Aokiji had clearly come prepared. He seemed intent on staying aboard the ship today, and with his relaxed but firm demeanor, it was unlikely anyone could drive him away. Since he showed no hostility, the Straw Hat crew, true to their nature, did not force him off the deck.
"Is this penguin really called Camel?" Chopper asked, staring at the bird with wide, curious eyes. "It is obviously a penguin. Why give it a name like that?"
"Because I think it sounds nice," Aokiji replied casually, sipping his wine like an old man without a care in the world. "A camel is a good companion. But be careful; do not call it cute, or it will get angry."
The Straw Hat crew had no choice but to accept their guest, even setting a place for him at the table. Since he wasn't acting with malice, most of them simply ignored his presence. Usopp and Chopper even convinced Aokiji to use his abilities to create blocks of ice, which they happily turned into shaved ice treats.
Tashigi took this quiet moment to approach the former Admiral.
"Ah la la," Aokiji teased as she drew near. "Are you here to strike up a conversation with a handsome uncle like me, young lady?"
"It is not just a conversation," Tashigi replied, struggling with her words for a moment before she finally asked, "Kuzan, is the justice you believe in still in your heart?"
Aokiji paused, his playful expression fading into a rare look of seriousness. He nodded slowly. "I may be lazy, but my justice is always there. I have never forgotten the teachings of my mentor, Zephyr."
"Then... why did you leave the Marines?" she asked softly.
"It is simply because my justice could no longer be realized there," he answered.
Tashigi wasn't surprised by his answer, as she had already suspected as much. However, the confirmation didn't make her happy; instead, it filled her with a deep sadness. If a powerful Marine Admiral could not achieve his justice within the organization, what hope was there for a low-ranking officer like her?
Furthermore, she was currently labeled a traitor for being with the Straw Hats. As the crew grew stronger, she doubted whether the Marines would ever clear her name or allow her to return. The more she understood the inner workings of the World Government, the more she questioned where her own justice belonged.
Aokiji noticed her confusion and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Tashigi, you must stay true to your heart," he said earnestly. "No matter what your title is, as long as you follow your own path, you can hold your head high."
Tashigi shuddered, her fists clenching as his words hit home. "I understand," she whispered.
Though she felt inspired, she didn't realize that Aokiji himself was still in a period of deep confusion, unsure of his own future path. While they spoke, the news of Aokiji's appearance on the Straw Hats' ship had already reached the ears of the world's most powerful factions.
In the Marine Fleet Admiral's office, Akainu slammed his fist down, shattering yet another desk. Since he had taken over the position, the Marines' budget for office furniture had skyrocketed.
"What is Kuzan thinking?!" Akainu roared. "Does he actually intend to join the Straw Hats?!"
"It is not impossible," Kizaru remarked lazily, casually clipping his fingernails. "The Straw Hats are rising fast. Joining a crew with that much momentum would give an Admiral-level fighter a very bright future."
"Should we try to contact Tashigi?" the now white-haired Sengoku asked calmly.
"No," Akainu replied, forcing himself to stay rational. "We cannot risk exposing an undercover agent when the Straw Hats are this dangerous. We will wait for more information."
Akainu knew he had to be more patient than he was as an Admiral. He relied on the wisdom of Vice-Admiral Tsuru and Sengoku to help him manage the shifting tides of the world. He had also recently met the powerful Fujitora and was satisfied with his strength. With the World Military Draft underway, he hoped to rebuild the Marine Admiral lineup soon.
A new bounty for the Straw Hat crew was also being prepared, and Akainu looked forward to the chaos it would cause among the other five Emperors of the Sea.
The news also reached the other Yonko, and the reactions were explosive.
"Damn those Straw Hats! And damn Aokiji!" Kaido screamed in a fit of rage. "If Aokiji joins them, their power will be unstoppable! We must prevent this!"
The defeat Kaido suffered in Dressrosa at the hands of Carl still stung his pride. His crew, the Beasts Pirates, were currently weakened, while the Straw Hats' reputation was soaring like the midday sun.
"Straw Hat! I will destroy you!" Kaido roared. He transformed into a massive blue dragon and soared into the sky, heading out to find the crew.
King and Queen watched their captain disappear into the clouds with worried faces. They knew the Straw Hats were no longer easy targets.
"The boss is just going to get beaten again," they thought. They were especially wary of Carl, the "Great Lightning Swordsman," who had a habit of forcing Devil Fruits down his enemies' throats to neutralize them.
"The boss is too reckless," King sighed.
"We can only hope he survives this," Queen added helplessly.
The Straw Hats were so popular now that even the Whitebeard Pirates remained quiet. If Aokiji officially joined them, many believed Luffy would become the Pirate King almost immediately. Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island, Big Mom received the news and suddenly lost her appetite.
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