Makino, Shut Up!

"For the evolution of civilization... is that supposed to be a bad thing?"

Hongo caught the deeper meaning in those words and pressed on with keen interest.

"I remember that ever since you took power, the slogans shouted every day in the World Government's official newspapers have all been about the evolution of human civilization."

By now, Hongo had completely immersed himself in this conversation.

He did not even spare a sidelong glance at his comrades beside him, whose eyes were bloodshot and veins were bulging from being stifled by that invisible pressure.

With the strength Ross had displayed—suppressing everyone present with a single thought—if he had wanted to kill them, they would have been ash long ago.

Since Ross was still in the mood to chat, Hongo naturally would not deliberately pay attention to his comrades.

Too much concern would only have the opposite effect.

As for what Shanks and the others thought, Hongo no longer cared at all.

"From the standpoint of civilization, of course it is good."

Ross chuckled, his gaze passing over Hongo's shoulder, looking toward Shanks behind him, who was desperately trying to break free of his restraints, as if watching a joke.

"But all of you must be prepared to become consumables."

Ross leaned forward slightly, like a devil whispering beside his ear.

"Why do people live?"

"To that question, Shanks's answer is freedom. The answer of the commoners at the bottom is survival. And my answer is to satisfy my own desires and happiness."

"But if one day, I no longer thought that way, and the logic behind my rule over the world became the advancement of civilization..."

A trace of amusement flashed through Ross's eyes.

"Then whether it is the survival of commoners, the freedom of pirates, or the desires and happiness