Although Kizaru's family was not wealthy during his childhood, they were still able to provide enough for food and clothing, with even a little left over.
From a young age, Kizaru loved studying, but the leftover money wasn't enough to pay the tuition for the only aristocratic school in his hometown.
So, he resorted to buying books and studying on his own.
While reading made him happy, he couldn't help but envy those who attended school.
From then on, the thought of making money took root in his mind.
He loved reading all kinds of books—military, political, geographical, and even humanities—but his favorite subject was philosophy.
Since childhood, Kizaru had immersed himself in books on social philosophy and humanities.
He internalized concepts like "let nature take its course, be calm and do nothing" and "reach both sides, and be versatile."
This mindset and philosophy stayed with him throughout his life.
After obtaining the Glint-Glint Fruit, Kizaru's life didn't have significant ups and downs; he steadily did his job.
When it's time to relax, he relaxes. When it's time to slack off, he slacks off!
As long as he could maintain his status at Marine Headquarters, he felt confident handling most situations.
He observed the stark contrasts in justice between Sakazuki and Kuzan, stood in the middle, and promoted his own ambiguous justice.
Kizaru didn't fight for power or status. He preferred to observe from the sidelines, enjoying the drama like a spectator watching a battle between tigers.
Even the position of Fleet Admiral, the highest symbol of power in the Marines, didn't interest him.
Kizaru believed his life was free of emotional attachments, without any entanglement in the concept of justice.
For him, as long as he completed his tasks and got paid on time, that was enough.
But today.
Sakazuki put his grand ideals and dangerous ideas on the table before Kizaru.
This left Kizaru, who usually wore a false face, suddenly at a loss.
Didn't Kizaru once have a fiery heart burning for justice?
He had captured countless pirates with his lightning-fast attacks.
A few months ago, when the "Celestial Dragon Incident" caused by Straw Hat Luffy occurred at the Sabaody Archipelago, Kizaru had volunteered to handle the matter personally.
Wasn't it because he wanted to witness the embarrassment of the Celestial Dragons, the so-called World Nobles?
Didn't he want to add a little comfort to the sense of righteousness in his heart?
Zephyr, Sengoku, and even Sakazuki himself had all criticized Kizaru, saying he was careless, unmotivated, and didn't act like a Marine.
But ambiguous justice is still justice!
"Borsalino!"
Sakazuki's voice boomed, cutting through Kizaru's wandering thoughts.
Sakazuki's expression was more serious than ever as he spoke with conviction:
"The world needs to re-establish standards and laws to restrain everyone equally. We must not give any group special privileges above basic human rights!"
"Since we wear the coat of justice, shouldn't we carry out justice thoroughly?"
Kizaru remained silent.
He looked into the burning determination in Sakazuki's eyes, which seemed ready to ignite the entire world.
Then, he glanced at the violently churning magma on Sakazuki's arm.
Suddenly, something seemed to click in Kizaru's mind. He sat back on the sofa behind him.
His wretched smile returned, and with his peculiar, comical tone, he said:
"Oh my, Sakazuki, you're making this so awkward for me. How scary!"
Sakazuki frowned, watching as Kizaru lounged back on the sofa.
The magma on Sakazuki's arms cooled as he dismissed his Devil Fruit ability and sat down in his office chair.
He stared at Kizaru thoughtfully, but it was impossible to discern his thoughts through those thick sunglasses.
What was this man thinking? Did he agree or disagree?
Sakazuki lowered his head, lost in thought, when an idea suddenly flashed in his mind.
Recalling a joke from his past, he decided to try something bold.
He raised his head and tentatively asked Kizaru:
"Double the salary?"
Kizaru's face immediately lit up.
"Oh, Sakazuki, you're so boring! I am devoted to justice!"
Kizaru chuckled, his wry smile returning.
He got up from the sofa, walked towards the door, and paused briefly before turning into photons and vanishing.
His parting words lingered in the air:
"Don't assign me anything too exhausting!"
Sakazuki was stunned for a moment.
Did he just see a triumphant smile at the corner of Kizaru's mouth?
It seemed like Kizaru had devised a plan! He had obviously accepted it in his heart!
But Sakazuki immediately shook his head and smiled secretly to himself.
In truth, darkness isn't what's frightening—what's frightening is lacking the courage and belief to challenge it!
"Uncle Sakazuki, now that we have one more helper, our chances of winning are even better!"
"But there are still two Admirals left. It would be even better if we could bring two more Admirals to our side!"
At this moment, Hibari slowly approached Sakazuki from the corner behind the door. Though there were tears at the corners of her eyes, her expression was filled with joy.
She was clearly happy that Sakazuki had successfully won over Kizaru.
Hearing what Hibari said, Sakazuki nodded in agreement.
"The world conscription is ready to begin!"
"I hope more strong individuals who are passionate about Marine's just cause will sign up!"
"Hibari, please notify the intelligence department. Tell them to keep a close eye on the upcoming Marine branch recruitments. If a blind swordsman with a cross-shaped scar on his forehead signs up, contact you immediately and have him come directly to Marine Headquarters!"
Sakazuki placed great importance on Fujitora (Issho), a master swordsman.
As long as he told Fujitora about the abolition of the Shichibukai system, he believed the swordsman would become his right-hand man.
After all, this was the goal Fujitora had relentlessly pursued upon joining the Marines.
According to Sakazuki's estimation, the world conscription would officially launch in early October.
This world had a population of nearly 10 billion. The current Marine forces totaled around 10 million, so recruiting 5 million more would be sufficient.
Any more would create inefficiencies—making management difficult and inflating military expenditures.
Although the World Government had allocated only 100 billion berries and recovered a significant amount of gold from Upper Yard, it was still a drop in the bucket.
Clearly, Sakazuki needed to find that individual as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the Five Elders hadn't made contact recently, nor had they pressured Sakazuki about Boa Hancock's dismissal from the Shichibukai system.
This was a clear sign that the Holy Land Mariejois was in turmoil. The Five Elders were preoccupied and had no time to focus on Marine affairs.
After all, it had been more than a week since the Celestial Dragons were taken captive.
Not only had they failed to locate the Celestial Dragons, but there wasn't even the faintest trace of news about them!
How could such a situation not throw the World Nobles into a panic?
Just as Sakazuki was strategizing how to seize this opportunity, the black Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang.