As the ship drifted farther from the shore, Ian's eyes flickered as he watched the G-5 branch recede.
Only after it disappeared from view did Ain and Binz finally exhale in relief.
Ian found a random spot to sit down, placed down his axe, and looked at the two of them.
"Have you called Zephyr or Marine Headquarters to report yet?"
As soon as he finished speaking...
Ain: "..."
Binz: "..."
The two of them, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, were stunned for a moment. Then they both fell silent, not even daring to meet Ian's gaze.
They both glanced away.
This scene also made Ian realize... The two guys hadn't reported it yet.
He stared at them speechlessly and grumbled unhappily: "So you two just sat here the whole time and didn't even think to make a call?"
"I'm so sorry."
Hearing Ian's words, Binz smiled awkwardly. "I was so nervous, I forgot about it."
"I'm sorry."
After Binz finished speaking, even Ain lowered her head in shame: "And... Thank you so much."
"It's not too late to call now. And Ian, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, Ain and I might be dead. And I shouldn't have questioned you."
Binz, his face bruised and swollen, apologized shamefully and immediately took out his Den Den Mushi and dialed the number.
Just as he was about to speak, Zephyr's surprised voice came from the other side: "Is that you, Binz? How did the mission go for you three? And why is your face so bruised? Did you disobey and get beaten up by Ian?"
Binz: "..."
Ian: "..."
Hearing Zephyr's comment, Binz and Ian's faces turned black.
Binz shot Ian a guilty glance, then forced a laugh toward the Den Den Mushi: "No, no, I've been listening to Ian perfectly! By the way, Zephyr-sensei, now's not the time to discuss this."
His tone turned serious: "There was a serious accident during this investigation. Rear-Admiral Vergo was a spy. Ain and I barely made it out alive."
"...?!"
As Binz spoke, Zephyr's cheerful expression suddenly darkened. Even without seeing Zephyr, one could tell from the Den Den Mushi how furious he was.
He hadn't expected so much to happen over a single investigation mission.
A Rear-Admiral was a spy!
The G-5 branch had become untrustworthy!
Only after Binz finally finished his story did Zephyr, still sullen, speak. "I'll report this to Sengoku. Now, hand the Den Den Mushi to Ian. I have a few words for Ian."
"Understood, teacher!"
Hearing Zephyr's words, Binz, without hesitation, handed the Den Den Mushi to Ian and said: "Ian, Zephyr-sensei wants to talk to you."
Ian nodded and took the Den Den Mushi.
Before he could say anything, the Den Den Mushi in his hand had already taken on a serious expression and said solemnly: "Ian, thank you very much for saving Binz and Ain! Otherwise, I don't know what to do."
"No, just don't forget what you promised me!"
"Don't worry, I will definitely take the photos well. Then I will do whatever Gini tells me to do!"
Zephyr, who was a little unhappy because he kept filming commercials, couldn't help but laugh.
"As for the training manual, I have already prepared it. If you want me and Garp to teach you in person, that's fine too!"
As soon as Zephyr finished speaking, Ian, who had just smiled with satisfaction after hearing Zephyr's promise, opened his mouth and was about to say something…
"Ain, what's wrong with you?"
Suddenly… Binz's anxious voice sounded again, full of tension and worry: "Damn it, how did you get hurt this badly? That bastard Vergo!"
The shout instantly caught Ian's and Zephyr's attention through the Den Den Mushi.
Especially Zephyr, who had just let out a breath of relief, now shouted urgently: "Ain! How's that child, Binz? Hurry up, Binz, why aren't you saying anything?!"
"Her abdomen's been severely injured, stabbed clean through. It probably hit her kidney, and she got at least two broken ribs."
Ian frowned as he briefly examined Ain's injuries. Then, looking at the frail, pale Ain, he asked: "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm sorry!"
Ain forced a weak smile as she looked up at Ian, who crouched beside her. "I didn't realize my internal organs were damaged."
"Enough, now's not the time for that."
Ian waved his hand while frowning. "There's no medical equipment on board. Do you know how to use Life Return?"
It must be said that Life Return is a versatile skill. If a person is severely injured and can't receive prompt treatment, they can delay healing by eating or even moving their internal organs to keep themselves temporarily alive.
"... N-no, I don't."
"Come on, Ian, we might be top graduates from Marine Headquarters."
Binz looked at Ain, who lowered her head, then back at Ian and said nervously: "But Life Return isn't something you can just pick up. Even plenty of Vice-Admirals at headquarters haven't mastered it!"
"Are the rookies at Marine Headquarters these days so useless?"
Binz: "..."
Ain: "..."
Hearing Ian's unrelenting words, Ain and Binz lowered their heads in shame once again.
But then, remembering something, Binz said anxiously: "What should we do now? Such a serious injury, and so much blood loss. If she doesn't get treatment..."
Although he didn't finish his words, Ian and Zephyr understood Binz's meaning.
As if not wanting to worry everyone, Ain, now even weaker, forced out a smile: "I'm fine, please don't worry about me!"
"That doesn't look fine to me."
Binz hesitated, then he gritted his teeth as if making a decision. "Or we should go back to G-5!"
Before Ian could respond, the pale Ain spoke firmly, without a moment's hesitation. "No! We absolutely can't go back right now! I'm really fine, as long as we can reach Marine Headquarters for treatment—"
But before she could finish, Ian, who was bandaging her, gagged her with his remaining cloth. "Just be quiet now!"
Ain: "..."
This sudden action caused Ain, whose face was pale, to blush.
This guy... that was his shirt!