The news reached Marine Headquarters, just slightly later than it did the Five Elders.
In Sakazuki's office, the top brass of the Marines had gathered.
"The Cross Guild has been defeated in Wano," Sakazuki said.
"They lost to the Whitebeard Pirates?" Fujitora asked.
"It's not just a defeat, it's a crushing one. The battle ended in less than an hour," Vice Admiral Tsuru interlocked her fingers as she spoke.
"Such a devastating loss?" Sengoku exclaimed in surprise.
They had firsthand experience with the Cross Guild's strength. Even without Buggy the Star Clown taking action, a crew with that lineup shouldn't have been defeated so decisively.
"Mihawk, Kuzan, Crocodile, Gecko Moria, and the self-proclaimed 'Clown King' Buggy, against the Whitebeard Pirates. What's going on over there? Have they become that powerful, or is it because of Roy?" Garp asked.
"No matter how strong Roy is, he's not invincible. The next time I see him, I'm confident I can kill him," Ryokugyu said reluctantly.
"The Cross Guild's defeat is indeed unexpected. Most importantly, we still don't know the extent of the Whitebeard Pirates' casualties. It would be ideal if we could confirm their situation," Sakazuki said.
"Are you still planning to move against the Whitebeard Pirates?" Sengoku asked.
"Now is a good opportunity," Sakazuki replied.
"It would take at least a week to reach Wano from Headquarters. It's too late," Sengoku said.
"It's a shame we missed the best chance. The conscription plan is facing obstacles now. We've received new orders: ignore the pirates. It seems the final showdown among the pirates is about to conclude," Sakazuki said.
"So what should we do now?" Fujitora asked.
"The Revolutionary Army," Sakazuki said.
"The Revolutionary Army?!" Everyone in the room fell silent.
They knew exactly what targeting the Revolutionary Army meant and who they would be fighting.
The flames of revolution were spreading across the world. Fighting the Revolutionary Army meant turning against ordinary people.
As Marines, they had always believed their duty was to battle pirates. Now, they were being told their enemy was the Revolutionary Army, to attack ordinary people who had overthrown their oppressive rulers.
It reminded them of what happened in Sorbet Kingdom. Years ago, the tyrannical king of Sorbet was driven out by Kuma and begged the Celestial Dragons for help. The Celestial Dragons sent the Marines to assist him, leading to a confrontation with an enraged Kuma.
The Marines, who prided themselves on justice and protecting peace at sea, were now ordered to attack ordinary people.
While not entirely contradictory, it gave the world the impression that the Marines had abandoned justice altogether.
"What? Do you have objections?" Sakazuki asked, displeased by the reactions of the Marine leadership.
"The root of the world's turmoil isn't the common people. They're just trying to survive. The World Government's exploitation is too severe," Fujitora said.
"Are you questioning the orders from the highest authority?" Sakazuki demanded.
"Yes, I am. The truth of the world shouldn't be buried. I once thought the Seven Warlords of the Sea were the source of the world's chaos, but now I realize that's not the case."
"The root of the world's turmoil lies in the greed of the Celestial Dragons. Even Doflamingo was backed by the Celestial Dragons. What is the purpose of the nobility? Are the Marines truly upholding justice…?" Fujitora grew increasingly agitated.
"Enough, Issho! You're talking nonsense. We are Marines, soldiers. Soldiers only need to obey orders!" Sakazuki interrupted.
"We are soldiers, yes, but we are also human. We should be able to think for ourselves," Fujitora retorted.
"Soldiers don't need to think. Soldiers only need to obey orders," Sakazuki insisted.
"Then why should I remain a soldier? I don't even know what I'm fighting for anymore. What do we gain from victory? Maintaining the status quo? Waiting for the next war? How many more people have to die?"
"I thought becoming a Marine Admiral would allow me to change the world. Now I see it's impossible. In that case, I'd rather not be a Marine anymore," Fujitora stood up.
"Issho!!!"
Everyone turned to Fujitora. He stood, reached behind him, and tore off his Marine coat.
"This title of Marine Admiral… I no longer want it. The justice I seek is no longer within the Marines. The Marines can no longer provide the justice I desire. Perhaps pirates aren't necessarily evil, but the Marines have lost their sense of justice. Since that's the case, I won't accompany you any longer. Farewell, everyone!"
The Marine coat fell onto the sofa, the word "Justice" glaringly prominent. No one had expected such a scene.
Sakazuki watched Fujitora's back, his fists smoking with black intensity. He gritted his cigar, seemingly on the verge of taking action.
Fujitora walked toward the door, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Yakuza Kasen, ready to draw at any moment.
The atmosphere grew intensely tense, as if a fight were about to break out.
Everyone watched the two men, stunned by Fujitora's vehement reaction and his decision to leave the Marines.
Sakazuki had a hunch that once Fujitora stepped through that door, he would become an enemy. Fujitora would stand against them.
Should he eliminate this future enemy now?
Sakazuki hesitated. If he did, how many Marines would be disheartened?
Though Fujitora had only been with the Marines for two years, he held immense prestige, having replaced Aokiji as the leader of many justice-minded Marines.
If the two clashed, Ryokugyu would assist him, but capturing Fujitora would be extremely difficult.
If Fujitora chose to fight to the death, they might have a chance to kill him. But if he decided to flee, they would never catch him.
With that in mind, Sakazuki hesitated. Meanwhile, Fujitora's footsteps didn't slow as he walked step by step toward the door.
Finally, he stepped through the doorway and disappeared from their sight.
The flames on Sakazuki's fists vanished. He lowered his head, his expression unreadable. No one in the room spoke; they couldn't find the words to persuade Fujitora to stay.
Just as Fujitora had said, there was no justice or hope left in the Marines.
They no longer knew what they were fighting for, especially those Marines who believed in "justice with compassion."
Sakazuki and Ryokugyu's sense of justice was tied to the Marines themselves, to the constraints they had imposed on themselves.
They were Marines, and the Marines represented justice, absolute justice.
Therefore, no matter the war, the Marines fought for justice.
But Fujitora's justice was called "Humane Justice." He was a man of compassion who had blinded himself because he couldn't bear to witness suffering.
What he saw in the Marines now lacked any trace of compassion, so how could there be justice?
"Strip him of his title as Marine Admiral. Promote Gion and Tokikake to be the new Marine Admirals!!!"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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