Chapter 1358: The Old Man Wishes to Meet
Chapter 1358: The Old Man Wishes to Meet
Navy Marches on Mariejois
This meant the entire Navy would be purged from the World Government, becoming an outcast force—no different from pirates.
Once Kuro declared war on Mariejois, whether the Navy itself agreed or not became irrelevant. As Fleet Admiral, his will carried more weight than the World Government itself, especially broadcast live. Every Navy elite on the battlefield had already been swayed by Kuro’s words. Their hearts clearly yearned to march on Mariejois and eradicate the greatest "evil."
Whether they succeeded or failed, from this moment onward, they were no longer recognized as the World Government’s Navy.
Kaku didn’t know if they could succeed. No one had ever dared such a thing—not in the 800 years since the World Government’s founding. The upper echelons’ corruption was no secret to them, for they were part of that very hierarchy. Yet their lofty positions allowed them to foresee the consequences of Kuro’s actions.
Kaku murmured, "Kuro, do you truly endorse the Revolutionary Army’s ideals, even if you conquer Mariejois?"
...
"So what if we do?"
In the Calm Belt, Sengoku lifted his head, whispering, "Slaughtering the World Nobles won’t change the world. Without unified order, the Grand Line will descend into chaos. Do you truly wish to upend this world with your own hands?"
This was more terrifying than One Piece itself. After all, fortresses are hard to break from the outside. Even at their scale, they could only eliminate fragments at a time—never toppling the entire structure. Only internal strife could dismantle this colossal fortress completely. Yet even a flawed fortress was still order. Once shattered, chaos would flood in.
The Grand Line of that future...
Might view today’s fragile peace as paradise.
This was Sengoku’s deepest fear.
Yet he couldn’t believe Kuro was so reckless.
The man had always acted methodically—upholding rules, traditions, and the old Navy’s pride. Even someone hot-headed like Sakazuki would act decisively when necessary. Kuro wasn’t a fool.
Precisely because of this, Sengoku couldn’t fathom Kuro’s motives.
This was indeed a critical moment—but only for attacking Mariejois.
Failure meant the Navy’s erasure. The World Government would either rebuild it or replace it, but without the Navy, the Grand Line would spiral into chaos.
Success meant dismantling the World Government’s functions in Mariejois. The unified Grand Line would fracture into the Four Seas, each region ruling itself. Nations within the Grand Line would become independent, warring endlessly. Even the first half of the Grand Line would fall, turning the world into chaos incarnate.
Kuro couldn’t possibly overlook this.
"Ah, Sengoku-san."
As Sengoku furrowed his brow in thought, a golden light flickered, and Lucius Kro appeared with a grin.
"Even with your intellect, you’re troubled?"
"Borsalino", Sengoku growled. "Kuro is your subordinate. You granted him his Admiral position. Do you know what he’s planning?"
"A little. As he said himself—saving the world." Lucius Kro chuckled.
"Don’t joke with me!" Sengoku snapped. "This isn’t saving the world, Borsalino!"
Two ships approached Sengoku’s vessel—Garp’s and Sakazuki’s. The two stood at the bow, flanking Sengoku as if to encircle Lucius Kro.
"Mm, I’m not entirely sure either. But what he’s doing is visible—not some illusion. Dressrosa was practically an experiment following his plan. Truly astonishing."
"Dressrosa?" Sengoku’s pupils constricted. "The army marching on Mariejois with the Navy belongs to Dressrosa? Kuro controlled an entire nation?!"
No—it wasn’t just one nation.
Dressrosa’s rule spanned vast New World territories, all conquered lands. And in those regions, every king and noble had been eradicated. Sengoku had heard rumors, but dismissed them as tales. After all, Dressrosans seemed to live comfortably, dressed in luxury, flaunting wealth.
Or perhaps...
"A multi-racial trust, equal treatment, a world without exploitation. Everyone free to live, free to choose their path."
Lucius Kro, seeing Sengoku stunned, whispered, "This is true Justice."
Cold sweat dripped from Sengoku’s forehead. He instinctively retorted, "Impossible! That’s a paradox, for we—"
We ourselves are the privileged!
"But the intention is noble, Sengoku-san", Lucius Kro smiled. "The World Government has decayed over eight centuries. When something rots, it must be discarded and replaced. Whether the new will rot later is a future matter. Sengoku-san, with your Buddha-like wisdom, sometimes seeing too clearly paralyzes action."
The ones who change the world aren’t the wise.
They’re those who believe in what the wise call lies—yet see as faith.
These "fools" spread beauty to humanity, urging others to chase beauty, creating miracles.
True miracles born of the people.
Sengoku stared at Borsalino, then the screen, murmuring, "Dressrosa..."
Suddenly, he chuckled. "I see. That nation has already achieved it, hasn’t it? That’s why you speak so boldly, Borsalino. Did you know all along?"
"Not much. After retirement, I visited once. Not sure if it counts as success, but it’s vibrant—the finest nation I’ve seen."
Lucius Kro gazed at the screen, pouting. "Scary, isn’t he? Kuro."
Sengoku sighed. "I understand now. We won’t fight Kuro. Nor will we help. We’re just retired Navy, executing our mission in the Calm Belt. Nothing else concerns us."
With Buddha-like wisdom, he saw the truth.
If Kuro had orchestrated Dressrosa’s model from the start, his march on Mariejois wasn’t a rash decision. It was a long-term scheme.
Dare to guess further: if the Revolutionary Army’s sudden war was also his doing...
No need to guess!
The timing was too convenient. Just as victory loomed, the Revolutionaries surged forth, indirectly pushing Sakazuki toward abdication.
Perhaps Kuro had simply waited until his preparations were complete, ready to enact his will.
That bearded man, the Conqueror’s Haki wielder, was Kuro’s protégé in the Navy—executing his will.
Dressrosa, under King David’s rule, embodied Kuro’s vision for nations’ futures.
Deliberately gathering the Seven Warlords, selecting pirate representatives, and opposing other pirates—all reflected his will toward the Grand Line’s pirates.
He had been acting all along!
From the very beginning!!
"Truly the 'Golden Lion'..." Sengoku murmured. "A mystery indeed."
He paused, turning to Sakazuki and Garp. "Hey... do you wish to see it? That world."
Before they could reply, Sengoku continued, "The old man wants to see."
(End of Chapter)
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