At this moment, Kuzan stood in Dressrosa, feeling unusually speechless.
He had just learned that after Doflamingo's defeat, the people of Dressrosa restored power to the Riku family, and the former king, Riku Doldo III, had once again taken control of the country.
Kuzan had long heard of King Riku. Nine years ago, the newspapers claimed that Riku had massacred his own citizens and was branded a tyrant before being overthrown by Doflamingo.
Of course, that was only the version reported to the public.
As a former Admiral of the Marines, Kuzan understood far more about the truth of the world than ordinary people. Even though he had not witnessed the events in Dressrosa personally, he could infer what had happened with considerable accuracy.
Riku Doldo III had ascended the throne decades ago and had always been known as a benevolent ruler who governed diligently and cared deeply for his people. For such a man to suddenly slaughter his own citizens in the streets made no sense. There was only one plausible explanation: he had been manipulated by Doflamingo's String String Fruit.
Kuzan had come to Dressrosa this time to see for himself how the former king would govern after reclaiming his throne.
However, reality rarely unfolds according to one's expectations.
The moment he arrived, he picked up the latest newspaper. What he read left him unsettled.
Sakazuki, the man who had defeated him and become Fleet Admiral, had died during the campaign against the alliance of the Three Emperors.
The news lingered in his mind longer than he cared to admit.
At that very moment, a transponder snail rang.
On the other end, Sengoku appeared, his expression stern and impatient.
"I don't have time for jokes," Sengoku said sharply. "Have you read today's newspaper? If not, get him a copy immediately."
A Marine Colonel standing beside Kuzan instinctively straightened. "Yes, Fleet Admiral."
Kuzan sighed faintly. "No need. I've already read it. And I've resigned. I'm no longer an Admiral."
Sengoku's voice turned serious. "Kuzan, stop being stubborn. You joined the Marines at nineteen. You left because of Sakazuki. Now that Sakazuki has fallen in the line of duty, the Gorosei have agreed. As long as you are willing to return, your position as Admiral still stands. We will treat this period as leave."
There was a pause before Sengoku continued.
"And in truth, we want you back as Fleet Admiral. I have already stepped into retirement and only returned temporarily because of the leadership gap. Once things stabilize, you will take over."
For a brief moment, Kuzan felt something stir within him.
Then he rejected it.
"Forget it," he replied calmly. "I submitted my resignation. I take responsibility for my decisions. I cannot simply walk back as if nothing happened."
He had left the Marines after losing to Sakazuki on Punk Hazard. That duel had not been symbolic. He had fought with the resolve to die. In the end, he lost, and Sakazuki spared his life.
Kuzan chose to leave of his own will.
Now that Sakazuki had died honorably in battle, for him, the defeated man, to return and assume the position of Fleet Admiral felt wrong. He still had his pride.
On the other end, Sengoku's temper flared.
"Where is your justice, Kuzan? Are you going to stand by and watch the Marines decline? Let me be clear. During the war at Whole Cake Island, the Marines suffered severe losses. Several Vice Admirals, including Tokikake, died in battle. We are facing a serious shortage of capable leaders. If you refuse, who do you propose should become Fleet Admiral?"
Kuzan responded lazily, though his thoughts were anything but calm.
"Borsalino could take it. He may be relaxed, but his strength and experience are more than sufficient."
Sengoku's reply was immediate.
"That was not printed in the papers. Borsalino was defeated by Marco and is now being held by the Phoenix Pirates."
Kuzan's relaxed demeanor vanished.
"What?"
He had expected many possibilities, but not that. Borsalino, defeated and captured.
Although he was no longer a Marine, he could clearly see the gravity of the situation. The Marines were in a dire position.
"How did Borsalino lose?" Kuzan asked quietly.
Sengoku's tone grew grave. "It is difficult to believe, but it is the truth. Marco's strength is no longer what it was during the Marineford War. The newspapers claim that Kaido, Big Mom, and Marco worked together to defeat Sakazuki. That is inaccurate. The one who truly defeated Sakazuki was Marco himself."
Kuzan's expression darkened.
"That is impossible," he said slowly. "No matter how much Marco has grown, he should not have been able to defeat Sakazuki so quickly."
"Part of it was Sakazuki's underestimation," Sengoku admitted. "Marco provoked him deliberately and exploited that opening. But make no mistake, Marco's power now is on an entirely different level."
Silence lingered between them.
Suddenly, the transponder snail shifted appearance. Garp's familiar face replaced Sengoku's.
"Kuzan," Garp shouted, "if you still carry justice in your heart, then come back. Stop drifting around outside."
Kuzan blinked in surprise.
"Vice Admiral Garp," he said lightly, though there was sincerity in his tone. "I have always admired your way of justice. Free, unrestrained, guided by your own convictions. I want to live that way too."
His voice became quieter.
"Since leaving the Marines, I have not been idle. Sometimes, you need distance from the Marines and the World Government to see the truth clearly."
"The justice of the Marines has been warped by the influence of the World Government. If justice is defined solely by their standards, then whatever they deem righteous becomes justice, and whatever opposes them becomes evil. I cannot accept that."
He paused, recalling the documents he had seen.
"During this time, Dragon sought me out. Through him, I learned more about the World Government and about the history of this world."
Sengoku's voice cut in sharply. "Have you joined the Revolutionary Army?"
"No," Kuzan replied calmly. "He invited me, but I refused."
His gaze turned distant.
"The World Government has ruled for eight hundred years. They call themselves gods. Before, I could pretend not to know. I could follow orders and call it justice."
He exhaled slowly.
"But now that I know even a fragment of the truth, I cannot pretend ignorance any longer."
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