Chapter 287: The Changing World
"..." Eric 's forehead twitched with veins as he never expected Aokiji, this old pervert, to bring up such a topic right away.
With gritted teeth, Eric asked, "What exactly do you want?!"
Aokiji's calm expression shifted to a serious one as he asked, "The amount of bounty not only represents a criminal's strength, but also their threat to the government."
Eric nodded and said, "I know, that's why I have a bounty of over two billion. Are you suggesting the Navy headquarters should increase it?"
"…At the mere age of eight, Nico Robin became a criminal with a bounty of seventy-nine million berries. Though she was just a child, she cleverly survived: betrayal, escape, using people, manipulating others, relying on her sharp mind to survive in this dark society until now."
"This was an action taken by the young Robin, a move she had no other choice but to make. I can understand," Eric added.
"…Now that she has become a member of the Dawn Pirates, is she preparing to use them as her new shield?"
"I invited her onto the ship. She didn't try to use me."
"..." Aokiji scratched his head in frustration. "Can you not interrupt me?"
"Sorry, but what you're saying is a bit too much, so I had to interrupt," Eric shrugged. "I know you killed your close friend Saul due to military orders, and because of Saul's will, you let the young Robin go."
Aokiji: "…"
Eric spoke again, "So, you're not here to just talk about the past, are you?"
"Hah..." Aokiji sighed, "You'll regret bringing this troublesome woman along. The proof is—until now, any organization that got involved with Robin has been destroyed, with only her surviving. Why is that, Nico Robin?"
"Isn't that because of you?"
Everyone tilted their heads in confusion, "?"
Aokiji asked, puzzled, "What are you talking about?"
"I said, those organizations' demise, isn't it because of you, old man?" Eric repeated.
Aokiji: "…"
Robin: "…"
Onlookers: "…"
Eric ignored the silent crowd and continued, "Since you let Robin go following Saul's will, Aokiji, you've been keeping track of Robin's life, haven't you?"
Aokiji: "…"
"Ah~" Kurumi commented, "You really look like a warm old father, keeping an eye on your daughter who left home…"
"Yeah. As soon as I heard that Nico Robin was in my hands, you immediately rushed here from Navy Headquarters without a moment's delay," Eric rolled his eyes, pretending to calculate, "I thought it would take at least ten days for you to get here, but you made it in ten days."
"Hah..." Aokiji sighed heavily, his expression complex as he said, "I now finally understand, you know things that no one else knows about the past."
Aokiji, confused, asked, "And it's not just the things buried deep in my heart, why do you know them so well? Is it also because of your Devil Fruit powers?"
'You already explained it for me.'
Eric gave a knowing smile as he faced Aokiji.
"I didn't expect the Thunder Fruit to have this ability..." Aokiji's expression stiffened, and he stared sharply at Eric , "Then, you must also know Robin's real ability, right?"
"The Hana Hana no Mi's ability?"
"…" Aokiji fell silent, his piercing eyes glaring at Eric .
Unable to deceive Aokiji any longer, Eric said frankly, "Of course, I know very well that Robin possesses the knowledge to read the Poneglyphs, and I also understand the fear the World Government has of her."
"So, you want to use Robin, Darren Eric ?!" Aokiji's cold voice was like a chill northern wind.
"Shh," a white frost emanated from Aokiji's right hand, and his thick palm, along with the entire arm, instantly transformed into crystalline ice.
"Crack!" Artoria's black evening dress was enveloped in magical black armor in an instant, with her right hand tightly gripping the black Holy Sword, thrusting it heavily into the ground before her.
"Clink!" Kurumi suddenly drew two muskets, one long, one short, with black barrels pointed directly at Aokiji.
A tense atmosphere settled between them, and Robin's knees couldn't help but tremble.
"Calm down, Aokiji," Eric raised both hands in a calming gesture, "I have no intention of using Robin, otherwise, I wouldn't have waited here specifically for you."
"…" Aokiji showed no sign of stopping, the cold air still crackling.
"By the way, what exactly is the Navy's duty?" Eric 's question seemed almost childish, making people want to laugh.
"Of course, it's to protect civilians and eliminate pirates. What's the problem?" Aokiji replied.
