The stage for the dawn of this new era was undoubtedly grand. However, Diarmuid, the man who could be considered the protagonist of it all, did not step up to center stage to sing.
Ever since the conference began, he had remained exceptionally quiet, sitting within the Marine ranks. He didn't speak, nor did he offer any suggestions. The agenda of this meeting wasn't about a manifesto for governing the world; to be honest, such a thing was currently unrealistic. At this stage, the primary goal was simply to establish a unified framework.
Although Dragon was visibly despondent after learning that that book had been written by Imu, he did not abandon or alter the principles he had adopted from it. It was as if this stage were naturally prepared for him.
"In a new union, power can no longer be concentrated in one place, one person, or even one organization. This is an absolute prerequisite. As the current Marine Admiral Rodriguez Diarmuid once said: absolute power brings absolute corruption. I agree with this completely. I deeply believe that the reason the former Mariejois faction fell into such a dark and evil state was that the power we granted them was too vast, too concentrated, and too absolute!" Dragon stood at the lectern, addressing the crowd.
Now was his time to speak. Dragon had spent the better half of his life searching for a stage like this, a chance to speak with the nations of the world and elaborate on his ideas and philosophy. Finally, the opportunity had arrived. And it must be said, he performed remarkably well.
If, when he first left the Navy years ago, he was still somewhat "naive," wanting to change the entire ruling order of the world in one fell swoop, he had now learned to be grounded after years of being battered by social reality.
Indeed, long ago, one of Dragon's primary concepts was the abolition of royal power to build an egalitarian society where everyone was equal, pushing the world to a new level.
Was it noble? The idea was certainly grand. He had even tried to implement it. The results spoke for themselves.
Even Diarmuid hadn't dared to pull such flashy stunts. Abolishing royal power? Was he joking? In a world where the power system was dictated by individual strength, where the strong were strong and the weak were weak, how could there be true equality? Furthermore, in a world of scattered islands like the One Piece world, such ideas were impractical.
Having a "non-dictatorial" vision was already advanced enough. Generally speaking, to have a functional system in this loose world, one couldn't entirely escape the framework of the World Government; you still needed a coalition. You needed an affiliated nation system!
"Hey, he's talking about you," Borsalino nudged Diarmuid with his elbow.
Diarmuid finally snapped back to reality. He truly hadn't heard what Dragon was saying up there; he had been spacing out the entire time.
"Hmm? What about me?" Once Diarmuid reacted, he realized many people were looking at him.
"Dragon mentioned that you said something like 'absolute power is absolute corruption'... Your influence is huge now; everyone is looking your way," Borsalino whispered.
Diarmuid caught on and nodded. "Right. Dragon is right."
Everyone: "???"
After that perfunctory remark, Diarmuid added, "I'm a soldier. I don't have much to say on this matter. You all continue."
Seeing that Diarmuid had no intention of offering further opinions, the others stopped asking. Dragon continued his speech. Once he finished, Fleet Admiral Sengoku took the stage to articulate the Navy's vision.
"What kind of results a military guided and controlled by a dictatorial government brings… I believe you have all witnessed that over the past eight hundred years. We, the Navy, do not wish to tread that old path again. Regarding the new global structure and system, the Navy does not wish to be overly involved. We hope everyone can build a new era through rational and equal negotiations. Here, I will only state our fundamental concepts, the baseline from which the Navy will not waver. First, the Navy is a righteous army with its own convictions; our conviction is to uphold justice and the peace of the seas. Therefore, in this domain, we do not wish to be shackled by any person or faction. Second, the Navy must maintain sufficient independence. Because we are too powerful, we must be autonomous; otherwise, if we fall into the hands of certain individuals, we will simply become a new weapon. Third, regarding the Navy's fiscal authority, we should implement..." Sengoku spoke with righteous fervor from the podium.
To be honest, much of it wasn't particularly practical, but currently, the Navy was the strongest power; no one dared to object.
Diarmuid continued to listen sporadically. What he was thinking about, however, was no longer these matters.
Emptiness. Yes, at this moment, Diarmuid felt empty. It was as if he had achieved a goal or suddenly understood something, leaving him feeling hollow regarding the future and his next steps.
Where did this sense of emptiness come from? Thinking back, it probably started at the moment Imu left. Seeing Imulia disappear from this world made Diarmuid suddenly feel that the things he had been obsessed with were truly meaningless.
Originally, he had intended to become the next Fleet Admiral after Sengoku. But now, that thought, which had always lingered in his mind, had faded significantly. What was the point of being the Fleet Admiral? To usher in the next era of the Navy? To shoulder more power and duty? And what would he get? Power?
Yes, he had always pursued strength and power. Strength was beyond self-doubt, but power... he had tasted it. He truly had. Especially now, after crushing Mariejois; simply by sitting here and having Dragon mention his name, the kings of the affiliated nations treated him with utmost reverence. That was power.
