The Marines on the battlefield erupted in shock.
"What?! The Marines are going to secede from the World Government?!"
"Why? Aren't things fine as they are? Why would we break away?"
"Exactly! We've always been doing justice!"
"What even is the World Government? Since when were we its subordinate force?"
"We Marines are fine as we are. Why would we side with the Ion Pirates?"
"The World Government is the true embodiment of justice!"
A portion of Marines voiced confusion and outright opposition to Kuzan's declaration.
Many of them were firmly aligned with the World Government faction.
But their words were immediately met with a wave of rebuttals.
"Nonsense! And you still think the World Government is just? You've clearly misunderstood what justice is!"
"Even now there are people defending the World Government? That's laughable."
"Fleet Admiral Kuzan made the right call! I support him!"
"Me too!"
"I've long been disgusted with the Celestial Dragons! To hell with them!"
"Same here!"
"You're just parroting the pirate Rolan's words. The Marines are the Marines. Are you saying everything we learned was fake?"
"The current World Government can't be whitewashed anymore. Whoever wants to serve them can, but I won't."
"Me too!"
It was clear that not all Marines were blindly obedient.
After Rolan's speech during the previous Marineford war, many Marines had begun questioning the World Government in silence.
They had also been involved in questionable operations that no longer made sense in hindsight.
Now Kuzan's declaration aligned perfectly with what many of them already felt.
However, the World Government Special Agents caught in the middle reacted with fury.
"You dare oppose the World Government?!"
"If you are insects, then act like insects!"
"Everything the World Government does is justice!"
"Dogs biting their masters now?!"
Their insults instantly ignited the Marines' anger.
"What did you just say?!"
"Still acting so proud while serving those corrupt masters."
"I've wanted to deal with you people for a long time!"
"Hahaha! Pathetic Marines! You really live in your own illusion!"
"Let us Special Agents show you how proper dogs behave!"
In an instant, the battlefield descended into chaos.
Marines and World Government Special Agents, once nominal allies, turned their weapons on each other.
Senior Marine officers stood still, waiting for the Fleet Admiral's final orders.
The higher their rank, the more they aligned with Kuzan's decision.
...
Shimotsuki Village, East Blue.
Koushirou watched the projection in silence, a faint smile on his lips.
Relief, satisfaction, and a long-buried heaviness mixed in his expression.
"So… that rigid rule is finally coming to an end."
He slowly lifted his gaze toward the sky.
"Aran… it's a shame you can't see this."
"Do you remember what we once said? That we would live peacefully in the East Blue and give our daughter a happy home."
"If it weren't for those hateful Celestial Dragons… you wouldn't have…"
His voice broke slightly.
The weathered man lowered his head as quiet tears fell.
After a long silence, he wiped his face and let out a faint, self-deprecating smile.
"I didn't keep our promise."
"I didn't even follow what you wanted for our child."
"She didn't grow up the way you planned…"
"It's all my fault…"
"But in the end, this is her own path."
"She really did inherit your stubbornness."
"No… I don't mean that in a bad way."
"Maybe I'll apologize to you when we meet again…"
A small voice suddenly came from behind him.
"Are you crying, teacher?"
Koushirou quickly wiped his eyes and turned around.
A young boy stood there, green-haired, with three swords hanging at his waist.
He forced a smile.
"No, it's just the wind at night."
The boy tilted his head, confused, and raised a hand.
"I don't feel any wind though."
"It's so late. Why aren't you sleeping?" Koushirou asked, lightly flicking his forehead.
The boy's eyes shone with excitement.
"I couldn't sleep. I wanted to see Zoro's heroic moment."
Koushirou sighed and finally allowed him to sit.
"Alright."
The boy sat down happily and immediately asked.
"Hey, Master, is what the Fleet Admiral said true?"
Koushirou chuckled, ruffling his hair.
"Why are you asking so many questions?"
"I'm not a kid anymore. I'm eight!" the boy protested.
"Haha. Eight is still a child. Your job is to eat well and grow strong. The rest is for adults."
The boy tilted his head, unconvinced.
"But you said a strong person isn't just made through training. You need a goal. You need to understand why you're getting stronger. Otherwise you'll lose your direction."
Koushirou paused, then smiled helplessly.
"You really have a way of talking back."
"Yes. What the Fleet Admiral said is true. The world is far more complicated than you think."
The boy nodded slowly, thinking.
"So… what exactly did the World Government do during the Void Century? The world used to be ruled by a great kingdom, right? Then it became the World Government. They must have done something across the land and seas…"
Koushirou stared at him for a moment, slightly surprised.
This child is unusually perceptive.
...
Windmill Village, East Blue.
Kuzan's announcement hit Makino's bar like a thunderclap.
"What?! The Marines are seceding from the World Government and joining Peach Garden?!"
"No way!"
"Aren't they afraid of retaliation after the war?"
"This new Fleet Admiral is incredibly bold…"
"Why would he be afraid? At this point, the World Government's side is already collapsing."
"Kuzan is sharp. Whether for the Marines or the world, the World Government is no longer seen as absolute justice. And Peach Garden's influence is rising fast."
"That's still uncertain. The World Government has ruled for centuries."
The village chief stared at the screen, silent.
In his memory, Celestial Dragons had visited the East Blue more than once.
Each time, it had brought disaster.
That was why he despised the World Government deeply.
Now, seeing the Marines break away and side with Peach Garden, he felt the tide of war shifting.
He tightened his grip on his cane and smiled faintly.
"The Marines made the right choice. That Rolan kid… he might actually build a fair world."
"Yes, I've always thought that kid was good," someone added.
"When he was little, he already had character."
"When he was little? You knew him back then?"
"No."
"Then what are you talking about?"
"He lived in town for a while. Everyone knows what kind of person he is."
"That's true. Compared to the World Government, Peach Garden is far more popular."
"I don't care who rules the world. As long as there's sake, I'm fine."
Makino quietly wiped a glass, her gaze fixed on the projection, worry hidden in her eyes.
...