Chapter 68: Equal Justice

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Arashi, a young, talented Marine Vice Admiral and rising star seemed poised to captivate the world with his words. 

It was clear that whatever he said would garner widespread attention, and the news agencies knew this interview would boost their viewership to new heights.

"Justice, you say?" Arashi pondered for a moment, then answered earnestly. 

"The justice I envision is the equality between all people—no distinctions of rank, no distinctions of race, where all individuals, and all races, are equal in dignity." 

Finishing, he turned to face the Den Den Mushi camera, giving a bright and confident smile.

Completely unaware, he didn't notice the shocked expressions forming on the faces of the reporters before him. 

"I once heard a friend speak about what drives us Marines to grow stronger, to keep pushing forward. He said…" 

Arashi paused, lips pressing together in thought, still smiling. "We don't get stronger to stand above others." 

"No, it's to ensure no one else stands above anyone else again!"

His words echoed in a seemingly calm voice across every island, nation, and region, sending shockwaves worldwide. 

For about ten seconds, the world stood still, silent. 

The vision of equality among individuals and races, the idea of egalitarian justice—such sentiments struck the world like a bolt of lightning, causing countless people to tremble, be inspired, or even feel a hint of madness. 

His words resonated just as profoundly as the final words of Pirate King Roger, which had recently ignited countless dreams of adventure.

And for many, that second phrase sparked something deep within—a surge of hope and purpose. 

"We strive to become strong Marines not to dominate but to create a world without dominators!" 

His words brought memories of many powerful individuals who were weak and trampled by others. 

And countless people who felt powerless found themselves ignited with a fierce new resolve. 

They wanted to change the world—not to rise above others, but to help forge a world where no one stood over another.

The world felt utterly captivated, even unsettled, by Arashi's words. 

Whispers of "equality," "no one above another," began to spread from person to person, planting seeds of change in their hearts. 

The name Vice Admiral Arashi became etched into their memories, never to be forgotten. 

His words had struck with a power that felt like the booming voice of thunder.

"As Marines, we exist to protect the peace and livelihoods of countless civilians," he continued. 

"True justice isn't the justice of the victors—it's the justice that protects the weak. After all, everyone starts as someone weak before they grow strong." 

Pausing, he smiled again, facing the camera as the journalists stared, utterly transfixed. 

"I remember how I looked as a young and vulnerable Marine back on Sabaody Archipelago."

At that moment, one of the reporters seemed to snap out of their daze and began frantically shaking their head, motioning to Arashi to stop talking. 

"Reporter friend, what's wrong?" Arashi asked, puzzled.

The room filled with apprehension as more reporters reacted, visibly shaken by the weight of his words. 

His message would surely terrify certain powerful groups. 

What would become of the Celestial Dragons or the nobles of certain nations if all people were equal? 

His message held the potential to overturn the world order! Just then, Fleet Admiral Sengoku appeared, visibly distressed. 

He clapped his hand over Arashi's mouth, shouting furiously at the gathered reporters, "Cut it! That entire segment—cut it all out!" 

He grabbed Arashi and vanished from the scene, leaving the frightened reporters exchanging tense, nervous looks. 

But as they glanced down at the Den Den Mushi, their faces filled with resignation and a touch of despair. 

This was a live broadcast, meaning Arashi's message had just reached the world.

"Damn it! What on earth were you thinking?" 

Back at the temporary Marine base in Loguetown, Sengoku's voice rang out, echoing through the compound.

"Huh?" Arashi looked bewildered.

"I asked you to say whatever you wanted to placate them!" Sengoku roared. 

"Do you understand the chaos these words will cause worldwide?"

Arashi scratched his head, "I was just talking about justice!" he replied. 

"Isn't justice about standing in front of civilians to protect their safety and their right to life? We, Marines, are their last line of defence, right?"

Sengoku froze for a moment. "You're not wrong," he admitted. "But…" 

He trailed off, unable to finish his thought. Just then, Garp's booming laughter filled the room.

"Sengoku, let it go!" Garp chuckled. 

"I think Arashi's spot on! Otherwise, what does Marine justice even mean? We all know, in our eyes, that the lives of the common people matter, don't we?" 

After a pause, he added in a mocking tone, "If you ask me, the reason the world's so stunned by Arashi's words is simple: some folks have grown rotten and turned into a bunch of trash."

Sengoku spun to face Garp, shouting, "Garp! Remember your position!" Garp merely shrugged, holding his tongue. 

Sengoku then turned back to Arashi, inhaling deeply before speaking in a low voice, "Arashi, you've stirred up something huge. 

The consequences of those words will be beyond imagination. The whole world could go mad over this!"

Arashi's expression was calm, his smile unshaken. He had been prepared to bear whatever consequences would come from saying those words.

S sighing, Sengoku continued, "Now that it's been said, you'll have to deal with the aftermath, Arashi. Brace yourself!" 

He pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling a headache brewing. With Arashi's reputation and influence, he'd been on the fast track to becoming an Admiral. 

But with such an openly radical stance, his future was now uncertain. "I understand," Arashi said with a slight smile, then turned and left the office.

Once outside, he noticed the stares fixed on him by Marines and officers alike. He saw profound respect—and admiration in every pair of eyes. 

Equality for all, a world where no one was above another. 

