Although Sengoku could not see Kuzan's expression, he could sense from his tone that Kuzan had learned deeply unsettling truths about the World Government from the Revolutionary Army.
It was not as if there had never been negative information about the World Government. After all, Kuzan had risen to the rank of Admiral and had witnessed many of its darker aspects. However, the Marines were the public face of the World Government. They were required to uphold an image of righteousness and glory. Even when Marines encountered the World Government's corruption, it was often filtered or justified under the banner of necessity. This careful framing allowed many to believe that a certain degree of darkness was required to preserve order.
But the reality revealed by the Revolutionary Army was likely far more severe. It was the kind of truth that could shatter a person's worldview entirely.
Even without knowing the specifics, Sengoku had always been aware that the World Government was far from virtuous. Still, he chose to focus on his duty and ignore what lay beyond it.
He steadied himself and spoke firmly. "I do not know what you saw or what Dragon showed you during your time away from the Marines."
"However, regardless of what you learned, the Marines exist to protect the people. That is justice. If you truly believe the World Government is flawed, then return. Take the position of Fleet Admiral and use that authority to change things from within."
Garp's voice boomed through the transponder snail. "Stop overthinking it, Kuzan. Get back here right now."
Kuzan let out a faint sigh. "You are still the same, Vice Admiral Garp."
His voice grew serious.
"I do want to protect the people. That has never changed. But I will do it in my own way. I do not know whether I will succeed, but I can no longer serve the World Government."
Sengoku's frustration surfaced. "The Marines protect civilians, uphold justice, and eliminate evil. Even if the World Government has countless faults, it still maintains order in this world."
"That is only the surface," Kuzan interrupted coldly. "I saw things while I was with the Revolutionary Army. In many countries, the Marines are not seen as symbols of justice. We are seen as accomplices of devils, even as their hounds."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment before asking quietly, "What exactly did you see?"
"I may not know the details, but the Revolutionary Army seeks to overthrow the World Government. That cannot be allowed. The World Government has ruled for eight hundred years. If it still stands, there must be a reason."
Kuzan did not hesitate. "Then perhaps for eight hundred years, the Marines have walked the wrong path."
He continued calmly, his tone steady yet resolute.
"I am not saying that the Marines' concept of justice is wrong. But as long as the Marines remain subordinate to the World Government, we cannot escape its control. Even if I became Fleet Admiral, I would still be bound by them. I would not have the freedom to change what truly needs changing."
He paused briefly before adding,
"This world should not be this way."
"And the Celestial Dragons are not gods."
Those words carried enormous weight.
The idea that the Celestial Dragons were divine had been reinforced for eight centuries. It was a doctrine deeply ingrained across the world. Their weakness did not matter, because no one dared to challenge the belief itself. To oppose that idea was to stand against the World Government and everything it represented.
For a former Admiral to reject that belief openly was no small matter.
Sengoku was momentarily stunned.
After a short silence, Kuzan spoke again.
"That is enough, Sengoku. I still have my own path to walk. Goodbye."
The line went dead.
Kuzan lowered the transponder snail and turned away, his gaze firm. The surrounding Marines hesitated, unsure whether to stop him.
"Admiral Kuzan…" one of them muttered instinctively.
But Kuzan did not look back. He walked forward without pause.
When Sengoku had offered him the Fleet Admiral position, he had been tempted. For a fleeting moment, he considered whether he could truly reform the system from within. Yet the memories of what he had learned from the Revolutionary Army resurfaced, and his conscience refused to allow it.
In his youth, he once believed in what Sakazuki called Absolute Justice. Over time, however, he realized that under the banner of so called dark justice, almost anything could be justified. That realization had slowly eroded his faith in both the Marines and the World Government.
He had once thought he understood their corruption. Now he knew that what he had seen before was only a fragment, not even the tip of the iceberg.
From beginning to end, the structure of this world was shaped by the World Government. Pirates committed crimes openly, yet the World Government operated on a scale far greater, manipulating nations and histories alike. Compared to that hidden machinery, the crimes of pirates sometimes seemed small.
Back at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku stared at the silent transponder snail, his heart heavy.
He had been confident Kuzan would return. Instead, Kuzan had chosen a different road.
Garp folded his arms, clearly irritated. "That brat has really grown bold. He even dares to ignore my orders."
Then, unexpectedly, Garp burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, but he has spirit. That is my apprentice for you."
"Be quiet, Garp," Sengoku snapped, rubbing his temples.
The situation was grim. He was no longer young and could not remain Fleet Admiral indefinitely. A successor had to be chosen soon.
Kuzan had refused. Kizaru was currently captured by Marco and the Phoenix Pirates.