I Want It All

"Tell me about this 'free status.'"

Ace looked at Karp, then at Long Yi. After pondering for a while, he finally spoke slowly.

"This is my idea. Of course, it will become reality before long."

Meeting the complicated gazes across from him, Long Yi spoke casually.

"The conflict between pirates and the Marines is irreconcilable. That is determined by their respective positions.

But I also know that everything has two sides. Not every Marine is necessarily a good person, and not every pirate is necessarily scum.

The Marines have their own internal inspection units. But what about pirates?"

"So what you mean is..."

Hearing this, Ace caught a hint of what Long Yi was getting at, though he was still uncertain.

Pirates were all lawless people who refused to be controlled.

If an organization that balanced power emerged among pirates as it had in the Marines, could they still be called pirates?

"After being vetted by me, change your flag and get onto my 'whitelist.' I will let past offenses be bygones. From then on, sail if you want to sail, adventure if you want to adventure. We Marines won't interfere at all.

As long as you don't harm innocents, you can make as much trouble as you please.

Heh, really, it's only a change of name.

If you can't be pirates, can't you become adventurers or explorers?

Whoever wants to be the King of Explorers or the King of Adventurers can have it. But there will no longer be a One Piece, nor can there be one."

There were countless pirates on the seas. Even with the New World Marines at the height of their strength, it was impossible to kill them all.

That was why they needed a step down.

A step down for both sides.

Those who