Sunlight filtered softly through smart glass that automatically adjusted its transparency, spilling onto a bed so large you could roll around on it.
Sassi lay spread-eagle, staring blankly at the ceiling lamp, an expensive fixture said to be made from Sky Island shells, capable of simulating natural light.
He had been awake for half an hour.
But he didn't want to move.
Not just because the mattress was absurdly soft and comfortable, so much so that, compared to the wind-swept, sand-filled Baltigo headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, it felt downright decadent,
But because he was currently undergoing an unprecedented collapse of values… and a crisis of faith.
"Is this… really a Marine base?"
Sabo muttered to himself, reaching for a still-warm glass of milk on the bedside table.
It had been quietly delivered by a service attendant before he woke up.
Next to it was a note: "Today is sunny. A floral shirt is recommended. Breakfast includes your favorite bacon and eggs."
"…This level of service… is more ridiculous than a five-star hotel."
As the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff, Sabo had infiltrated countless nations.
He had seen corrupt royal armies and brutal Marine branches.
In his mind, the Marines were generally one of two types: Ruthless "justice machines" like Akainu, corrupt parasites like Captain Nezumi
But G-5… Was something else entirely.
A bizarre fruit growing on the World Government's tree, that produced gold coins and steaks.
Knock knock.
"Hey, Sassy! You up? Let's go eat! I heard they've got top-tier king crab flown in from the North Blue today! If we're late, even the shells will be gone!"
A bearded man poked his head in.
"Iron Axe" Baku, a former pirate captain Sabo had beaten earlier, now a newly promoted G-5 commander.
"Coming."
Sabo sighed, got up, threw on his floral shirt, and followed him out.
Walking through G-5's clean, wide streets, Sabo observed everything like a sociologist.
In a normal Marine base, mornings meant harsh drills and shouts of "Justice!"
But here…
"One-two-three-four! Stretch again! Relax more! Feel the laziness!"
In the distance, soldiers were indeed training.
But not combat.
They were doing something called Renzo-style Stretching Exercises.
Led by Rehn's hologram.
"Slow! Lazy! Embrace the feeling that someone taller will handle everything!"
"Only by resting efficiently can you fight for bonuses when it matters!"
"UNDERSTOOD!!!"
The soldiers responded seriously.
Sabo's eye twitched.
"…This is their morning drill?"
"Yeah!"
Baku twisted his waist enthusiastically.
"They say Lord Renzo personally demonstrated this in his sleep! It relieves fatigue and extends life! I've been doing it for days, no more back pain!"
Sabo: "…"
He suddenly wondered if Dragon would have a stroke seeing this.
They entered the officers' dining hall.
Still absurdly luxurious.
Sabo sat down with a mountain of food.
Around him, newly promoted officers ate and talked loudly.
And what they were talking about made his heart drop.
"Hey, heard about it? A Heavenly Tribute shipment is passing nearby next month."
Sabo froze.
Heavenly Tribute.
A key Revolutionary Army target.
Marines should be discussing protection strategies.
Instead, "Who cares?" one commander scoffed. "Not like we get paid from it."
"Heh," said the one-eyed brigadier. "What if… we collect a toll?"
"Pfft!"
Sabo almost spat his soup.
'A toll?!'
'On Celestial Dragon tribute?!'
'That's rebellion!'
"Scared?" the one-eyed man sneered.
"This is Lord Renzo's territory! Who cares about Celestial Dragons?"
"Remember that idiot Saint Jalmack? Got toyed with here until the Five Elders begged to take him back!"
"In G-5, even the heavens pay protection fees!"
"Besides, we call it 'maritime security enforcement.' Totally legit."
"…Makes sense."
"…Let's do it."
"Blame pirates like Kid if something goes wrong!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
Sabo sat there, stunned.
These "Marine elites" were openly planning robbery.
They wore uniforms labeled "Justice."
But in their eyes, no loyalty to the World Government.
No respect for Celestial Dragons.
Only: Desire for money, loyalty to each other, and blind worship of Renzo.
"These people…"
Sabo's thoughts churned.
'They're not Marines.'
'They're a private army raised by Renzo.'
'A powerful, greedy, lawless private army.'
Then a horrifying thought struck him.
'If the Revolutionary Army attacked… would these people even fight?'
Or would they ask: "Hey, how's your salary? Got benefits? Is the food good?"
And if the Revolution paid more, they might switch sides on the spot.
'This is… the power of money?'
Crude. Corrupt. But terrifyingly stable.
Suddenly, "Attention!!"
Everyone stood instantly.
Sabo followed.
A man entered.
White suit. Mask. Cold aura.
CP0.
"I am a CP0 envoy."
His voice was sharp and arrogant.
"By order of the Five Elders, I am here to inspect discipline. Where is Renzo? Summon him immediately."
Silence.
Then, "…Huh?"
A fat officer chewing pork looked at him like an idiot.
"Who are you to summon our boss?"
"Yeah," another sneered. "It's 9:30. That's Lord Renzo's sacred nap time."
"You want to wake him?"
"INSOLENCE!!"
"I represent the World Government! The Celestial Dragons-"
SMACK!
A half-eaten bone hit his mask.
Grease splattered.
"Get out!"
The room exploded.
"Stop ruining my appetite!"
"Did the government ever pay me?! G-5 does!"
"Keep talking, and I'll arrest you as a pirate!"
The CP0 agent froze.
This wasn't a Marine base.
This was a den of bandits.
Bandits who obeyed only money and their boss.
"You… you'll regret this!"
He fled.
"Boo!"
The officers jeered.
"Alright, back to eating!"
"Who threw that bone? Nice shot! Extra chicken leg!"
Everything returned to normal.
Sabo sat down slowly.
Looking at his fork.
Then at them.
A realization hit him.
"The authority of the World Government…"
"…has completely collapsed here."
G-5 had become something else.
Not justice.
Not freedom.
Not even faith.
It believed in one thing: Renzo.
A system built on absolute power and immense wealth, peace in the present world.
"Commander Dragon…"
Sabo took a bite of steak.
His expression complicated.
"Our revolution…"
"Has met a new kind of enemy."
"He doesn't argue."
"He doesn't fight ideology."
"He just throws money at you… feeds you… lets you rest…"
"And makes you forget why you wanted to rebel."
"…That's the scariest enemy of all."
...
Meanwhile, at the Temple of Sloth.
"Sir, the CP0 agent was chased out."
Rehn reported quietly.
"With bones."
"Mm."
Renzo turned over, still wearing his eye mask.
"Good."
"Give the one who threw it… a bonus."
"Call it… environmental sanitation reward."
"Understood!"
Sunlight bathed Renzo.
He smiled faintly.
The "livestock raising", no, "elite cultivation" plan… was working perfectly.
These wild beasts now knew:
Who fed them.
Who ruled them.
As long as the benefits remained, they would remain loyal.
His sharpest blades and his softest mattress.
Letting him... sleep peacefully.
"Ah… what a beautiful morning…"
...
30 Chapters in [email protected]/DaoistJinzu