These ideals might be feared by the powerful, but for the common people and those at the lower levels of society, they were the spark to ignite the fire of belief and change.

"Vice Admiral Arashi!" one voice called out with reverence.

"Vice Admiral Arashi!" 

"Vice Admiral Arashi!" 

The voices rose one by one—from Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, Captains, and even humble soldiers.

Arashi smiled and returned their salutes, then continued on his way. 

What had just happened at the temporary Marine base was the beginning of his words' impact. Across the world, excitement was growing, reaching a fever pitch.

What restricts human actions? It's our minds! 

When Marine Vice Admiral Arashi spoke these words to the reporters and through them to the entire world, his words lit a spark in countless minds. 

Even many who viewed the Marines negatively never imagined that a Marine could say such things.

In Loguetown, a young boy with short white hair stared blankly at the huge screen ahead, watching the live broadcast in stunned silence. 

Not long ago, he had witnessed the execution of Pirate King Roger. He heard these remarkable words from Arashi, a Marine Vice Admiral: 

"All people are equal!" and "Our goal in becoming strong is to ensure that no one stands above another!"

Murmuring these words to himself, the boy's eyes gleamed with a newfound resolve. 

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something and sprinted toward the port. 

"The Marines!" he shouted, excitement filling his voice. 

"I want to become a Marine! I, Smoker, will become a Marine like Vice Admiral Arashi—someone who fights for a world where no one stands above another and true justice prevails!" 

The boy shouted in exhilaration as he ran. He knew that the port of Loguetown was full of Marines preparing to depart. 

He might have the chance to see the man whose words had shaken the world.

No one could predict the impact of Arashi's words, yet they rang in many hearts like a resounding bell, stirring those lost in uncertainty to clarity.

"Fufufufufu!" A cold laugh rang out on a pirate ship that had just set sail from Loguetown, evading the pursuing Marine ships. 

"Justice through equality, huh? Is this world still home to such naive and laughable idealists?" More laughter followed. 

"Amusing, isn't it? A Marine is daring to challenge those sitting atop the world! How very interesting!" 

After a pause, he licked his lips, gazing at the sky. "How many fools will fight for so-called dreams this time?"

Donquixote Doflamingo knew well the potential chaos Arashi's words could unleash, especially coming from a Marine who had captured powerful figures like Roger and Shiki, a rising star within the ranks. 

Could these words signal a significant shift? 

For a long time, the justice upheld by the Marines and the commands of the World Government often conflicted—like when the Marines served as protectors for the Celestial Dragons or carried out dark missions. 

Publicly, the Marines stood for light and justice, yet they often turned into demons and enemies of the people under the Government's influence. 

"In the end, you're just tools in the hands of those people. How dare you speak such words?" Doflamingo muttered with a low laugh.

"I'm already looking forward to the expressions on those faces in the Holy Land."

Meanwhile, on the Moby Dick, the powerful man with crescent-shaped white whiskers standing at the bow sighed softly. 

"Roger," he muttered, gripping his naginata, staring at the waves ahead. 

"A guy like you is gone from the stage?" 

Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, found his emotions indescribable—regret, sorrow, perhaps even a sense of shared fate.

"Dad! It's Arashi! That Vice Admiral, Arashi!" Marco's voice trembled with shock and disbelief. 

"Oh? What did he say?" Whitebeard replied indifferently. 

At this moment, he was more immersed in the sadness of losing a rival and friend than in anything the Marine had said.

"You should hear it yourself," Marco said, still in shock. 

He looked around at his crewmates, especially the Fishmen on board, who were visibly moved and excited. 

There was no doubt about it—those words had power. When Whitebeard finally learned what Arashi had said, he fell silent. 

"To grasp such a profound understanding of justice as a Marine… Kurolalalala! I'm quite interested to see what he'll do next." 

Whitebeard chuckled, glancing out at the sea. "Roger… Arashi!" he murmured, laughing. "The world just got a whole lot more interesting!"

Elsewhere, in Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, newly crowned King Nefertari Cobra stood shaking before the projection screen. 

The image of the Marine Vice Admiral speaking those world-shaking words filled him with excitement and disbelief. 

"You… it's you?" Cobra whispered, his voice trembling. 

His eyes flashed with the joy of seeing a lost friend. "You're still alive!"

Across the world, reactions poured in. 

By the next morning, word reached Arashi that his squad would be leaving Loguetown to return to Marine headquarters. 

He quickly noticed the grim expressions on Sengoku and Zephyr's faces.

Later, as Kizaru and Kuzan bid him farewell, Kizaru smiled, saying, "It's been an honour working with you, Vice Admiral Arashi. This has been unforgettable." 

They had been informed that morning that they would be reassigned. "Your words yesterday were brilliant! I can only describe you in two words: elegant!" 

Kuzan gave a thumbs-up. Arashi smiled back, "Take care, Kuzan! Your words have helped me realize the path I must hold firm on," Kuzan replied as he waved goodbye.

Meanwhile, Crocodile muttered, "Be careful. Certain people above won't take kindly to what you've said."

Bullet gave a dark chuckle at that, suggesting, "Why not leave the Marines altogether? With our strength, we could become pirates, even Pirate King!"

Arashi's eyes narrowed briefly, but he simply smiled, choosing not to respond.

<End Chapter>

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