IW: Chapter 233 - Gion: Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I've successfully infiltrated, but why do I feel like I've been discovered?
"Lord Bai Ye, is this really the sea?"
Yamato leaned excitedly over the ship's railing, her eyes wide as she stared out at the water. Even though it was nothing but an endless, unchanging horizon of blue, everything about this vast expanse felt completely thrilling and brand new to her.
They had been sailing for three full days without crossing paths with a single soul.
"You've asked me that at least a dozen times already," Bai Ye sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yes, this is the sea. Don't you find it incredibly boring?"
When he had first set out on his journey across the Grand Line, Bai Ye had harbored grand, romantic expectations about the pirate life. But after actually spending weeks cramped on a ship, the harsh reality had set in: sailing was mostly an exercise in absolute monotony.
Day in and day out, the routine never changed. To make matters worse, anyone sailing without overwhelming strength had to constantly live in fear of the ocean's violently unpredictable weather, treating every single day like it might be their last.
Initially, Bai Ye had been patient and amused enough to indulge Yamato's childlike curiosity. But as her repetitive questions kept piling up, he finally realized what he was dealing with.
"Boring? Not at all! I think it feels amazing!" Yamato beamed, her tail practically wagging with excitement.
Sigh.
It was a textbook case of "beginner's sea syndrome." When a rookie first leaves dry land, absolutely everything—from a passing wave to a floating piece of driftwood—feels like a grand adventure. Give it a few weeks, and the magic would inevitably wear off.
"Didn't Kaido ever take you out on a ship when he first brought you back to Wano?" Bai Ye asked, curious.
"Nope, we flew back!" Yamato pouted, crossing her arms.
Back then, she had been far too captivated by how incredibly cool it felt to ride high in the clouds on her father's massive dragon back to pay any attention to the boring old ocean below.
"Bai Ye, are we going to Amazon Lily next?"
"First, to Fish-Man Island. I have something I want to discuss with them."
He wanted to discuss some matters with the Fishman before heading to Amazon Lily.
"Lilia, I'll leave the rest of the journey to you."
Bai Ye instructed Lilia, who was happily swimming in the ocean.
Especially now that they didn't have a navigator, if they got lost in the sea, they would only be able to use Kamui to return to Wano Country and then set sail again.
"Don't worry, Lord Bai Ye, I'm definitely familiar with the way back to Fish-Man Island. But can we go without coating?"
Lilia emerged from the water, then patted her chest and promised Bai Ye.
Although she couldn't navigate, she at least knew how to get back to Fish-Man Island.
But there was one problem.
Fish-Man Island was in the deep sea. If they didn't have a coating for protection, how could they get in?
She herself didn't care, but Bai Ye, Robin, and Yamato were all Devil Fruit users.
"It doesn't matter. We can go to the deep sea without coating."
Entering the sea with a coating to go to Fish-Man Island was not a very safe option. In fact, the probability of dying in the deep sea was extremely high.
Firstly, Devil Fruits would be directly rendered useless, and secondly, Sea Kings.
The biggest concern in the deep sea was attacks from Sea Kings. Once attacked by Sea Kings, there was a high probability of dying in the deep sea. That's why the World Government had its own exclusive passages to cross the New World and the Grand Line.
"Eh?! Is there?"
Not only Lilia, but Robin also looked at Bai Ye with curiosity. Was there really another way to enter Fish-Man Island?
Besides Fishman, was there really a way to go without coating?
Books didn't teach any of this.
"Of course there is. Lilia, just guide the way in the deep sea."
With that, Bai Ye directly enveloped the ship and Lilia with Susanoo and sank towards the seabed.
"Wow! This is the giant who defeated Father!"
For the first time inside this, Yamato was even more excited. She hadn't expected that she could actually enter this!
If she had known it was possible, she should have begged Bai Ye to let her in earlier.
"What a truly astonishing ability..."
Robin looked at the beautiful deep sea, never expecting to enter it in such a way one day.
"Lord Bai Ye is too much, isn't he?"
Lilia was originally very worried about the safety of Fish-Man Island. If there really were other ways to enter, as Bai Ye said, then it wouldn't be good news for them.
However, if it was to enter Fish-Man Island in this way, then it seemed only Bai Ye could do it.
Even underwater, Susanoo's speed was extremely fast. Following Lilia's guidance, they quickly arrived at Fish-Man Island.
The Fishman of Fish-Man Island had long known of Susanoo's arrival. It was too massive, and there was no intention of concealing it at all.
