When it comes to education, the system in the One Piece world is far worse than in the Naruto world. In Naruto, all children of suitable age—whether from commoner families or ninja clans—have access to the ninja academy. In One Piece, only nobles and the wealthy have access to proper schooling.
For the poor, education is almost unattainable. Simply being able to read and write is considered remarkable. This disparity stems partly from the World Government's indifference—they would likely prefer if no one could read at all—and partly from the geographical challenges of the world.
With the world scattered into islands, rampant piracy, and inconvenient transportation, establishing schools would require massive investment. For the World Government and nobles, who care only about their own pleasures, such efforts are deemed unnecessary.
In Shimotsuki Village, Koshiro's Isshin Dojo not only teaches swordsmanship but also basic literacy. It's where Zoro learned to read and write.
Apart from some powerful nations and a few safe regions, most places lack schools. At best, they have private tutors akin to the ancient feudal systems in history, where children are taught only to read and write—nothing more.
The previous Navy Admirals, and Garp in particular, received the highest levels of education. Among the current Admirals, Kizaru is the most educated.
As for Garp, his case is a mixed bag. The fact that Dragon didn't become a pirate is almost miraculous.
"Someone's coming. Let's continue this elsewhere," Daniel Davis said. He had been curious about Zephyr's reaction to his words but now sensed someone approaching through Observation Haki. He quickly formed a golden teleportation array beneath Zephyr's feet. Caught off guard, Zephyr fell through it before he could react.
"Sensei!" A long-haired woman sprinting toward them cried out in panic as she saw her teacher vanish. Using a combination of Moonwalk and Shave, she soon arrived before Daniel.
"Ah, Ain, user of the Retour-Retour Fruit—a time-based ability," Daniel noted with interest.
The One Piece world already had several time-related Devil Fruits. Kozuki Toki's fruit allowed her to leap forward in time. Ain's fruit could rewind time for objects and beings. Jewelry Bonney could manipulate ages. Foxy's Noro-Noro Beam slowed time. However, because most of these users lacked significant strength, the true potential of their fruits had rarely been demonstrated—particularly Toki's, which seemed limited to jumping forward.
"I've focused so much on spatial abilities that I've overlooked time-based ones," Daniel mused. "Ain's fruit rewinds time. Perhaps it could enhance Esdeath's powers? Her Imperial Arm already manipulates time to some extent. If combined with a fruit like Foxy's, her capabilities could become terrifying."
With this thought, Daniel decided to revisit his plans. For now, he focused on Ain, who stood before him, pointing a gun directly at him.
Ain was one of the rare beauties in the One Piece world. Her long, wavy, sea-blue hair complemented her slender figure. Her uniform, unlike the white attire typical of the Navy, was a mix of blue and black—reflecting Zephyr's Neo Marines.
"What did you do to my teacher?" Ain demanded, her voice tense. Had Zephyr not vanished before her eyes, she would have already attacked Daniel.
Ain had survived the attack that claimed her fellow recruits and deeply respected Zephyr. Even when he declared war on the world and sought to destroy the New World, she remained loyal.
"Don't worry. He's fine. If you want to see him, I can take you to him. But first, lower your weapon," Daniel replied calmly. He hadn't intended to involve Ain, but seeing her now sparked new ideas.
Ain hesitated but eventually holstered her gun. "Fine," she said reluctantly, wary of any potential traps. Her primary concern was confirming Zephyr's safety.
"Don't resist. Let's go." Daniel placed a hand on Ain's shoulder, and the two vanished from the shoreline.
On the island…
As soon as they reappeared on the deserted island, Daniel heard the sound of an intense battle. Rocks and debris flew through the air, forcing him to deflect them with a wave of his hand.
The island was in ruins. In the distance, Zephyr clashed fiercely with Fujitora, who wielded his cane-sword imbued with the power of the Gravity Fruit. Each collision shook the ground beneath their feet.
Though Zephyr attacked relentlessly, Fujitora maintained the upper hand. The weight of the gravity-enhanced strikes pressed Zephyr into a defensive position, his mechanical arm struggling against the force.
"Sensei!" Ain cried out, ready to intervene. She prepared to use Shave to join the fray, but Daniel stopped her.
"Stand down," he said.
"Move!" Ain shot a purple flame toward Daniel. The flame was the manifestation of her Retour-Retour Fruit, capable of rewinding a target's age by 12 years with a single hit.
