Chapter 48: The Mighty Foe Against Our Fragility

"Garp fell silent at the mention of the Krojashi Kingdom.

It's hard to believe that a seasoned Marine like him wouldn't be aware of the tragic fate that befell the Krojashi Kingdom. After all, it was the Marines who, through their destructive Buster Call, brought about the kingdom's demise.

Although Garp opposed and refrained from actively participating in this devastating event, it remains an indelible mark on the Marines' actions. The so-called defenders of justice, the Marines, committed a massacre comparable to those usually associated with pirates.

Garp sighed, his troubled expression evident, as he muttered once more, 'Krojashi Kingdom.'"

Roja's earlier inquiries echoed in Garp's mind, casting a shadow on his perception of Marine justice.

After a prolonged silence, Garp finally spoke, "I can't provide clear answers to those questions; each of us holds our own truths."

Acknowledging the complexity of the situation, he continued, "Perhaps you're right, but in these matters, the line between right and wrong remains elusive until the very end."

Garp shared a perspective on the ongoing struggle, "We all strive to improve the world, albeit through different approaches. From your standpoint, we in the Marines may appear weak, but from ours, your methods might seem too radical."

With a sense of mutual understanding, Garp concluded, "We may not fully convince each other. It's a divide that persists."

"However, I see a glimmer of hope in you. I won't report what transpires here to the higher-ups. In fact, I'm willing to assist you in covering up and providing support," Garp declared, his gaze intensifying.

"Just remember, if I ever discover that you've turned into one of those foolish nobles in the Kingdom of Goa, I won't hesitate to shoot you mercilessly."

Roja responded with a smile, "If any of us truly degenerate, as you mentioned, I'd welcome someone putting an end to them."

As Garp observed Roja's genuine smile, he found himself momentarily taken aback. "You are indeed different from those who chase after their own ambitions," he remarked.

During their conversation, the duo unwittingly ascended to a peak in the Kerber Mountains. From this vantage point, the capital lay before them, easily visible.

Garp offered a reminder, "Your next move is to topple the royal family of the Kingdom of Goa. Though it may not be the most appropriate thing to say, you must also consider the aftermath of the Kroja Kingdom incident."

He cautioned, "The World Government won't let you off easily. With your current strength, you'll be easily overwhelmed."

Roja, gazing at the distant royal capital, inquired with a smile, "What if we continue to pay the celestial gold?"

"Ah? Pay the celestial gold?" Garp perked up, wondering if he had misheard, "Aren't you the rebel army against the World Government?"

Roja affirmed, "Yes, our goal is to overthrow the World Government."

Garp, now even more perplexed, questioned, "Then why bother with the celestial gold?"

Roja explained, "If we don't pay the celestial gold, quitting the franchise country could lead to our destruction via Buster Call, similar to what happened to the Krojashi Kingdom."

Garp, scratching his head, struggled to find a counterargument. "What you're saying does make sense, but, but..." he faltered, unable to refute the reasoning for a moment.

"Do you find my actions too pragmatic, perhaps not aligning with our idealistic beliefs?" Roja inquired with a smile.

Garp admitted, "Yes, that's the impression. I still respect your aim to overthrow the World Government, but paying the celestial money seems like capitulating."

Roja explained, "There's no other way. The enemy is formidable, and we are not on equal footing, so we must feign arrogance. The revolutionary cause itself progresses with many challenges. Desperation holds little value except for leading to unnecessary sacrifices," Roja reasoned.

"Only by amassing strength can we eventually overthrow the World Government," Roja asserted.

Garp attempted to defend the Marine's stance, questioning, "If that's the case, what distinguishes your compromise from ours?"

Roja met Garp's gaze and responded earnestly, "The difference? We maintain unity of purpose a defined objective, and consistently bear in mind the exploitation and oppression we've endured. This ensures that we won't be corrupted or eroded by the void and arrogance."

"What about the Marines? Do they have these principles? Is their sense of justice blurry? You may not pay celestial gold directly, but you do accept the military expenses funded by the celestial gold from the World Government every year, allowing the corruption and erosion to persist," Roja pointed out.

"Unthinkingly, you become a mere tool. Skilled at hunting down pirates, but equally adept at massacring cities and nations," he continued.

Roja conceded, "To be fair, I can't entirely blame you. The World Government above you is already corrupt, leading to a gradual decay within the ranks."

"The Krojashi Kingdom wasn't the first country to perish under the guns of the Marines, and unfortunately, it won't be the last," Roja concluded.

Roja's words didn't just silence Garp; they silenced the entire Marine chat room.

An indescribable anger filled the space, a frustration unable to find a rebuttal.

Roja's probing questions not only left Garp speechless but also halted every Marine who still clung to notions of justice and kindness.

Citizens from both member and non-member countries found themselves grappling with an unanswerable dilemma – whether the World Government's legal actions were justifiable.

In the face of Roja's scrutiny, providing a convincing response seemed beyond reach for all.

Especially the claim that the Royal Guards of the Kingdom of Goa consider themselves righteous.

It blatantly exposed the fig leaf covering the Marines. Are they essentially akin to the Royal Guard?

Many may wish to deny the comparison, but the existence of the Celestial Dragons presents an undeniable obstacle.

"It's truly cutting to the core with those words," the sentiment echoed among many.

Tsuru couldn't help sighing.

Chat rooms are not for everyone in the world, but watching movies is.

Marine justice has attracted many righteous young people from various countries.

Now, this fig leaf called justice has been torn away.

What is more important is that sentence, which is powerless, even the Tsuru who is a high-level Marine, cannot refute.

The more one delves into the higher echelons of Marine, the clearer the validity of Roja's words becomes.

Why did Aokiji resign from his position? Why did Zephyr step down? Why hasn't Garp been promoted to Admiral?

Few high-ranking officials can confidently assert that they've maintained the original ideals of justice they embraced when first joining the Marines.

The current state of Marine reveals a disheartening truth – the closer to the pinnacle, the closer to shadows, a growing awareness of one's powerlessness, and a gradual blurring of personal justice.

What was once an unwavering commitment transformed into a highly selective form of justice, ultimately degenerating into a mere weapon.

Roja's concluding statement, asserting that the Krojashi Kingdom was not the first nor would it be the last, left all the high-ranking officials in stunned silence.

The footage was from 28 years ago, and in the time since, the situation has unfolded exactly as Roja foretold. The darkness continues to engulf more countries and regions, a relentless and expanding tide.

----------

You can read the 10 advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion