"Ah-la, time really flies, doesn't it…"
Returning from his thoughts to reality, Aokiji gazed quietly at Nao across from him.
"At that time, I said—someone like you, a little firefly, dreaming of becoming the sun… that's not so easy. You'd need someone like me, a small star that's almost touched the edge of the sky, to keep moving forward and see if I could shine a bit brighter…"
He chuckled and shook his head. "And yet, in the blink of an eye, I'm still hovering at the horizon, barely changing… while you've already surpassed me, becoming the brightest sun."
"The sun?"
Nao lifted his head and glanced at the full moon above. "I'm far from that. At best, I'm just a slightly bigger star, shedding a bit of faint light for the people around me."
"To truly become the sun, there's still one last step."
"The last step?"
Aokiji subconsciously glanced in the direction of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
"There were a lot of guests at my house today."
Nao turned his head and looked back at Aokiji with a smile.
"Zephyr-sensei, Mr. Sengoku—they all think I resigned because I couldn't stand Veil's scolding and sarcasm. But you, of all people, should know the real reason."
"You want to take that final step?"
Aokiji's heart skipped a beat. The words slipped out before he could stop them, but then he seemed to realize something. Rubbing his temples with a bitter smile, he said:
"This is… a bit too sudden. You didn't seem so impatient before. Did something during this operation—those slaves, maybe—set you off?"
"Kind of. But not really."
Nao shrugged. "Flevance, the Hot Spring Peninsula… I've endured for many years. This latest incident isn't even the spark—it's just… maybe the final straw."
"When I rescued those thousands of slaves, they were crying and laughing when they regained their freedom. But when they thanked me and left, I didn't even dare look them in the eyes."
He poured Aokiji another glass. "Do you know why?"
"Too much, too much—hey, hey, stop, it's gonna spill… why?"
"I remember five years ago, I accompanied Shia to the Reverie for the first time."
Nao poured himself a drink as well. "At first, I was amazed by those so-called 'automatic humanoid machines,' technology far beyond its time. But soon I discovered that the so-called 'automatic walkways' circling the entire city were powered by slaves beneath them—working themselves to death, day and night."
"At that time, I was just a lowly Rear Admiral. I couldn't do anything but clench my fists and tell myself: Next time I come here, I won't have to pretend I don't see these things."
"Four years later—last year—I returned to Mary Geoise for another Reverie."
Aokiji froze mid-motion, glass halfway raised, staring as Nao continued calmly:
"This time, I was a candidate for Admiral, directly representing Fleet Admiral Kong, presiding over every meeting related to the Marine."
"And the result?"
"Mary Geoise's streets were still as beautiful and prosperous as ever. The 'automatic walkways' still turned tirelessly. During those two weeks of the Reverie, hundreds or even thousands of new slaves were imprisoned in the Holy Land every single day—and every day, dozens or hundreds more were tortured to death in every imaginable way…"
"And I still couldn't do anything."
"So tell me—what's saving a few thousand slaves compared to that? How could I even face them? How could I have the right to stand on their ship and accept their gratitude?"
"How could I have the face to keep wearing this cloak emblazoned with the word Justice?"
Nao gave a self-deprecating smile and downed his drink in one gulp.
"…"
Aokiji stayed silent for a long moment, then finally gave a bitter laugh.
"Ah-la-la… if even you think you're unworthy of the word 'justice,' then there's no one left in the Marine who is."
"I know you've always upheld the justice of doing your utmost — you're strict with yourself — but there's no need to rush to leave the Marine right now, is there?"
"Even if you really can't resist taking that final step, wouldn't it be better to stay within the Marine for now?"
"Veil won't last long. Two years, maybe less. Once he's gone, you'll be promoted to Admiral. Endure a few more years, and the title of Fleet Admiral will definitely be yours. Then, when the entire Marine is under your command — with all its strength unified from top to bottom — that's when you take that final step. Wouldn't that be far safer?"
Nao gave him a sideways glance. "Did you peek at my old plans? Or are you just the worm living in my stomach?"
