Even Sanji had heard countless tales of that legendary Marine. A man who had clashed with the Pirate King Roger himself multiple times, hailed as the backbone of the Navy!
And this man had a grandson who aspired to become the Pirate King?
What in the world was wrong with this family?!
Usopp, still peeking out from behind Zoro, spoke with a trembling voice. "Since you have that kind of connection, why don't you, a Marine Admiral, go after the pirates with bounties in the hundreds of millions or billions?! Why are you fixated on us?!"
Aokiji sighed. "Did none of you actually listen to me?
I've emphasized several times now—it's a holiday. I'm off duty!
Catching pirates is work. Can't we separate work and personal life? I just came to see an old acquaintance."
He pointed at Luffy, his expression innocent. "But your captain, the moment he heard I was here for Robin, whipped out Conqueror's Haki at the drop of a hat. You can't exactly pin that on me, can you?"
Everyone's gazes swiveled in unison toward Luffy.
Luffy puffed out his chest, utterly convinced of his own rightness. "You scared Robin. Was I supposed to just let that slide?"
"He's right!"
The Straw Hats answered in perfect unison, supporting their captain with complete, unprincipled loyalty.
Aokiji clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, "This protective streak of yours... you really are just like Vice Admiral Garp."
He waved a hand. "Relax. I follow the path of Lazy Justice. Basically... hold on a sec. I'm getting tired standing here."
As he spoke, as if genuinely fatigued, Aokiji simply let himself fall backward and lay down on the soft grass.
"Is this guy really a Marine Admiral?" Usopp and Sanji watched Aokiji sprawl out without a shred of dignity, feeling their understanding of the world crack slightly.
Lying on his back, gazing at the sky, Aokiji continued. "I'm not here to arrest you. You can rest assured on that count. I'll be direct.
I knew Robin was in Alabasta. That much I was aware of.
But after the Alabasta incident, she—a dangerous individual—simply vanished. Based on a certain... extra-official concern, I needed to confirm her whereabouts. And as I suspected, she's ended up with you all."
His gaze swept over Vivi, standing beside Nami. He scratched his head. "Also, I originally had another objective—to retrieve Princess Vivi. But that seems... somewhat problematic now, doesn't it?"
Luffy's fist clenched instantly, Armament Haki silently coating his knuckles.
"Forget it, forget it!" Aokiji quickly waved his hands. He had initially found the notion of Luffy "abducting" Princess Vivi somewhat suspicious. Now, seeing Vivi standing among the Straw Hats, her expression natural, showing no signs of coercion whatsoever—it was abundantly clear she had willingly become a pirate herself.
"I thought it was strange. Now it's not strange at all."
Nami and Vivi exchanged a glance, whispering rapidly about the plan they had hastily formulated.
"Do we still go through with it?"
"Doesn't seem necessary now."
"He doesn't appear hostile."
"Since when are only pirates liars? Marines lie too! Don't let his dopey act fool you!"
Nami remained vigilant. Their earlier plan had involved Nami pretending to take Vivi hostage, using her status as a princess of a World Government member nation to make Aokiji hesitate.
Just then, rustling sounds came from a nearby thicket.
A group of people emerged—tattered clothes, faces etched with hunger and exhaustion. They had clearly overheard the conversation and now looked upon the Marines as their salvation.
"Marine-sama! Please, save us!"
"Our ship was wrecked!"
"Food... water..."
Nami was puzzled. "Isn't this an uninhabited island?"
Aokiji sat up and explained. "About a month ago, a merchant vessel sank in these waters. They must be the survivors."
Hearing this, Luffy immediately began issuing orders. "Chopper, check their injuries! Sanji, Usopp, distribute the ship's food and water to them!"
"Right!"
Chopper transformed on the spot and pulled out his medical kit.
Sanji and Usopp sprang into action.
Aokiji watched the Straw Hats expertly tend to the refugees, his expression somewhat complicated.
In some ways, this crew acts more like the Navy than certain actual Marines do.
What really broke his composure was the fact that the refugees, after receiving food and water, began profusely thanking the Straw Hats, completely ignoring him—the bona fide Marine Admiral in their midst.
Had the world truly changed this much?
Aokiji sighed, rising to his feet. "Alright. There's an inhabited island not far from here. We should send them there for refuge."
Usopp looked at the dozens of refugees and grimaced. "There are so many of them! Even if we use the Merry to ferry them, it'll take multiple trips!"
Robin said quietly, "He can do it."
Sure enough, Aokiji walked slowly to the shoreline, reached out, and lightly touched the surface of the sea.
"Ice Time! "
In an instant, bone-chilling cold erupted from his fingertip, spreading wildly across the ocean!
Accompanied by a teeth-grinding crack, the azure seawater, before the crew's astonished eyes, began to freeze and solidify at a visible speed.
In mere seconds, a path of ice stretching to the far horizon materialized before them.
Sunlight glinted off the smooth, frozen surface.
"What the hell is this?!" Usopp and Chopper's jaws nearly hit the ground.
"This ice road should last about a week." Aokiji withdrew his hand, his tone as lazy as ever, as if he had just performed the most trivial of tasks.
The refugees, stunned and grateful, thanked the Straw Hats and Aokiji once more before cautiously stepping onto the ice and heading in the direction Aokiji had indicated.
Once the refugees had disappeared into the distance, the easygoing expression faded from Luffy's face. His voice was low and serious.
"Everyone, head back to the Merry."
"Why?" Vivi didn't understand.
Nami seemed to grasp the situation. She shook her head slightly at Vivi, signaling her to comply.
Luffy turned to Robin, his gaze unwavering. "Robin. Stay with me. Okay?"
His scheduled study time required Robin to be nearby.
And he was not about to let her face Aokiji alone.
Robin looked at Luffy. Her grip on his wrist, which had remained tight throughout, loosened slightly. But she did not let go.
She nodded. "Mm."
"Hey, Luffy! You can't let a lady—" Sanji started, agitated.
Zoro clamped a firm hand on Sanji's shoulder, his eyes sharp. "On a ship, the captain's orders come first. Besides, an enemy on the level of a Marine Admiral... if we recklessly interfere now, we'll only be a burden."
He had clearly felt the terrifying weight of that clash of wills moments ago. This was not a fight they could casually step into.
The rest of the Straw Hats, though deeply worried, understood Zoro's logic. Under Luffy's unwavering gaze, they began to withdraw to the Merry.
Aokiji simply watched, making no move to stop them.
***
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