Neptune, although Jinbei held you in high regard before arriving in Alabasta, everything has changed now.
It's not my fault…"
Ezekiel doesn't feel guilty, and at the same time, he harbors hope that the Fishmen can join the Alabasta project.
After all, Jinbei was once a member of the Sun Pirates. He is a person who inherited the will of the Fish-Man hero, Tiger.
Although, to put it mildly, Tiger didn't have a particularly favorable view of humans. No matter how hard he tried, he could never truly love and accept humans! Tiger personally mentioned this after witnessing human betrayal before his death. Yet, he also left other final words about the necessity of trying to stop the cycle of hatred between humans and Fishmen.
In other words, he didn't believe in humans, but that doesn't mean he desired a war between the two races.
If Jinbei inherited the latter, then Arlong inherited the former.
Opinion on Fish-Man Island is also polarized. Some will likely be ready to support Jinbei, while others will firmly oppose him. This time... the proposal for peace is bound to trigger a storm.
With a quiet sigh, Ezekiel groaned:
"It doesn't matter."
He waved a golden royal check.
"Jinbei, when you bring up this issue, you will definitely face significant resistance. Although it's not too difficult to communicate with King Neptune, there are contradictions between the Fishmen and humans. This check is my guarantee for your proposal to the Fishmen; I think it will be helpful."
Jinbei accepted the golden check handed to him by Ezekiel, with an uncontrollable expression on his face:
"500 billion Belli!"
His eyes slowly became misty, he gritted his teeth and knelt before Ezekiel, sincerely expressing his respect for such a King.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude for your tolerance, calmness, greatness, and kindness!"
Tears flowed as the sturdy and enormous Fish-Man bowed his head.
He had given up the title of Shichibukai, came to the land of Alabasta, and became a guardian of His Majesty Ezekiel!
Even though he is a human, this King is the only being Jinbei has ever seen worthy of being called a King. He vows not to let him down. Even if he must fight for his life and dignity, he will finish this matter.
"Hmm... Isn't it time for the old man to appear?"
At that moment, soft footsteps were heard.
Jinbei exchanged a glance with Ezekiel.
The sun faintly shone on his short straight hair, he was dressed in black, the blind warrior, chief of the guards. He bowed to Ezekiel.
When Jinbei saw Fujitora returning, he wasted no time realizing that it was his moment to leave, and he bid farewell to Ezekiel.
"Return," Ezekiel said to Jinbei.
Jinbei bumped fists with Fujitora, his gaze was firm, and he left the hall swiftly, like a red flame.
.....
"Will everything really be alright?" Fujitora sat next to Ezekiel, holding his cane-sword in his hands, as usual.
"What are you worried about? Trust your King; Jinbei-san is not impulsive, he'll handle everything," Ezekiel smiled.
It seemed Fujitora had been startled by Jinbei's determination.
Ezekiel turned and asked:
"Did you see them?"
"Hmm... I saw them."
Fujitora knew Ezekiel was referring to the Revolutionary Army. However... he had a slightly different opinion. Fujitora regarded the Revolutionary Army, at least partially, as a group that didn't align with his worldview.
Fujitora lifted his head, his white eyes showing through the slits of his eyelids, and his face was thoughtful, as if considering how to describe them. After some time, he slowly said:
"A bunch of fools."
Ezekiel froze. After a brief pause, he couldn't hold back his laughter
"Hahaha!!!"
That assessment is indeed exaggerated.
Dragon? The man who opposed the World Government and successfully overthrew regimes in more than one Kingdom!
How could he be an idiot?
You just chose the wrong word to describe him.
Fujitora had more words, but he never spoke them. He stared at the young King, who was reviewing documents. After all, he was under 18 years old, yet he was under the pressure of the expectations of hundreds of millions of people and their desire for survival. He is the most unparalleled King in the world. Those who walk with him also live to achieve Justice.
But now Fujitora understood that there are too many heroes in this world who want to achieve Justice.
If the World Government is unjust, then overthrow the World Government.
Dragon can do it. And after its overthrow, the world will be full of Justice.
Maybe that will be even more unbearable!
These guys only know how to destroy but don't know how to build!
Except for the word "idiot," the old man could only offer more vivid epithets.
In this world, there is room for only one country, and only one King...
This wicked thought arose again in Fujitora's heart. Even though he knew it was the path of absolute evil—to invade and annex other countries—the World Government had been doing it for 800 years, and they were indeed the greatest evil in the world, nothing more.
And when he thought about all that concerned Ezekiel and Alabasta, he couldn't shake off similar thoughts.
At this moment, a white towel appeared before him, interrupting his increasingly chaotic thoughts. Fujitora looked up and came to his senses; his back was completely soaked, and he hadn't noticed when Ezekiel stopped working, approached him, and handed him the towel.
"I don't know what your problem is, but Fujitora-san, there are so many complex issues in the world for which you can't find answers. You can simply use one piece of advice: the only criterion for testing truth is practice," Ezekiel said.
Fujitora returned to himself in an instant. He shivered, silently wrapped himself in the white towel, wiped the sweat from his head, and then smiled kindly.
"Excuse me, practice?"
Fujitora smiled; he was fully awake, and the aura of his entire body was like a flameless red ember. Although there were no traces of fire, he was engulfed in high temperature, ready for an eruption of immense power at any moment, so let's try it in practice and then see.
"If you have to bear a sin that hasn't existed for this thousand years, let me take it upon myself, my King!"
Ezekiel noticed that Fujitora no longer resisted upon hearing his words, but he seemed to have more serious problems and a vague determination that hadn't existed before...
"Fujitora-san, what are you thinking, and what decisions have you made?
Why does this give me a vague sense of unease?"