Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

After a pause, Yann's expression turned slightly serious, and he said, "Robin, please be careful in the West Sea. If there's anything you can't handle, remember to contact me."

"Don't worry, after all..."

Robin gently brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear with her slender, jade-like fingers and said.

“I’m no longer a weakling, nor am I the ‘child of the devil’ who needed your constant protection.”

Looking at Robin's elegant and capable movements and expressions on the screen, Arn felt a strange surge of passion within him.

As Robin matures, her unique mature and sophisticated aura becomes increasingly prominent, and her charm, distinct from Hancock's, is fully revealed.

If Robin hadn't needed to personally travel to the West Blue to collect and study some of the precious documents left behind by Ohara, and if the Revolutionary Army hadn't lacked a commander in the West Blue with sufficient combat power and skill to manage the overall situation, Arn really wouldn't have wanted to be separated from Robin.

"Anyway, be careful, Robin," Yann gently reminded him again.

"I will, after all..."

Robin smiled gently and said, "I was hoping that after everything was over, I could stay by your side and grow old together in that new era we were looking forward to."

"Ah."

After Yann responded, Robin reluctantly ended the communication.

"Are we slowly growing old in this new era?"

As Yann murmured Robin's last words, he couldn't help but smile, then pulled up his fishing rod again and swung it forcefully into the distance.

"Thump~"

A small splash appeared, and the empty fishing hook fell back into the seawater.

"Robin's wish is still so simple: isn't the arrival of that new era already visible to the naked eye?"

"I can't help it," Ya'en said helplessly, continuing to maintain his fishing posture.

An hour later, as the last ray of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, Yann stretched and stood up, leisurely preparing for his return journey.

"Eh..."

Suddenly, Yann froze, muttering to himself, "Speaking of which, what time does the naval academy dismiss students again?"

Meanwhile, at the main gate of the naval academy, Kong was constantly trying to deal with Ying, who was accumulating anger beside him.

"My father is a complete idiot, I don't like him anymore!!!"

A childish voice echoed around the naval academy.

……

Time passed slowly like this.

Sora and Hikari began their "pleasant" naval academy studies, while Aon went fishing every day without fail, passing the time while constantly handling and arranging various affairs of the Revolutionary Army through the red Den Den Mushi "Kiku".

He was drawing a navy salary while secretly running his own business...

Having mastered the art of slacking off, Yan felt that this kind of life was quite nice, the only downside being... after getting used to the daily routine with Hancock and Robin by his side.

Suddenly, everything around him became completely quiet, and for a moment, Yan felt a little uncomfortable. Sometimes he even tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, feeling a sense of emptiness around him.

Tonight is no exception!

Just as Yann was about to do something to distract himself, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

"Boom boom boom!"

"Hmm? Who could it be at this time?"

Yaen was slightly taken aback, then casually put on a bathrobe and went downstairs to open the door.

"Gion?"

Looking at the figure standing in front of him, Yann couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

Good evening, Yan.

Gion greeted Aon gracefully, then asked, "Excuse me for visiting so late; I hope I haven't disturbed Sora and Hikari's rest?"

"It's nothing. Yesterday, Professor Zephyr led the students on a field trip. Sora and Ying went along too, so they're not home," Yaen replied.

"Really? That's good."

Upon hearing this, Gion immediately showed a relieved expression.

However, in reality, how could Gion, as one of the kendo instructors at the naval academy, not know about the internship program arranged by Zephyr?

In fact, the reason why the young Sora and Hikari went on an internship with Zephyr was secretly suggested by Gion, their kendo teacher.

After all… Gion's ambitions extend beyond simply being Sora and Hikari's teacher. (To be continued)

[Chapter 445. Draw your sword, Yaen!]

Previously, during the day, Aeon would disappear to go fishing on time, her whereabouts unpredictable; at night, Aeon would stay at home taking care of the children, so Gion had no chance to contact her.

After all, Gion couldn't very well do something... inappropriate in front of Sora and Hotaru.

Now, having finally managed to arrange for Sora and Ying to go out with Zephyr, Gion, who originally wanted to wait a few more days before finding a suitable reason to visit, is also sleepless tonight.

and so……

Gion's eyes flickered slightly as she gazed at the man before her, whose appearance had changed considerably compared to his past self.

When we first met, he seemed refined yet somewhat frivolous, so much so that he defined his so-called dream as finding a powerful wife.

