#381 - Chapter 381 Now and Later

After Sengoku and Garp left, Jin-An sat alone in his office, wearily rubbing his forehead.

The atmosphere in the room finally quieted down, leaving him alone to face the things on the desk.

It was a gift that Jin-An had brought back specifically, exquisite and small, obviously carefully chosen.

Sengoku looked at the gift, his mood complicated, and a bitter smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He knew in his heart that Jin-An brought the gift out of goodwill, wanting to ease the tense atmosphere just now, and perhaps even to express his respect for him.

This made him feel a little gratified. Although Jin-An was somewhat unreliable in doing some things, he was essentially a person who knew how to behave and had feelings.

However, Sengoku's mood was still heavy, and he couldn't help but worry about the future.

This wasn't him being overly worried, but rather a sense of hidden danger he felt from years of experience and keen intuition.

Jin-An's recent behavior was making him increasingly worried, especially in his relationship with the World Government.

The World Government's internal movements had become more and more frequent recently, and they no longer even bothered to avoid him, the Fleet Admiral.

This situation made Sengoku feel a strange unease in his heart.

He looked at the sky outside the window, his thoughts drifting away.

Although Jin-An's actions this time didn't cause any major disasters, Sengoku knew that such things would definitely leave a mark with the World Government.

The Five Elders might not have time to deal with this matter for the time being, but in their hearts, Jin-An's name had already been quietly noted.

"That kid..."

Sengoku sighed, a sense of powerlessness rising in his heart.

He knew that Jin-An was exceptionally talented and capable, and such a person would always cause waves on the sea.

However, it was precisely because of this that he was even more worried.

Jin-An's character was destined not to be ordinary. He was always jumping on landmines, seemingly tireless, but each adventure was intensifying the conflict between him and the World Government.

Sengoku couldn't help but frown, his worries growing deeper.

The thorn from the Five Elders already existed, and no one could predict when this thorn would erupt, and what consequences it would bring.

He only hoped that Jin-An could restrain himself a little and stop being so reckless.

"The balance of this world is already fragile..."

Sengoku muttered to himself, a deep worry showing in his eyes.

He knew that the relationship between the Navy and the World Government was already delicate and complex, and Jin-An's existence was undoubtedly adding weight to this balance.

He looked at the gift on the table again, feeling the sincerity in it, but he still couldn't feel relieved.

He could only silently pray, praying that Jin-An could act cautiously on the road ahead and not push himself into an abyss of no return.

Sengoku closed his eyes and sighed softly.

He knew that the storm on this sea was far from over, and each of them was struggling to move forward in the center of this storm.

But if the World Government really took action against Jin-An, what choice would he make?

......

Jin-An and the other high-ranking Navy officers walked out of the Fleet Admiral's office together, and the air in the corridor seemed heavier than before.

Garp was silent for a while, then looked back at the closed office door, feeling somewhat hesitant in his heart.

In the end, he patted Jin-An on the shoulder and said with a rare seriousness, "Don't take what Sengoku said just now to heart. He actually cares about you a lot."

Jin-An smiled slightly and nodded, "Of course I know these things, Vice Admiral Garp, please rest assured."

His tone was calm, as if he didn't care about everything that had just happened.

However, beneath this calm exterior, Jin-An's heart was not as relaxed as it seemed.

In the office just now, every word Sengoku said made him realize that the things he had done in the Four Seas had already attracted the attention of the World Government.

Sengoku's concern and reminders were well-intentioned, but they also revealed a fact: his every step had long been targeted by those ubiquitous CP agents.

"It seems that the World Government's tentacles are longer than I thought." Jin-An thought to himself. He rarely went to those places for the development of his forces in the Four Seas, but even so, he couldn't escape those people's eyes.

The identity of a Navy Admiral could provide him with a lot of convenience, but it also meant that his every move would be amplified and monitored.

Although Jin-An appeared indifferent on the surface, he knew in his heart that as his actions in the Four Seas gradually unfolded, his relationship with the World Government would become more and more delicate.

Now, the West Blue had been pacified, and his plan was being steadily advanced. The only regret was that the North Blue had not been completely taken.

But even so, he already possessed enough strength to protect himself. At least in the upcoming storm, he wouldn't be easily defeated.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku's worries are not without reason, but I have already reached this point and will never easily turn back."

Jin-An's heart was firm, and a cold look flashed in his eyes.

He understood that as his actions became more and more daring, the future situation would become more and more complicated, but he had already prepared himself to face the challenges.

Garp walked beside him, still looking as carefree as ever on the surface, but his inner concern was real.

Jin-An looked at him gratefully and didn't say anything more.

The two of them tacitly remained silent and continued to walk forward.

At the end of the corridor, sunlight shone through the windows onto the ground, reflecting a bright light.

Jin-An narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance, having already made a decision in his heart.

No matter how treacherous the road ahead was, he would not retreat. The future storm might come sooner than expected, but he was ready to face it all.

"World Government... Five Elders... Your game has just begun, and I will never be the pawn that is easily defeated."

Jin-An muttered in his heart, a faint smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

Jin-An stood at a high point of the Marine Headquarters, his eyes piercing through the heavy sea fog, staring at the towering Red Line in the distance.

That stone barrier, symbolizing the authority of the World Government, stood proudly in the center of the sea like an insurmountable chasm, dividing the world in two.

The sunlight danced on the distant sea, reflecting the grandeur of the Red Line, but in Jin-An's eyes, there was only coldness and ruthlessness.

He slowly clenched his fist, his fingertips slightly white. The thoughts in his heart were like rolling waves, one after another, impacting his heart.

"Let's see who has the last laugh."

He murmured softly, his voice low and firm.

At this moment, Jin-An's heart was filled with a complex emotion.

It was the desire to fight, the determination to resist, and even more the yearning for the future.

As a Marine Admiral, he knew that every step he took would affect the fate of countless people, and might even trigger the shock of the entire world.

But he also understood that the rules of this world were always made by the strong.

The World Government is the strongest force in the current world, but what about the future?

...