Crocodile drew deep on the cigar Aizen had lit for him, savoring the long-denied taste.
"Hahhh… at last. What's this, boy—trying to pry intel out of me?" His tone was sharp, mocking.
Aizen's reply was calm, almost amused. "You imagine too much. I simply mourn that a man once bold enough to challenge Whitebeard has come to such an end."
"So you're here to mock me?" Crocodile snarled. His eyes narrowed at Aizen's back. "The Navy tricks the rabble, sure—but me? You think you've earned the right to taunt me?"
At that, Aizen paused, turning to glance over his shoulder. His gaze was deep, unreadable.
"No… what's pitiable is that you believe that's all this is. I don't mock your capture. I lament that a man of your stature is reduced to chasing after crutches."
For a long moment, Crocodile stood silent. Then he snorted, turning on his heel, his escort tightening around him. Before he disappeared below deck, he threw back one last growl:
"What I choose to do isn't for you to lecture."
…
As Crocodile was led away, Smoker and Tina approached.
"He still thinks he's a Warlord? Typical arrogant pirate," Smoker muttered.
Tina, Aizen's most devoted admirer, burned with indignation. To speak so rudely to senpai… unacceptable!
She remembered the training camp—how she'd lagged behind, weaker than her male peers. She'd nearly broken, nearly quit. But Aizen's words had carried her through. His encouragement had become her strength, propelling her to rise to Captain's rank. For Tina, to hear anyone dismiss him was intolerable.
Sensing her anger, Aizen laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, wearing a weary smile. "Don't be upset. This time the fault is mine."
"N-no, senpai! It's his fault for being ungrateful—" she began, but stopped at Aizen's quiet shake of the head.
Smoker and his aide, Tashigi, exchanged puzzled looks as Aizen spoke, voice low and steady:
"Men like him live by their own convictions. Right or wrong, they cannot be judged by others. And in his eyes, my words just now must have sounded like the scolding of an overlord."
Taking blame upon himself, he defused the moment. Smoker was caught off guard; Tina, meanwhile, gazed at him with renewed awe. Ever reflecting, ever honest with himself… senpai is truly remarkable.
…
The prisoner transfer completed, minor pirates remained on Tina's ship, while all the bountied were secured aboard Aizen's.
Uta, after making her own inspections, returned. "Transfers are done. Do you need resupply, or do we head out?" she asked Tina casually. Their friendship allowed easy words despite rank.
"We've already stocked up. Let's sail straight for Impel Down."
The fleet turned toward its grim destination.
…
Later, with no one else near, Uta nudged Aizen. "So… that 'interesting person' you mentioned? Who was it?"
"You've already met him," Aizen said.
She frowned, arms folded, brow furrowed. "Met him? But who—?"
"That clown, Buggy."
"…Clown?"
Her eyes widened as she recalled: the red-nosed prisoner, so ridiculous she had stared twice.
"That fool? He's nothing special. A joke, really."
Aizen's next words stunned her.
"He was once an apprentice on the same ship as Shanks. They were close friends."
"Close friends… with Shanks?" Uta's breath caught. At least, in Shanks' heart…