He spoke with a hint of self-mockery, "I originally planned to probe your background, but in the end, it looks like you saw through me instead?"
"Let's go, let's go."
Before Shano could respond, he shook his head and stood up.
"Time to go back and rest. Seriously, can't even out-talk a teenager; it's utterly tedious."
Casually tightening the tie inside his white suit, Aokiji leaned against the back of the chair, bent down, and reached behind the bench.
Only then did everyone realize that there was an old bicycle lying on the lawn.
Aokiji lifted his long legs, easily stepped over the bike frame, and the bicycle creaked but firmly bore the weight of this Navy Grand Admiral.
"Long time no see, how about joining me for dinner?" Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke, glancing at him sideways.
"Spare me, please."
Aokiji waved his hand, "Too many eyes outside the garden. As a Navy Grand Admiral, it's slightly outrageous to be seen dining with a Great Pirate."
"Hey, young man."
He glanced at Shano again.
"Let me keep witnessing, to see how far a freak like you can go on this twisted ocean."
With that said, he moved his long legs, pedaling the bicycle out of the garden, holding the handlebar with one hand while the other hand casually rested in his pants pocket.
Ding-ding!
The bike bell rang softly, and his tall figure gradually disappeared into the dusk, with final words drifting faintly in the wind:
"But, remember what you said today; I hope you can always maintain this initial intention... Otherwise, next time we meet, I will personally end you."
...
The night breeze lightly swept through the garden, bringing a bit of coolness past everyone's side.
Everyone looked at the silhouette fading away, exchanging bewildered looks.
"Just left like that?"
Nami was the first to come to her senses, grumbling discontentedly, "What the heck, seeing his earlier lost look, I thought brother could persuade him to defect."
"Cough!" Smoker nearly choked on his cigar upon hearing this, "Convince a Navy Grand Admiral to become a pirate? You really dare to think!"
"It's not entirely impossible though."
Shano retracted his gaze from afar, saying calmly, "However, people like him have their pride and integrity, not something easily swayed by mere words."
Matters take time to succeed.
This confrontation today has also planted a seed in the opponent's heart.
Who knows, maybe one day in the future, there will be an opportunity to truly bring Aokiji over to our side.
After all, even Blackbeard, a typical pirate villain, was able to exploit an opportunity to recruit him.
My chances of success should be even greater.
"Let's go, ignore that guy." Shano shook his head, turned around, and smiled at his companions, "It's been delayed long enough, everyone's hungry, right? Let's head to the restaurant first."
"Ooooh, dinner time!" Nami cheered, dashing out of the garden first.
The others followed suit, chatting and laughing, while Shano deliberately stayed behind. Once no one was paying attention to him, he looked up towards the distant sea.
Aokiji's movements seemed leisurely, but at this moment he had already ridden to the horizon, almost disappearing over the sea line.
It's really hard not to suspect that this guy starts pedaling fast as soon as he's out of sight.
Or perhaps he just carries the bike and runs wildly?
In any case...
"Showing off after bluffing and then wanting to leave?"
Shano crossed his arms, huffing, thinking, not so easily!
He is the kind of person who retaliates!
At least leave me your "wool" before you go!
...
Yes.
He hadn't yet taken Aokiji's "wool."
Faced with a world-class powerhouse like this.
No matter how skilled a thief he might be, he couldn't confidently take something from such an adept Observation user unnoticed.
Former successes with Garp and Akainu were due to protracted fights, close physical combat, where all attention was on battling, providing ample chance to fish in troubled waters.
But this time... Sadly, there was no fight.
Aokiji didn't even try to fight him; it wouldn't do to make a move first just to create an opportunity to snatch something, like giving Aokiji a big slap, would it?
Not quite appropriate.
Luckily, with that new tool, there's no escaping having "wool" taken from him.
Shano opened his backpack menu.
The "Stealing" card deck activated!
—Effects, five cards, five opportunities; each time, regardless of distance, randomly take an item from anyone in view!
The first target decided is you, Aokiji!
...
On the sea.
Aokiji cycled, expression brooding and silent.
A while ago, in Sengoku's office, he had accidentally seen that document, and it resurfaced in his mind.
Thirty-two years ago, the truth behind the Battle of Divine Valley.
It was this document that further shook his belief in justice, prompting him to want to meet Shano face to face.
But the result...
Aokiji shook his head, throwing those troubling thoughts out of his mind.
He recalled noticing a certain small detail just now.
The orange-haired girl had flames emanating from her... Was the Flame-Flame Fruit ability user actually this girl?
Should I call headquarters to suggest they correct the bounty then?
Aokiji tilted his head.
He could easily guess the reason.
Shano must not want his sister to become a target, so he used various methods to cover it up, leading headquarters' intelligence division to the wrong conclusion.