The grand conference room at the Marine Headquarters was indeed spacious, befitting the headquarters of the massive organization that is the Navy. Inside, many officers and officials could already be seen.
Since the Navy is leading this conference, it's only natural that the majority of attendees are from the Navy. However, as expected, there are also individuals like me and Magellan, who are not part of the Navy but have been invited as part of the joint conference.
After giving a slight nod, Magellan headed towards the seats where the wardens of different prisons and prison-related officials were gathered. I, on the other hand, moved towards the seats where the Cipher Pol agents were seated.
"Thank you for your hard work, Spandam-dono... Please, have a seat here."
"Oh no, shouldn't you be sitting there instead?"
"Hahaha, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to take your seat, Spandam-dono."
In that area were the chiefs of each CP unit and the Director of CP0. As I approached, the Director of CP0 gestured to the seat right in the middle... the most prominent position, which is usually reserved for the representative of CP, someone of the highest authority. However, the Director of CP0 recommended that I take that seat instead and swiftly sat in another seat.
Seeing the other CP chiefs didn't object to me sitting there, I let out a light sigh and took the seat. Pochi, of course, took the seat right next to me, as if it was his rightful place.
Originally, there were two vacant seats, and the Director of CP0 had likely prepared for Pochi's presence as well.
"Spandam-san, there are a few matters I'd like to discuss. Can we find time after the conference?"
"Oh, I don't have any other tasks today. If others have the same request, I can make time for it."
"In that case, us too."
"I also have a matter regarding my mission."
"Us too..."
...Quite a lot of them. Well, there are times when it's difficult to discuss certain matters through den den mushi due to the risk of eavesdropping and such. White den den mushi, which prevents eavesdropping, is rare, and not every department has one.
"Well, it seems we need to align our opinions within CP as well... Pochi, please request to reserve another conference room after the joint conference ends."
"Understood."
Hmm... however, holding a CP meeting after the joint conference might coincide with the time when the Warlords of the Sea arrive.
Of course, assuming they respond to the summons and come on time... but well, since they are a group of stubborn individuals, they often find excuses to skip such gatherings.
While I was thinking about that, the high-ranking members of the Navy, including Fleet Admiral Sengoku, entered the room. Although they were far away from me, it seems only Admiral Kizaru participated from the Three Admirals.
Once Fleet Admiral Sengoku and others took their seats, the host standing in front of the screen began the joint conference.
***
The Joint Conference itself was quite dull. There was hardly any new information, and it mostly served as a recap of the Revolutionaries and Dragon, a review of what we already knew.
While the purpose of the conference might have been to achieve uniformity of understanding across different departments, it was surprisingly tedious due to the familiar information being presented. Well, to be fair, most conferences tend to be boring anyway.
After the Joint Conference concluded, we moved to a separate room to hold a meeting within the Cipher Pol. It was more like listening to the concerns of each CP chief rather than a formal conference.
Given the increasing activity of the Revolutionary Army, the CP units have also become busier, and it seems each one is facing its own set of challenges.
Once the meeting was over, I let the CP chiefs leave first and informed Pochi to arrange for a ship. Then, I headed to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's room to express my gratitude for lending me the conference room at such short notice.
While I had planned to send a written thank-you note if the meeting with the Warlords of the Sea had already begun, it seemed like there was still time, so I decided to meet Fleet Admiral Sengoku in person.
He kindly welcomed me into his room, and I bowed my head lightly to express my gratitude.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, thank you for offering the conference room at such short notice."
"No problem, if I could be of help. By the way, I don't recall having much conversation with Director Spandam before."
"That's true. There haven't been many opportunities for the CP and the Navy to work together."
"Since we have this chance, would you like to have a cup of tea if you have time?"
"Yes, that sounds good... I'll gladly accept your offer."
Being indirectly offered a chance to talk a bit, I accepted. There was no reason for me to decline, so after informing Pochi, I sat facing Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"...So, Director Spandam, how do you think we should deal with the Revolutionary Army?"
Taking a sip of tea, Fleet Admiral Sengoku remained quiet... His eyes held a discerning glint, as if he was assessing me.
From Fleet Admiral Sengoku's perspective, I am one of the top officials of the Three Great Powers, and during the previous meeting, I effectively represented the CP. He must be trying to size me up.
"...I believe we should be more concerned about the ideology that is expanding rather than the Revolutionary Army itself. I wonder how many of those who join or rebel against their countries to be a part of the Revolutionary Army truly understand the world and their own nations... The perspective of those who manage an organization or a country is different from that of those on the frontlines. Even if they're looking at the same thing, their views can be drastically different."
