Robin's lips curled slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the answer: "Of course you can, but before that, you need to answer me one question."
"What question?"
"Your allegiance."
Robin stared directly at Aokiji's eyes, her tone becoming serious, "What identity are you using to meet my captain now? Former Navy Grand Admiral? A lost traveler? Or..."
"A seeker who has finally found direction, perhaps."
Aokiji thought for a moment and laughed, "Someone who wants to witness and even participate in the new era by themselves."
"A Kuzan who's no longer lost sounds pretty terrifying."
Robin chuckled, "Welcome aboard, a main crew member of the Endgame, the sixth highest-ranking officer, Mr. Kuzan."
"Your room on the ship has long been prepared for you, it's right next to Kuma's. If you can't find it, just ask him. Also, there will be a welcome party in the Galaxy Sea Region tonight, make sure you participate and don't be late."
"Huh?"
Aokiji was momentarily dumbfounded.
What's going on?
Why does it seem like the Endgame had planned for his arrival long ago, even dug a pit in advance, just waiting for him to fall into it?
"That's it, nothing more?"
Aokiji scratched his head, "I don't need to meet Shano, undergo any assessment or test?"
"Finding Captain..."
Robin rested her cheek on her hand, smiling as she looked out towards a certain direction, "He's probably very busy now, but you'll meet during the party tonight, so it makes no difference."
"As for assessment and such, the captain should have mentioned it back in the East Sea, as long as you're willing to come, there will always be a place for you in the Endgame."
Seems like there indeed was something like that...
Aokiji was just recalling when Robin's voice suddenly came again: "Oh, also, the captain asked me to convey something to you, and this has been prepared for you long ago."
"What?"
"Welcome home, Kuzan."
Aokiji was stunned.
After a long time, he gently exhaled, his expression gradually softening: "I see..."
"Then, please take care of me, partner and senior, Nico Robin."
...
Walking out of the library doors, Aokiji's mindset was completely different now.
He tried to adjust to the fact that he was now one of them, smiling as he walked down the street.
Lunchtime had just ended.
The sunlight was just right.
From afar, the laughter of children chasing each other in the square could be heard, and in the air wafted the creamy scent of freshly baked goods from the bakery.
In this region protected by the man named Shano, even time seemed to have turned gentle.
"It's really nice."
Aokiji sighed with emotion.
Approaching the pier, he happened to see two tourists laughing as they accepted a wallet returned by a member of the Stationed Corps.
Even losing a wallet, you can get it back?
Aokiji was greatly surprised.
Seems that the little girl named Mikita wasn't wrong; the Endgame's security really is at a level he's a bit unaccustomed to.
He also noticed that behind the Stationed Corps' member was a monitoring Radio Snail about a meter tall, slowly munching on vegetable leaves.
Clearly, finding the wallet had a lot to do with it.
He remembered seeing this thing before on the Golden Lion's flying islands.
Only, the Golden Lion used it to monitor the populace, ensuring his oppressive rule was flawless;
While in the hands of the Endgame, it could be used to benefit the people.
It was an interesting contrast.
Then, this journey could now come to a close.
Next, he'll ride his bicycle and head to the venue for the evening banquet as the Endgame's highest-ranking officer.
In the next moment.
Aokiji halted in his tracks, struck dumb like he'd been hit by lightning. He took off his sunglasses, looking at the empty waterfront, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.
"Huh?"
No way!
Where's my bicycle????
——————
[You sacrificed Kuzan's bicycle, receiving 4000 points]
[Offering: Kuzan's Bicycle]
[Quality: Epic]
[Appraisal Commentary: A bicycle just bought a year ago, having cultivated a bond and affection with its owner, it faces the same fate as its predecessor]
[Remaining points: 12495→16495]
"The bond was still shallow."
Shano closed the system panel, expressing his regretful evaluation, "It's surprising, it's 500 points less than the last bike."
At this moment, he had just returned to Wuxing Island at the southern gateway of the Galaxy Sea Region, the island where the pirate challenge大会 is being held.
Passing by the island housing the O'Hara Library, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence and saw a familiar bicycle.
And then, mysteriously, that bicycle just threw itself at him, insisting pitifully to follow him home.
There's nothing to discuss, he could only take it along.
— Consider it as the company's welcome gift for the new highest-ranking officer, Aokiji.
Knock knock.
A knock sounded, and in the next second, accompanied by a creak, the door was pushed open.
Without asking, the person who would dare to push the door open was inevitably only one person.
Shano didn't need to lift his head to know who was coming:
"What, have those pirates been filtered already?"
"Yes, Master, a total of sixteen thousand three hundred pirates registered to participate in the challenge. After a preliminary screening, there are thirteen thousand four hundred eligible ones."
Angewomon respectfully handed over a statistical document.
"Thirteen thousand out of sixteen thousand?"
Shano set down his teacup, his brow slightly raised, "Such a high percentage? It's over eighty percent."