"They're just fresh graduates."
Zephyr sighed. He knew what Ian meant and had already looked into the whole situation.
His gaze turned distant toward the calm sky: "Because of that disaster, they were both promoted to captain rank early. This was their first solo mission, and it was in the New World, no less. They are still just kids."
Ian: "..."
Still just kids!
Ian stared at Zephyr speechlessly, but Zephyr didn't wait for him to speak.
"And who could have guessed that Vergo was actually a spy sent by that pirate scum? That guy is quite talented, always able to complete any mission he's been assigned, and he's quite famous within Marine Headquarters. Who could have guessed such a guy could be a spy?"
Zephyr shook his head again. "Even now, some people at headquarters refuse to believe it. I still don't know where you got that intel."
As he spoke, he seemed not to notice Ian's eyelids twitching as he continued: "You were right not to go to Marine Headquarters. That pirate scum's identity is far from simple."
With a cheerful yet gloomy expression, he said: "Even so, the World Government still hasn't removed that guy from the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and hasn't even imposed any punishment. I have always said those guys can't be trusted."
Two complex expressions mingled on Zephyr's face, as if he were filled with confusion and melancholy.
Finally, after a long sigh, he fell silent again.
Ian didn't respond to Zephyr's words. He understood that the old man was simply confused by the number of things he had experienced.
According to the timeline, in about four years, after suffering another blow, Zephyr would eventually establish the Neo Marines, a force that stood apart from the Marines themselves.
After an unknown amount of time, Zephyr's voice rang out again.
"Ian, what exactly is justice? Reigning Justice, Absolute Justice, Lazy Justice, Unclear Justice, Justice that doesn't kill?"
"Didn't I tell you?"
Ian raised his eyelids and said, "I only believe in my own justice."
"That's right, an Egoistic Justice?"
Zephyr laughed again at Ian's response, then shook his head with a hint of regret. "Alas, there's no Egoistic Justice in Marine Headquarters!"
Ian: "..."
This guy hasn't given up on trying to convince him to go to Marine Headquarters!
Ian stared at Zephyr speechlessly, shook his head helplessly, and said with a smile, "Never mind, let's not talk about this. I do have something I want to ask you!"
"What is it?"
"When did I ever say that the justice system at Marine Headquarters is shit?"
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? I don't know anything about that!"
...
Elsewhere, at Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral's office.
"I understand."
Sengoku said while looking at the two recent graduates before him with a complex and emotional expression. "I never thought a simple inspection mission could be so dangerous…"
As he spoke, he seemed to have a sudden realization and gritted his teeth. "It's all that bastard Garp's fault. If he had gone, it wouldn't have been so complicated."
"He even had the audacity to outsource the mission. Now he's afraid to come back, right? If he does, I'll beat him to death!"
Ain: "..."
Binz: "..."
Ain and Binz watched Fleet Admiral Sengoku angrily slamming the table.
They didn't dare interrupt and quickly lowered their heads.
"Well, if that guy had gone, he would have probably been fooled around and might not have even caught the spy! Humph, that damn spy was pretty well hidden!"
Sengoku's face darkened, but after a moment, he regained his composure and looked at Binz and Ain before him. "Marine Headquarters owes you two a huge debt of gratitude. If it weren't for you, we might not have caught this spy."
"No, if it weren't for Ian, we would probably be dead."
Hearing Fleet Admiral Sengoku's words, Ain shook her head and said seriously: "Marine Headquarters should thank Ian!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Binz nodded cheerfully, saying, "We should thank Ian!"
"Ian, the guy who said the justice system at Marine Headquarters was shit?"
Ain: "..."
Binz: "..."
When did that happen? Since when was Ian that bold?!
"Forget it, let's not get into that. Your teacher will handle the gratitude for that kid. It's a pity, the position of the seven warlords has already been filled. Otherwise, that kid might've been a good fit."
Sengoku sighed, a hint of regret in his voice, then he looked at the two people before him.
"As for your rewards..."
He then pulled two Devil Fruits from a drawer and said cheerfully, "Marine Headquarters has decided to reward you each with a Devil Fruit. While they aren't Logia-type, I have seen these two, and they both have impressive abilities!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Binz and Ain also spotted the two Devil Fruits on the table, their eyes lighting up.
While they weren't Logia-type Devil Fruits, they were still Devil Fruits!
And they were carefully selected by the Fleet Admiral himself!
Especially Binz, he hadn't forgotten how strong Ian became after eating one!
Thinking of this, Binz looked eagerly at Sengoku: "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I..."
"Here!"
Sengoku happily handed one to Binz.
Then, looking at Ain, who seemed troubled, he raised his eyelids and said: "What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with this Devil Fruit? If so, tell me and I'll help you find another one."
"No, that's not it."
However, after hearing Sengoku's words, Ain, having regained her composure, quickly waved her hand.
After glancing at the Devil Fruit again, she hesitantly said, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, can I have a different reward?"
"A different reward? Another Devil Fruit?"
"It's not a Devil Fruit!"
"...?"
Sengoku was stunned and looked at Ain in confusion. He frowned, pondered for a moment, and said: "If it's not a Devil Fruit, what do you want?"
"Can you exchange this reward for Mr. Vegapunk to make me a weapon?"
"...?!"
Sengoku's face flickered with surprise upon hearing Ain's words. "What weapon?"
"Yes... An axe, if possible."
"This..."
Binz, who had just been celebrating, looked at Ain in disbelief. "You..."
But after a moment's hesitation, he looked at Sengoku with a helpless smile, but remained determined. He handed the devil fruit back.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, if it's not enough, I can give back mine."
"Binz, this is my decision! You don't have to do that!"
"No, it's fine. It's a shame, sure, but that guy saved my life too!"
Binz said with a chuckle, his head held high, a bit proud. "I'm a marine who knows how to be grateful!"