"In your years in the Navy, what have you seen?" Eric asked, "You were personally involved in the destruction of Ohara; you know about the hunt for Pirate King Roger's descendants and the indiscriminate arrest of pregnant women; being from the South Blue, I'm sure you've heard of the human trafficking in the Sabaody Archipelago; you've probably witnessed these firsthand—does this align with your sense of justice? The Navy's duty?"
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Aokiji, unmoved by Eric 's questions, coldly asked, "Or are you defending your past actions? Do you think your actions in Sabaody Archipelago, Goa Kingdom, and Water 7 were just?"
"Defend? That's meaningless," Eric sneered, "If I were kneeling on the scaffold or locked in Impel Down, no one would listen to these words. They would be nothing but the excuses of a loser!"
Eric spread his arms, "I can stand here and have an equal conversation with Navy Admiral Aokiji because I have enough power!"
Aokiji narrowed his eyes, more ice forming on his body, "So, you only believe in your own strength?"
Such a person, the stronger their power, the more dangerous the consequences.
"I also believe in the power of my comrades." Eric added, "Put away your powers, Aokiji. Without killing intent, you can't fool me."
"…"
"Many things, people inside the Navy like you can't see. Unless…" Eric said, "You join my pirate crew and see for yourself the things you've been blind to."
Aokiji coldly responded, "Even if this is a joke, it's a poor one."
"Hahaha... then you can take the next sentence as a joke too: If one day you want to leave the Navy and join a pirate crew, please do consider mine first," Eric smiled, "My crew is much cleaner than others, at least we don't harm civilians."
"In Water 7, many civilians were injured or killed by unknown bombs, and I suspect it was your 'Explosion Artist' Deidara's doing..."
"…" Eric was momentarily speechless, as if he had inherited the mindset of those nobles—forgetting the bad things he did.
However, in order to protect his comrades and take revenge on those foolish civilians, was it really wrong?
"Yes, I gave the order." Eric admitted, "What's wrong with protecting my comrades?"
"Is that your approach?" Aokiji asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Who made them attack my comrades with malicious words first?"
"…" Slowly, the frost on Aokiji began to fade. If Eric truly cared for his crew, then Robin could be entrusted to him.
But this man acted too boldly—he killed the Celestial Dragons in front of the world, and Robin might end up being dragged down by his actions in the future.
Conflicting thoughts filled Aokiji's mind, and he was uncertain.
"You didn't come here to discuss the Navy and pirates with me, did you?" Eric 's words broke Aokiji's contemplation, "You came all the way here for something you want to say to Robin, so go ahead and say it."
Aokiji: "…"
"Don't worry, we're not interested in broadcasting 'father's' feelings for 'his daughter' to the outside world," Eric shrugged, "Or do you want to speak to Robin alone?"
"No need." Aokiji closed his eyes and passed the decision to Robin, "Nico Robin, is this your place to stay?"
"…Yes." Robin, just joining the Dawn Pirates and having not shared common hardships, hesitated before answering.
"Your answer is a bit hesitant." Aokiji looked up at the sky, "Was it right or wrong for Saul to let you live? Will you show the answer to this question?"
"I'll show you the answer."
"Then live well— as long as you're alive, Ohara hasn't perished."
Aokiji's voice carried power, and for the first time, Robin felt strength fill her, her gaze becoming firm.
After Aokiji finished, he seemed ready to turn and leave.
"Wait, Aokiji," Eric called to the departing Aokiji, "Don't you have something to say to me?"
"No, I have nothing to say to you lawless pirates."
"How cold, when you clearly have a warm heart." Eric smiled at Aokiji, "You must feel the turbulent currents beneath the calm sea in the Navy."
Aokiji stopped.
"Over ninety years ago, the two captains of the famous Giant Pirate Crew, East Blue (Aokiji) and Broki (Red Blue), had bounties of only one hundred million berries. And now? Pirates worth over a billion berries are everywhere, with the strongest, Whitebeard, having a bounty of five billion berries."
