"Why???"
Zephyr was reluctant to believe that Sakazuki would dare to disobey the World Government's orders.
"Teacher Zephyr, do you still remember when you asked me what justice is and how I answered you?"
Sakazuki did not respond directly but posed a question to Z instead.
Although Zephyr was puzzled as to why Sakazuki would bring this up at such a time, he still recalled it.
...
"Sakazuki, congratulations on becoming a Marine Vice Admiral. You will undoubtedly secure a position as an Admiral in the future!"
"Now, I want to ask you, what justice do you uphold?"
Z, about fifty years old at the time, asked Sakazuki, who had just been promoted to Vice Admiral.
"Eliminate all pirates in the world and eradicate every trace of evil!
Even if it costs my life, even if I become the enemy of the entire world!"
Sakazuki answered resolutely.
...
Sakazuki's words echoed in Z's mind.
"Eradicate all evil in the world, even if it means being the enemy of the entire world!"
Zephyr pondered these words repeatedly. He muttered them under his breath.
Suddenly, he seemed to grasp something.
The enemy of the entire world!? Why would eradicating pirates make someone the enemy of the world?
Pirates don't represent the entire world.
So, what does "world" mean here?
Zephyr was shocked.
Could it be that Sakazuki had already reached such a realization back then?
Wouldn't that mean his dangerous thoughts existed earlier than even those of Dragon?
Zephyr didn't entirely agree with Dragon's approach—rebelling against the Marines to form a Revolutionary Army to resist the World Government.
How was that different from his earlier idea of temporarily leaving the Marines to create a new Marine faction dedicated to exterminating pirates worldwide?
The likelihood of success was slim—practically impossible.
Only drastic reforms from within the existing Marine framework could bring change. Turning the Marines, already the world's largest force, into a more capable and just institution was the only viable path.
Only then could the cycle be broken, all pirates eradicated, and the World Government overthrown.
In reality, it was different from what Zephyr imagined. Sakazuki, at the time, held no such elaborate ideas.
When he spoke of becoming the enemy of the world, he simply meant eradicating all pirates.
But in the current situation, those words took on a profound meaning!
Z imagined a Marine who defied the odds and embodied justice for the world. A man who risked everything, fighting his way to becoming an Admiral and eventually the Fleet Admiral. All for the sake of achieving the absolute justice in his heart!
Sakazuki noticed Z's expression of dawning realization. As if to confirm his thoughts, Sakazuki spoke.
"Abolishing the Shichibukai system is only the first step. The true root of evil in this world lies in the system itself!"
Sakazuki declared, pointing towards the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
At that moment, Z's confusion dissipated. A man full of benevolence and righteousness, dreaming of becoming a true hero, could never condone the behavior of the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land.
But his abilities were limited.
Like many Marines, including Sengoku and Garp, he could only turn a blind eye. Out of sight, out of mind.
Fighting for justice while avoiding sin—how tragic!
Zephyr looked at Sakazuki with a complex expression.
He had never expected this!
Sakazuki, who adheres to the concept of absolute justice, revealed the true goal in his heart—a vision far grander than Z had ever imagined.
"This is a path no Marine Fleet Admiral has ever taken before. Even if some wished to, none succeeded!" Zephyr remarked, his thoughts grounded in the long history of the Marines.
By now, Zephyr no longer harbored any resentment towards Sakazuki. Instead, he was deeply concerned about the burden Sakazuki had taken upon himself.
"If there is no road ahead, then I will carve one.
If there is no light ahead, then I will become the light!"
The fire of justice in Sakazuki's eyes burned silently. Justice, he believed, held infinite potential and explosive power. But it required ignition. It needed a fire—a fire of magma—to blaze towards the heavens, illuminate the world, and burn away the rot and darkness of Mary Geoise.
The blood-red rose on Sakazuki's left chest swayed faintly as if caught in a storm. The tattoo beneath his uniform emitted a subtle glow, making the rose's color appear even more vivid and radiant. It symbolized the purest love and beauty: love for justice and beauty in the pursuit of an untainted world.
Moved by Sakazuki's determination, Zephyr felt his long-dormant passion rekindling. The fire in his heart, long extinguished by despair and disillusionment, started to burn again.
True conviction, Zephyr realized, was the spark capable of igniting others. Sakazuki's unwavering faith had infected him.