Especially this ability...
Although many years had passed, the impression left behind at God Valley still made King Neptune clearly remember whose ability this was.
Upon learning of such an important figure's arrival, he felt a hint of unease in his heart. After all, someone of his status wouldn't come here for no reason, let alone after disappearing for so many years!
"It's alright, don't worry. Perhaps the other party has no ill intentions?"
Queen Otohime comforted Neptune from the side. Deep down, she actually had a glimmer of expectation for Bai Ye's arrival.
For years, she had been seeking ways for Fishman and humans to coexist peacefully, even collecting petitions on the streets for migration to the land. However, after Tiger's death, her plan failed.
Until recently, she saved a Celestial Dragons. After returning with the World Noble's signature agreeing to friendly relations between the Fishman race and humans, she saw hope again.
She had always wanted to promote this matter. She was working hard on the World Government side, and if she could get the great pirates to also agree with her idea and have their consent, she felt that her path seemed to be able to take one more step.
As for why she still needed to find Bai Ye even with the World Government's support, it was because Bai Ye had killed too many people at God Valley, and several incidents were also unable to proceed due to Bai Ye's appearance.
Therefore, she believed Bai Ye's opinion was very important!
"Is this grand display for all the Fishman to welcome my arrival?"
After Bai Ye landed on Fish-Man Island, he saw countless Fishman surrounding them. These Fishman were curious, but more than that, they were fearful.
A great pirate of this caliber...
If he were to attack, he would probably destroy the entire island, wouldn't he?
The Fishman thought to themselves, all the while nervously watching Bai Ye.
"Queen Otohime, King Neptune."
Lilia stepped out from behind Bai Ye and greeted the two. Between them, Lilia could only say she knew them.
After Bai Ye rescued her, she returned to Fish-Man Island. As a mermaid who had been captured, she was much cared for by the Fishman race at the time, and it was then that she had a slight interaction with the two.
Upon seeing Lilia, King Neptune had forgotten about this mermaid, but Queen Otohime recognized her.
She always kept every Fishman in her mind. The moment she saw Lilia, Queen Otohime was a little surprised, but the next second her expression returned to normal as she cared, "Lilia? I thought you had been captured again, and I even organized a Fishman search party to look for you, but then I didn't hear any news of you being auctioned, so..."
Queen Otohime stopped speaking at the end, feeling a bit awkward to continue.
To put it nicely, she thought she was safe. To put it bluntly, she had given up.
"No, I just joined Lord Bai Ye's Dawn Pirates!"
Saying that, Lilia showed the star pattern on the back of her left hand. All members who joined the Dawn Pirates would have this pattern engraved on the back of their hands.
Bai Ye didn't actually want to do it at first, but then Yamato kept clamoring that it would be more fun if everyone had the same symbol. Finally, unable to resist Yamato, he chose the star pattern as their emblem.
"Idiot, put it away."
Bai Ye took Lilia's hand and put it down, then rubbed his forehead, feeling a surge of helplessness in his heart.
He could already foresee that if this news spread, when Kaido contended for the Emperor title, once this mark was exposed, everyone would know the relationship between Kaido and himself.
However, fortunately, each person's mark was placed in a self-chosen location and was not necessarily fixed on the back of the hand.
Bai Ye's star pattern was slightly above his heart.
Currently, besides those who already belonged to the Dawn Pirates, only King had been engraved. As for Queen and Jack, Bai Ye planned to engrave these two not-so-bright ones only after the full exposure.
Under Bullet's strict discipline, Queen was now much more honest and reliable.
"Ah?! Lord Bai Ye, I'm sorry, I forgot!"
Lilia stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. She seemed to have exposed something earlier.
"Never mind, just be careful in the future." Bai Ye raised his hand and stroked Lilia's head, then looked at Neptune and asked, "King of Fishman, do you want to talk?"
Bai Ye came here specifically to find Neptune.
Seeing Bai Ye directly ask to talk, Neptune hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Since he came to find him, hiding was certainly not an option.
Besides, Queen Otohime's gaze clearly wanted him to agree.
"So many Fishman!"
"..."
Was her reaction time a bit slow?
Bai Ye turned his head and looked at Yamato behind him, who was staring with shining eyes, utterly bewildered.
Hadn't she seen Fishman before?
Speaking of which, Lilia was a mermaid, and it seemed she hadn't actually seen a Fishman.
"Alright, let's talk back at the palace."
"Alright."
Bai Ye nodded in agreement. He was actually a bit curious. Before coming, he had heard that Queen Otohime had already connected with the World Government.
Based on this, Bai Ye also knew that Queen Otohime would probably die not long after, but this wasn't Bai Ye's main concern.
He had originally thought that after connecting with the World Government, the other party would directly refuse his request.
Now it seemed he had overthought things.
Inside the palace.
Neptune, Queen Otohime, Prince Fukaboshi, Prince Ryuboshi, Prince Manboshi, Madam Shirley, and someone who greatly surprised Bai Ye: Gion, the Momousagi!
He had never expected Gion to be here.
Bai Ye could understand inviting Madam Shirley, because on Fish-Man Island, Madam Shirley's prophecies were never wrong.
He guessed she intended to ask Madam Shirley for a prophecy later.
And Gion was also very surprised at this moment.
She had come to Fish-Man Island intending to go to the New World. After all, she had nominally left the Marine, so she naturally couldn't use her old methods to go to the New World. Thus, she came to Fish-Man Island to prepare to cross from here.
After she arrived, upon learning of her presence, Queen Otohime also invited her to the palace to talk.
After she stayed there for a while, Queen Otohime and many Fishman in the palace ran out. She had originally wanted to follow to see what was happening, but then she thought about it and gave up.
She finally decided to stay there and wait for Queen Otohime to return before preparing to bid farewell and head to the New World.
However, after Queen Otohime and the others returned, before she could even say goodbye, she was invited here, and here she met the person she had been searching for all this time!
She had searched high and low, but found nothing; now, without effort, what she sought appeared.
Gion composed herself and remained silent, thinking about how to approach Bai Ye later to complete the mission Fleet Admiral Sengoku had given her.
And Bai Ye, after glancing at Gion, said nothing more.
He had actually learned about Gion from Mihawk. After all, Mihawk, as the world's greatest swordsman, had naturally challenged Gion.
The two had fought a match, and Mihawk won. Mihawk had mentioned it upon his return.
Bai Ye clearly remembered Gion being an Admiral candidate in the anime, so how could she defect from the Marine? His first thought was Drake, so her undercover target was also obvious.
Who would've thought...
The woman who wanted to infiltrate his side had been encountered by him.
Should he teach her a lesson here?
Bai Ye thought for a while, then decided to temporarily solve his own problem first.
"Please."
Neptune placed Fish-Man Island's unique desserts and drinks in front of everyone.
He was somewhat resigned anyway. Since he couldn't defeat the other party, he would first see Bai Ye's purpose for coming here.
"I'm here to cooperate with you!"
Bai Ye didn't want to spend half the day drinking and eating, and then let the other party keep guessing his intentions for coming here.
He preferred to be straightforward, tell the other party his business, and thereby give them more time to think.
"Cooperation?!"
When Queen Otohime heard that Bai Ye wanted to cooperate with them, the tension in her heart completely relaxed.
She possessed innate Observation Haki, capable of hearing the voices within others' hearts. Although it was somewhat shameful, she had indeed used her ability just now to try and peek into Bai Ye's purpose for coming to Fish-Man Island.
However, her ability simply couldn't hear Bai Ye's inner thoughts, and the same was true for the three girls who came with Bai Ye. It seemed there was an invisible barrier around them, blocking her ability as if it were outside.
After being unable to use her ability to probe Bai Ye's thoughts, Queen Otohime naturally wanted to know Bai Ye's purpose for coming here.
"Please tell us what we are to cooperate on?"
Queen Otohime hurriedly asked.
"I can allow Fish-Man Island to migrate to the land and establish a continent where humans and Fishman can coexist peacefully. My idea is to connect all the land together... like the Great Kingdom back then. Joy Boy's promise to you should have been similar, right?"
"You mean?!"
Queen Otohime looked at Bai Ye excitedly. If Bai Ye was also willing, it seemed that the peaceful coexistence between their Fishman and humans also had a considerable chance.
And he actually knew about Joy Boy and the Mermaid Princess?
Because he couldn't fulfill the promise he had once given to the Mermaid Princess, Joy Boy left his apology letter on Fish-Man Island.
Now, another person appeared, saying he wanted to fulfill the agreement between Joy Boy and Fish-Man Island?
This was the exact dream that Queen Otohime had been pouring her heart and soul into for years.
"That's right, to live openly on land," she murmured passionately. "Every race should have the equal right to live beneath the true sun, rather than being banished to the dark depths like we are now. I heard that you recently traveled to Mary Geoise yourself, Lord Bai Ye?"
