In the dark cabin, no light penetrated. Only the faint silhouettes of two figures could be seen.
"I see," Kaizen's voice pierced through the darkness, his tone calm yet piercing as it reached his companion's ears.
"The world is vast and full of mysteries, but believing you would make me truly naive," replied Borsalino, his eyes faintly glowing. Even for the wielder of the Glint-Glint Fruit (Pika Pika no Mi), his current embrace of the shadows felt strangely contradictory.
"Are you telling me you're too afraid of Rocks D. Xebec's return to form an alliance with me?" Kaizen said, his tone teasing, as if attempting to provoke him.
Borsalino didn't even flinch. "Rocks? Just a relic of the past. The tides of the new era have no room for the likes of him." His voice was lazy as usual, but beneath it lingered a trace of arrogance befitting his rank.
"Oh? So you're not afraid?" Kaizen raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.
"As a Marine, fear of pirates is out of the question," Borsalino replied matter-of-factly.
Kaizen smirked. "If that's true, then form an alliance with me. Together, we'll take down Rocks. Who knows? It might even bolster your reputation, oniisan."
Borsalino took a drag from his cigarette, the glowing ember briefly illuminating his face. Exhaling, he gave Kaizen a long, incredulous look. "Are you insane? Taking on Rocks D. Xebec?"
Kaizen leaned against the cabin wall. "You're afraid. Admit it."
Borsalino pointed at him with his cigarette, his usual indifference now tinged with annoyance. "You've got it all wrong, Kaizen-kun. Fear doesn't factor into this equation. What's your angle here? Why are you so desperate to pull me into this?"
Kaizen chuckled. "You think it's a trap?"
Borsalino tilted his head. "Maybe."
"Admiration, perhaps?" Kaizen added.
"You? Admiring me? Hardly."
"Then what about this? Rocks is alive, and he's planning something big. But he's staying in the shadows for now. Your Marine intelligence network is the only tool capable of finding him before it's too late."
Borsalino sighed. "So that's your grand idea—use the Marines' resources to hunt a ghost."
"Exactly," Kaizen said with a grin.
Borsalino rubbed his temples in frustration. "You should march into Marineford and present this directly to Fleet Admiral Kong. Let him deal with this mess."
Kaizen scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. The higher-ups at Marineford would rather see me dead than help me."
"Considering the chaos you've caused lately, they'd be justified," Borsalino said dryly, mimicking Kaizen's earlier tone.
"Enough with the jokes. Time isn't on our side. If we delay, Rocks will succeed in his plans," Kaizen said firmly.
Borsalino flicked the ashes from his cigarette. "Fine. But remember this: you don't threaten me. If you do, I'll kill you without hesitation."
"And if you try, I'll make sure your little secrets come to light before you can finish the job," Kaizen retorted with a sly grin.
Borsalino sighed heavily. "What kind of brat are you?!"
"One who doesn't back down," Kaizen said simply.
After a long pause, Borsalino lit another cigarette. "So, you want my help to track Rocks through Marine intelligence, is that it?"
Kaizen nodded. "You catch on fast, oniisan."
Borsalino exhaled deeply, his frustration evident. "What a nuisance. Fine. I'll play along—for now."
Kaizen grinned triumphantly. "I knew you'd come around."
The two left the cabin and stepped onto the deck. The sun was beginning to rise, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. The salty sea breeze filled the air, and the horizon stretched infinitely before them.
Borsalino gazed at the ocean, his hands in his pockets. "So, we either succeed and make history... or die trying."
"Either way, it's a journey worth taking," Kaizen replied, crossing his arms with a confident smirk.
Borsalino chuckled lightly. "Let's set sail then, Kaizen-kun. A strange new journey awaits."
Together, they stared into the horizon, their resolve unshaken.
---
This is the end of the story, thanks for the love, support, hate and such. Thanks to all who actually stuck this story straight to the end without wavering and dropping this story. If you want to find the raw version of the story it's called Pirates: The Salty Life Broken by Roger.