https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-680-Justice-Is-Eternal-and-Unyielding-/13538985/
Chapter 681: My Friend, Why Are You Sad?
Chapter 681: My Friend, Why Are You Sad?
Aof stared blankly at the white energy reforming before him. His fists clenched tightly before launching a devastating punch forward.
"Navy and pirate? We've been those for a long time already! Kas, you understand nothing! Striking!!"
His fists carved through the air, generating a massive shockwave that slammed into the white energy.
Boom!!
The white energy rippled like water, but this time it didn't break through. Instead, it surged forward, enveloping Aof's entire body.
"This thing..."
As Aof tried to break free, his body suddenly trembled. Within the white energy, an indescribable force shook his very soul.
"Overwhelming..." His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Aof!!"
Before the name left his lips, Kas emerged from the white energy, appearing right in front of Aof. Their eyes locked before Kas's fist smashed straight into his face.
Crack!
Though the punch packed power, to the battle-hardened Aof it felt like an ordinary strike. But that very ordinary strike embedded itself into his cheek, sending him flying backward to crash heavily onto the ground.
"You bastard!!"
Aof's right cheek swelled violently. Pushing himself halfway up, he lunged forward.
"Striking Tide!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
His fists became afterimages, generating shockwaves that rained down on Kas. Yet the white energy surrounding Kas connected with its counterpart behind him, forming a Colossal Shield that absorbed every attack.
These maddening strikes only created ripples across the shield's surface.
"Break through! Shatter it already!!" Aof roared.
But no matter how fiercely he punched, the white energy immediately healed after each strike.
"The will of a human being is infinite."
From behind the Colossal Shield, Kas's voice echoed. "Even if you temporarily break it, as long as my will remains unbroken, it shall reform. Give up, Aof. You cannot defeat me."
Kas's words made Aof's fists falter momentarily.
"Give up. Those people have already fled. You cannot defeat them either."
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out in his mind—a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.
"I Can Win!"
Aof's eyes widened, bloodshot veins crawling across his sclera. Drawing his fist back, he launched a furious punch forward, shouting:
"I Can Win Forever!!"
Wham!!
His fist smashed through the Colossal Shield, punching a hole that stubbornly refused to close. Aof's lips curled into a malevolent grin as he peered through the gap at Kas's face.
"See? I can win!"
But the moment he looked through the opening, his expression froze.
Kas stood silently, tears streaming down his tiger-like eyes, rolling down his cheeks.
"My friend..."
Kas gazed at Aof with profound sorrow. "Why? Why are you so filled with sadness?"
Aof stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, staring at the tears streaming down Kas's face.
Memories began resurfacing—twenty years ago, shortly after Roger's death.
"Kas, you go ahead first. Let me take care of things at the Training Ground, and I'll come find you! You go ahead and make a name for yourself, and then I'll come join you, charging forward at your side!"
On the shoreline, the younger Aof grinned brightly at Kas.
"Alright!"
Kas, already showing signs of thick facial hair back then, nodded earnestly before hesitating. "Why don't you come with me? Why don't we both join the Navy together?"
Aof and Kas had trained together at a Fist Technique Training Ground in East Blue. They'd made plans to join the Navy together.
But recently, the Training Ground master's daughter had confessed her feelings to Aof, and he couldn't leave just yet.
"I've got a wicked one waiting for me to tame!" Aof declared seriously.
A very big wicked one!
Compared to upholding justice, love stirred the heart far more.
Unlike Kas, who lacked innate talent, Aof stood as the strongest among the Training Ground students. His mastery of Fist Technique had reached near-perfection.
The Training Ground master had placed great hopes in him. Even without joining the Navy, Aof had personally subdued pirates who came ashore with his bare hands. Many nearby Marine Branches had heard of his reputation and came to recruit him.
But Aof had refused. He enjoyed his life at the Training Ground and had made a promise to join the Navy alongside Kas.
But now...
"Things change with time, Kas."
Watching Kas's retreating figure, Aof shook his head. "Friend, I'm sorry. I haven't even experienced love yet. But I'll still fight wickedness. Becoming a Bounty Hunter should work too, right?"
As he turned around, his eyes practically turned into hearts, his body swaying like a snake as he danced away.
"Shana, here I come~"
...
Things change with time.
Like a curse, Aof's words came true in the worst way.
That day, he learned of pirates nearby and went to eliminate them for some bounties.
But when he returned, all he saw was the village burning, the Training Ground completely destroyed.
His master's head severed from his body.
And Shana's heart pierced through.
"By the time we arrived, it was already too late."
The Navy personnel arrived with apologies. "We're sorry, Aof. We never expected another wave of pirates to come here."
"Why? Why were you so slow?!"
Aof grabbed the Navy officer's collar, nearly breaking down. "Where did those pirates go?!"
"We don't know. Calm down."
The officer wrested free, picking up a flag from the ground. "It's the 【Evil Blade】 pirate crew. Their signature is always leaving their flag after slaughtering a town."
"I'll chase them down!" Aof's eyes turned crimson.
"But we have no idea where they are."
The officer hesitated. "Our Branch only operates within our jurisdiction. We can't chase them elsewhere. Plus, they're extremely powerful—they've already destroyed several warships."
"Give up. Those people have already fled. You cannot defeat them."
"You're the Navy! You're supposed to be Justice!" Aof roared.
"But we're just ordinary people." The officer shrugged helplessly. "If we encounter them, we'll call for backup. Why don't you join the Navy? With the Navy's vast reach, someday you'll find them."
Staring at the officer in disbelief, Aof whispered, "Is this really what you believe?"
"We can't catch them. Forget it." The officer turned away. "We're pulling out to report back. If you decide to join the Navy, mention my name—Mouse."
The Navy—Justice's greatest symbol—refused to act.
Watching the Navy retreat, leaving behind only the ruined village, Aof fell into deep thought.
If he wanted revenge... he could only rely on himself!
Fighting wickedness... he could only complete that mission alone!
Aof clenched his fists tightly, biting his own gums until blood flowed.
"I will find you. I swear it!"
(End of Chapter)
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