On this sea, the so-called descendants of gods in Mary Geoise had always only cared about matters related to the Void Century.
The same was true for D.
For Roger.
And for the future destruction of Ohara.
Perhaps even the disbandment of the Roger Pirates and Roger's surrender were connected to this.
Even the sudden military forces that appeared during the South Blue incident, toppling the governments of two non-affiliated nations, did not concern them much.
Inside the Room of Authority, all discussions revolved around the "evil blood" carried in Roger's name, the will of D.
As for the pregnant women captured in the South Blue, they were no longer of any importance.
Whether to kill or release them did not matter.
"That so-called Pirate King, Roger, reached that island. His surrender was suspicious from the beginning."
"He has driven countless people into the sea, pointing them toward that island. From the moment his words spread across the world, pirates can no longer be ignored."
"We all know that on this sea, the tempering of will can allow the body to wield greater power. As more people take to the sea, we must strengthen the Marines to maintain balance."
"The new generation of Marines, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, will soon become the highest combat power."
"Kuzan… the user of the Ice-Ice Fruit. He was born in the South Blue, correct?"
"The waves stirred by Roger must be contained. Continue searching for his unborn child. As for those captured in the South Blue… release them."
"Agreed. Then we will leave the position open. Once the three Admirals are in place, the Fleet Admiral position…"
"Sengoku. His sense of justice aligns with our need to maintain balance."
"Mm."
"That will do."
…
At the same time, Marine Headquarters.
A minute earlier, a document of reprimand from the World Government had arrived. One of the Five Elders had even personally called, demanding Kuzan be questioned.
Kong frowned but said nothing.
He understood clearly.
In the eyes of the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons, CP was the obedient dog. The Marines merely maintained balance.
"Knock knock knock."
Kuzan entered after the knock.
After a pause, Kong finally spoke. "Your class… you were part of Zephyr's third batch, correct?"
"Yes," Kuzan replied. "After that incident, Teacher Zephyr became an instructor for the elite class. I was in the third batch."
Kong nodded slightly. "A man once called Black Arm Zephyr, alongside Garp… after his family was killed by pirates, his spirit faded. The Admiral who refuses to kill… sigh…"
A fading spirit meant fading Haki.
Just like Lomi, who had returned to the West Blue and lost his former strength.
Kuzan did not understand why this was brought up, but he still spoke his thoughts.
"Teacher Zephyr has always been too lenient toward pirates. Those who pursue fame and wealth will never have the restraint of not harming families."
Kong looked at Kuzan.
There was no hesitation in his eyes.
So harming family was a line for him.
Kong waved him away.
As for the leak…
The blame had already fallen on the Marines.
No evidence was needed.
…
At the port of Marineford, Kuzan stared at the blue sea, slightly puzzled.
Was that meeting just about Zephyr?
Or was it testing his stance on pirates?
Roger's final words would cause the number of pirates to grow exponentially over the next twenty years.
Life would only become harder for people across the Grand Line and the Four Seas.
At times like this, the Marines' responsibility became even greater.
Speaking of which, Garp had not returned yet. He had suddenly taken leave.
Probably back to his hometown.
At that moment, the conversation of two seamen nearby caught Kuzan's attention.
"Something happened in the South Blue."
"You heard too?"
"It was already spreading before the blockade. Not a secret anymore."
"They say the leak came from the Marines."
"Yeah, I know. But I think it was the right thing to do. Otherwise, those pregnant women and unborn children would have been killed."
"It is all that bastard Gol D. Roger's fault. He left us a huge mess. Every branch is asking for support. More pirates are reaching bounty level every day."
"Only the West Blue is calmer. Garp is on leave, right? Didn't go back to East Blue?"
"Who knows. People like him are beyond us."
…
Kuzan stopped listening.
That was enough.
Putting everything together, it became clear.
Why the World Government ships went to the South Blue.
Why Rowan was suddenly reassigned.
Roger's unborn child.
For that reason alone, they decided to arrest all pregnant women in a region.
Were unborn children guilty?
Was such an order justice?
It completely went against justice.
Kuzan stopped walking.
A storm raged in his heart.
He was not born a noble.
He had once been an ordinary person, born in the South Blue, setting out to sea with nothing but a bag, an umbrella, and a bottle.
What had driven him back then?
Kuzan scratched his head, trying to remember.
For a moment, even the thought of leaving the Marines crossed his mind.
But then he remembered the words of that seaman.
"I know… but I think it was the right thing to do."
Kuzan clenched his fists.
At that moment, he understood.
Understood why Garp never wanted to become an Admiral.
Garp had never joined the Marines to protect the so-called gods of Mary Geoise.
Then what about himself?
Six years had passed.
He was now a candidate for Admiral.
What was his position?
"I do not want to protect those people either… but I cannot be as free as Garp."
After muttering those words, Kuzan steadied his resolve.