"You bastard! Why did you recommend that Vongola Storm to S.W.O.R.D?!"
"Vongola Storm?"
Kuzan raised an eyebrow, his expression lazy.
"He's an interesting Marine. I was the one who invited him into S.W.O.R.D. What happened to him?"
"He emptied Impel Down!!!"
"…Ah."
Kuzan paused for a beat.
"Actually," he said smoothly, "it was Teacher Zephyr who first recommended him. I've barely interacted with Storm at all. If Fleet Admiral has questions, he should ask Teacher Zephyr directly."
"You bastard! Don't try to dodge responsibility!"
Sengoku slammed his desk.
"You're the highest-ranking officer in S.W.O.R.D! A member under your command caused a catastrophe, and you think you can wash your hands of it?!"
"Ara ara~ that does sound troublesome."
Kuzan scratched his messy afro.
"So what exactly did Storm do?
'Slaughtering Impel Down' sounds exaggerated."
"That part was exaggerated," Sengoku admitted, his tone cooling slightly.
"But he almost turned Impel Down upside down.
He executed over ninety percent of the prisoners in Infinite Hell."
"…That's impressive."
Kuzan fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Sakazuki would probably be pleased."
"This is not the time for jokes," Sengoku said coldly.
"You still consider Vongola Storm a Marine? He caused irreparable damage to Impel Down."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Kuzan said seriously,
"I have a question."
"Did Vongola Storm harm any innocent people?
Other than prisoners?"
Sengoku paused.
"I confirmed this with Impel Down.
Aside from criminals, he did not kill guards or staff."
"Then that settles it," Kuzan replied quietly.
"The Navy killing pirates is unavoidable.
Storm went too far, sure—but if we start punishing Marines for killing too many pirates…"
Kuzan glanced sideways.
"…Shouldn't Sakazuki be the first one sent to Impel Down?"
"Killing pirates in battle is not the same as executing prisoners," Sengoku shot back.
"Are you saying those scum deserved to live?" Kuzan replied firmly.
"I don't understand why the government deliberately spared them."
Within the Navy, justice was divided.
Hawks. Doves. Centrists.
Kuzan was considered a dove—
but even he was no saint.
He admired Black Arm Zephyr, the admiral who never killed.
But Kuzan never believed killing pirates was inherently wrong.
And Infinite Hell?
That was trash among trash.
Storm's actions were excessive.
But unforgivable?
No.
If Sakazuki were in charge of S.W.O.R.D, he might have praised Storm.
"Kuzan…" Sengoku sighed inwardly.
"Sometimes I really can't tell."
"Are you still clinging to Burning Justice—
or have you fully sunk into Lazy Justice?"
"Ara ara~"
Kuzan smiled faintly.
"People rarely understand themselves."
"Enough," Sengoku said, ending the topic.
"If nothing changes, Vongola Storm would normally receive a bounty."
"A bounty?" Kuzan frowned.
"Magellan was there. Shiryu too.
Storm should've been suppressed."
"You underestimated him. So did I."
Sengoku's voice grew heavy.
"Storm awakened the Clay-Clay Fruit.
After nearly wiping out Infinite Hell, he transformed into a white dragon… and escaped."
"…You're joking."
Kuzan stared.
"He got that fruit recently. Awakening already? And flight?"
"That's the report."
Sengoku continued.
"I discussed his bounty with Tsuru.
It would've been… historic."
A Den Den Mushi rang.
Sengoku answered—and his face darkened.
"What do you mean keep it secret?!
This concerns Impel Down!"
"I am the Fleet Admiral!"
Then—
Older voices.
Colder.
"What is the Fleet Admiral?"
"The Navy is merely the government's facade."
"The Infinite Hell incident is none of your business."
Click.
The call ended.
Sengoku exhaled heavily.
"Sorry, Kuzan… Let's pretend nothing happened.
Vongola Storm's bounty is cancelled."
"That was one of the Five Elders, wasn't it?"
"…Yes."
"So what is the Navy, then?"
Sengoku gave a bitter smile.
"You can ask them yourself when you become Fleet Admiral."
The call ended.
Kuzan floated alone on the sea.
After a long silence, he dialed another number.
"Moshi moshi. This is Kuzan."
"Admiral Kuzan! Long time no hear! I thought you quit the Marines!"
"Don't joke around, Storm."
"I heard about Impel Down.
You've caused a real mess."
"I followed your orders," Storm replied innocently.
"Didn't you tell me to become a pirate?"
Is this how you do it?!
Kuzan rolled his eyes.
"Hey! Den Den Mushi copies expressions! I saw that!"
"Ara ara~"
"You still want to be a pirate?"
"Of course. I am the blade of darkness."
"I'll become a great pirate.
Infiltrate the Four Emperors."
"So… New World now?"
"Of course—no."
Storm replied instantly.
"I can't walk into Yonko territory alone.
I need allies first."
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