The Special Agent knelt in the field as the order echoed through the room. A trace of confusion surfaced in his eyes.
He had never encountered a situation like this before.
In the past, whenever someone challenged the authority of the World Government, the Gorosei would immediately issue orders for execution and extermination.
Judging from Saint Saturn's tone earlier, he had clearly intended to wipe out the invaders who stormed Mary Geoise.
Yet his attitude suddenly changed.
The agent could not understand the reason behind it, nor did he dare to speculate. He simply lowered his head.
"Yes!"
He turned around and quickly left the hall.
...
Crusimia Island, Brown Square.
Although the war had yet to officially begin, the atmosphere above Brown Square had already become suffocating.
An indescribable pressure hung over the battlefield.
Brown Square, once called the Bird Capital, no longer had a single living creature in sight.
Even the birds flying above the island instinctively changed direction, as if they sensed the danger gathering below.
Caw!
A few birds flapped their wings frantically as they escaped the empty mountains, leaving scattered feathers drifting through the air.
Not only that, but the terrifying tension spread across the entire world through the visual Den Den Mushi broadcasts.
At that moment, it felt as though even the airflow throughout the seas had slowed.
An oppressive silence enveloped the One Piece world.
The sea breeze swept across Brown Square, causing coats and capes to flutter violently.
Even Admiral Ryokugyu and Rankyaku users who had previously stepped forward no longer moved carelessly.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Sounds of nervous swallowing echoed throughout the battlefield.
Then Kuzan's amplified voice rang through the square from a Den Den Mushi.
"Dragon, this is Crusimia, an island under the protection of the World Government."
"An island of justice."
"This is not a place where your Revolutionary Army can set foot."
Dragon smiled faintly after hearing those words.
Among the people in the world who knew the truth about the Marines, he was one of the few.
From the moment he arrived at Crusimia and met Kuzan, he had already understood the situation.
If outsiders saw this performance, they would genuinely believe Kuzan was a loyal hound of the World Government.
Even though Dragon was not directly involved in the Marines' internal plans, he could roughly guess their intentions.
He slowly stepped forward.
"Justice?"
"What exactly is justice?"
His voice spread throughout Brown Square.
"Is justice sacrificing countless innocent people just to protect the interests of a select few?"
"Is justice ignoring the suffering of ordinary citizens so your rulers can continue sitting on their thrones?"
"Or is justice simply whatever benefits the World Government?"
Dragon's expression turned colder.
"That's pathetic."
"A group of people trampling on justice are now preaching righteousness?"
His words struck the battlefield like cannon fire.
The faces of many Marines and Cipher Pol agents instantly darkened with rage.
"The World Government is justice!"
"The Marines are justice!"
"You Revolutionary Army bastards are evil!"
Countless furious voices erupted across Brown Square.
For them, the World Government represented order.
Absolute Justice was the belief they dedicated their lives to.
They could never allow anyone to insult it openly.
Yet among the Vice Admirals, several expressions subtly changed.
A strange light flickered deep within their eyes.
Since the day they joined the Marines, they had been taught one thing:
Pirates are evil.
The Marines and the World Government are justice.
But after the Marineford War, Rolan's open criticism planted seeds of doubt in many people's hearts.
Now Dragon had dragged that issue directly into the spotlight once again.
For the first time, some of them began questioning whether the justice they upheld truly belonged to justice itself, or merely to the World Government.
Kuzan silently observed every reaction.
Nothing escaped his eyes.
Deep down, he was extremely satisfied.
Dragon's speech would only accelerate the reforms within the Marines.
Still, none of that showed on his face.
A terrifying chill erupted from Kuzan's body.
In an instant, freezing cold spread across Brown Square.
Many Marines and agents shuddered violently, feeling as though invisible hands were squeezing their throats.
Even breathing became difficult.
To everyone watching, Fleet Admiral Kuzan was furious.
Within the Marine ranks, Koby quietly stared at the battlefield.
"Helmeppo... do you think the justice we follow is really justice?"
Standing beside him, Helmeppo froze slightly.
He hesitated before speaking.
"Well... actually... I also..."
Then he suddenly coughed awkwardly.
"H-Hey! We're Marines!"
"Of course we're justice! Pirates are evil!"
Koby turned toward him.
"Then do you think Luffy-san is evil?"
Helmeppo instantly choked on his words.
"T-That... pirates are obviously evil... Straw Hat... he..."
He could not finish the sentence.
Koby's eyes brightened slightly.
"So you also don't think Luffy-san is evil, right?"
Helmeppo's face turned red as he adjusted his glasses nervously.
"H-How could that be?! I didn't say that!"
Ignoring Helmeppo's flustered reaction, Koby looked toward the Moby Dick with concern.
"This war is completely different from Marineford."
"Luffy-san... I hope you're alright."
"Hey! Koby, are you even listening to me?!"
Helmeppo shouted angrily from behind him.
Koby finally turned around, his fighting spirit rising.
"Let's compete this time."
"We'll see who defeats more enemies."
Helmeppo nearly exploded.
"Koby, you idiot!"
Still, he unsheathed his plain blade with a determined expression.
"I won't lose to you this time!"
Meanwhile, Kuzan stepped forward once the noise died down.
"What right does a group like the Revolutionary Army have to lecture others about justice?"
"You people spread chaos and rebellion everywhere you go."
"The majority of nations in this world survive peacefully under the protection of the World Government."
"It is your Revolutionary Army that constantly incites war."
His gaze sharpened.
Then his tone turned icy.
"You don't seriously believe the four of you can win this war, do you?"
"Four forces?"
Buggy wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looking completely confused.
"The Whitebeard Pirates, Red Hair, the Revolutionary Army..."
He paused.
Then his eyes widened dramatically.
"Wait a second!"
"They're counting us too?!"
Dragon ignored Buggy's shouting.
"Talking any further is pointless."
"This time, I came here for two reasons."
"To save Sabo."
"And to take Vegapunk away."
"If you refuse to move aside..."
"Then war is the only option left."
The moment his words fell, Dragon raised both hands.
The sea instantly began to roar.
Massive tornadoes formed in the distance.
They pulled enormous amounts of seawater into the sky before rapidly advancing toward Brown Square.
The battlefield trembled.
...
"What are these idiots even talking about?"
Luffy scratched his head impatiently.
"Justice, evil, righteousness... I don't get any of it."
He stepped onto the edge of the Moby Dick, cracking his knuckles.
"I just came here to beat people up and save my friends."
===
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