The news of Queen Otohime's perilous journey to the Holy Land—and her miraculous return with a signed petition from the World Nobles—had spread across Fish-Man Island like wildfire.
"I have been there," she continued, her voice trembling with a mixture of pride and vulnerability. "I have already secured the official recognition of the World Government. If a powerful figure like you believes it is possible too, then I truly feel the day our people migrate to the surface is finally within reach!"
Toward the end of her speech, a beautiful, fragile glimmer of hope lit up Queen Otohime's face.
"And you honestly believe the World Government will keep their word to you?" Bai Ye asked, a low, cynical chuckle escaping his lips.
He was genuinely stunned. In a world this cruel, how could someone in her position still be so painfully naive? To actually place her faith in the honor of the Gorosei?
"Won't they?" Otohime asked, her eyes widening.
She truly, deeply believed it. After all, the highest authorities had given her their solemn vow, and a Celestial Dragon himself had signed his name to the decree.
"Think about it realistically," Bai Ye said, his voice dropping into a cold, pragmatic register. "If those bastards actually intended to honor your request, the very first thing they would have done is release the thousands of Fish-man slaves currently rotting in the Holy Land and let you bring them home. They didn't. Why? Because the moment your entire race leaves the natural defense of the deep sea and migrates to the surface, you become infinitely easier to hunt."
In Bai Ye's view, the gratitude of that single Celestial Dragon she had saved was the smallest, most negligible variable in the Government's calculations.
The real reason the Gorosei had readily approved her migration plan was far more sinister: they were looking to optimize their logistics.
Hunting for prized mermaids and powerful Fish-men down at ten thousand meters below sea level was an incredibly costly, high-risk endeavor for the Marines and World Government kidnappers. Down there, pressure, sea kings, and the natural combat superiority of Fish-men in water meant entire execution squads could vanish without a trace.
But if the entire population willingly moved to dry land, right on the World Government's doorstep? They wouldn't be migrating to paradise—they would be walking straight into a beautifully decorated slaughterhouse.
"I told you long ago, your approach won't work!"
Compared to Queen Otohime, Neptune clearly believed Bai Ye's words more.
Just as Bai Ye had said before, if the nobles truly agreed to peaceful coexistence, then they should return the Fishmen who had been captured or bought at auction.
Instead of giving them an empty promise and letting Queen Otohime bring all the Fishmen to the land, only for the Fishmen to be more easily captured back into slavery by the Celestial Dragons.
"Why can't humans and Fishmen coexist peacefully? Why do humans insist on capturing us Fishmen as slaves!?"
Prince Sharkstar slammed the table and roared, but after saying that, he subconsciously glanced at Bai Ye, evidently realizing something, and immediately shrank back.
It seems this guy is also human, right?
"You're wrong. The ones who truly treat you as slaves are those nobles. The Celestial Dragons always act superior. Don't they also treat humans as beings they can trample on at will? Ultimately, to change all of this, you must overthrow the Celestial Dragons."
"So you're here to ask us to join your pirate crew?"
From Bai Ye's words, Neptune realized what Bai Ye was thinking.
He wanted to win over the Fishmen. Did he intend to lead the entire Fishman race down the path of piracy?
"Pirate crew? So you also think I'm a pirate? That's right… After being oppressed for so many years, you probably believe whatever the World Government says, don't you? The World Government says I'm a pirate, so I'm a pirate? Who truly controls so-called justice? Is it the Celestial Dragons?"
Who holds justice?
Is it the Celestial Dragons?
No!
Everyone present knew it deep down, but were the World Government and the Marines, who always stood before the Celestial Dragons protecting them, truly just?
Even Gion, after leaving the Marines these past years, had witnessed many dark places, even more than she had seen when she was at Marineford.
At that time, Gion had always wondered why the world was like this. Weren't they, the Marines, supposed to represent justice?
Of course,
She had seen more of the evil of pirates, but she was merely confused about some things concerning the Marines.
"So how can we be sure you're not tricking us to kill us?"
"If I wanted to kill you, would I need to trick you?"
"..."
While that's true, is it really okay to be so blunt?
For a moment, Neptune didn't know what to say.
Should he flatter Bai Ye and say that he indeed didn't need to trick them onto land to kill them?
"It seems Fishmen are usually captured by pirates and sold at auction, aren't they?"
Although Gion tried her best to minimize her presence, after Bai Ye said that, she couldn't help but want to say something.