There was perhaps a chance to go further, to become the new Fleet Admiral, or even move up to the position of Commander-in-Chief in the future. But for some reason, Diarmuid no longer desired it.
Being a Marine Admiral was good enough, wasn't it? Let it end here.
He struggled to find the words to summarize this thought, but eventually, his mind drifted to Imu. To use her words: he was "bored." He was bored with his past pursuit of power. At this moment, Diarmuid suddenly understood Imu's feelings.
"How dull..." Diarmuid suddenly whispered.
As he said this, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had just finished his speech and walked over to sit beside him. Hearing this, Sengoku glared at him. "What? You think my speech was dull?"
Diarmuid: "???"
"Hmm? What speech?" Diarmuid replied, then continued, "It's not about that. I'm just reflecting on myself. I suddenly realized what a boring person I am, and how empty I feel..."
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Sengoku muttered, not quite understanding.
Before he could say more, Diarmuid continued, "Fleet Admiral, who do you plan to give the position of Fleet Admiral to next?"
It was the first time Diarmuid had asked so bluntly. Sengoku was a bit stunned, but then he laughed. "What? Can't wait already?"
After a pause, Sengoku added with some sentiment, "In my heart, I am naturally leaning toward you, Diarmuid. Your ability, strength, vision, and way of thinking are all better suited for being Fleet Admiral than Sakazuki's. If I really had to choose between the two of you, I would support you."
Their voices weren't particularly low. Borsalino, overhearing from the side, chimed in, "What about me? I'm an Admiral too, aren't I? Don't automatically ignore me every time this comes up, okay?"
"You?" Sengoku glanced at Borsalino. "Borsalino, think carefully before you speak. This comes with responsibility. If you actually have the ambition to be Fleet Admiral, I'll take you seriously."
Borsalino immediately waved his hands. "Just act like I didn't say anything."
Just then, Diarmuid spoke up. "Admiral... before, I would have been very happy to accept. But now, Fleet Admiral, I've changed my mind..."
"What? What do you mean?" Sengoku's brow furrowed.
"Let's call it a day. I want to retreat to the second line. Just like Zephyr-sensei, being a behind-the-scenes powerhouse living in seclusion at Marineford. Hahaha, watching the young Marines follow the tracks we once left to welcome a new era... isn't that nice?" Diarmuid laughed heartily.
Sengoku looked at Diarmuid in a daze. "Are you saying you're giving up the fight for Fleet Admiral against Sakazuki?"
"That's right. If possible, I actually hope someone can take my current position so I can step down from being a front-line Admiral and move to the second line. Of course, I'd still have to keep the rank of Admiral like Zephyr-sensei; I can't give up the benefits. I've done great things for the Navy, I've bled for the Navy..." Diarmuid said blissfully.
"What kind of madness are you talking about? I've poured so much effort into you, and in the end, it just ends with you saying you don't want to do it?" Sengoku glared at Diarmuid. As he said, he favored Diarmuid and preferred him to take over the next era.
"Fleet Admiral, in this new era, there is no ship that can carry me!" Diarmuid said suddenly.
As the words fell, Sengoku froze. Borsalino's expression also turned contemplative.
Indeed, in the new era, there was no ship to carry Diarmuid. To put it harshly, he could almost be considered a "remnant of the old era." Of course, that was only in a literal sense.
Sengoku understood that Diarmuid meant there would be no place for him in the coming era. What would he be needed for? Once the Navy swept through the New World, took care of Whitebeard and the others, and officially entered the new age, what would require Diarmuid to take action? Nothing.
"You... you're just lonely," Sengoku said with sudden sentiment, his voice carrying a hint of a sigh.
"Lonely?" Diarmuid paused. The word seemed to strike a chord in his heart.
"Hahaha..." Snapping back, Diarmuid laughed and looked at Sengoku. "Right, I'm lonely... When I was twelve, I couldn't make ends meet and joined the Navy in the North Blue. Now, I'm forty. Fleet Admiral, I've been in the Navy for twenty-eight years. It shouldn't be a problem to call myself a veteran Marine, right? Hahaha..."
"Compared to me, it's nothing, but yes, you're a veteran," Sengoku smiled and nodded.
"In these twenty-eight years, I've earned countless merits and reached the position of Admiral. I can be considered successful and famous. Fleet Admiral, for the next part, let me have a good rest..." Diarmuid said softly, a trace of confusion in his eyes.
Sengoku saw that look of confusion. Suddenly, he seemed to travel back twenty years to the first time he saw Diarmuid in the North Blue. He vaguely remembered when Zephyr asked Diarmuid what his justice was. Diarmuid had that same confused look...
It was this moment of nostalgia that softened Sengoku's heart. He couldn't help but say, "...Do whatever you want, you bastard."