Now, this man no longer looks weak; instead, he exudes a mature and weathered air, and his style of doing things is completely different.

Immediately, Gion, with one hand resting on the hilt of her sword "Konpira" at her waist, asked, "Lieutenant General Aon, would you mind coming out for a walk with me?"

Arn, who was also having some trouble sleeping, was slightly taken aback, hesitated for a moment, but nodded and accepted the invitation.

After all, there are some things that Aon needs to discuss properly with Gion.

Immediately, without changing his robe, Arn followed Gion side by side and walked out of the courtyard.

The night seemed especially bright tonight, gently bathing Marineford in its light and giving this solemn island a rare sense of tranquility.

Meanwhile, Aon and Gion slowly walked towards the coast, feeling the night breeze and listening to the sound of the waves crashing in their ears.

"Lieutenant General Yann, it's been a long time since we took a walk together like this, hasn't it?" Gion's voice was no longer as heroic and forceful as usual, but rather sounded somewhat soft.

"Um……"

Yann couldn't help but reminisce, saying, "The last time I took a walk like this was seven years ago in the Kingdom of Dressrosa, wasn't it?"

"Seven years? Has it really been that long? In my mind, it feels like it was just yesterday," Gion said.

A sense of unease stirred within Yaon, who vaguely sensed the emotion in Gion's words and couldn't help but turn his head to look at Gion beside him.

It was only at this moment, upon closer inspection, that Aon realized that Gion's makeup seemed to have been deliberately and meticulously styled, lacking a bit of her usual heroic and assertive air, but possessing a touch more charm and beauty than usual.

only……

Arn immediately realized something, withdrew his gaze, sighed inwardly, and said, "Yes, it's been seven years. After all, Sora and Hikari are already over six years old."

Upon hearing this, Gion immediately stopped in her tracks.

After taking two steps forward, Ahn stopped and turned his head to look. He found that Gion was half-lowering her head, and her expression was not visible in the darkness.

"Lieutenant General Yann, clearly..."

"Hmm?" Ya'en listened to the voice, which was so faint it was almost inaudible, but he couldn't quite make it out.

The next moment, Gion suddenly looked up, staring directly at Aon, and said, "I was the one who knew you first!"

Meeting Gion's burning and resolute gaze, Arn couldn't help but look away, saying helplessly, "This... isn't a matter of who knew me first, but rather..."

"what is that?"

Gion's expression was full of determination as she spoke.

"Don't you understand my feelings? If you're worried about Sora and Hiramisu, I will try my best to get along with them."

Arn's eyes widened slightly, completely surprised that Gion's determination had reached this level.

It's been almost six years since the two last met!

Arn's gaze shifted, taking in Gion's image, and he said softly, "I have received your sentiments..."

"But, I'm sorry, Gion..."

Instantly, Gion's expression, which had been showing a hint of joy, froze.

Then, Yann said, word by word.

"Unfortunately, the person you're trying to express your feelings to isn't the real me. You... haven't truly seen me, so I can't accept your feelings yet, otherwise..."

After a pause, Yan smiled helplessly and said, "If that's the case, wouldn't I become a man who plays with people's feelings? Gion, I don't want to hurt you."

Gion's expression was filled with complex emotions as she murmured resentfully, "No...it's impossible..."

"Gion, I'm sorry."

After saying that, Yan pursed his lips tightly, took a step, passed Gion in front of him, and walked straight back towards the courtyard.

"and many more……"

However, before Aon could walk far away, Gion's voice came from behind.

Yarn turned his head slightly and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Do you remember when we met, Yann..."

The next moment, the sound of "Kinpira" being drawn rang out clearly behind Arn, and the unique oppressive feeling of a great swordsman followed, making Arn's hair stand on end.

Gion... are you planning to kill me on the spot because you failed to express your feelings?

Instantly, Yann's muscles tensed up, preparing to deal with an attack.

"I do not believe that the object of my thoughts is not you, just like when we met back then. I believe that the truth revealed between swords is not false."

"Should we end everything in the same way as we started, or should I truly see myself and you clearly, and begin a new chapter..."

"Draw your sword, Yarrow!"

In the end, Gion's voice was powerful and resonant, full of sharpness and a sense of pressure.

As Yann slowly turned around, looking at the woman drawing her sword under the moonlight, he also slowly drew his own Zanpakuto from his waist.

“Gion, if this is your choice, then… so be it…”