"Do I even need to peek?"
Aokiji rolled his eyes, sounding exasperated. "With your temper — worse than Sakazuki's when you get worked up — the only reason you've endured all the Marine's red tape and those maggots in the World Government is because of that plan, isn't it?"
"…" Nao pursed his lips.
He had to admit —
From that night seven years ago onward, Aokiji had always understood him best. Akainu and Kizaru were also good friends, but there was still a layer of distance between them.
"That was indeed my plan at first."
Nao swirled the empty glass in his hand, the moonlight reflecting in its surface and glimmering in his deep, ink-black eyes. "But now… it's too slow. If I really follow the plan you just described, it'll take at least ten years."
"Ten years is too long. I can't wait that long — and the people suffering in this world definitely can't wait that long."
"You think leaving the Marine will speed that plan up?"
"Mhm."
Nao didn't elaborate further. He simply nodded, seriously and firmly.
"I can already tell," Aokiji sighed. "You're about to stir up something big again, aren't you…"
Judging from his expression, Aokiji knew Nao must already have a detailed plan in mind. He didn't ask any more questions — only sighed softly. "Have you discussed this with Gion and Shia? When are you leaving?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Nao smirked slightly. "For the next couple of years — maybe two or three — I probably won't have much time to see my family. So tomorrow, I plan to stay home and spend the whole day with them."
He glanced at his watch. When the hour hand finally pointed straight at twelve, he set down his empty glass and stood up.
"What are you doing? Where are you going?"
Aokiji, whose tolerance for alcohol had never been good, was already somewhat tipsy. Startled, he blurted out the question without thinking.
"What do you think?"
Nao shrugged.
"Since I've decided to become the sun — to sweep away the darkness — I should at least go see for myself how deep that darkness runs, and what exactly lurks inside it."
Leaving those words behind—
He didn't look back. In the next instant, he stepped forward, and his whole body burst into a streak of pale blue lightning that pierced through the night sky, shooting upward and vanishing toward the distant horizon.
In the early summer courtyard, the cool night was silent as water. All around, only the faint glow of fireflies flickered in the dark.
"Go see the darkness, huh…"
For a moment, Aokiji stood there dazed, finally snapping out of his drunken stupor.
"Damn it!"
His expression changed drastically. In a panic, he grabbed the Den Den Mushi (transponder snail), dialing as he kicked open the door and rushed into Nao's home.
"This is bad, Gion! Wake up! That guy drank too much—he's about to do something serious!"
...
Marine Headquarters – Fortress Tower, Top Floor Office
The new Fleet Admiral, Veil, stood with his hands behind his back before the floor-to-ceiling window, scowling as he looked down.
Though it was already late at night, the entire building was still ablaze with light. Below, a dense crowd filled the plaza.
Since dusk, Marines had gathered there—furious, shouting accusations at Veil. They hadn't dispersed at all; instead, the crowd only grew larger.
The Headquarters garrison numbered over two hundred thousand. By now, nearly half were gathered here.
Garp and Zephyr were nowhere to be found. Veil had called several times but couldn't reach them.
Sengoku had come out twice to try to calm the Marines, urging them to go back and rest—but it had little effect. The enraged Marines demanded that Veil himself appear to give an explanation and personally apologize to Nao, or else they would stay there all night.
And they meant it—Veil could clearly see that some of the Marines at the edge of the plaza had already brought out tents and were setting them up.
Outrageous!
Ver was so furious his teeth were about to crack. What were these damned Marines thinking? Did they really have no respect whatsoever for their Fleet Admiral?
They wanted him to come out personally and apologize to Nao?
Impossible!
They could keep dreaming!
Buru buru~
At that moment, the sharp ringing of the Den Den Mushi suddenly broke the air.
"Who is it?!"
Veil snatched up the receiver, his tone as foul as his mood.
But in the next second, his whole body trembled; his face turned pale.
