist will never be able to defeat Sakazuki."
Zephyr jokingly reminded Aokiji, but the latter didn't even raise his eyes and just simply sighed:
"Although there are conflicts between me and that bastard, even until now, I can't agree with his extreme and almost crazy justice."
"But still..."
Aokiji looked at the newspaper and couldn't help reaching out to touch the picture of the woman lying in a pool of blood while muttering: "Sometimes I envy him for being able to act according to his will without hesitation."
"No matter what, I can't do this."
Zephyr reached out and patted Aokiji's shoulder: "Sakazuki's path is too extreme and leaves no room for maneuver. It can't be said to be the right path."
"White Knight Gawain may be able to give you a different perspective."
"He has a vision beyond this era, and his understanding and feelings of justice are far beyond anyone I have ever seen."
Aokiji was slightly startled.
This was not the first time he had heard Zephyr praise Gawain, but he had never seen Zephyr praise a man to this extent.
"What kind of person is that guy?"
"You'll know when you meet him."
Zephyr smiled indifferently and ignored Aokiji. He asked the marines on the ship to lower the gangway and then walked towards Nanohana city on his own.
"Zephyr-sensei, wait for me!"
Seeing this, Aokiji had no choice but to let the marines on the ship stay here and wait for him to come back.
After arranging the next things, he hurriedly chased after Zephyr.
The curiosity about Gawain in his heart became heavier with the passage of time.
What kind of person… can be praised to this extent by Zephyr?
Even Smoker, that stubborn guy, had spoken of White Knight Gawain with guilt, even saying that he wasn't worthy of facing him again?
You should know that these two people have almost zero tolerance for pirates!
Bulu! Bulu! Bulu!
A sudden Den Den Mushi call interrupted Aokiji's thinking.
He fumbled for the Den Den Mushi from his arms, and after the call was connected, a lazy voice came from the receiver.
"Moshi moshi."
"This is Borsalino, where is Zephyr-sensei?"
"It's you."
Aokiji stretched out his hand and scratched his scalp: "We just entered Nanohana city. With our speed, we can reach Alubarna in about two or three days."
"Is that so?"
Kizaru let out a long breath, and his whole body relaxed at this moment: "During this period of time, because of Zephyr-sensei's affairs, my waist is almost broken."
"Ah la ah la."
"I still have a few bottles of good wine in my cellar; all of them are yours."
Aokiji's voice revealed a trace of helplessness. Thinking of Gawain's affairs, he couldn't help asking: "What kind of person is White Knight Gawain..."
At the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Kizaru looked at Gawain, who was shirtless and holding a sword, and was eager to try, and couldn't help showing a painful expression: "A guy who has way too much energy. You have no idea what kind of suffering I've been through these past few days!"
"Come here as soon as possible, I really can't stand it!"
Halfway through, Kizaru changed his tone and became more serious: "But if you ignore the position factor, he is a pretty good man."
A few minutes later, Aokiji hung up the Den Den Mushi, and what echoed in his mind was Kizaru's rating of Gawain: "A good man?"
"If even Borsalino said so..."
"Maybe I can really get the answer I have been looking for from him."
… … …
A few days later, Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.
A grand ceremony is being held. The whole city is decorated with lights, and countless people take to the streets and rush to the high platform outside the palace.
Just a few days ago, King Cobra suddenly announced that in addition to Vivi, he also had an older daughter named Nicole.
Because of her poor health, she has been recuperating in the palace for many years. Today, she will be officially crowned as the eldest princess of Alabasta.
At this moment, Robin stood on the high platform, facing countless civilians below.
She was wearing a snow-white dress, elegant and noble. Even if she just stood there, she caused screams again and again.
"So beautiful!"
"Whether it is her face or her manners, she shows the nobility of the royal family. This is the temperament that an Alabasta princess should have!"
"Princess Nicole, I love you!!!"
… … …
Countless Alabasta civilians came from all directions to witness the first memorial service in Alabasta after the disaster.
After seeing Robin appear, they completely fell into madness!
Soon, Cobra took Vivi's hand, lit the torch in front of everyone, and solemnly put the crown symbolizing the eldest princess on Robin.
"Thank you, Father."
Robin stepped forward and hugged Cobra tightly, tears falling from the corners of her eyes at this moment, but her beautiful eyes were fixed on Gawain in the VIP seat below while whispering: "Thank you too, captain."
She would never forget who saved her in times of crisis, who told her, again and again, with unwavering conviction: I want you to live.
Only White Knight Gawain.
The emotions and firm will preserved in these words were something she had never felt in her more than 20 years of life.
At this moment, under the scorching, no, the blistering sunlight of Alabasta, Robin felt nothing but an indescribable warmth.
For the first time in over a decade, she stood in the sunlight without having to hide in the shadows like a sewer rat, struggling just to survive.
She had finally escaped her past and could now stand in the light once more.
At least, that's what Robin thought.
Until she saw a tall, lean figure in the crowd below, staring at her intently.
"Admiral Aokiji?!"
No words were needed; they recognized each other's identities in just a moment.
The memory from twenty years ago appeared in front of Robin again.
It was only then that she realized, even now, when facing this man, that she was no different than she had been twenty years ago.
Her body began to tremble, and that familiar fear came rushing back into her eyes.
He recognized me. He definitely recognized me!
I have to run… as panic surged through her thoughts, she saw Gawain rising from his seat below, walking toward Aokiji.
His steps were firm, without hesitation.
Robin's trembling body steadied, and the fear in her heart began to dissipate.
As long as that man is here, there is still hope. Even if I must go to hell, at least I won't go alone.
In that moment of realization, Robin understood that her feelings for Gawain were far more than just admiration.
They were much more complex.
But it's beautiful, isn't it?
============
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