Chapter 1053 - 632: Heretics Are More Hateful Than Infidels
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance, and the atmosphere became tense.
They remained silent, and the other Navy members on the warship dared not speak either, merely gazing at the man in the elevator who was as brazen and wild as on his Wanted Order.
"Gulp—"
A Navy officer swallowed with difficulty, his hand trembling slightly as he held his musket.
He was a captain who had participated in the Summit War, an elite in the first half of the Grand Line, often chasing pirates with bounties worth tens of millions, yet upon seeing Sage, he felt insignificant, even more so than during the Summit War.
If we were to fight this guy...
Tsuru keenly sensed the inner turmoil of her subordinates, glanced back, and spoke:
"It’s normal for there to be a disparity in strength. What’s important is to have an unwavering sense of justice. Some people can kill, but they can’t kill justice."
Her words seemed to have a magical effect, instantly calming the trembling Navy members, tightening their grip on their weapons, and their gaze on Sage became sharp once again.
"Alright, he himself wouldn’t stoop to such bullying."
Sengoku stepped into the elevator and said to Sage, "But aren’t you afraid? If they were to deal with you in Mary Geoise, once you disappear, that would remove a significant threat."
Tsuru also stepped in, saying, "Someone like you indeed doesn’t fear death, but would you be willing to let go of the territory you’ve personally established to be abandoned like that?"
No matter how well or prosperous Sage’s territory was arranged, in their eyes, it was merely an oversized Doflamingo.
Wasn’t Dressrosa great back then?
Similarly, it was the largest smuggling hub.
What Sage is doing now, in their eyes, is just an expansion of Dressrosa but with more effort put into it.
The moment a person has concerns, they naturally don’t want to die easily.
In Mary Geoise, a place that’s hard to leave once you’re there, it’s extremely dangerous for a pirate.
"If I can trade myself for the world’s downfall, at least my life wouldn’t be wasted!"
Sage sneered, "Those above may not care, but do you all not care either?"
These words rendered Sengoku silent.
In forces centered around an individual, as long as the person disappears, most problems can certainly be solved.
Like Roger, Kaido among others, Sage included.
But Sengoku knows better that he has control of Ancient Weapons.
Being a Navy Fleet Admiral, one of the true top brass, he knows many secrets, including those about Ancient Weapons.
He even knows about the Ancient Weapon hidden beneath Alabasta’s royal tomb.
Back when Sage took the Poneglyphs, Sengoku paid particular attention, and now, it’s proven true that Sage has control over them.
And what Sage said is very accurate, after dealing with the Five Elders for so long, Sengoku is well aware of their thoughts.
If those guys truly decide, they could do such things to ensure their dominance.
Though the cost is high and chances are slim, it’s not without possibility.
"You can’t make the world sink."
Sengoku shook his head, "I know about the Egghead affair, you only took half of the energy, the other half is in our hands. Its power isn’t enough to sustain destruction of the world, but it can destroy half of the current sea."
He paused for a moment and said, "Life at sea shouldn’t pay the price for any reckless actions, it’s against benevolence. If necessary..."
No need to say more, as the three present understood the implication.
Sage looked at Sengoku with surprise and chuckled, "You truly possess the spirit and wisdom of a Buddha, able to endure working with the enemy. I say, since you’ve retired, why not come to my place?"
"Old me doesn’t have much of a grudge against pirates, but differing positions dictate different ways of handling matters."
Sengoku said, "In the end, Sage, the World Government is still the ruler."
Sage shrugged and said no more.
Those who are sharp and resolute like this are actually the hardest to recruit, because they understand the truth of the world and have made their choice unwaveringly.
Unlike some people, who chant Navy, Pirate, justice, and evil, appearing steadfast in position, but once they face setbacks, they can change positions at any time.
"I heard you want to release Fujitora?"
Tsuru sighed, "Unexpected, that a Navy Admiral would be remembered by a pirate..."
"Who made it so you couldn’t utilize him."
Sage grinned, "Since you couldn’t use him, maybe I could."
Tsuru shook her head and stayed silent.
Throughout the World Government’s eight hundred years, how many troubling affairs are hidden within?
The Navy’s establishment was not initially to uphold justice; essentially, it was an organization peripheral to the World Government. It gradually developed as more ’civilians’ like them joined, evolving to its current state.
If Roger hadn’t triggered the era of sailing, if Tiger hadn’t climbed the Red Earth Continent bare-handed to liberate slaves, if the Heavenly Celestial Dragon had committed fewer sins, if...
"I’m getting old too."
Tsuru sighed, "This world doesn’t have ’ifs’; what we face is the reality ahead. If Fujitora would join you, then it’s crucial to face the facts: even Kuzan became a pirate, so a person who’s only been a Navy member for less than two years could do the same."
The sea is already undergoing dramatic changes.
This change involves the Navy too, and the justice they’ve been diligently maintaining, it’s uncertain how many more years it can last.