"Not asleep yet?"
When Ian reached the figure, he sat down beside her and said with a smile, "Worried about Instructor Zephyr, Ain?"
Seeing someone sit beside her, Ain's body trembled slightly. She was about to stand up, but after seeing who it was, she didn't mind, remained seated, shook her head, and quietly said: "I'm just sitting here for a bit, that's all."
"Is that so?"
Hearing Ain's words, Ian didn't say anything more and simply sat beside her. He understood that Ain truly was worried about Instructor Zephyr.
Come to think of it, that old guy really was something. Couldn't he talk things out first? He just ran off!
No matter what, Ian funded him with so much money, yet he didn't even say goodbye; it's truly too much.
What, was he worried that he would report him to Marine Headquarters?
Thinking of it, Ian also felt troubled about how to persuade Zephyr later. He couldn't really knock the other party unconscious and bring him back, right?
But even if he did, Zephyr would just run off again if he hadn't resolved things in his heart.
And Ian wasn't a pirate. He couldn't just do what a certain straw-hat kid did in the future, talk Zephyr into submission.
Standing in Ian's position, no matter what he said, it felt like empty words.
After all, he had chosen family, but Zephyr had chosen justice.
Although he was facing a small problem now, his family brought him warmth and happiness.
But Zephyr?
He had no family, the Marine Headquarters he devoted most of his life to had betrayed him, and aside from those who followed him and the recruits he personally trained, Zephyr truly had nothing left.
Time passed bit by bit as Ian pondered.
"Ian."
Ain's voice suddenly rang out. "What do you think Instructor Zephyr is doing right now?"
"What is he doing?"
Ian returned to his senses and thought for a moment. "Probably something incredibly crazy."
"Something crazy...?"
Hearing this, Ain fell silent.
At first, she thought Instructor Zephyr would go deal with that new Warlord of the Sea.
But from Ian's words, it seemed that wasn't the case?
Actually, she understood too, Zephyr leaving without even saying goodbye, leaving her and Enel behind at the Sibia River Archipelago meant... Bringing him back wouldn't be easy.
Instructor Zephyr had likely already accepted what his final outcome would be.
After a moment, Ain finally lifted her head, and faint traces of expectation, worry, and nervousness appeared in her eyes as she looked at Ian. "Ian, do you think Instructor Zephyr will come back?"
"Come back?"
Ian was stunned, not expecting Ain to ask that. But seeing her worried expression, he still said, "Don't worry. I've already thought of a plan. We will let Ace go out to sea as a pirate first, then let Ace beat some sense into Instructor Zephyr. I'm sure he will understand everything."
Since Luffy could beat Zephyr back to his senses, Ace should be able to do it too.
And for Ace, it would just mean going out to sea a bit earlier; it wasn't a big problem.
Ain: "...?"
But when she heard this, Ain's face froze, as if she didn't understand why Ace needed to become a pirate and beat up Instructor Zephyr.
Would that really make him let go?
And if Ace became a pirate and dared appear before Instructor Zephyr... Wouldn't he get beaten to death instead?
But after a moment, Ain fell silent again. She lowered her head and said in a disappointed tone: "I know... Instructor Zephyr probably won't come back."
Ian: "..."
She figured it out already?
Well, based on Zephyr's actions back then, Ain probably already guessed he was about to go on a rampage. And no matter what kind of rampage it was, Marine Headquarters wouldn't show him mercy anymore.
"It's not that bad. Instructor Zephyr is just questioning whether everything he sacrificed over the years was really correct because of the Marine Headquarters and World Government's actions. He simply lost his sense of purpose for the moment. Maybe we can help him find a new goal in life and shift his focus."
Seeing Ain's dejected expression, Ian comforted her with a smile. "If nothing works, we can just knock him out first, bring him back, lock him somewhere, and then figure it out later."
Or maybe introduce a woman to him and let him start a new romance?
Of course, he didn't say that; he didn't want to get hit.
Ain: "..."
Hearing Ian's suggestions, Ain, who had been sad a moment ago, froze completely.
Then she gave him a strange look, as if she hadn't expected Ian to come up with such a plan.
But how could it possibly be that simple?
As long as Instructor Zephyr didn't resolve his internal conflict, even if they locked him up, it wouldn't help. Worse, it would only deepen his resentment.
Lowering her head, Ain muttered softly: "A new goal..."
She seemed to be thinking about something, and Ian didn't interrupt her.
It was already late, after all, he should go rest. His late-night guidance had reached its limit.
The rest... He'd just leave it to the wind... and sunlight.
Just as Ian was about to say goodbye and head back to sleep…
"Ian!"
Ain, who had been silent, suddenly lifted her head as if she had made some decision and looked at Ian. "A new goal, I want to help Instructor Zephyr find a new goal."
Ian: "..."
Fine, go ahead. It's not like he was stopping her. Why was she suddenly so serious? Did she really plan to introduce a woman to Zephyr?
But before the stunned Ian could say anything, Ain took a deep breath, her eyes locking tightly onto his.
She met his gaze without avoiding it. "I... I want you to help me!"
Ian: "...?"
Help you?
Help with what?
...
At this moment, the moonlight draped the land in a mysterious silver veil, and the world was gently wrapped in the tender night.
Meanwhile, Robin, who was coaxing the child to sleep while seemingly waiting for someone, appeared to hear a sound.
A trace of surprise flashed across her face, then, with a subtly strange expression, she glanced out the window before quietly turning off the lights and climbing into bed with the child.
It was late. Tonight, they will sleep early.
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