"In this Grand Pirate Era, ordinary people who couldn't survive began to go out to sea to seek a living, not to mention those filled with ambition and conspiracies. The number of pirates quickly grew, making the sea more crowded—"
"Countless pirates fought each other, like nurturing venomous creatures, turning the blood and flesh of their enemies into their own nourishment, just like sifting through sand, leaving behind only the strongest pirate crews."
"The bloated World Government can't stop the rapid growth of pirates nor prevent the rise of pirate power. They can only reform and set up the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, supplementing their strength while compromising with strong pirates, using pirates to suppress pirates."
"But is it effective?" Eric smiled at Aokiji, "The number of pirates is still rising, and strong pirates keep emerging. As a Navy Admiral, you must feel this deeply, right? Can pirates—really be caught by your Navy?"
Aokiji responded without expression, "Then can you solve these pirates? Or can you end this Grand Pirate Era?"
"Me?" Eric shook his head, "How could I do it alone? It requires the effort of many people."
"Then what's the point of all these long speeches?"
"Well," Eric smiled, "It's to plant a seed in your heart and let it take root and grow."
Aokiji: "…"
"The world has undergone tremendous changes in just two or three decades, the gears of history have started turning, and an unstoppable tidal wave is coming—"
"What we will face in the future is the greatest change the World Government has never encountered in its eight hundred years since its establishment!"
"…You really are a dangerous person." Aokiji gazed at Eric , this small pirate crew that was once being chased by Ghost Spider three years ago had become one of the 'Four Emperors,' a crew the Navy headquarters had to take seriously. Moreover, his thoughts scared Aokiji, and the rapid growth of his power and influence was eye-catching.
'If their crew isn't complete yet, I might…' Aokiji thought, but after seeing Artoria, whose presence was no weaker than Scáthach's, he realized that even if they fought, a victory wouldn't come easily. With the enemy's reinforcements nearby and himself alone, he decided to give up on his thoughts.
"Ambitious people are still in the minority, but there are countless civilians pushed by the World Government into piracy."
"What do you mean?"
"There are many strong people who were created by your World Government—the 'Golden Celestial System.' Non-member countries that were not recognized by the World Government became pirate havens. Countries were destroyed, and only unfortunate orphans grew in number, like Whitebeard."
"And many of the commanders under Whitebeard seemed to be orphans. If they were in the Navy, it would be quite a scene..."
Aokiji: "…"
"The Golden Celestial System burdened the citizens of many member countries with heavy taxes. They couldn't even afford food, people lost hope, and they had no choice but to go to sea and become pirates..."
Aokiji lowered his voice, "But becoming pirates is no excuse."
"Then let them eat and warm themselves!" Eric interrupted Aokiji angrily, "Do you not understand the principle that one knows etiquette when their granary is full, and knows honor and disgrace when their stomach is satisfied? Not everyone is a saint. Who would just watch themselves starve or freeze to death?!"
Aokiji: "…"
"Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you," Eric apologized, "Your Navy seems to only catch thieves, but not the root cause, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons."
Eric 's words pierced Aokiji's heart. He closed his eyes, deeply reflecting, but couldn't find any counterarguments!
"The Grand Pirate Era was caused by Roger? Before Roger, there was the giant Rocks Pirates, and the World Government had already lost control of the seas. Roger's last words only uncovered that fact."
"The quality of pirates is changing, and the Revolutionary Army is thriving. Meanwhile, the old and bloated World Government remains silently waiting, maintaining balance. Will it fall under the wheel of fate? I'm really looking forward to it."
Everyone: "…"
Aokiji looked up at the sky, "Letting you go like this, I don't know if it's right or wrong."
"Forget it, maybe you'll lose badly, and the news on the newspaper will make your face turn red."
Aokiji: "…"
Eric continued, "I said all this to hope you could lead the Navy to make a change. When external forces trigger internal reforms, all the remedial actions will be too late."
"What exactly is your purpose, Darren Eric ?" Aokiji's eyes seemed to want to see through Eric 's heart, "Spare the Navy's life shows you're not a bloodthirsty person, but you attack civilians, and I can't figure you out."
"I don't even know what kind of person I am, but I want to become—"
"The King of the Harem." Kurumi playfully answered for Eric .
Aokiji: "…"
Eric : "…"
(END CHAPTER)
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