Braised Double Fish

Chapter 396 Vice Admiral Hillburg (I Can't Find It.....)

"Yes," Carroll replied, but made no move. He stood beside Sakarski, and the atmosphere fell silent.

After a moment, Sakarski looked at Carroll and clapped him on the shoulder. "Go."

With that, he transformed into a pool of magma and disappeared without a trace, melting through the fortress and sinking into the island. He was going to guide the magma that had gathered from the earth's veins in the deepest part of the planet's core…

Carroll stood frozen for a long time, then took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "Yes..."

*Swish—*

His figure vanished instantly. Gone with him were Luffy in his hands and the head of the Red-Haired Pirate from the execution platform…

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Meanwhile, at dawn.

In the New World, the ruins of Wano Country.

Jack the Drought, the sole remaining Calamity of the Beast Pirates, led dozens of pirate ships to this location, but found only an endless expanse of sea. Wano Country had disappeared…

They even doubted if this was truly Wano Country… Yet, years of seafaring experience and calculations assured them there was no mistake. The only explanation was that Wano Country had been erased.

Everyone was incredulous, Jack especially. Though he had some suspicions, seeing it with his own eyes was still hard to believe. Wano Country was gone, King was missing, and their seemingly invincible Lord Kaido had vanished. These pieces of news led to only one conclusion, an unbearable one.

*Boom—!*

Jack’s fist smashed onto the deck, shattering a large portion of it. His furious roar erupted, "Damn it!!" "What in the hell happened!!!"

A nearby pirate gulped and asked tremblingly, "Lord… Lord Jack." "What do we do now…"

Jack’s scarlet eyes turned to him and he roared, "How the hell would I know…"

He abruptly cut himself off. Forcing down his rage, he had always followed orders, but now there was no one to give them. He had to find a way himself. His angry breaths echoed in everyone's ears. After a moment, Jack thought of something and looked grimly at the navigator, "Is there still one of those 'endpoint' islands left?" "If we detonate it, all the Marines in the New World will be buried with us, right?"

The navigator's expression tightened. He cursed this madman internally and said, "But Lord Jack, that means we…" Who wants to die with you!!!!

*Bang!*

The navigator flew backward, clutching his chest. Jack, radiating a fierce aura and murderous intent, stalked towards him, his scarlet eyes fixed on the navigator. "I asked if there is!"

The navigator, ignoring the pain of his shattered ribs, quickly nodded. "Yes… Yes… Yes!!!!"

Jack’s face darkened. "Very well…"

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In the New World, towards Wano Country, the pursuing fleet.

A massive Marine fleet had approached the site of the former Wano Country. The fleet was led by Marine Headquarters Elite Vice Admiral Hilburg, with Zephyr providing backup.

Inside the central warship.

Hilburg was eating breakfast while speaking on a Den Den Mushi. "Mm." "Mm." "Received." After the brief conversation, he hung up and called for a messenger. "In a moment, when the coordinates are sent from command, change course and proceed at full speed." "Pursue the remnants of the Beast Pirates."

The messenger replied, "Yes." and ran off to deliver the orders. Hilburg then quickly finished his meal, put down his cutlery, tidied himself up, put on his hat and justice cape, and walked outside. As soon as he exited the cabin, he saw Zephyr holding a Den Den Mushi and gazing into the distance, with Ain standing beside him. Hilburg walked over.

Ain heard the movement behind her and, seeing it was Hilburg, was about to greet him when Hilburg waved, signaling her not to stand on ceremony. Hilburg walked to Zephyr's side, leaned against the railing, and chuckled, "Still thinking of Sola, Teacher Zephyr?"

Zephyr looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, smiled, and put it down. "Yes." "What father wouldn't miss his son." He put the Den Den Mushi away.

Hilburg shook his head. "I don't." "My brat is only six, a terror…" He took out a box of cigarettes, offering one to Zephyr, who shook his head. Hilburg put one in his mouth, lit it, and exhaled slowly. "Hoo—"

Zephyr looked at him and smiled. "Really don't?" Hearing Zephyr’s words, Hilburg sighed softly. "I do want to… But what can be done?" "Life is bound to have regrets." "Emotions only erode conviction. I don't want to shed tears in front of that brat." "Otherwise, what authority would I have as a father?" He shrugged, appearing quite nonchalant.

Zephyr chuckled in amusement. "So stubborn." "When you should express your feelings, you must." "Otherwise, it'll be like Sola and I back then, both caring for each other, yet separated by that thin piece of paper for so many years."

Hilburg rolled his eyes, boasting about his son again… He said with mock annoyance, "Forget it." "My brat isn't like Sola." "If he can protect his mother and sister, I'll be grateful enough."

Zephyr looked surprised. "Sister?" "When did that happen?" Hilburg took out a photo, smiling as he looked at it. His gaze was tender and affectionate as he handed it to Zephyr. "She's one and a half." "This was before I transferred from the Grand Line to the New World." "It was also because of her birth." "That I became determined to apply for a transfer to the New World." "Having both a son and daughter, I have no regrets." "I don't want them to live in a world ravaged by pirates. Though they might lose their father's love from a young age." "But we've endured enough hardship…"

Hilburg leaned against the railing, his eyes distant, the vague image of his hometown appearing before him. Though he claimed to have no regrets, that was only because he had experienced so much that he had become numb. How could anyone have no regrets… The houses ransacked by pirates, the parents whose heads were severed, the towns engulfed in flames. Children hidden in cellars, who survived, joined the Marines, and one by one, they fell… Until now… The hometown in his memory had long changed its name, everything gone. The comrades who had supported each other were all that was left of him. Having nowhere to return, perhaps that's what it meant. The place called 'home' that he had when he first came into this world… Why was it gone now… He couldn’t find it…

This was why he was here. He didn't want his children to be unable to find their way home. He wanted his children to be able to laugh freely on this sea, for which their unworthy father had strived his entire life. Not to experience a life destroyed by pirates, and feel the bitterness of having nowhere to return…