"World Government."
As soon as Daniel Davis uttered those words, Fujitora's expression turned cold. Originally, Fujitora was not blind; he had chosen to blind himself after witnessing too much injustice and evil in the world.
The tragedy of the One Piece world, as a certain rice-carrying person might put it, surpasses even that of the Naruto world. While countless people suffer in Naruto due to the ninja wars, the major villages generally strive for their own vision of peace. In contrast, the One Piece world has far fewer people dedicated to such ideals.
"Mr. Fujitora, many blame the Great Pirate Era on Roger, the Pirate King. But they fail to realize that the era wasn't started by Roger—it was started by the World Government."
If the world were peaceful and people were content, only a small minority would seek rebellion. The One Piece world, however, is rife with pirates because of oppression—oppression from the navy, nobles, and the World Government. Under such conditions, piracy becomes synonymous with freedom.
Daniel acknowledged that Marine figures like Sengoku, the Three Admirals, and elite Vice Admirals genuinely stood for justice. But they were exceptions. Across the countless Marine bases scattered throughout the seas, figures like Captain Morgan and Captain Nezumi were far more common than Smoker or Tashigi.
Many individuals turned to piracy out of desperation, not choice. Take Zoro, for example: once a renowned pirate hunter, he joined Luffy largely because of circumstances—partly Luffy's charisma, but also the pressures imposed by the Marines. Under normal conditions, Zoro might have arrested Luffy for a bounty.
The same was true for Nami. Had it not been for Captain Nezumi's collusion with Arlong, Luffy wouldn't have rescued her. And without the Warlord system, Arlong wouldn't have reached the East Blue, nor would Nami's foster mother have been killed. Ironically, Nami's foster mother was a former Marine—Nami herself might have become a Marine someday if not for these events.
But such "what-ifs" hold little meaning.
"The Warlord system is corrupt, but have you ever considered who granted them their powers? Even if the system were abolished, would that change anything? Could you stop the human trafficking market on Sabaody Archipelago, euphemistically called an 'employment agency' by the Marines?"
Fujitora's grip on his cane tightened at the mention of human trafficking. Of all the World Government's sins, this was its darkest stain—one that could never be washed clean. Tragically, most people in this world turned a blind eye to it. Even after Daniel's efforts to raise awareness, human trafficking still thrived on Sabaody.
The World Government had ruled for over 800 years, its influence deeply ingrained in society. Awakening the public would take time—time Daniel knew he didn't have.
"This discussion doesn't seem suitable here," Daniel remarked, breaking Fujitora's silence. He glanced around, then formed hand seals to create a small wooden boat beneath their feet. He stepped aboard one side, while Fujitora, after a moment's thought, used his power to bring his rock platform aboard the other.
"Are you part of the Revolutionary Army?" Fujitora finally asked as he settled onto the boat.
"Not exactly. We've worked with them, but today I'm here representing Akatsuki. We invite you to join us in overthrowing the World Government and creating a new one—one without the scum that are the Celestial Dragons."
The World Government had spent 800 years indoctrinating people with the idea that the Celestial Dragons were the descendants of the Creator. While many despised the Dragons, few dared act against them. Among the so-called "Worst Generation," only Luffy had the audacity to attack a Celestial Dragon. Even the reckless Eustass Kid refrained.
"Akatsuki." Fujitora's face grew serious upon hearing the organization's name. The G-1 branch battle had propelled Akatsuki from obscurity to a force on par with the Four Emperors. If Daniel invoked Akatsuki's name, he could rally a force equivalent to a Yonko crew overnight.
"The root cause of the Great Pirate Era's evils lies with the World Government. As long as the government and the trash that are the Celestial Dragons remain, the situation won't improve, no matter how hard Sengoku and others try. A corrupt hierarchy breeds corruption below. Even if the Warlord system is abolished, the government could create an 'Eight Warlords' or 'Ten Warlords' whenever it pleases."
As Daniel spoke, he extended his left hand, conjuring a wooden plank. With his right hand, he sketched a map of the One Piece world and its political dynamics.
"Sengoku's plan is to quell the pirates first, then reform the government. But he's too naive. First, they'll never be able to completely suppress the pirates. As long as the government remains corrupt, people will continue to turn to piracy in the name of freedom. Second, the World Government can remove Sengoku with a single order. Neither Sengoku nor Garp has the courage to openly defy the government or the Celestial Dragons. How, then, can they reform it?"