Daniel's arm turned black with Haki as he blocked the flame. The Retour-Retour Fruit's ability required the target to absorb the flame for its effects to take hold. With Haki, Daniel easily negated the attack.
"Calm down. He's fine," Daniel assured her. He noted Ain's combat abilities. Among Zephyr's disciples, her physical combat skills were the weakest. However, her Devil Fruit powers made her one of the strongest overall.
Despite her limited talent in martial arts, Ain had mastered the basics of Armament Haki under Zephyr's guidance.
Ain's frustration grew as her fruit failed to affect Daniel. She drew two daggers, their edges darkened with Armament Haki. But before she could strike, Zephyr abandoned his battle with Fujitora and charged toward them, his massive mechanical arm swinging with force.
"Sensei!" Ain rushed to meet Zephyr, concern evident in her voice. The two reunited, both speaking at once.
"Are you alright, Ain?"
"Are you hurt, Sensei?"
Despite their mutual concern, Zephyr kept Ain close, shielding her from further harm. He turned his gaze to Daniel.
"What is it that you want, Akatsuki?" he demanded.
"I want to talk about changing this world," Daniel began. "You've been fighting pirates relentlessly, but you've overlooked a fundamental truth. Simply killing pirates won't stop them from appearing. Take Akainu, for example. He's been killing pirates for years. Has it reduced their numbers?"
Among the Admirals, Akainu was the pirate's worst nightmare. His attacks left no survivors. Yet despite his ruthless methods, piracy thrived.
"Do you understand why there's an endless stream of pirates? Do you know why so many turn to piracy? It's not just Roger and his 'Great Pirate Era.' The real reason lies with the World Government and the Navy."
"Explain yourself," Zephyr demanded, his expression darkening.
Daniel continued, "Take the Straw Hat Pirates. Do you know their backgrounds?"
"Of course. They're led by Garp's grandson," Zephyr replied.
"Indeed. But do you know how his crew came together? Let's start with Roronoa Zoro. He was a bounty hunter, capturing pirates in the East Blue. Do you know why he became a pirate himself? Because of the Navy."
Daniel recounted Zoro's encounter with Captain Morgan, detailing how the corrupt officer's tyranny pushed Zoro into piracy.
"Zoro is recognized by Mihawk as a swordsman destined to become a great master. He could have captured countless pirates. Instead, he was forced into piracy by a single corrupt officer. What do you make of that?"
Zephyr and Ain fell silent, as did Fujitora, who listened intently.
"Now let's talk about Nami, the Straw Hats' navigator. Her story is no different. She became a pirate because the Navy played a part in destroying her hope."
Daniel recounted Nami's tragic backstory, from her adoptive mother Bell-mère's death at the hands of Arlong to Captain Nezumi's corruption.
"A former Marine, who fought valiantly and adopted two orphans of war, was killed by a pirate backed by the government. When Nami sought hope, it was crushed by the Navy. It was pirates, not the Navy, who gave her that hope. Is that justice? Is that what the World Government stands for?"
The emotional weight of Daniel's words made Zephyr and Ain lower their heads in shame. Even Fujitora, who had long despised injustice, seemed deeply affected.
"You've seen the human trafficking market on Sabaody Archipelago. The Navy calls it an 'employment agency.' Even Sengoku and Garp tolerate such hypocrisy."
"Do you know the truth about the World Government?" Daniel's voice turned grave. "The Five Elders—who rule the world—are not the ultimate authority. They bow to someone else."
Zephyr and Fujitora were stunned. "What are you saying?"
"The empty throne in Mariejois has a ruler. His name is Imu—a figure so secretive that not even the highest-ranking Marines know of him. He is the true master of the World Government."
Before Zephyr or Fujitora could respond, Daniel continued, "Do you still think this system can be reformed from within? Do you know why Ohara was destroyed? Because they uncovered the truth about the World Government."
"Who are you?" Zephyr demanded.
"We are the survivors of Ohara," Daniel lied, weaving a tale to win their trust. "Once, we almost succeeded in exposing the truth. But the World Government crushed us. And before that, the Rocks Pirates nearly toppled them—
only to be stopped by Garp and Roger."
Daniel's fabricated connection to Ohara was a strategic move, designed to align Zephyr and Fujitora with Akatsuki's cause.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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