"N-no… I didn't mean to! Elder Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, I didn't know it was you—"
The voice on the other end belonged to one of the Five Elders.
"I don't have time to argue with you!"
The old man's voice was filled with suppressed fury.
"Speak! Is it true that you forced the White Dragon to resign this evening—causing a massive mutiny throughout Marine Headquarters?!"
Who reported this so fast?!
Veil's expression changed again. He had done everything he could to keep the situation contained, intending to quietly resolve it by tomorrow before reporting to the Holy Land.
Yet only a few hours had passed—and in the middle of the night, when the Five Elders should already be asleep—they had somehow gotten word already?!
"Y-yes, it's true…"
Veil was drenched in cold sweat, too terrified to hide anything. Trembling, he tried to explain:
"It's true, Elder Saint Jaygarcia Saturn—but White Dragon's resignation wasn't because of me! Didn't you feel that Kong was too protective of that boy before?"
"So I just—since he failed his mission this time—gave him a little reprimand, per your previous instructions. I only meant to teach him a small lesson, so he'd remember it next time…"
"Fool!"
The old voice on the other end erupted in even greater fury.
"Do you think I'm calling to listen to your excuses? 'Reprimand'? Your so-called reprimand and punishment amounted to public humiliation—you forced him to resign! Whatever your intentions were, the fact remains that White Dragon's resignation is your fault!"
"But this time, thousands of slaves escaped from the Holy Land—it clearly has something to do with him—"
"That was still within acceptable limits! It could've been dealt with after a proper investigation. But you? You completely overstepped. Do I really need to remind you how important White Dragon is?"
"The Great Pirate Era isn't over yet. The Marine and the World Government cannot afford to lose White Dragon! His departure isn't just a blow to our military power—it's a devastating strike to morale and faith!"
"Right now it's only Marine Headquarters. Have you even thought about what will happen once the news spreads to the Four Seas—when every branch learns what you've done?"
The Five Elder's voice grew louder and louder, while Veil's face turned paler and paler, cold sweat streaming down his temples.
Earlier that day, he had never imagined that the man who made him uncomfortable from the very first meeting could possess such immense prestige within the Marine—so great that even a single resignation could cause chaos of this scale.
By the time he realized the consequences, it was already too late. He was trapped with no way out.
"Th-then… what should I do, Elder Saint Jaygarcia Saturn?"
"What else can you do?"
The elder's voice came cold and hard:
"First, calm the rebellious Marines. Then, go to White Dragon yourself and apologize. No matter what it takes, you must persuade him to stay at Headquarters. Understood?"
Apologize and beg him to stay?
For someone as prideful as Veil, that was worse than death itself.
"Elder Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, perhaps I could wait until tomorrow—"
"This isn't a discussion. It's an order."
Veil's cautious protest was cut off by the elder's icy interruption.
"…Yes, sir."
He answered bitterly. When the call ended with a sharp click, Veil stood there staring down at the plaza below, still packed with angry Marines, his heart tangled in frustration.
Did he really have to go to Nao's house now?
It seemed he had no choice. Who knew what might happen by morning—White Dragon could already be gone, and the situation might spiral even further out of control.
At that moment, Veil suddenly felt something—a strange tremor in the air. He looked up.
His eyes widened in shock as a brilliant blue streak tore across the sky above the plaza, shooting toward the horizon.
"That's… White Dragon?!"
...
Mary Geoise, atop the Red Line.
The arson incident from a few days ago seemed like an illusion, leaving no trace whatsoever.
Whether looking left or right, near or far, the scene was one of golden splendor everywhere. Even the air was exceptionally fresh, making one feel as if they were in the heavenly realm above the clouds.
The streets paved with red carpets were still wide and luxurious, the magnificent, ancient, and elegant buildings still stood row upon row.
This place was still the earthly paradise so many people yearned for.
5:00 a.m.
The eastern sky had not yet brightened with the white of dawn, but a pale blue light had already illuminated the area.
Immediately afterward, a figure silently and gracefully descended onto the red-carpeted street.
...
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