Chapter 32: The Challenge Beyond Simplicity

Gomon's transformation surprised everyone.

Just a month ago, Ge Meng was a foolish and aggressive troublemaker.

People usually considered individuals like him as a sort of societal threat, a type of person seen as garbage.

But what about now?

Is the young man with determined eyes and a quiet work ethic really the same person who acted like a troublemaker just a month ago?

Gion: I recall that just a month ago, Gomon used to be a small-time troublemaker.

Garp: It wasn't even a month ago; just ten days back, he was still your typical troublemaker. It's surprising how much can change in such a short time.

Kuzan: Ever since Roja and Fujitora visited the uncertain object terminal, Gomon's mindset started shifting.

After spending ten days alongside Roja and Fujitora at the terminal, Gomon has fully embraced Roja and Fujitora in his heart.

Roja's impact on Gomon goes beyond just words; his actions speak volumes, too. Gomon, with his straightforward thinking, finds this change perfectly reasonable.

In a state of confusion, Aokiji observes Roja's every move more meticulously than most. He even puts himself in Fujitora's and Gomon's shoes, trying to understand Roja's actions. The more he does this, the greater his admiration for Roja becomes.

The consistency between Roja's words and deeds, his fair treatment of everyone, his extensive knowledge, broad-mindedness, tolerance, and equal treatment of all things are qualities that Aokiji greatly respects.

Avoid arrogance in the presence of humility, and don't look down on others due to their difficulties.

Slowly, he extended his hand to cleanse the dirt and filth from this terminal.

Gomon, originally an orphan born in the terminal, never imagined that someone could come to this grimy place to rescue him during his childhood.

However, as hope faded away, it transformed slowly into a life of a troublemaker.

Now that Roja has become someone acknowledged by Gomon and no longer maintains the mentality of merely passing through this world, a natural transformation is underway.

When a person is genuinely committed to something, their will, actions, and every aspect of it shine with a brilliance that is uniquely human.

"The old society turned people into ghosts, and the new society turned ghosts into people."

Aokiji reflected once more on Roja's words from his initial entry into the terminal.

At that time, I didn't grasp the significance of that statement, but now I sense its profound weight.

It feels so heavy that it appears to crush the sense of justice he once upheld.

Are those in power in the Kingdom of Goa, blinded by greed, representatives of the old society? Undoubtedly, because of them, there exists such a twisted and sordid place like the uncertain objects' terminal.

Is it the World Government? It seems likely. The World Government serves the Celestial Dragons, and the royal nobles of the Kingdom of Goa mimic the Celestial Dragons.

Is it the Marines?

Uncertain, Aokiji becomes even more perplexed.

Is the Marine upholding justice or order? Or are they serving the interests of the nobles, perpetuating the old society that transforms people into ghosts?

On one hand, there's the ingrained concept of justice from childhood, and on the other, Roja's vehement challenge to the existence of nobles.

Aokiji struggles to distinguish between the two clearly and desperately seeks answers from Roja.

Meanwhile, Dragon is deeply moved by Roja's phrase, "The people are the creators of history."

He always felt like he had grasped something, yet there was a sense of separation.

These words appear linked to exploitation and oppression, but his current understanding doesn't allow him to delve into their deeper significance.

Nevertheless, there's no denying it.

The underlying meaning of the phrase "the masses of the people are the creators of history" is far more profound than the revolutionary army's pursuit of their own freedom.

Kaido expresses his disinterest, finding ideas and transformations tedious. He craves the spectacle of war, believing it to be the ultimate power that decides everything. To him, a feeble organization relying solely on ideas lacks the necessary strength.

Kaido dismisses these thoughts and deeper meanings entirely; all he cares about is engaging in combat. Could it be that these seemingly weak, self-deprecating outcasts alone have the power to overthrow the World Government?

A joke.

To Kaido, the present Roja appears like a child's playhouse.

Others remain indifferent, considering Kaido's reaction as ordinary.

Being a renowned warmonger among the Four Emperors, Kaido adheres to sheer force. It's challenging to anticipate someone of his nature to grasp the notions of "people" and "ideology."

However, Kaido's will doesn't alter the course of the movie, and the viewing continues unaffected.

[Ten days have elapsed.]

[The initial plastic plate is no longer just washed and used.]

[Clearing up the waste in the dump, disposing of useless garbage through landfill or incineration, and organizing useful waste— all can be traded for fresh food, clothing, or other daily essentials.]

[Roja also instructed Gomon to record the identity of each person.]

[Over the last three days, while everyone still wore weary expressions, their overall appearance had become a bit more presentable.]

[After four or five days, perhaps fueled by consecutive days of sufficient food intake and regained strength, certain individuals started putting in extra effort on the garbage mountain to earn additional food and daily essentials.]

[Currently, everyone who arrives here engages in vigorous work daily, often juggling various occupations. Some take on the task of collecting razors, washing them, and providing a basic hair and beard grooming service.]

[Others dedicate themselves to learning Fujitora's cooking techniques and processing food.]

[The individuals at the terminal are orphans raised in this environment, but a majority of them were expelled from the city.]

[Despite possessing skills and the ability to read and write, they were coerced into a life of waste management. In this moment, they seem to reclaim a sense of adulthood.]

[In a mere ten days, the makeshift camp established in this garbage dump has started to develop.]

[The once towering garbage mountains nearby have significantly diminished, and the camp's area is expanding.]

[This apparently modest camp exudes boundless vitality at the present moment. It appears to be gradually encroaching upon the massive uncertain object's periphery.]

Incredible.

That's the sentiment echoing among the individuals in the chat room.

Despite the accelerated pace of the movie, they can distinctly observe the transformations within this camp.

All Roja did was infuse a small stream of vitality into this stagnant terminal and establish a rudimentary order.

Under this basic order, everyone naturally assumes the roles of order maintainers and creators.

It's difficult to fathom that they were once decomposing waste, yet ten days later, they exhibited remarkable creativity and enthusiasm.

All it took was a straightforward order, some meat and food, and uncomplicated rules—nothing more.

As it turns out, Terminus was never terminally ill; they were merely lacking something as straightforward as this.

It's as simple as someone giving them a hand, and suddenly, they can run.

It may appear straightforward, but in contrast to the uncertain terminal that has endured for an unknown number of years, this place is expanding and becoming more chaotic.

Things aren't as uncomplicated as they seem here.

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