Facing Garp, Kuzan spoke with an uncharacteristic seriousness, completely ignoring the sudden shift in Garp's expression.
"Kuzan, what do you mean by this?"
Garp, taken aback by the usually laid-back Kuzan's stern demeanor, couldn't help but ask. Was Sakazuki dangerous now? When was he ever not? As a senior member of the Navy, Garp had closely watched Sakazuki's rise and knew him well. Although he was dissatisfied with the World Government's decision to promote Sakazuki to Fleet Admiral, his displeasure was directed at the government, not Sakazuki.
But seeing Kuzan's current attitude, things were clearly not simple. Garp's brow furrowed deeply.
"I can only say it's my intuition. After today, I won't be in the Navy anymore. Vice Admiral Garp, this is my final advice."
Ignoring Garp's increasingly serious expression, Kuzan spoke lightly and walked past him.
Garp's expression darkened. Kuzan, this isn't a joke! The Navy's strength had already been greatly diminished after the Marineford war. Losing a top Admiral now would plunge many seas into chaos.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Garp couldn't remain still. He quickly turned and shouted after Kuzan.
"Kuzan! Can't you reconsider?!"
"There's nothing to reconsider."
Kuzan's response was cold and resolute.
"We joined the Navy with the same goal. Both you and I, Vice Admiral Garp, but now I can't see it anymore."
After a brief pause, Kuzan continued.
"Leaving the Navy, I might live a little longer... Take care, Vice Admiral Garp."
With that, Kuzan slowly removed his wide naval cloak and casually placed it on a pillar. Leaving behind only his advice and a brief farewell, he disappeared down the corridor.
Garp stood there, dazed. Was history repeating itself?
Gritting his teeth, Garp's normally composed face twisted in anger, veins bulging like an enraged beast.
"Ah!!!"
In a burst of fury, Garp punched the pillar beside him, shattering it into pieces. The Navy officers behind him stared in horror; it was the first time they had seen Garp this angry. But no one could stop the man who had already left.
Kuzan's resignation sent shockwaves through the Navy. Despite their best efforts to keep it discreet, the news spread rapidly. A photo of Aokiji leaving Navy headquarters without his justice cloak surfaced, igniting rumors and speculation.
"Aokiji really left! He must be dissatisfied with Akainu becoming Fleet Admiral!"
"Who wouldn't be? If I were Aokiji, I'd fight for the position. How can someone of Admiral rank take such treatment?"
"The main point is the Navy lost an Admiral!"
"And Akainu also lost an arm. The pirate era is coming!"
Reactions varied from shock and indignation to gloating and excitement. The world buzzed with one pressing question: where did this former Admiral go?
In the New World, near the Punk Hazard sea area, Lin Yan and Zephyr stood on the deck of a fishing boat they had bought from the Sabaody Archipelago. Lin Yan, calm and collected, contrasted sharply with Zephyr's heavy expression.
"Lin, we've been wandering aimlessly for days. Weren't we supposed to recruit Kuzan?"
Zephyr's curiosity finally got the better of him. Lin Yan, yawning nonchalantly, responded.
"Zephyr, you're not old yet. Stop nagging like an old man. We're already heading to our destination."
Lin Yan's demeanor reassured Zephyr slightly, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Lin Yan knew more than he let on. As they sailed, seagulls delivered the latest newspaper. Lin Yan picked it up, a slight smile forming as he read.
"Zephyr, head to Saiken Island!"
"Why Saiken Island?"
"For a hot spring!"
Since I will probably get asked why I switched between Admiral Codenames and their Namen in this Chapter, here is the Explanation. Everyone that knows the Admiral calls them by their real name, everyone else uses the Codename. ( In the Original Author constantly switches how he calls them)