The Knock-Up Stream didn't last long. After just a few minutes, it stopped.
But right after that short pause, the rain that had vanished earlier in the morning started falling again—this ti even heavier than before.
The sea slowly cald down.
The sound of pouring rain ca from the distance, as if reminding everyone to take in this rare and magical view.
"This... this is incredible... It looks just like the 'Rain of Blessing' back in the Mokomo Dukedom..." Reina stared with wide eyes, completely stunned.
Seeing the Knock-Up Stream made her think of Zunesha, the giant elephant, which sprays the 'Rain of Blessing' twice a day. But compared to that, this stream was much bigger.
"It really is amazing," Nojiko agreed.
"Seems like the New World is full of strange and mysterious places. I even heard there's an ocean that looks like it's been sliced in half. I'd love to see that with my own eyes soday!" Nami's eyes sparkled with determination and curiosity.
"Ryuen, look over there—a battleship!" Hog suddenly shouted, pointing to the left side of the rain curtain.
Everyone quickly turned to look in that direction. Through the curtain of rain, they could see three huge Marine battleships slowly heading toward them.
"It's Aokiji. What's he doing here?" Kuina frowned, confused.
Everyone looked thoughtful, trying to guess why Aokiji had co.
Ever since they took Bartholow Kuma from Marine HQ, Sengoku had stripped Ryuen of his Marine title. That ant their Dream Exploration Group was no longer part of the Marines—they were now just a group of adventurers.
"Ryuen, have you heard anything from the Marines lately?" Nojiko asked, turning to him.
"We just ca from Fish-Man Island. The info birds probably haven't had ti to bring us updates yet. But I don't think Aokiji's here to cause trouble," Ryuen said after thinking for a mont.
The group went quiet, watching as the three battleships got closer.
Soon, they could clearly see the Marine flags flying high and the Marine logo painted boldly on the ships.
It was definitely Aokiji's fleet. His arrival made the atmosphere tense and filled with anticipation.
"Ah-la-la~~~"
"Ryuen, you don't seem very surprised to see us Marines here..." Aokiji stood at the front of the ship, looking at Ryuen, then at the rest of the Dream Group.
"Not really, but I am curious—why are you here?" Ryuen asked calmly, his brow slightly furrowed.
Aokiji didn't answer right away. He glanced at the Dream Group again. Compared to before, they seed more relaxed and carefree.
Then again, maybe they'd always been like that...
"Yesterday, a dozen pirate crews were waiting for you near the entrance to Punk Hazard in the New World," Aokiji said casually. "But they didn't expect you to co here first."
"Waiting for us?" Ryuen looked confused.
"Yeah... Seems like they're fans of your Dream Exploration Group. Word got out about when you'd arrive in the New World, so they went there hoping to et you and join up.
But when you didn't show up, they gave up and went sowhere else. Probably to wait for news about your next location," Aokiji said slowly.
Hearing this, the Dream Group mbers looked at each other in silence.
Shanks had already ntioned back on Sabaody Archipelago that lots of people in the New World looked up to them and wanted to join them.
But none of them expected people to actually wait at the New World entrance just to find them.
"Wait a second, Aokiji—you're a Marine. You saw a dozen pirate crews and didn't take them down? You just let them go?" Hog asked, clearly puzzled.
The others felt the sa. A Marine Admiral letting a group of pirates walk away? That didn't make sense.
"Ryuen, I'd like to talk to you alone," Aokiji said, ignoring Hog's question. His usually lazy expression turned serious for a mont.
This shift surprised the whole group.
"Let's go to the island," Ryuen said without hesitation. He quickly got off the ship and walked toward the ruined town.
Seeing this, Aokiji also jumped down from the warship.
On the three warships, two Rear Admirals and several other officers were quietly discussing among themselves, but none of them could figure out what Aokiji was trying to do.
The mbers of the Dream Expedition glanced at each other but said nothing. They all felt sothing was off—Aokiji was acting very strange today.
Ryuen walked over to a relatively intact house and lightly jumped onto the roof. Aokiji followed right behind.
"Aokiji, you're acting pretty weird today. This isn't how a Marine Admiral is supposed to behave," Ryuen said casually, sitting on the railing.
Aokiji gave Ryuen a deep look before speaking. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku is stepping down. He recomnded to Commander Kong as the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines."
Hearing that, Ryuen raised an eyebrow.
So it's finally happening?
"Akainu probably hates the idea of you becoming Fleet Admiral, right?" Ryuen asked casually.
Aokiji nodded, speaking in a calm tone. "You're right. Sakazuki has always had his eyes on the Fleet Admiral position. He thinks he has the strength and experience to lead the Marines.
And being in the picture... I'm his biggest obstacle."
Ryuen gave a light smile, not seeming too interested in the power struggle.
Aokiji took a deep breath and slowly said, "At first, I didn't care about becoming Fleet Admiral. But now that Sengoku is retiring, and Sakazuki wants the job... that's sothing I can't accept. His idea of justice is far too extre.
I can't let soone like him take control of the Marines."
Ryuen nodded, showing he understood.
He knew Aokiji and Akainu had completely different ideas about justice.
The clash between them wasn't just about power—it was about what justice really ant.
Aokiji looked into the distance with a firm gaze and said, "So, we've agreed to settle it with a duel. The winner becos the next Fleet Admiral!"
"Uh..."
"But that has nothing to do with us, Aokiji," Ryuen said, shrugging.
"I actually wanted to ask you—how do you define justice?" Aokiji had been aning to ask this for a long ti.
Ryuen frowned, clearly surprised by the question. "Honestly, I don't really have a clear definition. Justice isn't sothing you just talk about.
You have to match your actions with your words—only then can you really understand it.
If I had to say, I guess I'm more of an idealist. As long as I believe sothing is right, that's my justice."
"Match actions with words..." Aokiji repeated softly.
...
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