"Hey, Redfield."
Garp spoke immediately after Gawain, murmuring something before gently shaking his head.
"Back then, I never imagined that he and I would become comrades-in-arms one day."
Otherwise, I might have gone a little easier on them back then."
At this point, Garp rubbed his head sadly. Although he and Redfield weren't close, they were, after all, from the same generation.
These kinds of old guys are becoming increasingly rare; every one of them dying is a loss.
Listening to Garp's words, Sora nodded slightly.
"If it's that guy, he wouldn't mind bearing such a big reputation."
After all, he approached me in the first place because he wanted to defeat me and compete with the then-dominant Roger for the title of King.
I lost to him; he's no ordinary person.
"It seems Mr. Homing is quite strong too."
At this point, Air Spin to look at the remaining God's Knights.
Under Kong's gaze, the remaining knights silently lowered their heads.
To be honest, in this battle, more than one of them did not use their full strength.
Successful people always look forward to an even more successful future.
Even though they were the God's Knights, they had longed for the days when Imu was not around.
If they were given a completely new position, wouldn't their lives be more interesting than spending their days on guard against swords?
In short, the atmosphere among the God's Knights somber considerably upon mentioning Homing.
Fortunately, no one cared about them, especially the Five Elders, whose relationship with the God's Knights was probably rather ordinary.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro coughed lightly twice, skipping over the previous topic, and continued speaking to Gawain.
"His Majesty!"
He made a point of emphasizing Gawain's title first, because no one present could be more eager for the unification of the world than he was.
He intended to use the title "Your Majesty" to constantly remind Gawain to do what he was supposed to do.
He spoke calmly.
"According to His Majesty's plan, the opportunity to become Celestial Dragon will indeed drive countless kings of Affiliated Nation mad."
Even in the past, even without such generous treatment, there have been numerous instances where deals were proposed more than once in exchange for Celestial Dragon status through royal power.
Countries like the Rhine Kingdom and the Goa Kingdom have an exceptionally strong determination to become Celestial Dragon.
"Of course, the power of the Goa Kingdom has long been in your hands, but this plan can certainly attract countries like the Rhine."
As he spoke, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro patted his thigh with his only remaining right hand.
"Most importantly, when His Majesty used the Celestial Dragon' identity as bait, the countries that were qualified to compete for this bait were actually those with relatively stronger national power."
Therefore, if this plan can be successfully implemented, the mere existence of the term "Celestial Dragon" would be enough to eliminate many of the countries that could have caused us trouble.
This method is very effective, and I fully support it. I also hope that Admiral Kuzan will act quickly and take control of Morgans first.
Otherwise, once the current situation in Mary Geoise is accurately reflected in the eyes of countries around the world...
Then our bait will become poison in their eyes."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro turned to look at Kuzan, Kuzan somewhat awkwardly.
As Admiral, he bowed and scraped before the Five Elders on more than one occasion.
Even now, he feels slightly uncomfortable facing the Five Elders again.
After a brief nod, Kuzan turned to Gawain and asked softly.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I will act immediately after the meeting concludes."
If you need me to, I can leave now.
Before I leave, I have a question I'd like to boldly ask you!
Kuzan took a deep breath, then stood up solemnly.
He stepped forward from the line, knelt down on one knee, and spoke to Gawain with a stern face.
"Your Majesty, I would like to know, after your plan is realized and you have gained more control over the internal affairs of the country, will you extend your reach to every other country that may not be willing to accept us?"
If so, will we have other ways to deal with them in the future?
If there is no peaceful solution, then should we continue... the war?
In this war, will we be facing... the whole world?
"Indeed!"
Faced with Kuzan's obvious dissatisfaction and doubt, Gawain gave a very straightforward affirmative answer!
The moment he heard the answer, Kuzan a sense of relief, and his hands trembled slightly.
As expected...
Just as expected!
In Kuzan's view, desire truly has no limits!
Even if the Navy sacrificed hundreds of millions of lives to Gawain Gawain's last struggle.
Even if he and his monsters continue to tear apart Mary Geoise's rule for Gawain, the war will never end.
So, myself...
This version of myself can hardly tolerate war anymore.
What should I do next?
At the top, Gawain sensed Kuzan's confusion, but he didn't have any special solutions.
He understood Kuzan's feelings, and what Kuzan did could not be called a mistake.
Kuzan is simply better at empathizing with those who have lost family members in the war.
Even the most glorified wars will become nightmares for countless families.
No matter how certain you are that your actions will lead to a good outcome.
The process of reaching one's own end will inevitably require the sacrifice of many more people.
How many people have died in the Navy in the past?
Hundreds of millions.
Gawain knew very well that the number of people who would die in the Navy in the future would far exceed the number before!
After a brief silence, Gawain sighed softly and continued speaking to Kuzan.
"I would never stoop to deceiving you."
Kuzan, as you thought, as you said, I truly do not wish for a second emperor in this world besides myself.
Yes, that requires war, of course it requires war, and we will witness countless people die for us.
But even so, why should I do this?
You may be dissatisfied with the fact that I started the war, just as everyone who died in the war has the right to express their dissatisfaction with me.
But if even you don't understand my original intention, then I will be in too much pain.
In every era of this vast ocean, on every island, in every town, there were almost always different kinds of people who had the authority to command and control other civilians.
They might be nobles or officials.
And they always exist.
Their competition sparked one war after another, a war that continues to this day.
So, Kuzan, will you understand me?
I just want to try, if there's no one else in the world who has the right to speak.
If all the power in the world were ultimately concentrated in the hands of a single person.
If my orders were truly obeyed throughout the world.
I want to try it out, what if I could command the world to never have another war again?
"Can true peace be achieved in a world without other nobles and kings?"