Whether it was Fishmen or others, they were captured by pirates or those who specialized in capturing slaves, and then sold at auction houses.
"Gion, you're truly naive. Don't you know who is behind these auction houses? Also, if there's no buying and selling, there's no harm. If everyone stopped buying, would they do such thankless work?"
No buying and selling, no harm...
Gion murmured Bai Ye's last words, a tumultuous feeling in her heart.
"Haven't you, as a Marine, witnessed the darkness? As a pirate, you must have seen what happens to countries that can't pay the celestial tribute, right? And... your reason for deserting the Marines was because a Celestial Dragon took an interest in you? Are you still defending the Celestial Dragons at a time like this?"
Although it was somewhat absurd, it seemed to be an attempt to create distance from Bai Ye.
Everyone knew Bai Ye was at odds with the Celestial Dragons, so the Marines' reason for Gion leaving was that a Celestial Dragon forcibly took an interest in her and wanted her to become one of his wives.
Creating this resonance would make it easier for her to join his pirate crew, but then again, ironically, it seemed she really was targeted by a Celestial Dragon after her desertion, who even threatened to capture her back as his slave.
"I... I just think what you said is too absolute."
Gion opened her mouth, her conviction somewhat lacking. She had indeed witnessed it, and during that time, she had also begun to doubt the justice she had always upheld.
"What the World Government needs is global unrest. They need all races to be unequal, with their Celestial Dragons above all. What I want to do is make all races equal. Anyone who makes a mistake should be punished, instead of a small group of people holding privileges and trampling on everyone at will!"
Bai Ye's words made Gion doubt everything she had stood for even more.
Why could a pirate say such things, while the World Government kept doing things that harmed others?
"Can you really do that?! That would be making an enemy of the entire world!"
The World Government currently has over two hundred member nations. If Bai Ye truly intended to do this, it would be tantamount to making an enemy of the world.
This was also why Queen Otohime initially sought cooperation with the World Government.
But ever since Bai Ye exposed the World Government's true intentions, Queen Otohime had begun to hesitate about the matter.
If it was truly as Bai Ye said, that their move to land was merely to facilitate the Celestial Dragons' capture of them as slaves, then she would rather the Fishman race remain in the sea forever.
The Fishman slaves that Tiger had brought back were still vivid in her mind, as was Tiger's sacrifice.
There were even many Fishmen who had not been rescued in the Holy Land, and Fishmen were captured every day. She wanted to change all of this.
"If making all races live together equally means making an enemy of the entire world, then... what if I make an enemy of them?
Since I've taken this step, I won't turn back. This failed world needs to change. For eight hundred years, countless people have died at the hands of those guys. They've oppressed everyone else, generation after generation.
When people one day begin to awaken and realize they are human, that will be their nightmare, and what I want to do is make everyone know that they are human!"
Robin clutched the book in her hand, a different light shining in her eyes as she looked at Bai Ye.
She remembered the flames on Ohara during the Buster Call, the despair that swallowed all hope, and the sins committed by the World Government, which she would never forgive.
They did not treat others as human beings.
In the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, they were mere insects, insects that could be killed at will.
"This is a historic decision. I don't need you to make a decision immediately, but after you've made your decision, hand her over to me. I will train her better!"
Her!?
Neptune's pupils constricted, then he looked at Bai Ye in disbelief and asked, "You know everything?!"
"That's right!"
Indeed.
Upon hearing Bai Ye's reply, a wry smile flashed across Neptune's face. He had thought his daughter's matter was well hidden, but now it seemed the other party knew.
However, everything he had just said had indeed swayed Neptune somewhat. If Bai Ye could truly achieve all of this, wouldn't what they longed for truly appear?
"I want to know how you plan to bring us to the land?"
"Noah, or by my own means."
If Noah couldn't do it, Bai Ye would directly lift Fish-Man Island to the land.
"If we agree, then we will be standing against the World Government. They will definitely deal with Fish-Man Island immediately!"
Neptune frowned, stating his predicament to Bai Ye.
Bai Ye agreed with this. After all, he was different from Whitebeard. Under Whitebeard's protection, the World Government was less willing to provoke him.
But he was different.
He was currently the World Government's primary target for elimination.
If they discovered Fish-Man Island was colluding with him, then they would definitely act directly.
"So, for such an important matter, please allow us to consider it further!"
"No problem."
Bai Ye nodded, then left a note and declined their farewells before getting up to leave.
