Kizaru watched Saturn's death as if it were entirely normal. In his eyes, Roy's strength was unmatched by anyone he had ever seen, not even the former Pirate King Roger seemed as powerful as Roy was now. Roy's Haki felt even more unrestrained and overwhelming.
purupuru puru
The Den Den Mushi rang. Kizaru answered, only to be met with Sakazuki's furious questioning. Tears welled up in Kizaru's eyes as he shouted back.
"Why the hell are you crying?" Roy had somehow appeared sitting opposite him.
Tears streamed down Kizaru's face as he looked up at Roy. On the other end of the call, Akainu gritted his teeth in fury.
"Roy!!"
"Yeah. You're Akainu, right? Relax, it's just the three of us here. The rest are unconscious, they won't be waking up anytime soon." Roy said calmly.
"What exactly are you planning?" Akainu demanded.
"You should know the truth about the world. The moment you became Fleet Admiral, you should have learned it. The so-called World Government isn't maintaining peace, it exists solely to serve the Celestial Dragons."
"Whether it's the World Government or the Navy, they only exist to make it easier for the Celestial Dragons to exploit and rule the world."
"I know you hate pirates. Your family was killed by pirates, and your life was saved by a Marine."
"But you've seen it yourself: under the World Government's rule, more and more people are forced into becoming pirates. Wiping out every pirate on the seas is impossible."
"We don't choose to be pirates, we're driven into it. You've never been a slave, so you can't understand."
Can you imagine an entire nation being slaughtered like livestock by the Celestial Dragons?"
"Of course, you're also a piece of shit. There's no point talking to you like this. Just keep being their dog. The world doesn't expect anything from the Marines anymore," Roy said.
"The Marines duty is to maintain peace on the seas."
"Then why did you massacre civilians?"
"They weren't members of the World Government affiliated nations."
"So you divide lives into classes now? Trash like you talks about peace? If you had even a shred of conscience, you'd know what the Celestial Dragons really are. Everything you do only makes the world worse."
"There are thousands of nations in the world. How many are affiliated with the World Government? Just mearly a hundred seventy."
"To you, all the rest are enemies. Remember, your own homeland wasn't part of the Government either."
"The Marines protected you, a 'worthless' nobody from a non-member nation, and now you turn your hand against others like you? If that doesn't make you a beast, what does?" Roy sneered.
On the other end, in Marineford, Sakazuki's magma fist swelled, veins bulging with rage. His fury boiled like a volcano ready to erupt.
"You can stop crying too. Vegapunk isn't dead." Roy suddenly said.
"Hm?" Kizaru lifted his head in confusion.
"That man has the smartest brain in the world. You think he didn't prepare? He knew his death was coming, he definitely left something behind."
"All his satellites are still alive. Do you really believe he'd just roll over and die? His death was just the trigger to reveal the truth through the Den Den Mushi. Trust me, he's not gone. He'll show himself again."
Roy leaned back, crossing his legs.
"…That's… possible. Yeah, that does sound like him. He always left backup plans." Kizaru wiped away his tears, forcing a smile.
"The world is about to become more chaotic. The Celestial Dragons should be making their move soon. If I'm not mistaken, they'll target Elbaf next. So tell me, beast, what role will the Marines play?" Roy asked.
"You're the beast." Akainu snapped.
"Doesn't matter, you already admitted it yourself. The great war is coming. The Navy has to choose. How far are you willing to take it?" Roy pressed.
"I am a soldier." Akainu growled.
"Then I understand. So I won't be letting these Marine soldiers return. Kizaru, what are your plans?" Roy turned to him.
"…I don't really have a plan. Are you going to capture me?" Kizaru asked.
"You can try to escape if you want, but your subordinates won't be going anywhere. They're staying here," Roy said.
"What would it take for you to spare them?" Kizaru asked quietly.
"Surrender yourself and come with me," Roy replied.
"Where to?" Kizaru asked.
On the other end, Akainu was powerless, too far away to intervene, forced to listen helplessly.
Roy didn't hide his intentions: the Marine soldiers wouldn't be released. If they returned, they'd just become enemies again.
Just like two years ago at Egghead, the hostages buried alive under Roy's explosives. This time would be no different. At least one-tenth of the Marines power would be lost here. If an Admiral was taken too, that was one-fifth.
"To Wano." Roy finally answered.
"Alone, can you really do this?" Kizaru asked.
"You're welcome to try me." Roy smiled faintly, glancing toward the sky.
"ROAR~~~!"
Thunder rolled. Lightning tore across the heavens. Two massive dragons appeared, hauling a ship through the clouds. The flag of the Whitebeard Pirates fluttered in the storm. They had arrived.
"…So you'd already prepared this." Kizaru sighed. "…Then I'll stay."
"Borsalino!! By the authority of the Fleet Admiral, I order you to return to headquarters immediately!" Akainu barked.
"…Sakazuki, it's no use. I can't escape him. Not now. And if I run, the lives of Vice Admiral Doll and the others will be forfeit." Kizaru said flatly.
"You bastard! They're soldiers! Marines! You're a Marine too, you should obey my orders!"
"…Enough, Sakazuki. Maybe the era really does need to change. If the world is ever going to find peace, then I don't want to see more pointless wars."
Kizaru cut him off. Yes, he was a soldier, but he no longer knew what he was fighting for.
Every war has a purpose and a clear end goal. A war without either only sends soldiers to die meaninglessly.
Now that he knew the truth, that these battles were never about justice, how could they not begin to doubt? To feel lost?
Fighting for the Celestial Dragons… what did it gain them?
Nothing. Only endless death.
Kizaru was tired. Even as an Admiral, he grew more and more disgusted with the Dragons. Maybe stepping aside would save more lives.
The Marines were like men stripped of faith. They could fight for justice, yes, but for the Celestial Dragons? They knew now:
The Navy is not justice. There is no justice in the Navy.
Under Akainu's leadership, the Navy had strayed far from its original image, the force that once protected the weak, struck down the wicked, and carried the banner of righteousness.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu