Night fell over Saltwind.
The market lights dimmed one by one.
Only the harbor remained active in the distance.
The ship was anchored quietly near the docks.
Supplies were ready.
Departure planned for morning.
Carina sat on a crate near the deck.
"…I feel like every island we visit gets more complicated."
Kuina stood nearby, cleaning her wooden sword.
Silent.
Focused.
Kevin was at the edge of the deck, watching the sea.
Tashigi stood slightly apart from them.
Not sitting.
Not resting.
Thinking.
"…Justice…"
Tashigi spoke quietly.
Carina looked over.
"…Huh?"
Tashigi continued.
"…The Marines said they were monitoring us."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Yes."
Tashigi frowned slightly.
"…But we did nothing wrong."
Kuina answered without looking up.
"…They do not need wrong to act."
Silence.
That answer lingered.
Carina scratched her head.
"…That sounds kind of unfair when you say it like that…"
Kuina replied.
"…It is reality."
Tashigi looked down at her hands.
Slowly tightening them.
"…Then what is justice?"
No one answered immediately.
Even Kevin stayed silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"…It is what you choose to protect."
Tashigi looked at him.
"…Choose?"
Kevin nodded once.
"…Not what is given."
A quiet wind passed through the dock.
Kuina finally spoke.
"…If justice is chosen… then it can be wrong."
Kevin replied.
"…Yes."
That simple answer made the air heavier.
Carina leaned back slightly.
"…Okay, this conversation went from 'we ate food' to philosophy really fast…"
But no one responded to her.
Tashigi was still thinking.
"…If Marines are wrong…"
She paused.
"…Then what am I supposed to become?"
Kuina stood up slowly.
She looked at Tashigi directly.
"…Stronger than them."
Tashigi blinked.
Kuina continued.
"…So you are not controlled by their answer."
Silence.
Tashigi slowly nodded.
"…I understand."
But her expression showed she didn't fully accept it yet.
Kevin turned slightly toward the ship.
"…Morning departure."
Carina groaned.
"…Finally, a non-philosophy sentence."
Later that night—
Tashigi remained awake longer than the others.
Standing near the dock.
Looking at the Marine direction of the island.
A faint tension remained in her eyes.
Not confusion anymore.
Something forming.
Questioning.
And somewhere deeper—
A path was starting to split.
Not yet chosen.
But no longer neutral.
On the ship, Kuina also watched her from afar.
Silent.
Observing.
Carina whispered.
"…Those two are gonna become rivals for real, aren't they…"
Kevin replied quietly.
"…Yes."
The sea remained calm.
But the future was no longer stable.
Because now—
Tashigi had begun to think for herself.
And that was the first real step away from the system she would one day serve.