The tavern was hidden in a quiet alley inside the residential district of Marineford, where the families of Navy officers lived.
The moment Kuzan stepped inside, he paused.
The place felt... different.
Arched walls stretched deep inward, each section carved with reliefs—scenes of legendary naval heroes clashing with infamous pirates.
Every panel told a story of sacrifice, blood, and justice.
Kuzan and Gion stopped walking, staring silently at the carvings.
Vice Admiral Momonga noticed and said calmly:
"This place is called Heroes' Tavern.
It was built to honor the Marines who never returned from battle.
Not many come here. Some can't bear to remember."
Kuzan raised an eyebrow.
"There's a place like this in Marineford?
First time I've heard of it."
Gion shook her head—she didn't know either.
Momonga continued,
"It was built privately. Not an official Navy facility.
That's why it isn't on any map."
Kuzan turned toward the carvings again.
The first relief showed a vice admiral fighting a Devil Fruit pirate—losing an arm but taking the pirate's life with him.
Further in, there was a massive mural of the God Valley Incident, the battle against the Rocks Pirates.
Names of fallen vice admirals were etched under shattered ships.
The carving alone felt like a battlefield.
Kuzan stared for a long time.
A small part of him wished he had been there—sword in hand, frost in the air.
Even Boa, the giant snake, lifted its head to stare at the wall with wide amber eyes, tilting its head as if trying to understand the stories frozen in stone.
Momonga watched, slightly stunned, someone had brought a creature that large into a tavern—yet it stayed calm, just observing.
When they finished looking, Kuzan explored the room. There were no fancy dividers, no loud music—just wood tables, navy-blue cloth, and a single weathered book left open to the wind.
A creak sounded.
An old one-armed man walked downstairs with a rag in his hand, unfazed by the massive serpent coiled behind Kuzan.
"Well now… if it isn't Momonga.
What're you drinking today?"
"Mr. Tucker, bring out your best barrel.
I'm treating two very important guests."
The old man—Tucker—nodded with the calm of someone who had seen real war.
"So the Navy has raised new monsters, huh?
I'll bring the wine. Wright will handle the food.
I'll join you for a cup later. An old man's privilege."
Momonga turned to Kuzan and Gion.
"This is former Vice Admiral Tucker.
The man from the first relief—the one who lost an arm fighting Pirate Valta.
After retiring, he built this tavern to remember everyone who never made it home."
Kuzan and Gion bowed slightly, offering silent respect.
Momonga continued,
"These walls are filled with the stories of those who bled for justice.
When some of us lose our way… we come here.
To remember why we wear the coat."
He took a sip of wine, then asked:
"Kuzan. What is your justice?"
Kuzan answered without hesitation:
"Justice is order.
Protecting the weak.
Punishing the wicked.
Making sure pirates who destroy lives… pay for it."
Momonga nodded slowly.
"And if someone stands in the way of that justice?"
"Then I beat it out of them."
Gion didn't speak, but her eyes softened.
Kuzan really was different when serious.
Boa didn't care, just curled up comfortably in the aisle—big enough to block half of it.
Tucker returned with a barrel of dark wine, followed by a young worker carrying a tray stacked with roasted meat.
Kuzan tapped the tray.
"Feed Boa the best cuts you've got. He's got a bigger stomach than a Sea King."
The worker nodded nervously.
"Y-yes, sir. The meat's being prepared. Amount… is large, so please wait."
Boa dipped its head, tail flicking in approval—already used to waiting for "a lot of food."
The eating and drinking began.
Most of the conversation came from Tucker—stories of old battles, great pirates, lost friends, and the price of wearing the Marine coat.
Kuzan and Gion listened silently.
Every name Tucker spoke carried weight.
Every battle carved into the tavern walls suddenly felt real.
And for the first time since returning…
Kuzan felt like he had truly come back to the Navy.
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