Chapter 559 - 724 – Hina Believes She Should Have Made Her Decision Sooner

"Arton, can you tell me why you appeared here?"

Hina gripped the bars of her cell with both hands and asked curiously.

"Captain Arton came here for you."

Ain stepped out of the shadows behind Arton and approached Hina.

"Ain, you're here too!" Hina exclaimed. "And Arton came here for Hina?"

"That's right." Ain nodded. "After Captain Arton heard about your situation, he came here specifically to help you, for old times' sake."

"I see."

A trace of gratitude flashed through Hina's heart.

She knew that Arton had most likely learned about her current situation because Ain had revealed the relevant information.

After all, Ain had not yet withdrawn from the female Marines' group chat, so she naturally knew what had happened to Hina.

Aside from that, Hina could not think of any other reason.

"Miss Hina, you still haven't answered Captain Arton's question," Ain reminded her.

"Arton…"

Hearing Ain address Arton so naturally as Captain, Hina could not help feeling a little emotional.

However, once she thought about everything she had seen through her Navigation Diary copy concerning what Ain had experienced by Arton's side, Hina understood.

By now, Ain had already obtained the template she had longed for from Arton—the controllable template of Ultear.

She might even have given everything she had to Arton.

Ain's feelings for Arton had probably already reached an extremely deep level.

It was only natural for her to sincerely call Arton her captain.

"If possible, Arton, Hina naturally hopes you can help."

Hina placed her right hand over the left side of her chest and spoke solemnly to Arton.

Spandam had not merely intended to force himself on her.

He had even planned to bring several men into her cell.

Merely imagining that scene made it impossible for Hina to remain here and wait for Zephyr to rescue her.

Although accepting Arton's help and escaping Enies Lobby's prison would, to some extent, mean betraying Teacher Zephyr, Hina had no other choice.

If she continued to remain here, Spandam might take things even further and treat her like a plaything.

By then, she would undoubtedly come to hate the World Government and would never again be able to hold her head high as a Marine.

Since that was the case, it would be better to leave Enies Lobby with Arton now.

Even if she could no longer remain a Marine, she could at least preserve her dignity, gain considerable freedom, and stop waiting inside this dark cell without any hope.

…

Hina even felt that Teacher Zephyr would understand once he learned about her situation.

She looked at Ain and now somewhat understood why Ain had made her decision so early.

No—compared to Ain, Tashigi had made her decision even sooner.

Both of them had recognized the true nature of the World Government long ago. Even though Arton was a pirate, staying by his side was still better than remaining within the World Government.

At the very least, Arton would never deliberately commit evil deeds.

Hina suddenly found herself rather laughable. She had always thought she was intelligent, yet she had failed to see as far ahead as Tashigi and Ain.

Had she made her decision earlier, she would not have been locked inside this cell and forced to endure such a long period of fear and anxiety.

"Then here's the question: are you prepared to follow through on your earlier idea?"

Hina stepped through the cell door Ain had opened and stared deeply at Arton, who was currently holding Spandam by the head and repeatedly slamming him into the wall.

Although being rescued by Arton had relaxed her considerably, she had not forgotten the thoughts that had crossed her mind when Spandam threatened her.

Rather than handing her body over to Spandam, she would much rather give it to a man like Arton.

When she recalled the material in her Navigation Diary copy, a blush involuntarily crept up Hina's face.

"Miss Hina, what do you plan to do afterward?"

Ain walked up behind Hina and asked with a complicated look in her eyes.

She had come here to prevent Hina from using the Navigation Diary copy to contact Gion, Kujaku, and the others.

Yet up to this point, Hina had shown no intention of summoning her Navigation Diary copy.

That left Ain feeling curious about Hina's plans.

"Hina doesn't know."

Hina shook her head and said, "The Marines certainly won't take Hina back."

"Once Hina leaves this place, the Marines and the World Government will surely issue a wanted notice for Hina."

"If possible, Hina would like to remain by Arton's side for a while."

Staying beside Arton would make it easier for her to repay him.

More importantly, remaining by his side would increase the chances of Arton mentioning her in the Navigation Diary.

That would allow Hina's strength to grow.

Even if she ultimately failed to obtain a copy of the Navigation Diary, she was confident she could still grow rapidly using the points she earned.

Afterward, whether she continued staying aboard Arton's ship or left to sail alone, she would no longer need to worry so much about being captured by the Marines or the World Government.

"I see…"

Ain leaned close to Hina's ear and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Please leave the group chat first."

Ain's request was straightforward, and Hina instantly understood what she meant.

Ain simply wanted her to leave the female Marines' group chat.

Hina could understand that.

If she remained in that group while also staying by Arton's side, she would effectively be able to inform the other female Marines of Arton's location at any time.

Then the Marines or the World Government could come after Arton whenever they wished.

Ain's request was entirely reasonable.

However…

Hina looked toward Ain, then heard her continue in the same quiet voice:

"Wait until we've left this place. Otherwise, if they see you leave the group now, they'll start making guesses."

Ain suddenly understood.

That was right!

If Hina withdrew from the group immediately, Gion, Kujaku, and the others would certainly begin speculating.

If they merely thought that something had happened to Hina, it would not affect Arton or the Flame Blade Pirates.

However, if Gion, Kujaku, and the others concluded that Arton had taken Hina away, they would probably rush straight toward the waters surrounding Enies Lobby.

That would greatly increase the possibility of the Flame Blade Pirates colliding with a Marine warship—or even a World Government vessel.

That was not what Ain wanted to see.

"As expected of Miss Hina. You really do think everything through."

Ain quietly praised her.

...

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