"Consider the case of Z, the former Marine Admiral known as 'Black Arm.' You must have seen our flyers about him. Despite his decades of service, the government betrayed him. If that doesn't expose their corruption, I don't know what will. Sengoku's faith in the government is baffling. In my view, the only solution is to destroy the current system entirely. Only then will the Great Pirate Era end."
Throughout history, wherever there is oppression, there is resistance. Even under Qin Shi Huang's reign, opposition arose despite his unparalleled authority. Yet in the worlds of Naruto and One Piece, few dared challenge the Daimyo or the World Government head-on.
This was a cultural difference. In One Piece, the notion of rebellion was rare, largely due to the government's effective indoctrination over centuries. Even someone like Garp, who openly called the Celestial Dragons trash, would still protect them in a crisis.
If figures like Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, or Zhang Liang had existed in this world, the Revolutionary Army would have flourished long ago.
"Things could have been different. The Rocks Pirates nearly succeeded in wiping out the Celestial Dragons at God Valley. But they were stopped by Garp and Roger. It's almost laughable."
"Garp and Roger stopped the Rocks Pirates?" Fujitora's expression showed surprise. As a wanderer, he lacked access to such classified history.
"Yes. Do you think they made the right choice?" Daniel asked pointedly.
"Legend says the Rocks Pirates were brutal. Had they taken over, the world would've plunged into greater chaos," Fujitora replied after a pause.
Daniel laughed. "That's what Garp and Roger thought too. But I see it differently. Even if the Rocks Pirates were brutal, they'd still be better than the Celestial Dragons. The Rocks couldn't enslave everyone the way the Dragons do. Dissatisfied people would eventually overthrow them. But under the Celestial Dragons, who dares resist openly? Tell me, Fujitora—have you ever dared to kill a Celestial Dragon? Have you rescued anyone from the Sabaody slave markets?"
Fujitora's body trembled at Daniel's words. He had never considered these questions. In this world, only reckless figures like Luffy dared act against such authority.
"By the look on your face, I see you haven't. How disappointing. Perhaps I approached the wrong person."
Daniel stood, crushing the wooden plank in his hand into splinters that scattered into the sea breeze.
"What's your real purpose here?" Fujitora asked, rising to his feet.
"I came to recruit you into Akatsuki to fight the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. But if you can't even oppose them, there's no point."
Daniel sighed. "Maybe Z will be different. I can only hope. Unlike Naruto or Luffy, I'm not so great at persuading people."
Naruto and Luffy had mastered the art of "talk-no-jutsu." Naruto turned enemies into allies, even convincing Nagato. Luffy, meanwhile, earned the loyalty of many defeated foes, building a massive fleet. Convincing Fujitora, however, seemed a daunting task for Daniel.
Still, planting the seeds of doubt in Fujitora's mind wasn't a wasted effort. It mirrored what Daniel had done with Dragon and the Revolutionary Army.
"Can you guarantee Akatsuki won't become the next Celestial Dragons?" Fujitora's question caught Daniel off guard. He laughed loudly.
"Why is it that people like you fear a new power becoming as corrupt as the old? Sengoku, Garp, even Roger—they all think this way. Better the devil you know, right?"
Daniel's voice hardened. "But if the new power becomes corrupt, so what? Where there's oppression, there will be resistance. With the current Celestial Dragons, there's no need to overthink. Overthrow them first."
In the One Piece world, only Dragon truly embodied the spirit of resistance. Even Luffy cared little for the world's politics, focused solely on adventure and becoming Pirate King.
"Is that so?" Fujitora murmured, falling into silence.
Seeing this, Daniel decided to wait. Fujitora wasn't easily swayed, but Daniel's words had clearly shaken him. For the first time, Fujitora considered that the root of the Great Pirate Era might lie with the World Government itself.
Though Fujitora had joined the Marines to change the world,
witnessing Doflamingo's tyranny in Dressrosa had made him question the government. But only now, with Daniel's insights, was he truly beginning to understand the depth of the problem.
"The World Government won't be easy to topple," Fujitora finally said.
"I know," Daniel replied. "An organization ruling for 800 years with such policies must have immense strength. If they were weak, they'd have been overthrown long ago."
The situation was reminiscent of Wano under Orochi's rule: hated by the people but still firmly in power. If Wano's plight was bad, the World Government's dominance was even more entrenched. The Celestial Dragons were fools, but the World Government itself—and figures like Im—were anything but weak.
Their power extended beyond the seas, including a mysterious land-based military hidden on the Red Line. Though little was known about them, Daniel was certain they were formidable.
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Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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