By the time Gawain got to this point, the doves who had emerged on the Dark Bird Ship over the past year had come to understand Gawain current decision.
And then, just as Gawain had told them back then, things took a turn.
Gawain continued speaking.
"The people on this sea have suffered for countless ages."
So, I think that even if the present era continues to be painful, it's not something that's absolutely unacceptable.
What lies before us is an opportunity, an opportunity that may bring complete peace to the world.
To seize this opportunity, I gave up the comfortable life of Celestial Dragon, abandoned the hedonistic ideal of happiness, and even betrayed and challenged my mother.
Now, after countless sacrifices, we have finally, temporarily, completely swept away the shadows over the world.
Next, all we need to do is spread our sunshine into the shadows beneath every corner of the world, and we can call that we have achieved our ideal.
"Rayleigh, do you remember what we talked about back then?"
Gawain turned to look at Rayleigh, and Rayleigh, the most qualified old man of the neutral faction, finally nodded heavily after meeting Gawain's gaze.
"I remember, how could I not remember? Although I am old, I can still eat a whole cow!"
Bang!
Rayleigh slammed his hand on the table, then abruptly stood up!
Click!
He slammed his sword sheath against the floor, then staggered two steps before arriving in front of Yixiao.
Bang!
The scabbard slashed hard at Yi Xiao's shoulder.
I know you mean well!
After he finished speaking, he walked up to Zephyr and slammed Zephyr hard.
I know you meant well.
After beating up the two leading figures of the Dark Bird camp, Rayleigh stood below Gawain, turned around and faced everyone present, displaying for the first time the dignity that a qualified first mate should have in such a setting!
Thump!
Rayleigh slammed the scabbard into the ground, Rayleigh white hair fluttering even without wind.
Rayleigh silently spread his Conqueror's Haki's Haki, and then spoke to everyone, word by word.
"I talked with Gawain back then, and our goals were very clear!"
What is the goal?
Our goal is to ensure that all blood is shed in our generation!
Whether it's the next generation, or countless generations to come!
To ensure their blood is no longer shed in vain, we, the generation living in this one, must do better, more thoroughly, and more drastically than we have now!
Over the past year, you guys, along with the Navy's Sakazuki and Kuzan, have caused a lot of trouble that even I find tiresome.
But what was the result? Did any of you do a better Gawain?
I am an old man who no longer has a boat to carry me.
But I've finally decided on Gawain's ship!
In my previous life, I became the vice-captain of the Pirate King!
This time, I absolutely will not allow myself, who has already succeeded, to fall into failure!
Peace or war!
Participate if you like it, stay away if you don't!
Mary Geoise has disintegrated, and even without war, there are countless things that require your help!
To the so-called hawks, I vouch for you all. As long as you are willing to contribute to the newly established kingdom, I will never withhold a single penny of your salary or a shred of your honor.
As for the so-called doves, I also vouch for you. Unless our newly established empire is on the verge of destruction, no one will make you do anything you don't want to do!
In any case, we should now unite as one to achieve the final unity of this world!
I eagerly anticipate the country Gawain speaks of, a time when everyone in the world is no longer a king or nobleman, but rather everyone is obligated to obey Gawain's commands.
I think that peace will never truly come. At that time, all those ambitious individuals who still want to start wars will only target Gawain!
If the great cause of unification truly arrives, then peace should follow!
What Mary Geoise couldn't do, we'll do!
And in order to do what even Mary Geoise couldn't do.
We should have shouldered a much greater burden than they did!
At this point, Rayleigh, his hands resting on the scabbard, looked down at everyone before him with an air of nonchalance.
Looking at Rayleigh's Haki figure from the front, Gawain nodded in satisfaction.
Although Rayleigh was called his first mate in the past, Rayleigh was actually more like an elder on the ship.
Now, Rayleigh has truly acquired the charisma and determination of a prime minister to mediate among all officials.
After being severely reprimanded by Rayleigh, Kuzan took a deep breath.
He wanted to argue, but in the end, he kept quiet.
Just as he disliked Sakazuki, he would never have wanted to kill Sakazuki.
Their differences were irreconcilable, but they actually understood each other.
Just like how your rivals always know you better than your friends.
At the same time, Sakazuki nodded heavily in response to Rayleigh's words.
Then, Sakazuki silently lit his cigar.
As the smoke rose in wisps, Sakazuki spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, please completely divide up the current naval forces."
Working with someone like Kuzan really annoyed me.
Next, I request that an army be established solely for Your Majesty.
And the responsibility that I and this army hope to shoulder is precisely the ambition that Your Majesty just mentioned!
Unifying the world? That's something any general would give everything for. Even those scoundrels like pirates seem insignificant in the face of unification!
Going forward, I am willing to make unification my core task and no longer be bothered by the term "pirate."
As for Kuzan..."
Today, for the first time, he made eye contact with Kuzan.
He met Sakazuki's much calmer gaze.
Kuzan a deep breath and then nodded heavily.
"I understand, Sakazuki!"
After responding to Sakazuki, Kuzan nodded to Gawain.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but I also cannot accept continuing to work with Sakazuki."
Even so, I don't mind... contributing my strength to the great cause of unification.
In the past, Mary Geoise and the Navy did not participate in the independent defense efforts of various countries around the world.
Whether it's policing or patrolling, all those tasks are handled by the soldiers assigned by each kingdom itself.
This phenomenon clearly cannot exist in Your Majesty's future territories.
Therefore, I hope that with your support, we can build an army or force that is not responsible for foreign wars, but can instead dedicate its main forces to protecting civilians!
In short, Your Majesty.
Please do not doubt my determination to sacrifice myself for the future.
In the past, I simply lacked direction.
Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to grant me... my destiny!
This is my... heartfelt request!
Please make me feel... I deserve it!