"Haha, interesting, you're right, Admiral Kuzan!"
Hearing Kuzan's words, Gawain smiled and nodded, then continued speaking to Kuzan.
"However, I don't want to comment on the conflict between the two of you, because what you said is very good."
But Sakazuki's assertion that "not Absolute Justice is absolute injustice"...
From any perspective, this statement is absolutely correct, Kuzan!
"This..."
Kuzan was slightly taken aback by Gawain's answer.
"Saint Gawain, from a legal perspective, that statement is indeed correct."
Absolute Justice is indeed absolute injustice!
But given your character, you should be able to understand what I mean.
Regarding the means of upholding justice, I hope that at the very least, no one should be implicated, and especially that no innocent people should be harmed!
Aokiji's expression grew increasingly solemn, and an expectant look appeared in his eyes. He then continued.
"Isn't justice achieved by harming the innocent simply evil itself?"
Is punishing a criminal really more important than harming more innocent people?
I argued with Sakazuki about this a few times, but I know his character; he won't change because of me!
So I found you, Saint Gawain, I...!"
Do you think he will change because of me?
Gawain interrupted Kuzan, suddenly asking him Kuzan.
Having heard Gawain's question clearly, Kuzan nodded without hesitation.
"Of course not. No one can change Sakazuki's mind, but you have the ability to directly change his behavior!"
If you're willing to help, all you need to do is offer some criticism of Sakazuki, and that will help me suppress him a little.
Sakazuki and I are both part of the World Government's navy, and even more so, the Celestial Dragon's navy!
Although you cannot represent the World Government, you are Celestial Dragon, sir!
Kuzan solemnly raised his glass and then drank it all in one gulp.
"Put down the cup, "Kuzan said expectantly.
"In the past three months, although we have never met, I have heard your story through many channels."
I can sense your difference!
I sincerely hope...
Bubbles!!!
Just as Kuzan finished speaking, the sound of Den Den Mushi suddenly rang in his pocket.
Seeing this, he hesitated and glanced at Gawain's eyes.
"It's okay, go ahead and answer it."
Gawain smiled and said to Kuzan, who then took out his Den Den Mushi Kuzan and answered the call.
A moment later, the Den Den Mushi grew a fluffy, afro-like head, and Sengoku's voice came from the snail's mouth.
Kuzan, are you still on Sabaody Island?
"Well, of course, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Very good. Since you are here, Sakazuki is not in a hurry to be transferred. You should meet with Borsalino as soon as possible, and at the same time keep a close eye on all the ocean currents near Sabaody!"
Just now, I received a top-secret message from the New World secret branch: Whitebeard's Moby Dick has suddenly begun its coating operation!
He was not speaking without reason; since he had applied the coating, he must be ready to return to the Grand Line!
Although the exact reason for his return is still unclear, I want you and Borsalino to be ready to intercept him at any time!
"Receive!"
Upon hearing Sengoku's words, Aokiji became unusually nervous. He looked up at Gawain and made an apologetic gesture.
He then hung up the Den Den Mushi and said apologetically to Gawain.
"I'm sorry, Saint Gawain, I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your banquet this afternoon."
We can't continue this topic today.
However, getting to know you is my greatest gain today. Once I've finished my business, I hope Saint Gawain can forgive my occasional intrusion!
"Certainly."
Gawain stood up with a smile, then picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Aokiji's for the last time.
Setting down his cup, Aokiji frowned, turned and left, deep in thought.
Watching Aokiji ride his bicycle away towards Sabaody Island, Gawain gently raised his right hand.
Seeing this, Kalifa moved closer to Gawain from behind, leaning slightly forward to await Gawain command.
Gawain said softly.
"I'd like to invite you all to sit down; I have something to discuss."
"Yes, sir!"
Kalifa immediately turned and left, and soon after, a group of fully armed people gathered opposite Gawain.
Rayleigh's face was filled with excitement. He gripped his Cane Sword tightly and grinned, revealing a mouthful of teeth.
"What happened, Captain? What makes you so serious? Is Whitebeard here?"
"Yes, have we made any new moves, Gawain?"
Jinbe asked with a serious expression.
Hearing what everyone was saying, Gawain clapped his hands lightly.
"My conversation with Aokiji didn't get to the end because he suddenly received a phone call."
Through this phone call, I learned that the Moby Dick, located in the New World, has begun its coating process.
