The Sole Qualified and Absolute Being

It was before the beginning of the Great Pirate Era. The Roger Pirates had started gaining recognition as a powerful pirate crew. During a time when their captain, Gol D. Roger, was beginning to be called a "demon," agents of the World Government attacked the Roger Pirates while they were holding a feast on a certain island, leading to an intense battle between Captain Roger and the agents.

"Haa, strong... Can't win against this."

Muttering while kneeling on one knee, a woman dressed in a black suit with long golden hair and red eyes was seen. On the other hand, despite sustaining some injuries, Roger still seemed to have the upper hand in the battle, showing his superiority.

"No, you're strong too. You're that 'Pixie' agent, right?"

"Pixie? Ah, that's what they call me now."

"Huh?"

"Pixie, Silky, Bad Fairy, Gremlin, Nightmare, Mist Phantom... I'm called by various nicknames, so I'm not even sure myself. I want a straightforward alias like Garp or Sengoku... Well, for now, Pixie is fine."

Roger's words prompted the woman to respond after a moment of surprise. She had long served the World Government and changed her face and name countless times.

Her current appearance with blonde hair and red eyes was due to the ability of a Devil Fruit, so it wasn't her true appearance.

"However, it's a shame. You're so strong, yet content being a lapdog of the government? You should live more freely. Oh, I have an idea! How about it, Pixie? Would you like to join us?"

"Hey, Roger?! She's a government official!"

"Hahaha, it's fine, sounds interesting."

As Roger extended the invitation to the government agent who had attacked them, Rayleigh, the vice-captain, intervened in a hurry, but Roger seemed unfazed and laughed.

Seeing Roger's reaction, Pixie also smiled with an amused expression.

"Well, it does sound interesting, I must admit."

"Right? Pirates are interesting."

"Well, it's tempting, but before that, I have a question."

"What is it?"

Standing up before Roger and tilting her head, Pixie raised a finger to ask.

"Roger, do you think you need qualifications to talk about freedom or to live freely?"

"Huh? Of course not. If you live as you want, that's freedom."

"Yeah, I see, I see..."

Nodding and smiling at Roger's reply, Pixie opened her mouth with a cheerful expression.

"In that case, unfortunately, our values don't align. So, despite the kind offer, I'll have to decline."

"I see, that's too bad. So, you believe qualifications are necessary?"

"You don't need qualifications to talk about freedom or to live freely. Living as you want... Roger, that's the reasoning of the 'strong.' Well, first of all, even if you're truly free in the real sense, you know..."

"Oh, that's interesting. I'd love to hear more about that."

"Hmm, I've already talked too much as a spy. Let's not force our viewpoints on each other any further. Anyway, I think it's time to run since it doesn't look like we can win... Pixie's Prank Changeling!"

"Hey, wait! You can't say that much and just run away!!"

Roger's protest was in vain as Pixie's form disappeared, leaving behind a large box. She had likely prepared the box in advance to switch places. Frustrated by letting her escape so easily, Roger turned to Rayleigh, who was nearby.

"...Do you think it's just an ordinary box?"

"If it were me, I'd say there's a timed bomb inside. Thinking that way, she talked so much to adjust the timing..."

"Alright, guys! Grab the booze and run! It's gonna explode!!"

As Roger shouted, the crew members swiftly grabbed the alcohol and began to flee just before a massive explosion occurred.

***

Rogue Town in the East Blue. Standing on the roof of a tall building, I gaze down at the square below. The rain has suddenly started pouring, even though it was sunny just moments ago... It's as if the sky is mourning his death. Amidst the rain, I touch my green hair that I changed using my ability.

In the distance, there is an execution platform where the head of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, who died with a smile on his face, can be seen. However, even more intense is the atmosphere of anticipation and unease emanating from the square.

Roger's final words undoubtedly brought a pivotal moment to the world. It's evident that the world is about to change, and emotions like excitement and anxiety spread among the people. But my heart remains unmoved. Change will certainly happen. However, that's all. The ugliness of this world won't change.

Hey, Roger? Was this the result waiting beyond your talk of freedom? According to my standards, you and the Roger Pirates are not truly free, just "entities aspiring for freedom." That's how I feel. And I'm sure I'm the same. But it's impossible.

I didn't say it at the time, but... this is what I believe, Roger. Truly free beings wouldn't bother constantly discussing whether they are free or not... And I believe that a truly free being is one that exists only once in the world.

It's an existence of "the strongest." A completely unparalleled entity, an absolute pinnacle, the ultimate powerhouse... Someone who can easily achieve victory even if they make enemies of the entire world apart from themselves.

I think that such an existence is the only one that truly has the qualifications to talk about freedom, control, and justice in this world. However, such an existence is implausible.

Therefore, an entity holding the qualifications to exercise everything correctly is beyond implausible. In this world, there is no freedom, control, or justice... there's nothing.

Gazing up at the vaguely dark sky... Ah, yes, I... I hate this world.

***

"…I thought it shouldn't exist, but..."

"What is it?"

"Oh, never mind. It's nothing. I was just taken aback by Spandam-san's absurd combat strength, and my thoughts wandered."

With a wry smile, I respond to Spandam-san, the black-haired man with purplish hair slicked back around his eyes and nose, who looks puzzled.

In front of my gaze, there isn't a single living being. Just a pile of corpses.

The scale of the rebellion army in this country was large enough to trouble the nation and make the navy hesitate to dispatch troops. I'm sure the Revolutionary Army must be involved behind the scenes.

An army of tens of thousands, capable of fighting against the country with full force... turned into a mere pile of corpses in just a few minutes. What an absurd individual. The rebels were well-equipped, and there were even individuals who could be called strong among them.

Normally, orders to annihilate an army of this size wouldn't be given. The usual approach would involve the possibility of Revolutionary Army soldiers infiltrating, with a calculated assassination of commanders at most.

But this time, the orders from above were for complete annihilation. The reason is simple – because they understand that Spandam-san can achieve that... and indeed, he effortlessly accomplished it in reality. However, even so, the fact that he did it in such a short time is nothing short of unexpected.

It's an unbelievable story, but even though the term "strongest" was appropriate for the absolute being in the past, this person has become even stronger. His strength is so great that one might think there is no limit...

Ah... it's dazzling after all. My head is spinning. The absolute being that I thought couldn't possibly exist... the strongest existence that alone has the qualification to truly live freely in this world.

Honestly, my thoughts are similar to Chelsea-chan's. Even though I've grown used to not showing emotions openly, much like Chelsea-chan, my thinking is fundamentally the same.

Spandam-san is the only one in this world who has the qualification to accomplish anything, and his actions are the only true answers... If Spandam-san claims it's freedom, then it's the correct freedom; if he proclaims it's justice, then it's absolute justice.

"...There are no survivors, it seems. Well done. This incident was merely a rescue mission for Spandam-san, so we'll leave the aftermath to the appropriate department."

"Yeah, leave it to them. Thanks to bunching up honestly in one place, we finished quickly."

"Well, yeah, that's not something you'd usually think of. You probably didn't even consider it. Just as we were about to advance and face the Royal Army, in an open plain, suddenly, a single figure appeared from the sky and literally wiped us out in a matter of minutes..."

Honestly, I had intended to wrap things up soon... I had been serving the World Government for so long that I had grown tired of witnessing this ugly world.

Considering my position, even though I had served as Chief of CP0 and knew many secrets, I understood that I couldn't retire. Besides, retiring wouldn't change the fact that I despised the world... I was utterly fed up.

So, before I encountered Spandam-san, I had been contemplating ending my life soon. I'm just a cog in the machine, and there are countless replacements even if I die.

A new Chief would be selected, taking over the role I held... that's what I had thought.

But, ironically, I crossed paths with him at such a time. In this ugly world, he's the only existence that I can find beauty in, an inconceivable absolute being...

It's really troublesome. Even though I had been constantly thinking about when I should die, I found myself wanting to see where Spandam-san is headed.

What will Spandam-san do with this world? If he chooses to destroy it, I wouldn't mind. At that time, I'd like to ask him to kill me towards the end, so I can witness the sight of the world I despise being annihilated.

If he chooses to accept this world, that's fine too. If Spandam-san acknowledges this world as valuable, I may reconsider my perspective.

"Communication has also been completed, Spandam-san. It's much earlier than planned, so let's go have a meal or something. Please allow me to treat you as your superior."

"...That's why, originally, you are the one in the higher position..."

While muttering in apparent exasperation, I recognize the smile forming on Spandam-san's face. To me, he's a guiding light, an obsidian sun illuminating this ugly world.

I don't feel a shred of attachment to the World Government, where I've served for so long. If Spandam-san continues to belong to the World Government, then I'll belong there too. If Spandam-san decides to cast aside the World Government, I'll follow Spandam-san.

Thinking about what Spandam-san will do from now on is truly enjoyable. It's a bit hard to resist bursting into laughter every time I read the reports, knowing how confounded the Five Elders are.

The path I'm following can only be guided by what Spandam-san represents. That's why, in this way, I came to meet him with my true face, a side of me that no one else has seen, and I even received a name.

In this world I detest to the point of death, it feels like it's gained a hint of color... that's what I feel.

***

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