Marco's main goal had always been to keep Sengoku in check. With his current strength, there was no one in the world capable of standing against him.
Even the mysterious Imu was someone Marco believed he could face head-on. Because of that, there was no need for pointless slaughter, especially against the Marines. Killing them would not grant him any attribute points anyway.
Kuzan stepped forward and blocked Sengoku's path.
"Sengoku-sensei, the times are changing, and you know better than anyone how rotten the World Government has become."
After speaking, Kuzan turned toward the remaining Marines.
The Marines still conscious were all at least Vice Admiral level. Anyone weaker had already been knocked unconscious by the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki released moments earlier.
Kuzan raised his voice.
"Marines, all of you know exactly what kind of filth the Celestial Dragons are."
"Can you truly call it justice while serving people like them?"
"Join me. Overthrow the World Government and create a justice that truly belongs to the people."
The moment those words fell, hesitation spread through the Marine ranks.
The officers still standing were elites among elites. Most of them had encountered the Celestial Dragons before, so they understood perfectly how disgusting those nobles truly were.
But Marco and the others were pirates.
For Marines to stand alongside pirates was something many of them could not accept so easily.
At the same time, fear lingered deep in their hearts.
Commander-in-Chief Kong had been killed instantly by Marco in a single attack.
That terrifying strength had completely shattered their understanding of power.
Everyone knew what the 'Commander' represented.
Yet Kong had died without even being able to resist.
Marco suddenly shouted toward the battlefield.
"Move out! Bring down the Celestial Dragons!"
Immediately, Kaido and the others charged toward the Holy Land guards.
Before arriving here, Kuzan had specifically asked Marco to avoid massacring the Marines.
Marco himself had no intention of exterminating them anyway. The Marines still had value in the new world he planned to build.
"Kaido, Big Mom, Dragon, hold off the Gorosei for now. I'll handle the God's Knights."
Kaido burst into laughter.
"Worororo! Fine by me. It'll be a good chance to test this new power."
Dragon simply nodded calmly.
"Leave it to me."
Big Mom looked displeased, but she ultimately accepted the arrangement.
Even after obtaining the Phoenix's power, she still did not believe she could defeat the Gorosei. Holding one of them back was already enough.
As Marco and the others advanced, Saint Garling immediately roared in anger.
"Sengoku! Stop these criminals at once!"
Sengoku's face darkened.
Inwardly, he cursed the Celestial Dragons.
At this point, it was obvious that the World Government viewed the Marines as nothing more than expendable cannon fodder.
Looking at the countless Marines collapsing around him, Sengoku hesitated.
Kuzan did not follow Marco and the others into battle.
From the very beginning, his objective had been clear.
He wanted to stop the Marines from throwing their lives away and convince them to separate themselves from the World Government.
Only then could the Marines preserve their strength and continue existing in the new era.
"Sengoku-sensei, this is the opportunity to change the world."
"I hope you don't let it slip away."
Sengoku snorted coldly.
"Kuzan, since when did you start trusting pirates?"
"You should know better than anyone how many terrible things pirates have done."
Kuzan scratched his head helplessly before replying seriously.
"That's because most of them are victims themselves."
"They were crushed by the World Government and forced into becoming pirates."
"The members of the Emperors Alliance mostly came from poor nations that couldn't afford the Heavenly Tribute demanded by the Celestial Dragons."
"Their countries suffered from endless hunger, war, and destruction."
"Many of them had to fight for survival since childhood."
"In a world where the strong prey on the weak, violence becomes the only way to protect yourself."
"They weren't born evil."
"They became who they are because of the environment they were forced to survive in."
Sengoku fell silent after hearing those words.
Kuzan continued.
"The Phoenix Pirates are different."
"They grew up under Whitebeard's protection."
"Most of them were orphans, but because of Whitebeard, they learned what family meant."
"They understand protection, respect, and love."
"I've spoken with Marco, Dragon, and Vegapunk many times about the future of the new World Government."
"The overall structure of the world won't change too drastically."
"The title of Celestial Dragon will still exist, but only Marco and his descendants will hold that position."
"Kaido and Big Mom will never become Celestial Dragons."
Sengoku frowned slightly.
"The new Gorosei will replace the current ones?"
Kuzan nodded.
"Exactly."
"The Gorosei system will remain because the world still needs leaders."
"But the new Gorosei won't be chosen from Celestial Dragon bloodlines."
"They will be selected from the people and the new government itself."
"Each Gorosei can only serve two terms, with every term lasting five years."
"Power will finally belong to justice, not to corrupt nobles."
Sengoku narrowed his eyes.
"And you trust a pirate's words that easily?"
"How do you know Marco isn't lying?"
Kuzan sighed softly.
He understood Sengoku completely.
The man had spent his entire life fighting pirates. Trusting one now was almost impossible for him.
Still, Kuzan continued patiently.
"The world is changing no matter what we do."
"I know you won't believe everything immediately."
"But the Marines can remain neutral."
"No matter who wins today, whether it's the World Government or the Emperors Alliance, both sides will suffer enormous losses."
"And afterward, both sides will still need the Marines."
"They need the Marines' military strength."
"They need the Marines' reputation."
"When this battle ends, the Marines will finally have a chance to pursue real justice."
"Not the fake justice that only exists to protect the Celestial Dragons."
===
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