"Grandpa Rayleigh was right, Whitebeard is coming."
As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted in uproar, and Rayleigh drew his sword with remarkable decisiveness.
"Haha, that guy is indeed coming. He's still as impulsive as ever!"
This is Sabaody Island. The moment he arrives, he will be closely watched by at least two Admiral and the nearby navy!
Even at such a huge risk, he still insisted on seeing you!
At this point, Rayleigh nudged Jinbe of his sword.
"Jinbe, what exactly did you say to Newgate back then, haha!"
"I simply praised the adult to my Pops!"
Jinbe took a deep breath, then bowed to Gawain.
"My lord, I think what the Whitebeard Pops meant by 'meet once' really just 'meet once'!"
Otherwise, he just finished his war with Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, he shouldn't be continuing the war with us at this time!
So..."
"Etc?"
Gion was standing nearby, suddenly interrupted Jinbe, clutching her Kompira and saying excitedly.
"Logically, Whitebeard wouldn't go to war with us, but this is a special case!"
Before this, we directly pulled down Whitebeard's flag planted on Fish-Man Island, which was the greatest provocation to any pirate crew!
From an adult's perspective, an adult can do whatever they want. In the matter of changing Whitebeard's flag, an adult doesn't need to inform mere pirates at all.
But note that we have no idea how Whitebeard will view this.
As a man who has held the title of the World's Strongest for over twenty years, perhaps he really is quite dissatisfied with the fact that his flag has been taken down!
Moreover, Kaido and Big Mom just challenged Whitebeard's forces. Although they both lost, the fact that they dared to Whitebeard means that Whitebeard's threat to them has begun to diminish.
"In that case, will Whitebeard use us as targets to prove to the other Three Emperors and the whole world that he still has the power to suppress the entire world?"
At this point, Gion clicked as she slightly drew her longsword from its sheath.
"So why are we thinking so much? Let's just have a big, high-profile fight with the Whitebeard Pirates!"
After all, even we ourselves need a battle of sufficient scale to make our voices heard throughout the world, right?
Gion finished speaking, Hancock, who was standing to the side, nodded, which was unusual for her.
"Although I don't like rabbits, what she said doesn't seem to be wrong!"
All the problems will become clear after a good game!
As she spoke, Hancock raised her fist.
"I have never personally fought against Whitebeard!"
The World's Strongest... haha.
I hope he won't let me down!
"Why?"
Jinbe was startled by the sounds of the snake and the rabbit, and he quickly shook his head.
"Don't be silly, Pops Whitebeard isn't here to fight us."
Moreover, this is the Sabaody Archipelago, with the Marine Headquarters right next door. Even if it Pops Whitebeard, he couldn't possibly win.
But I think the most important thing is that... we didn't handle this very well at the beginning.
In short, sir...
Jinbe looked at Gawain and asked nervously.
"Do we really need to prepare for war?"
Faced with Jinbe's question, Gawain first pursed his lips, then laughed heartily.
"Haha, no rush, Shakky, is there anything you want to say?"
"I've just boarded the ship, is it convenient for us to discuss these things?"
Shakky asked a question while smoking a cigarette, then she rushed to Rayleigh and grabbed Rayleigh ear.
"Rayleigh, you're in your seventies or eighties, is it really necessary for you to get all hot-blooded so easily?"
You're even more excited than the young people!
You've fought Whitebeard before, haven't you? Have you really forgotten his Murakumogiri after just over a decade?
Most importantly, please don't let this ship's atmosphere be distorted, okay?
At this point, Shakky raised her fist and slammed it into Rayleigh's head with a thud.
She clearly hit Rayleigh, but everyone around her shrank back in unison.
Except for Jinbe, he has no neck.
After smashing a large bump on Rayleigh's head, Shakky casually exhaled a puff of smoke and then said.
"If it were Rocks who were coming, I might have doubts about his motives."
But since it's Whitebeard's coming, I can almost see what's going to happen next.
"What's with the flag from Fish-Man Island? Would Whitebeard care about that? With his personality of treating his crew like sons, would he really let them go on to provoke Gawain and the World Government right after their battles with Kaido and Big Mom?"
At this point, Shakky smiled slightly at Gawain.
"I've been emphasizing this all along: we are not pirates, and this ship is not a pirate crew!"
Do you know just how much pressure other pirate crews face when they declare war on us?