"We, as the management, also need to be careful about the discrepancy in understanding between us and the frontlines."
"Yes, with different perspectives, even something white can appear black. Many individuals are influenced by a few people's ideologies. What we should truly do is not to brand the revolution itself as evil, but rather, we should pour cold water on those who are carried away by fervor and give them time to think."
"...So, you believe we should target not the Revolutionary Army itself but those who incite others?"
"Rebellion and revolution can happen to some extent. It's not about completely denying all of that. The problem lies in those who are taking something that should have been confined within each country and expanding it to a global scale... Well, in the end, my opinion doesn't differ from the views of the Navy and the World Government. The ones we should take down are the revolutionary leader Dragon and those of the like."
From my personal perspective, I have little interest, but it's straightforward to understand that the method to put an end to the Revolutionary Army is to defeat Dragon.
Ultimately, without Dragon, the warped organization of the global-scale Revolutionary Army can't function. As far as I know, there is no other charismatic figure apart from Dragon who could lead the Revolutionary Army.
"...Well, though it's simple, that is the most challenging part."
"That's true."
"In return, I'd like to ask, is the Revolutionary Army... something that you would call an evil existence, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
"...That's a difficult question. I can't say that everything about it is evil."
That's probably the part that troubles many. It's not as clear-cut as labeling them as criminals like pirates. The Revolutionary Army is a term that encompasses various situations and backgrounds.
There are those who chose to be part of it willingly, and those who had no other choice. But once they step onto the battlefield, they all fall under the same category of the Revolutionary Army.
"Different positions lead to different notions of justice. Even if they were implementing benevolent policies, it doesn't mean they can make everyone happy. In the end, maybe true justice doesn't really exist anywhere."
"Haha, that's an uncomfortable truth for someone who carries the burden of absolute justice."
"Perhaps there is no universally accepted correct answer, and that's why justice may vary based on individual standards. At least, that's how I see it."
"...A justice in the darkness, you mean?"
"It's just that the world cannot be sustained on idealistic principles alone. I merely follow my own standards. Even if I happen to trample on flowers on the way."
After mentioning that, I finished my tea and stood up. It had become quite a philosophical conversation, but I believe we managed to maintain a reasonable level of courtesy.
How Fleet Admiral Sengoku interprets my words is up to him... I don't particularly care.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I shouldn't overstay my welcome, so I'll take my leave now..."
"Thank you for taking the time. As fellow advocates for peace, let's continue to work together, despite our different positions."
"Yes, then..."
Being advocates for peace... In a sense, it's not wrong. Though what I wish for is peace for myself... There's no need to say such things out loud.
I bowed to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and left the room.
***
After Spandam left the room and silence settled in, Sengoku muttered quietly:
"...So, that's Spandam, the Director, known as the 'Jet-Black Sun' or the 'Eternal Monster'..."
It was a rumor that had been circulating within the government and the Navy for some time. Enies Lobby, the island without a night... The reason there is no night on that island is because a monstrous being reigns there, capable of obliterating all darkness, even surpassing it. It's nothing but an exaggerated tale, saying that even the darkness of the night fears to approach the island due to that monster.
If you think about it logically, Enies Lobby was built 800 years ago, and a quick investigation would reveal that the island has been without a night ever since.
However, where there's smoke, there's fire... Since such rumors were circulating, Sengoku had been considering that there must be some presence that gives rise to such thoughts.
He had anticipated that it was likely Spandam, the Commander-in-Chief of CP9. Though information was scarce due to the distinction between the Navy and CP, Sengoku had inferred that Spandam held a significant position within CP, essentially being at the pinnacle of the organization. In today's meeting, he had indeed occupied a position resembling the representative of CP.
"...Monstrous."
That's why he took this opportunity to exchange words and discern more about Spandam. There are things you can't understand until you face them... The result was beyond his expectations.
Sengoku quietly looked at his own hand. It was trembling slightly. Sengoku, a seasoned warrior, had only faced Spandam for a brief moment... No, precisely because he was a seasoned warrior.
And precisely because of that, he could sense the power of the monster named Spandam through that short conversation.
...It felt as if he was confronting a monster that could bring about the destruction of everything, devouring both light and darkness, such an illusion he experienced.
"What is fortunate is that he is not a mindless monster but a rational one... However, precisely because of that, he could be even more terrifying..."
In the empty room, Sengoku's murmured words echoed quietly.
***
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