章節 118: Chapter 118: If You Can’t Do It, Then Follow Me
Lin Yan's gaze was intense, radiating a palpable pressure.
The atmosphere in the hot spring grew tense, heavy with unspoken words.
"Is there a problem?"
Kuzan frowned, his displeasure evident.
"It means exactly what it sounds like."
A cold, slight smile played on Lin Yan's lips.
"If you aim to be an ally of justice, true impartiality is required, isn't it? Kuzan, do you genuinely believe you can achieve that?"
Lin Yan's eyes bore into Kuzan.
True impartiality doesn't exist.
As long as emotions and obligations persist, no one can be entirely fair—not Kuzan, not even Lin Yan himself.
Absolute fairness might be the domain of emotionless gods.
But Kuzan was certainly no god.
"You think I can't do it... Why?"
Kuzan fell silent for a moment, his gaze turning hostile when he met Lin Yan's eyes again.
As noted before, Kuzan wouldn't tolerate anyone questioning his sense of justice.
Especially now, when he had resolved to leave the Navy.
The tension between them spiked instantly.
Yet Lin Yan's smile remained cold.
"Are you claiming you can? Then Kuzan, can you explain... what happened at Ohara?"
"…"
Kuzan's pupils constricted sharply.
He stood up abruptly.
"How could you possibly know?!"
His gaze at Lin Yan was filled with disbelief.
The truth about Ohara was classified.
Even back then, only a handful knew the reality, let alone now, more than a decade later.
But who exactly was this man before him?!
Not only did he know the truth about Ohara.
But he also pointed out specific actions Kuzan took back then—things Kuzan intended to take to the grave.
"You don't need to know how I found out."
Lin Yan dismissed Kuzan's shock and anger with a casual wave.
"You only need to tell me: the things you did back then, the decisions you made—do they qualify as acts of an ally of justice, in your eyes or in the World Government's?"
"…"
Kuzan stood frozen.
Lin Yan, unsurprised, continued with a cold smile.
"So the question is simple now, isn't it? If you couldn't achieve justice back then, do you really think leaving the Navy now makes you an ally of justice?"
Lin Yan paused slightly.
"If you believe that leaving the Navy can erase your past actions, aren't you being a bit naive?"
"…"
Kuzan remained silent.
Standing in the hot spring, his expression fluctuated between dread and deep confusion.
Finally, Kuzan sighed deeply and sat back down.
"How much do you know?"
"Everything!"
Kuzan was stunned once more, turmoil flashing in his eyes, before he sighed deeply again.
"What's your purpose? As the captain of the 17th division of the Whitebeard Pirates, you surely didn't come all this way just to chat with a retired man like me, right?"
Seeing Kuzan regain his composure quickly, Lin Yan nodded in approval.
This was the poise he sought in a subordinate.
With that in mind, Lin Yan got straight to the point.
"My 17th division is short on people right now. Since you've left the Navy, why not consider joining me?"
"…Reason?"
For a moment, a flicker of anger crossed Kuzan's face, but it quickly gave way to calm.
If this had been suggested just ten minutes earlier, Kuzan could guarantee he would have acted immediately.
Even though he was no longer an Admiral.
He would never degrade himself by joining pirates!
But now...
Kuzan found himself curious about Lin Yan's reason.
Not for any other purpose.
But because the man in front of him had just rendered him speechless.
"Reason? It's actually quite simple."
Seeing Kuzan's hesitation, Lin Yan chuckled.
"Because I find your lazy justice distasteful."
"…"
Kuzan's expression darkened, and he instinctively wanted to retort, but Lin Yan cut him off with a wave.
"Don't rush to argue. Back at Ohara, you killed your best friend but spared Nico Robin. In my eyes, that was mere self-consolation."
"You watched as Akainu ordered the bombardment of the refugee ship and did nothing, justifying it as following orders to kill your friend."
"You think letting Nico Robin go can erase this blood debt? Is researching history truly a crime in Ohara?"
"The so-called justice you Admirals uphold—is it justice itself, or the World Government's?"
Lin Yan's gaze burned as he stared at Kuzan.
"How long will you keep deceiving yourself?"
"Your so-called lazy and carefree justice is just accepting that you can't change anything and going with the flow. And with this, you believe you can become an ally of justice? Don't you feel ashamed?"
"…"
Kuzan was utterly silent, his eyes filled with turmoil. Seeing this, Lin Yan laughed heartily.
"So since you don't even know what to do, why not just follow me?"
"I can't promise you'll become an ally of justice."
"But I can promise that from now on, you won't do anything you'll regret!"
With that, Lin Yan extended a hand to Kuzan.
"…"
Kuzan remained silent, staring at Lin Yan for a long time before eventually shaking his head, as Lin Yan had somewhat expected.
"As expected of the 17th division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Lin Yan. I must admit, your words almost convinced me."
But instead of shaking Lin Yan's hand, Kuzan simply smiled.
"My justice may have been flawed, but how will you prove to me, Lin Yan…"
He paused slightly, his gaze now burning like fire.
"That you have what it takes to lead me toward my dream?"
"So it comes to this after all…"
Lin Yan reluctantly withdrew his hand.
He had hoped his words might sway Kuzan, but it seemed he had overestimated his chances.
But that was fine too.
If Kuzan could be swayed so easily by words alone, he wouldn't be fit to be his subordinate anyway.
With that in mind, Lin Yan addressed Kuzan with resolve.
"So, how do you want me to prove it?"
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