Chapter 46: Kuzan

Foosha Village!

The moonlight rose from the end of the sea, hanging obliquely in the sky and sprinkling its bright glow over the undulating waves. A gentle sea breeze blew, and the waves rushed rhythmically.

A tall figure stood at the pier where a ship was docked, his silhouette elongated by the moonlight.

Who was he?

When Leno, Kuro, Kuina, and Luwell returned, they were stunned by the sight from a distance.

Leno squinted and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Kuzan!"

"What?"

Kuro and Luwell were even more surprised.

"Kuzan, isn't he the world-renowned Marine Vice Admiral?"

Leno's influence had rubbed off on Kuro, Luwell, and Kuina, prompting them to read newspapers and stay updated on world events.

This is what a great leader does: sets the standard and becomes a role model for the team. The essence of an excellent group is always shaped by its leader.

The Pirates reflect this perfectly. Different crews have distinct styles, directly influenced by their captains. The Straw Hat Pirates, for example, are visibly shaped by Luffy's personal charm, affecting every member from Usopp to Robin.

On the flip side, there's Blackbeard, the cunning and ruthless pirate, whose followers are equally treacherous. Like attracts like, and a leader's character often mirrors that of their crew.

Leno's ambition and dedication inspired those around him, and now, the formidable Aokiji was here.

Why?

Kuzan was Garp's adjutant. Now that Garp was gone, why was he still lingering?

As Leno and his companions approached the pier, they noticed Kuzan was... sleeping?

Luwell found it hard to believe.

Kuzan, arms folded across his chest and wearing an eye mask, could be heard lightly snoring. His tall frame, clad in a white vest and dark blue shirt, made him a distinctive figure. Due to his love of sleep, he always kept a green eye patch handy for impromptu naps—sometimes even while standing.

As Leno and the group neared, Kuzan's ears twitched. He stretched, yawned, and lifted his blindfold, peering lazily at them.

"Hunter Guild, hunting dreams, is it really you?" Kuzan said, half-amused.

A gust of sea breeze blew, lifting his coat slightly, and a chill began to spread, as though the temperature was plummeting.

Leno stared Kuzan down, his eyes calm but unwavering. The tension between them was palpable.

Luwell shivered as goosebumps formed on his skin, and Kuro's glasses fogged from the cold.

Kuzan's dismissive attitude toward the Hunter's Guild irked Kuro. To him, it felt like a denial of all their hard work.

Kuina gripped the hilt of her sword, her eyes sharp and determined.

The air thickened with tension.

Leno spoke slowly, "No, you're wrong. It's not just us!"

Kuzan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Leno's voice was firm. "It's not just us who chase our dreams! There are countless people on the sea fighting for their dreams and goals!"

Kuzan casually picked his ear and blew the wax away.

"Dreams? Those are cheap. Without strength, they're just empty words."

The air grew colder. Kuzan's icy power seeped into the surroundings, and white frost began to form on the dock.

Leno met Kuzan's gaze without flinching. His Haki surged like a blazing flame, dispelling the freezing chill.

The world seemed split in two, drawing a line between Leno and Kuzan.

Cold and Haki clashed, creating a battle of wills.

Kuina, Luwell, and Kuro felt an odd warmth as Leno's Haki shielded them from Kuzan's overwhelming chill. They couldn't help but be struck by Kuzan's sheer strength—a true display of a Marine Vice Admiral's power.

They felt a stark sense of their own weakness. Was this the power of Vice Admirals? Monsters, each of them?

But when they looked at Leno, who stood firm against Kuzan, his Haki blazing like a beacon of hope, they felt reassured.

The wind blew again, stirred by the clash of Haki.

Leno's voice rang out, strong and defiant. "Weak people can't dream? That's nonsense! Because we are weak, we have to chase our dreams even harder. We have goals, and even if we fail, we won't give up. That's true strength!"

"In the face of nature, everyone is weak, but human dreams never end!"

On Leno's system panel, his S-level talent Infection shone, merging with his Haki to amplify his words. His conviction swept through Kuina, Kuro, and Luwell, firming their resolve.

Weakness was not a crime. Nobody was born strong. Keep striving, keep moving forward!

Kuzan watched the young man before him—a man who, despite his smaller stature, stood as tall as a mountain in his conviction. Kuzan couldn't help but see flashes of Garp, Dragon, and Roger—the same fearless resolve, broad-mindedness, and unwavering goals that defined legends.

But words alone were never enough.

Kuzan's eyes narrowed. "Then prove it. Defeat me."

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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg

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