"Sakazuki, I am not as resolute as you! None of the Marine generals can compare to you!" Zephyr admitted, his voice tinged with awe.
Sakazuki shook his head modestly.
"I can't do this alone. No one in the Marines can. Only through unity—uniting all Marines and those who believe in justice—can we hope to achieve this goal!"
Zephyr nodded, his seasoned mind quickly grasping the gravity of the situation. He understood that Sakazuki sought his help—not just to eliminate Shichibukai but to become an ally in reshaping the future of the Marines.
The old fire in Zephyr's heart now roared to life. It felt like rediscovering his childhood dream of becoming a hero. At that moment, he resolved to dedicate the remainder of his life to supporting Sakazuki's vision, even at the age of seventy-two. He believed he could give another decade of service to the Marines, fighting for justice.
"Besides dismantling the Shichibukai system, is there anything else I should do?" Zephyr asked, already determined to personally deal with pirates like Edward Weevil.
Sakazuki's reply was deliberate, yet powerful.
"Preach."
"Preach?" Zephyr echoed, confused. Was Sakazuki referring to the martial arts he once taught as an instructor?
After seeing Zephyr's doubts, Sakazuki was not in a hurry to explain.
Instead, he took out a book from the interior pocket of his red shirt.
Yes, it was a copy of Absolute Justice.
"Teacher Zephyr, how about you read this book first?" Sakazuki said, handing the book to Zephyr, who looked at him with a suspicious expression.
Zephyr glanced at the cover.
Absolute Justice?
Was this Sakazuki's statement of his own sense of justice?
Seeing that Sakazuki remained silent, Zephyr turned his gaze toward Hibari, standing confidently beside him. Her composed demeanor only deepened his confusion.
What book could be so important?
Deciding not to press further, Zephyr simply opened the book and began browsing through its pages.
After a while, the quiet space was broken by the sound of his heavy breathing.
"Absolute Justice! Is this what absolute justice means?"
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Zephyr exclaimed, his voice growing louder with each repetition.
His repeated exclamations demonstrated how much significance he placed on the book.
The corners of Sakazuki's mouth curled into a slight smile.
"Teacher Zephyr," Sakazuki said, his tone serious, "I want you to spread the concepts in this book to all the Marine generals you have led and trusted, as well as to every soldier below their rank."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The world conscription has already been put into motion, and countless new recruits will be joining us. The Marine headquarters will also promote a new generation of Marine generals. It's not just about their strength—we need to transform and arm their minds with these ideas as well. This is your mission, Teacher Zephyr!"
Zephyr nodded solemnly.
Strong force was crucial, but the power of ideas could not be ignored. High-ranking officers without the proper mindset were no better than emotionless killing machines.
Like Kong, once a powerful Marine Fleet Admiral and now the Commander-in-Chief of the entire military. He had become intoxicated by power, nothing more than a pawn of the World Government.
How sad!
Zephyr spoke up, his voice steady and determined.
"I propose that in addition to promoting these ideas at Marine headquarters, we should also regularly visit Marine branches along the Grand Line to teach and preach this philosophy. However, the exact approach should depend on the circumstances."
Sakazuki nodded approvingly.
"That will be up to you, Teacher Zephyr, to decide. What matters most is spreading this concept of justice to everyone. Let them understand what true justice is!"
When the time comes to stand against the World Government, there will be countless like-minded warriors ready to follow us straight into the heart of the storm!
That night, under Hibari's hospitality, with tea and wine flowing freely, Sakazuki and Zephyr spent hours discussing their preliminary plans for the years to come.
Zephyr was amazed time and again. His respect for Sakazuki grew beyond measure.
When the first rays of morning sunlight shone through the window, casting a soft red glow on the walls, the two finally concluded their conversation.
Sakazuki declined Zephyr's invitation to join him for breakfast.
After a brief farewell, Sakazuki and Hibari headed home.
"I'll leave the morning paperwork in the office for Hibari to handle later," Sakazuki thought. "She's far more efficient at it than I am."
Zephyr stood at the door, watching the two as they departed. The morning sun bathed his face in warm light, but his heart burned even hotter with newfound resolve.
Looking toward the rising sun, Zephyr could almost see a future—a peaceful and prosperous world filled with love and beauty.
"Sakazuki," Zephyr murmured to himself, "the hope of the Marines and the people of this world lies in you!"
...
Burning justice is like the eternal sun in the sky.
The world cannot delay its arrival.