[he's not going to answer the first part because it's something he doesn't know yet. It isn't going to make him feel better leaving. At least not in any way that isn't dark. Turning into someone like Marshall is tempting. Not killing...nakama no but others. Making them trust you and then-- He could do that. He could lose himself in that. He had before. He almost wanted it now. But not enough... Don't flatter himself. Tch. Damn brat.

He steadfastly kept his gaze pinned to the stars]

The kids here and the rookies back home are two different things. These kids know what they want and what they stand for and what they don't. It's not as if they're loyal to Ace as we were to Pops. If they saw [him] us how many of them would stick around? [the debate today was proof enough of that.

He didn't answer the last either. The man who enjoyed that not only was dead, but had trusted Pops and trusted his faith in people. It was easy to like someone Pops had faith in. Hell, he'd even trust Marshall again if Pops said to. He'd welcome the man with open arms.

But Ace? It was a hell of a lot harder. He didn't seem to know what he wanted in a crew. Just picked up any strays that blundered into his path and strays of the strays. He was only marginally a captain and they were only marginally a crew--but to say anything like that sounded traitorous somehow...]