War is no joke; it kills people. But given Whitebeard's character, would he really make the choice to change the Fish-Man Island flag for the sake of the Fish-Man themselves, putting his sons in even greater danger?
Shakky smiled gently and stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray.
"Captain Gawain, I've stated my views. What's your decision?"
In response to Shakky's question, Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Gion and smiled.
"Whitebeard's significance is indeed extraordinary, haha, this is the first time I've seen Gion so energetic."
"Well..."
For the Gion blushed slightly. Facing everyone's gazes, she quickly sheathed the Kompira, then subtly curled her lips into a smile.
Seeing her like this, Gawain smiled and shook his head.
"Just as Shakky said, both our current conditions and the situation Whitebeard has recently faced."
From any perspective, a major war is unlikely to occur in the waters near Sabaody.
Therefore, my next meeting with Whitebeard was really just a meeting!
At this point, Gawain looked at Rayleigh with amusement.
"Grandpa Rayleigh, I suddenly feel that even if I have no intention of fighting with Whitebeard ..."
Even you, old man, wouldn't be unable to resist having a good fight with him, right?
Hearing Gawain's teasing, Rayleigh rubbed his head with a wry smile.
"Ah, I was indeed a little too excited..."
Can you understand? In the past, even when my pirate crew went to war with the Whitebeard Pirates...
Well, all I can do is bully those little guys like Marco and Jozu...
Roger loved stealing opponents too much; for so many years, I've never had the chance to have a proper fight with Whitebeard.
So..."
Thump!
Shakky delivered another powerful punch to Rayleigh's head, lazily exhaling a puff of smoke before saying with dissatisfaction.
"Although I've only been on board for a day, through integrating the intelligence departments of Black Ice Terrace, I've already figured out Gawain's intentions."
He's going to do something truly important, not play a childish treasure hunt with some Four Emperors!
At this point, Shakky looked at Gawain and said carefully.
"The reason you summoned us all is because of Whitebeard's arrival."
I think you actually want to hear about the changes Whitebeard's actions will bring to the world situation, right?
Shakky pointed to the Red Line, which was not far away.
"As we all know, very few of the Four Emperors can return to the Grand Line from the New World."
Some people might think they don't want to come back.
But in reality, whether they want to come back or not, they can't escape it.
Marine Headquarters is located right on their doorstep!
Whether Whitebeard wants to meet with us or not is not a big deal for Whitebeard of us.
But for the navy, for the World Government, and especially for the Affiliated Nation and non- Affiliated Nation within the Grand Line...
This is no ordinary matter!
At this point, Shakky lit another cigarette and then spoke to Gawain.
"My lord, if Whitebeard can safely return to the Grand Line, and then safely return to the New World..."
Even if he does nothing, his very presence will become news, bringing positive perspectives to countless pirates.
What's your opinion on this?
"I fully support it!"
Gawain smiled and nodded.
"Shakky truly lives up to Shakky name; what you said resonated with me. What you just said is exactly what I've been wanting to tell everyone!"
Gawain gently raised his hand, clenching his right hand into a fist.
"Everyone should know what we're going to do. After the betting tournament is over, we're going to gradually put pressure on the islands in the Grand Line, and then control or even dominate them!"
But what gives us the right to do this?
Just because I can bring them the better future I'm talking about?
Gawain shook his head.
"No, no one believes in any so-called future. When everything is yet to come, not everyone's vision is as clear as ours!"
Under such circumstances, if I were to force our plan forward, we would gain hatred, not popular support.
Therefore, in our upcoming plans, we need to define our own position!
What is the positioning?
A shepherd with a gun!
As for the reason?
Because we want our flock to know that lions still exist in their vicinity!
And Whitebeard is the strongest lion on this sea!
At this point, Gawain clenched his fist and slammed it heavily into the air.
"My meeting with Whitebeard was really just a meeting."
But I hope that this meeting will become a story of a shepherd confronting a lion, spreading to every corner of the Grand Line!
Our business is just beginning, so we must seize every opportunity that can benefit us!
The next meeting was such an opportunity, and it was Whitebeard who handed it to me on his own initiative!
I will use him as a tool to create enough crisis narratives, bringing new pressure to all the countries and islands along the Grand Line.
And when they recalled their fear of Whitebeard...
They will realize that we, who are confronting Whitebeard, have the ability to become their saviors!