Seeing this, Gion also quickly excused herself and followed Bai Ye.
"Father, what does this note say?"
"It tells us to notify the World Government that he has come to Fish-Man Island..."
A complex expression flashed across Neptune's face. He hadn't expected the other party to do such a thing.
"Why?"
The First Prince asked in confusion.
Bai Ye wants them to notify the World Government?
"He doesn't want us to be implicated."
Queen Otohime lowered her head, also pondering whether Bai Ye could truly lead them to achieve all of this.
"No, I must see him off!"
Neptune got up and chased after Bai Ye.
"Let me join your pirate crew!"
Gion looked at Bai Ye seriously. After bidding farewell to Neptune, she sought out Bai Ye. This might be her only chance, so she couldn't miss it.
"What kind of world do you want?"
Bai Ye didn't answer directly, but instead asked Gion a seemingly ambiguous question.
What kind of world did she want?
"I hope this world can be as you said, where all races live on one land, and everyone is equal."
"Then you probably won't be able to do that if you go back to the Marines."
Bai Ye directly saw through Gion's thoughts, and after he finished speaking, Gion's expression was somewhat surprised, then returned to normal. She hadn't expected Bai Ye to see through her intentions at first glance.
She wanted to deny it, but the words caught in her throat.
"You're a Marine spy, and I'm a pirate."
"What?!"
Yamato had been looking nonchalant, but as soon as Bai Ye revealed Gion's identity, she immediately looked at Gion warily. This person is a Marine spy?!
"How did you figure that out?"
A wry smile flashed across Gion's face. Her undercover mission had ended before it even began.
Was it because she had tried to defend the Marines just a moment earlier?
"I know exactly how the Marines and the World Government operate," Bai Ye said, his voice entirely calm. "When they realize they can't win a straight fight, planting a sleeper agent is their standard textbook play. Your only mistake, Gion, was acting too eagerly. Were you that terrified that you'd lose my trail again? Is that why you were so desperate to seize this exact moment to force your way into my crew?"
So... that was it?
Gion's chest tightened as the realization hit her. He was entirely right. She had spent so many grueling years hunting for a single glimpse of this man. Now that he was finally standing right in front of her, she had allowed her desperation to override her training. She had completely lost her composure.
"Gion, look at the bigger picture," Bai Ye continued, his tone softening with an underlying, heavy gravity. "Even if you manage to steal our intelligence, even if you execute your mission to absolute perfection, you can never truly go back. A Celestial Dragon has already set his eyes on you. Do you honestly believe the Marines can protect you from that fate? Stop being their pawn. Let's tear down and rebuild this world together."
With those words, Bai Ye extended his right hand toward her.
Gion, whose knuckles were still white from gripping her sword in anticipation of a life-or-death battle, stared blankly at his open palm.
He... he doesn't want to kill me?
Not only was he sparing her life after catching her red-handed, but he was actively inviting her to stand by his side and reshape the global order.
"I am an undercover agent," Gion said, her voice trembling slightly as she forced herself to speak the truth. "If I accept, I will still transmit your intelligence back to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Knowing that, do you still dare to invite me?"
"When you finally open your eyes to the reality of this world, you'll learn that nothing ever goes exactly as we wish," Bai Ye replied, his gaze penetratingly deep. "Reality is a beautiful lie laced with helpless pain. Wherever there is light, shadows will inevitably stretch out beneath it. Once you see through the deception, you will finally understand who the true, unstable cancer of this world really is. Be my companion, Gion."
"..."
Gion fell into a profound, suffocating silence.
Her cover was blown, her allegiance laid bare, yet this man was still offering her a hand. She had technically achieved the primary objective of her multi-year assignment, so why did her chest feel so incredibly hollow? Why wasn't there a single shred of joy in her victory?
The helplessness of the world...
Was he talking about the world, or was he talking about her?
Deep down, she already knew the answer: she could never truly go back to Navy Headquarters. Even if she returned a decorated hero, the moment she stepped foot back in the sacred lands, she would likely be stripped of her uniform and forced into a political marriage to satisfy the grotesque whims of a Celestial Dragon.
She had sacrificed everything to be a proud Marine, but in the grand scheme of things, to the high-and-mighty World Government, what was a Vice Admiral's loyalty worth?
Three years... and then another three years...
Just as Gion's resolve began to fracture and she weighed whether to place her hand in Bai Ye's, a piercing, frantic cry of terror echoed from deep within the palace walls, violently snapping everyone back to reality.
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