118 Ain, Binz

The Navy Hospital, situated not far from the Naval Academy, sees a constant stream of people coming and going, for the profession of a marine is inherently perilous.

Pushing open the door to a premium ward, Xuan Ye walked in slowly, his face composed.

"Master!" Seeing the figure seated in the room, Xuan Ye closed the door and offered his greetings.

"Hmm, have you finished paying your respects?" Seated in a chair, Z appeared to have washed up, regaining his usual rugged demeanor. However, unlike before, there was now a trace of weariness, desolation, and grief in his expression.

"I have." Xuan Ye’s eyes dimmed, and he forced a faint smile.

"When you leave later, have your tombstone removed. It was your mistress and Tsuru’s idea to bury you next to Ain, but since you are still alive, there is no need for that grave to remain."

"No need, let it stay. Perhaps in the afterlife, she will feel a little better." Pulling up a chair, Xuan Ye sat down, clearly having no intention of removing the grave.

"As you wish." The room fell silent, filled only by the sounds of ragged breathing and the beeping of medical equipment.

"The doctors... what do they say about Xiao Jin and the others?" Looking up at the golden figure on the white bed, Xuan Ye’s eyes were filled with worry.

"I don't know. Their injuries were too severe. However, they regained consciousness once yesterday, so I suspect they are no longer in critical danger." Sighing, Z looked full of self-reproach.

"That is good!" As time ticked by, the master and apprentice sat quietly in the room.

Perhaps unsettled by the stifling atmosphere, Xuan Ye stood up after a short while and walked toward the other two hospital beds.

On the first bed lay a beautiful girl, roughly sixteen or seventeen years old, with deep blue wavy hair. She possessed the look of a stunning beauty, yet currently, her face was devoid of any color.

"Master, is she one of your students from this term?" Xuan Ye turned his head to break the silence while glancing at the girl.

"Yes, she is one of them. She has immense talent and has already touched upon the Six Powers, and she is a Devil Fruit user as well." Looking up at the girl on the bed, Z offered a faint smile.

"A Devil Fruit?" Xuan Ye felt a surge of interest.

"Yes, it is the Paramecia-type Return-Return Fruit," Z nodded.

"The Return-Return Fruit?" Hearing the name, Xuan Ye’s eyes flickered. He asked uncertainly, "Is it related to time?"

"Correct. As long as she touches someone, their age will revert by twelve years. It is an extremely powerful Devil Fruit."

"Does the target's strength also revert by twelve years along with their physical age?" Xuan Ye’s eyes lit up. If that were the case, it would be a game-changing power.

"No, it does not. However, they are still subject to physical limitations," Z shook his head.

"I see. Even so, this ability is terrifying. The power of time..." Feeling a hint of regret, he realized that no Devil Fruit could be absolute; it seemed he had overthought it.

"Is she limited to reverting only twelve years?" Xuan Ye asked, still not quite giving up.

"I am not entirely sure, but as of now, that is her limit," Z replied, frowning.

"I see." Acknowledging this, Xuan Ye walked to the next bed. Looking at the figure who resembled a ninja, he asked, "Is this Binz?"

"Yes, he has also mastered the Six Powers and is a Devil Fruit user," Z nodded.

"What kind of fruit?"

"The Growth-Growth Fruit," Z answered.

"Logia or Paramecia?" Xuan Ye looked puzzled.

"Paramecia. It allows him to manipulate and accelerate the growth of plants." Z offered a bitter smile; the idea of it being a Logia was quite a stretch on Xuan Ye’s part.

"That is also a very powerful fruit. Wherever there are plants, it becomes his domain. It all depends on how they develop their abilities." Xuan Ye nodded in conclusion. Both of these fruits were terrifying if developed correctly, as one dealt with time and the other with nature.

"Master, if possible, let them follow me," Xuan Ye said, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. He realized it was time to cultivate his own faction.

"I have no objections. We shall see once they wake up," Z replied without opposition, knowing that staying by Xuan Ye’s side was the best choice—and as for himself, he was already old.

"Creak..." Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open.

"What are you doing here?" Seeing the figure who entered, Xuan Ye revealed a faint smile.

"Can't I come? You owe me several hundred million Berries, you know." Pouting, Kuzan rolled his eyes before greeting Z, "Teacher!"

"Hmm! Sit down!" Z nodded. He held Kuzan in high regard; although the man was a bit lazy, Z considered him a student as well—though a nominal one, incomparable to his bond with Xuan Ye.

"Don't even think about those millions in this lifetime," Xuan Ye flatly refused without hesitation.

"You're still the same old bandit, haven't changed a bit!" Standing up, Kuzan gave Xuan Ye a firm hug. "It’s good that you’re still alive."

"Thanks," Xuan Ye said, patting Kuzan’s back while joking.

"It’s rare to hear such a thing from you," Kuzan said, pushing him away with a scoff.

"Let’s put that aside. How does it feel to be an Admiral?" Xuan Ye sat back down with a mischievous grin.

"Nothing special. Just more responsibility, more authority, and more time to slack off." Kuzan shrugged, spreading his hands with an air of nonchalance.

"You bastard, are you showing off?" Xuan Ye laughed, pointing at him.

"Actually, you could have been an Admiral too," Kuzan said, looking at Xuan Ye seriously.

"I’m not considering that right now. I have things to do!" Xuan Ye shook his head, then asked with surprise, "By the way, did Pargas and my group of scoundrels cause you any trouble?"

"No. But they were quite excited today and wanted to see you. I didn't give them permission, though. You should go see them later yourself. Since you're back, they should be returned to your command."

"Perhaps. I won't stop them. If they prefer to stay with you, then keep them," Xuan Ye said with a wry smile, unsure if their loyalties had shifted.

"As you like," Kuzan said indifferently.

"By the way, where have you been all these years? What happened back then?" Seeming to recall something, Kuzan looked at him with curiosity.

"I almost forgot to ask, with Kuzan here," Z said, his face flushing slightly in embarrassment.

"Back at Sabaody Archipelago, I fought the Golden Lion. I was no match for him and fell into the sea. Someone saved me, but I lost my memories during that time. It wasn't until I heard the news about the Mistress and the others recently that I recovered, and I rushed back immediately."

Xuan Ye gave a brief explanation, omitting the details. Surviving a fall into the sea, even with a rescue, was a probability so slim it was nearly impossible.

"You really have a charmed life, surviving a fall into the sea. It seems the wicked truly do live for a thousand years!" Kuzan let out a sigh of relief. Even if Xuan Ye’s story felt a bit off, he didn't press for details.

"As long as you are alive..." Z felt no such suspicion; he was filled only with immense gratitude.