One Piece : The Strongest Fleet Admiral

"Because I need your help. I alone cannot overthrow an organization as powerful as the World Government."

"Of course, the two of us are not enough. We need more like-minded comrades."

"Furthermore, with internal and external troubles, the pirate emperors who occupy the New World are not vegetarians either."

Sakazuki looked at Aokiji seriously.

Looking at Sakazuki's serious face, it didn't seem like he was joking at all.

Aokiji could also feel the strong determination emanating from Sakazuki.

Aokiji scratched his head, looking confused.

Sakazuki noticed Aokiji's hesitant expression.

"If you hesitate, you will lose!"

Sure enough, this sentence perfectly described Aokiji.

But Sakazuki was not in a hurry.

Instead, he reached out and touched the Marine's white coat of justice, torn during the battle.

At the same time, he slowly asked:

"Since the Marines appeared in these seas, every one of our Marine generals has worn a coat of justice. So, do you know what justice the Marines have upheld for so many years?"

"Kill the pirates, protect civilians, and maintain peace on the sea!"

When Sakazuki asked, Aokiji responded with the oath he took when he joined the Marines, without hesitation.

"Yes! But I haven't seen you kill the Straw Hat Pirates, nor could you protect the civilians of O'Hara."

Sakazuki's words were indisputable.

"Maybe there's a vague line in your heart, and you feel that there might be something different about some pirates."

"They don't kill innocent people indiscriminately, nor do they plunder the fruits of civilians' labor. They understand equal exchange and live in peace with civilians."

"Do you think such a gang, claiming to pursue adventure and freedom under the pirate flag, is not our target? No, thieves are thieves! Once they fly the pirate flag and label themselves as pirates, they stand inevitably opposed to the masses and the Marines!"

Perhaps for Aokiji, the Straw Hat Pirates could once have been called adventurers and voyagers, unworthy of attention.

But ever since Straw Hat Luffy released all the criminals from Impel Down, escaping the death penalty was no longer an option!

No matter what—whether it was the Sun God or the Moon God.

Even if Joy Boy himself from eight hundred years ago came in person, Sakazuki would still sentence Straw Hat Luffy to death!

"Setting aside our duty of fighting pirates, have we Marines fulfilled our responsibilities seriously? Have we truly accomplished our mission to protect civilians? On the contrary, when it comes to safeguarding the interests of the nobility, we are far more meticulous."

"When the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, are harmed, they can directly summon a Marine Admiral for protection. How ridiculous! How ridiculous!"

"The highest force maintaining peace on the seas has actually become the thugs of those pig-like parasites!"

Sakazuki couldn't control his emotions and roared in a low voice filled with righteous indignation.

Aokiji, standing next to him, didn't have time to deeply consider Sakazuki's explanation of "a thief is a thief." At that moment, hearing Sakazuki's criticism of the royal aristocracy, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

The dignified Marines disregarded the safety of civilians and instead served a bunch of garbage.

"So, what kind of justice do we uphold in the Marines? Is it the kind of justice that condones the blending of black and white? Or is it the kind of justice that firmly distinguishes good from evil? Is it the kind of justice that wholeheartedly protects the common people? Or is it the kind of justice that is half-hearted, prioritizing some things at the expense of others?"

"Should I listen to the justice in my heart, or should I follow the justice dictated by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons?"

Sakazuki looked at the word "Justice" on the cloak in his hand, his face emotionless.

But the series of questions that flowed from his mouth were deafening. Aokiji felt as if he had grasped something important.

"Before this, each of our senior Marine officers had their own understanding of justice."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku represents the justice that reigns over the world, Garp represents free-spirited justice, Tsuru represents pure justice, Kizaru represents ambiguous justice, I represent absolute justice, and you represent lazy justice!"

"And now? What is your justice?"

Sakazuki asked again.

Aokiji's eyes, once clouded with confusion, now showed clarity. He seemed deep in thought.

For the first time in years, he felt fully awake.

Seeing Aokiji's serious contemplation, Sakazuki didn't rush him.

He slowly pulled out a small booklet from the inner pocket of his shirt.

Luckily, he had protected it. Otherwise, if it had been damaged in the battle, there would've been no end to his regret.

Then, he took Aokiji's scabbed hand and gently placed the booklet into his palm, surprising him.

"This is my understanding of justice. I hope it helps you."

With that, Sakazuki stood up straight away.

He walked toward Sengoku, Doberman, and others, who were approaching from a distance.

Apart from Hibari, who helped write the booklet, Aokiji would now become his second reader!

This treasure couldn't be spread freely yet—it could only be entrusted to those he deemed trustworthy.

After reading its contents, Aokiji would surely understand the meaning behind it.

About to gain another ally, Sakazuki couldn't help but click his tongue in satisfaction.

Aokiji looked at the modest booklet in his hand and saw the bold words "Absolute Justice" on the cover.

Turning to the first page carefully, the first sentence immediately caught his attention, and his pupils contracted in shock.

"Absolute justice means standing absolutely with the common people and absolutely against the World Nobles, slave owners, Celestial Dragons, and other exploiters!"

"Whatever benefits the common people is justice; whatever harms them is evil!"

"In this way, attacking pirates to protect civilians is justice, while protecting nobles to oppress civilians is a sin!"

"…"

He abruptly closed the booklet but realized he had used too much force. He gently touched the edges, ensuring it wasn't damaged.

Noticing a few spots that looked like rain damage, he sighed in relief when he found no serious harm.

What a shocking statement! At first glance, the author seemed like a bold, rebellious madman. But on deeper thought, it felt like a warning.

It perfectly captured the justice upheld by those Marines who sincerely protected the seas' peace!

Is this your absolute justice, Sakazuki? Aokiji thought. It seems everyone has been in the dark about you!

He glanced at Sakazuki, now speaking with Sengoku and the others in the distance, and couldn't calm his racing thoughts.

Now he realized what a terrifying man Sakazuki truly was.

"Congratulations, Admiral Sakazuki!" Onigumo looked at Sakazuki's towering figure with admiration.

"What Admiral? It's Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"

Doberman declared, handing Sakazuki a pristine white coat of justice.

He stared expectantly at Sakazuki, as though willing him to put it on immediately.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku: "..."

Seeing the fiery enthusiasm on Doberman, Onigumo, and the others' faces, Sakazuki glanced at the dark-faced Sengoku next to him.

He casually accepted the Fleet Admiral cloak from Doberman—no, the new cloak of justice.

With a practiced flick, the hem of the coat nearly brushed Sengoku's face, but it settled naturally over his shoulders.

"Sakazuki, prepare for the Fleet Admiral conferment ceremony in a week. The Fleet Admiral position isn't an easy one to take on!"

Sengoku grumbled, brushing past Sakazuki and heading toward Aokiji with Garp.