#397 - Chapter 397: Chasing a Glimmer of Hope

Zefa's mood was difficult to describe. He lay back on the deck chair on the warship's deck, closing his eyes and letting the sunlight fall on his face, as if trying to find a trace of comfort and answers in this moment of tranquility.

His expression was calm, but the deep wrinkles between his eyebrows showed the heaviness in his heart.

He felt the warmth of the sun while pondering, as if contemplating the gains and losses of his life.

"You're back?" Zefa's voice was faint, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue, as if it was just a casual question, but it contained a deeper meaning.

Jin walked to his side, smiled, and tried to ease the dull atmosphere, "Teacher Zefa, why do you seem to be in low spirits?"

Zefa didn't answer immediately. He was silent for a moment, then slowly opened his eyes, a trace of confusion and helplessness in his eyes, "I wonder if I can see peace return to this ocean in my lifetime."

Jin noticed the slightly old ring on Zefa's finger, and his heart stirred. It was the one he had given him.

He understood that Zefa had always been working to bring peace and stability to the civilians. To this end, he had joined the Navy fearlessly decades ago and dedicated most of his life to it.

"You will definitely see it," Jin said softly, with a trace of firmness in his eyes, as if comforting, but also as if motivating himself.

Zefa slowly got up and looked at the endless sea in the distance. The sea breeze was gentle, bringing a salty and humid breath.

His eyes revealed a trace of deep sorrow and hope intertwined.

"If Whitebeard could restrain his sons, and then the Navy could catch those great pirates, maybe the world would get better," he said.

Although his tone was full of dissatisfaction, it revealed a kind of helpless recognition, as if admitting his powerlessness to the current situation.

He used to be the pillar of the Navy, hunting down countless great pirates, but now, he was beginning to doubt whether the beliefs he had adhered to could be fulfilled, which made him feel pain.

Jin nodded in agreement, but he couldn't help but feel a complex emotion in his heart.

His impression of the Whitebeard Pirates was indeed better than other pirate groups, but he couldn't forget the scene in the original story where Ace casually destroyed a warship.

In Jin's memory, even pirates like Ace, who were considered to have good character, still attacked the Navy without hesitation.

So, what about the other pirates?

Had their violence and ambition already surpassed Whitebeard's control?

And those pirates who enjoyed killing and plundering were everywhere in this world.

"But I believe that the day when peace arrives will not be too far away," Jin said softly. Although his words were full of hope, he still couldn't completely erase the uncertainty in his heart.

Zefa didn't respond, just stood there quietly, letting the sea breeze blow through his white hair.

His eyes were deep and distant, as if through layers of waves, he saw the peaceful world he had once longed for.

But he knew that this road was still long and difficult, and no one could predict whether he would see that day in his lifetime.

However, in this moment of silence, both of them felt each other's determination and belief.

Even if the road ahead was full of thorns, they would continue to move forward, for the peace they longed for in their hearts, and to prevent this ocean from being stained with blood and hatred again.

"You saw those great pirates on the sixth level," Zefa's voice was low and slow, with a deliberate calmness, as if he had already expected Jin's answer.

Jin nodded, recalling the chilling atmosphere he felt in the oppressive darkness of the sixth level of Impel Down.

The imprisoned great pirates, each seemingly fearless on the surface, even with some sarcasm and arrogance, the ambition and desire revealed in their eyes were still unforgettable to Jin.

Zefa's gaze turned to the distance, as if trying to see the truth hidden deep in this world through the vast sea horizon.

"Isn't it true that in those people's eyes, you can't see any fear of Impel Down? On the contrary, they will be excited about the arrival of newcomers." His tone was mixed with a trace of undisguised helplessness and sorrow.

Jin nodded again, his heart full of agreement with Zefa.

"That's right, I've been there twice, and I can still see ambition in those people's eyes." His words were calm, but the light flashing in his eyes revealed the turmoil in his heart.

The imprisoned great pirates, even when imprisoned in the deepest part of the world's most heavily guarded prison, never gave up their ambitions and desires.

The light in their eyes was as hot as a flame, scorching Jin's heart.

Zefa sighed, the sigh carrying an unspeakable weight and helplessness.

"This is the crux of this world. Those people are full of ambition for the Pirate King and the treasures behind him, but they don't care so much about the rule of the World Government."

His voice echoed in the air, as if declaring the endless cycle and unbreakable shackles of this world.

Jin felt the sadness and contemplation in Zefa's tone. He knew that what Zefa was talking about was not just the great pirates in Impel Down, but the reality of the entire world.

Everyone here, whether pirates, marines, or even ordinary civilians, was more or less attracted by that illusory Laugh Tale. That unknown land of treasure was like a hook, hooking everyone's hearts and souls.

"Indeed, as Teacher Zefa said, the people of this world..." Jin said in a low voice, as if talking to himself, "In my opinion, it can be described as 'obsessed'. Living and having a better life here seems to be completely incomparable to that illusory Laugh Tale."

His words revealed a trace of sadness and confusion, as if he couldn't understand why these people were willing to abandon everything in reality for a illusory dream, even at the cost of their lives.

Zefa's eyes became deeper. He was silent for a moment, as if thinking about Jin's words.

"This is the reality we face," Zefa finally said, his voice steady and firm, "No matter how hard we try, how we try to make this world a better place, the ambition and desire in those people's hearts will always drive them to pursue that unknown land, even if it is a road of no return."

A complex emotion surged in Jin's heart, with helplessness towards this world and deep admiration for Zefa.

Despite seeing through all of this, Zefa was still fighting for peace and justice, still hoping to see this world return to calm.

"But even so, we can't give up," Jin said, with a trace of firmness in his tone. He looked at Zefa, as if seeking resonance, "We must continue to work hard, even if there is only a glimmer of hope, we must strive for it. Because if even we give up, then there is really no hope for this world."

Zefa looked at Jin, a trace of relief and some more complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

He nodded slightly, although he didn't say anything more, but Jin knew that his words had resonated in Zefa's heart.

The two stood on the deck, quietly looking at the distant horizon, the sea breeze gently blowing, bringing a salty and humid breath.

Beneath that sparkling sea, countless unknown dangers and challenges were hidden, but in their hearts, there was still a burning desire and hope.