“Only the victor is just, huh…” Zephyr savored those words softly, feeling only bitterness in his heart.
So bitter that he took a sip of wine.
The rich liquor went down his throat, its aftertaste lingering in his heart, swallowed together with the bitterness.
Borsalino’s hand froze mid-air as well.
He, too, felt that bitterness.
That remark was far too mature.
The victor is justice.
Then there was truly no distinction between right and wrong.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Richard’s mouth.
“Gentlemen…
you’re all caged birds.
That’s why I can see things so clearly.
Drink up…
no one leaves sober tonight.” Those with complicated minds loved to drink the most, because intoxication allowed them to pour out their feelings, if only temporarily.
That night, after Borsalino and Garp had left, Zephyr still wept…
only Shakky and Richard saw him like this.
Even Mihawk couldn’t see it, because he was already drunk.
Aged wine had a strong kick, and after the volatile compounds had dissipated, it was even more intoxicating.
So Mihawk had been tipsy from the start, and by the end, he was sprawled across the table asleep.
Richard talked with Zephyr for a long time…
though by the next morning, most of what they’d said had been forgotten.
At the first light of dawn, Liam entered from outside and quietly approached Richard.
“Young Master…
everything is fully prepared.
We can set sail anytime.” “Good,” Richard left 1 million Berry on the counter and called out: “Boss…
thanks for the hospitality!” “Oh my,” Shakky’s face was flushed, just waking from sleep, her hair disheveled.
Her complexion was still pale…
the Peach Purple Dew had a deep potency, and the intoxication would linger in one’s mind for a long time.
“Leaving so soon?
I was hoping to discuss business with you properly.” “About that…
there are only ten jars of Peach Purple Dew left.
We already drank two jars yesterday,” Richard smiled.
“Ten jars…
50 million Berry.
If you want them, I’ll give them to you for 45 million…
but you have to do me a favor.” That smile made Shakky sense a strong whiff of mercenary spirit.
“Wow…
are you really setting the price that high…” Richard’s gaze didn’t waver in the slightest, showing no intention of budging.
“Hahaha…
alright, fine.
Ten jars of Peach Purple Dew…
I’ll take them.” Richard nodded with a smile.
“Thank you for your patronage.” He knew Shakky would take them.
After all, as someone who ran a ripoff joint, if she had rare and valuable goods, she’d naturally find ways to rip off others.
“Mihawk.” “Yes!” Mihawk, still asleep, jolted awake.
His eyes were dazed for a moment, but once he recognized his brother’s voice, he was instantly alert and stood up.
“Brother…
are we leaving?” “Yes.
We’re going back.
There’s a lot to arrange.” “Alright.” Mihawk politely took his leave of Shakky and returned to Grove 60, where Liam and the others had already purchased all the meat and firewood.
Borsalino had been waiting there for a long time and personally escorted Richard part of the way back.
After all, the words Richard had spoken at the tavern the previous day had given him a clearer understanding of justice.
Before, all he knew was work and self-improvement.
Now…
he realized that when it was time to be lazy, one should be lazy.
…
Marine Headquarters, in the conference room.
Garp and Zephyr, who had been missing all day, were given a thorough scolding by Sengoku.
“Where the hell did you two go?” “Both of you are grown men…
how can you still be so willful?” Sengoku pounded the table, his expression grim.
The two had vanished without a trace, with no prior notice to Headquarters…
as if they had simply evaporated.
As a result, the final departure order was delayed for quite some time.
“And you went all the way to the Sabaody Archipelago?
Who exactly did you go to see?” Sengoku’s face was rather sour.
“Someone important.
Don’t ask, Sengoku…
you wouldn’t know him anyway,” Garp laughed heartily and scratched the back of his head.
There was no way he could let Sengoku know about meeting Richard…
after all, Sengoku had been one of the commanders in that war.
It might…
upset Richard.
“Fine then…
you’ll both be written up with a demerit.” Sengoku’s face remained stern.
Though he was only an Admiral, he was being groomed as the next Fleet Admiral, so he was very mindful of his own words and actions.
Unlike Garp and Zephyr, who were far more laid-back.
“Such strange fellows.
By the way…
that corpse of the Jackal Pirates’ captain you turned in yesterday…
it’s a bit odd.
You didn’t just run into him on Sabaody, did you?” “Dealt with him casually?” Zephyr bristled at this.
“You have the nerve to bring that up?
Let me ask you…
why aren’t bounties below 50 million Berry being honored anymore?
Isn’t that just slapping ourselves in the face?” The purple-haired Zephyr was furious, his brows shooting up and his expression fierce.
The intimidating presence of the “Undefeated Admiral” was on full display.
Lately, the Marines had done far too many things that disappointed him…
and disappointment, once accumulated to a certain point, became unbearable.
“That decision came from the higher-ups.
After all…
there aren’t that many pirates left.” “Is that what you think…” Zephyr let out a bitter laugh.
Even now, he still remembered the words Richard had once spoken…
“Born in hardship, die in comfort.”