One o'clock in the morning, the time when people are exhausted.
In the shadows of the Marineford logistics area, two figures moved quickly along the base of the wall like geckos.
"Tatsuki... that's the special supply ship transporting goods for the Celestial Dragons, right?"
Kuzan lowered his voice, his tall body trying to curl up in the shadow of a container, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible tremor.
Although he was powerful, this was, after all, the first time in his life he had violated military discipline. And he was boarding a Celestial Dragon supply ship. If discovered, he would be facing a military court.
In contrast, Tatsuki, who was walking ahead, had light steps and a relaxed posture, even calmly adjusting the collar of his flashy casual clothes.
"Broaden your perspective, Kuzan."
Without turning his head, Tatsuki spoke in a whisper only the two of them could hear, "We are seeking the true meaning of justice. Borrowing a ship from the powerful is called taking from the people and using for the people."
"Is... is that so?" Kuzan felt something was off, yet he also felt Tatsuki made a lot of sense.
"Shh... don't talk, the patrol passed. Jump."
As Tatsuki gave the order, the two used the cover of night to silently land on the deck of the soon-to-depart supply ship, rolling into the cargo hold stacked with luxury goods.
[Ding! Host's disciplinary violation detected!]
[Action: Unauthorized departure from the island, boarding a Celestial Dragon special supply ship.]
[Witnesses: None]
[Violation Points +200]
Tatsuki hid among the expensive silk piles, listening to the pleasant system notification sound, a satisfied smile on his lips.
Earning 200 immediately upon leaving, this "field trip" tonight is destined to be hugely profitable.
...
Two hours later.
The Sabaody Archipelago, the end point of the first half of the Grand Line, and the necessary path to the New World.
Unlike the solemn and oppressive Marineford, the Sabaody Archipelago at night, especially the lawless zones, was just waking up.
The roots of the giant Yarukiman Mangroves were intertwined, and countless brilliant soap bubbles slowly ascended under the illumination of neon lights, reflecting a dazzling and decadent splendor.
Kuzan had changed into an inconspicuous gray hoodie, wearing the hood, and looked at the scene before him in shock.
Casinos, black markets, and taverns lined the streets.
The air was filled with a sickly sweet mix of alcohol, perfume, barbecue, and some unknown tobacco.
There were no neat formations, no loud slogans here. There were only drunken pirates, heavily made-up streetwalkers, vicious-eyed human traffickers, and the screams and pleas for mercy echoing from the dark alley corners.
"This... this is..." Kuzan's pupils contracted.
Having never seen such chaos, he felt his sense of justice was being challenged.
"This is the true sea, Kuzan."
Tatsuki stood with his hands in his pockets, his floral shirt allowing him to blend perfectly into the environment. He stood under a huge neon sign, half his face obscured by shadow, his voice low and magnetic.
"At Marineford, we see order. But here, chaos is the only order."
Tatsuki pointed to a downtrodden uncle being beaten not far away, then pointed to the crowd nearby who were watching coldly or even cheering.
"Do you see? This is called numbness. When survival becomes the sole purpose, morality becomes a luxury."
Kuzan clenched his fist, a flash of anger in his eyes. "If that's the case, we should..."
"Should what? Rush up and arrest the attackers?"
Tatsuki interrupted him, shaking his head, his eyes showing a hint of 'you're still too young'.
"Arrest one, and there are ten more. Can you arrest all the evil on this island?"
"You must learn to see the essence through the phenomena. Why is there chaos? Because of suffering. Why is there suffering? Because of desire."
Tatsuki turned around, pointing towards the area ahead where the lights were brightest and the music was loudest—Sabaody Archipelago Area 20, also known as the famous "Sleepless City."
"To truly understand this suffering, we must enter the tiger's den."
Tatsuki grabbed Kuzan's stiff shoulder and pointed to the giant entertainment club named "Sea Sweetheart."
At the entrance stood two rows of young women dressed in revealing bunny girl outfits, enthusiastically soliciting customers, their pale legs dazzling under the lights.
"Let's go, Kuzan. Let's face the most primitive vortex of desire in the ordinary world."
"Huh?!"
"We... are going there?"
Kuzan's mind went blank, his tongue tied, and his cheeks started heating up uncontrollably.
"Of course."
Tatsuki's expression was serious. "This place is where humanity is most real. The sweat, tears, desires, and emptiness of sailors all intertwine here."
"If you don't experience it firsthand, how can you understand why they would rather spend their hard-earned money here than send it back home?"
"Th-this... this..."
Looking at Kuzan's conflicted and confused expression, Tatsuki put his arm around his shoulder, his voice heroic and tragic. "Go, Kuzan. Don't let worldly prejudice restrict your steps toward seeking truth."
"Tonight, let us venture together, for true justice, into this ocean of suffering."
Having said that, without allowing argument, he half-pushed and half-shoved the tall Kuzan toward the door leading to the "New World."
Kuzan stumbled along, being pushed, his mind in a complete mess.
Meanwhile, Tatsuki's heart was already bursting with joy.
[Ding! Host detected leading future Admiral into a 'Pleasure Town' establishment!]
[Nature of action: Extremely heinous! Severely corrupting the pure heart of a future Marine pillar!]
[Subversion level judged: High!]
[Calculating reward based on the area of Kuzan's psychological trauma...]
Tatsuki forcefully suppressed the upturn of his lips, his facial expression becoming increasingly mournful and compassionate.
While pushing Kuzan, he continued his final ideological counseling, "Kuzan, remember, our identity tonight is not Marine officers, but two lost lambs. We must use the most humble attitude to listen to the groans of this world."
Kuzan was dizzy from listening and could only nod mechanically.
As soon as the two stepped through the door, a wave of heat rushed towards them.
Heavy metal music made hearts pound wildly, and in the center of the dance floor, countless men and women were frantically twisting their bodies.
Kuzan looked at the frantic crowd twisting on the dance floor, at the scantily clad dancers, and at the red-faced sailors loudly playing finger games, and he froze completely.
Is this what Tatsuki called the suffering of the ordinary world?
Why do they look like they're... having fun?