She understood that from this moment on, it would be very hard for her to return to the Navy's side. At this point, all she could do was say such things to reassure Binz and Zephyr.
"Damn it, Ain, come back!" Binz wanted to stop Arton and the others, but with his strength, even if he wished to, it was powerless resistance. In the end, he could only watch as Arton and the others disappeared from sight.
"Right, Teacher Zephyr… teacher, wake up!" Binz rushed to Zephyr's side, shaking his arm desperately. "Teacher, Ain's been taken away by Arton, think of something quickly!"
"What? Ain was taken?"
Zephyr, who had been unconscious, instantly opened his eyes wide in shock at Binz's words.
"Yes… Ain's already been taken by Arton. Sorry, I couldn't stop them. Before she left, Ain said she would be fine… Teacher, Arton won't hurt her, right? He just took her as a hostage, didn't he?" Binz said nervously, full of guilt.
"Damn that Arton brat…" Zephyr tried to stand, but his wounds flared up, forcing him down to one knee. "Damn it… how can Arton be this strong? And why take Ain? What's he planning?"
"No… I need to know where that bastard Garp is." Zephyr knew there was no way he alone could take down Arton—especially when Arton had such powerful companions at his side.
"Oi, Garp, where the hell are you?" Zephyr roared. "Why haven't you gotten here yet? My disciple's been taken by Arton!"
…
"Captain Arton, who is this?" Kaya, seeing Arton return with Tashigi, had just been about to ask if they were hurt when her eyes fell on the Ain dangling in Arton's grip. She immediately asked with curiosity.
On deck, Carina, Nami, Uta and the others also turned to look, curious but wary. With their diary copies, they had learned to treat any new woman arriving on Arton's ship with suspicion. After all, anyone Arton brought back had a very high chance of also owning a diary copy.
And given that Arton had just returned from a Marine warship, the probability that this woman was a Marine was even greater.
"This woman is Ain," Arton explained casually. "She thought I might kill Zephyr, so she wanted to offer herself as a hostage. I figured I'd just bring her along for now."
At those words, Carina, Nami, and the others lost much of their initial hostility. Instead, they began to feel sympathy.
So this was Ain, the one whose mentor would eventually be betrayed by the Marines and the World Government, and then killed. Nami and Carina both sighed inwardly.
No one on Arton's crew was stupid. They quickly understood why Ain had chosen to come here. Her "hostage" excuse was likely just a cover—her real purpose was to gain the power to protect Zephyr and change the future.
For that goal, she might even be ready to abandon the Marines, just as Tashigi had.
But even knowing this, Nami, Carina, Nojiko and the others didn't completely drop their guard. Who knew if Ain, once she gained power, might still try to return to the Navy? Unlike Tashigi, she hadn't yet faced the kind of decisive betrayal that would completely cut off her ties.
"…Captain Arton, why don't I look after this Marine lady first?" Nojiko stepped forward. "I can at least manage a rough use of Command Spells. I'll be able to confirm whether she has any other hidden motives for coming here."
"Alright, then I'll leave her to you," Arton agreed. If Nojiko could handle it, then he could save himself the trouble of fusing with her to use Mirajane's power.
Ain didn't really want to be separated from Arton so soon. But she also understood that to stay in Arton's crew, she had to clear the suspicions of his companions first.
Chapter 294 – Even If It Means Turning Against the Navy
At this moment, Ain couldn't help regretting that she had come too late.
If she had arrived earlier, she might have been able to prove herself the same way Tashigi had—by striking down a Celestial Dragon.
A long sigh welled up in her heart. She knew that without something as decisive as killing a Celestial Dragon to sever her ties, gaining Nami and the others' trust would be much harder than it had been for Tashigi.
But… perhaps I can just become Arton's woman. If I can climb into his bed, maybe I can win his trust in another way.
Her resolve hardened as she looked at Arton.
"Kaya, lend me your strength, I'm exhausted. I need your support," Arton said suddenly, his voice weak. He "collapsed" against Kaya, burying his face into her chest.
"Mmm… so soft, so fragrant," he muttered.
"C-Captain Arton…" Kaya's cheeks flushed crimson, but she dared not push him away. In the end, trembling from his breath against her, she helped him to the chair by the workshop's throne, channeling chakra to restore his stamina.
Watching this scene, Ain felt a pang of envy.
If only Arton would trust me like that… then I could gain his power.
"Alright, enough staring. Come with us, we have something to discuss," Nojiko said, patting Ain's shoulder before leading her toward the cabin.
Nami, still steadying Tashigi, and the others all kept sharp eyes on Ain.
Taking a deep breath, Ain stepped inside. Without hesitation, Nojiko activated Mirajane's template, using her Command Spell on Ain.
"Why did you come here?"
"Because I want to save Teacher Zephyr."
"And for that, you're willing to abandon the Navy?"
"Yes."
"If it meant changing Zephyr's fate, would you give everything to Captain Arton?"
"I would!"
"Even if it makes you an enemy of the Navy and the World Government?"
"The Navy and the World Government were never true justice. Opposing them is no problem."
"I see. Then… delete all your Navy contacts."
This time, Nojiko didn't even use a Command Spell. There was no need. Ain's resolve was clear.
Wordlessly, Ain opened her diary, navigated to her Navy contacts, and began deleting them one by one.
Immediately, the Navy chat flared with messages.
[Sadi: Ain quit the group? Don't tell me she's already gone with Arton?!]
[Hibari: Did Senior Ain just stop being a Marine?]
[Doll: Hibari, don't jump to conclusions.]
[Kujaku: …I knew this would happen.]
[Domino: After what Arton revealed about Zephyr's future, it's no surprise she'd go this far.]
[Hina: Ain was someone Zephyr-sensei once risked his life to save. To change his fate, she might really be willing to do anything.]
[Doll: But we already know that future! We could have worked to change it together. Ain shouldn't have made such a choice.]
[Gion: What's done is done. Now we can only hope Vice Admiral Garp intercepts Arton before he reaches Reverse Mountain.]
[Doll: If that happens, maybe we can still bring Ain back. Gion, is Vice Admiral Garp close?]
[Gion: Yes. He should be there in just a few minutes. If he can stall Arton even briefly, I'll arrive soon after.]
[Domino: Arton just fought Zephyr, his stamina's depleted. If we catch him now, we may actually have a chance.]
[Sadi: Yes, before he pulls a "Challenge Card" or something like that, now's the time.]
[Doll: Let's hope we can seize this opportunity.]
...
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