One Piece : The Strongest Fleet Admiral

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Hibari looked at Law's confused expression. Noticing that Sakazuki was in no hurry to explain, she stepped forward and said sharply:

"The Marines cooperating with pirates? Officials colluding with gangsters? This is ridiculous!"

"The last two generations of Marine Fleet Admirals were incompetent, allowing pirates occupying the Shichibukai positions to run rampant and plunder freely!"

"Now that Uncle Sakazuki is in charge, he will never allow such a disgraceful situation to continue!"

As she mentioned the previous two Fleet Admirals, Hibari's face reflected undisguised disdain. But when she spoke of Sakazuki, pride illuminated her expression.

Hearing Hibari speak poorly of the former Fleet Admirals, Sakazuki couldn't help but smirk. Her words sounded oddly familiar.

Hiss— Upon reflection, he realized she must have been influenced by that guy, Doberman.

After listening to Hibari, Law shifted his gaze to Sakazuki, waiting for an explanation.

"Law, what was the original purpose of the Shichibukai system?"

Instead of responding directly, Sakazuki stared at the chart on the office wall and asked the question leisurely.

Law pondered for a moment before replying confidently:

"As one of the three great powers alongside the Four Emperors and Marine Headquarters, the Shichibukai exist to help the World Government check and balance the Four Emperors and maintain stability across the seas!"

In his mind, becoming a Shichibukai, like that man, would grant him the power to stand against his enemies.

"Then tell me, which one of them actually checks and balances the Four Emperors? Who among them can defeat the forces of an Emperor?"

Sakazuki's question struck like a blow.

It might have been possible for the Shichibukai to unite and face a single Emperor's crew, but that was unlikely.

The Shichibukai worked with the World Government only on the surface. In truth, their goals rarely aligned, and they each harbored their own ambitions. Even the World Government wouldn't allow them to band together.

"Crocodile and Doflamingo used their Shichibukai titles to carry out despicable schemes, oppressing countless innocents."

"Blackbeard gained the title, only to use it as a stepping stone to break into Impel Down, free criminals, and immediately discard the title after achieving his goals."

"Moria hid in the Florian Triangle, amassing zombies under the guise of Shichibukai."

"Jinbei and Boa Hancock merely used their positions to safeguard their nations."

"Bartholomew Kuma worked undercover to steal secrets for the Revolutionary Army."

"And as for Mihawk—perhaps the only pure one among them—he holds no power, wandering the seas alone on his coffin ship. He accepted the Shichibukai title just to avoid unnecessary trouble from the Marines."

As Sakazuki explained, Law's stunned silence revealed his growing realization.

"Your goal is to take revenge against the Shichibukai in the New World, isn't it?"

"You...how do you know!?"

Law's wide-eyed disbelief made it clear he felt transparent before this man.

"As for Rosinante—oh, Corazon—I deeply regret what happened to him," said Sakazuki, his tone unexpectedly solemn.

"He was a hero of the Marines. Time and again, he risked his life to pass critical information about the Donquixote Family to us, saving countless innocent people from becoming slaves."

Hearing Sakazuki mention the Donquixote Family and slaves, Hibari's body stiffened, but no one seemed to notice.

"In the end, however, he defied Marine orders to save you."

Sakazuki sighed and then scrutinized Law, whose face now showed visible anguish.

He no longer doubted Sakazuki's words. Memories of Corazon's sacrifice played vividly in his mind, and his voice became hoarse and subdued.

"I...I owe my life to Mr. Corazon. That's why I want to avenge him!"

Sakazuki sneered. "Thanksgiving? Revenge?"

"Corazon saved you from the brink of death, giving you hope to live. And yet, you became a pirate? Corazon, a Marine's lifelong enemy—a pirate!?"

"Do you think Corazon's spirit would be proud or devastated to see you, a pirate, claiming to avenge him?"

Sakazuki's pointed questions left Law speechless.

Unbeknownst to Law, Corazon had only wanted him to live a life of kindness, away from the dangerous limelight.

But only Sakazuki understood this truth. Law, burdened with guilt, remained unaware.

Seeing Law lower his head, frozen in thought, Sakazuki pressed harder.

"Corazon defied orders to save a pirate like you. Perhaps it wasn't a pity that he died after all. Calling him a hero might even be too generous!"

Law's head shot up, his eyes brimming with tears and fury.

He immediately drew kikoku from his waist, pointing it at Sakazuki, his voice filled with anger:

"What did you say? Even if you were Mr. Corazon's superior, I won't allow you to speak about him like that!"

Next to him, Hibari raised her flintlock and aimed it at Law, her cold voice commanding,

"Presumptuous! Put down that knife!"

Sakazuki waved a hand at Hibari to stop her. Then, slowly, he stood up, placed his hands on the desk, and leaned forward slightly.

His deep eyes locked onto Law, whose face was a mix of grief and anger.

"Let me ask you this," Sakazuki began. "Corazon paved the way for you with his life. What have you done since then?"

"You say you thank Corazon, but shouldn't you be living according to his will?"

"Could it be that Corazon's wish for you was to become a pirate?"

Law fell silent, lowering the knife with a defeated look.

"Then what should I do? The Marines won't do anything to the Shichibukai."

"Form a pirate crew, join the Shichibukai, and find powerful allies to take down Doflamingo. That's the only way I see."

"Other than that, is there another way?"

Law spoke quietly, his teeth gritted, his voice filled with reluctance—as if the words were forced from him. He sounded deflated, like an empty balloon.

"I can't think of anything better than becoming a Shichibukai! Is there any other option I have?"

Suddenly, his words trailed off, and he seemed to realize something.

His eyes widened in shock as he looked at Sakazuki, disbelief evident on his face.

Seeing La-w's expression, Sakazuki allowed a small smile to play at the corner of his mouth, knowing that Law had finally understood what he meant.

"Don't let Corazon's sacrifice be in vain. Right now, your pirate crew serves as a perfect cover."

"I believe Corazon taught you what kindness and justice mean."

"From what I know, your Heart Pirates haven't done anything particularly bad in recent years. Instead, you've been using your medical skills to help many people."

Still stunned, Law stammered, struggling to find words.

"But... but this... I..."

Seeing him hesitate, Sakazuki couldn't help but frown at Law's indecisiveness.

"Hibari, get that thing."

At Sakazuki's command, Hibari walked over to the cabinet behind the desk.

She retrieved a black box, opened it, and inside, there was an old-fashioned Marine military uniform.

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Check out advance chapters over here:

https://patreon.com/VerseVagabond

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