Aramaki stared at Sakazuki in shock.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard.
Sakazuki.
Admiral Akainu.
The toughest, coldest man in the Navy, one who would never tolerate evil.
To Aramaki, Sakazuki had always embodied the Justice he believed in.
Hard and decisive.
Never soft.
Never held back by pointless sympathy.
Yet now the man stood against him, shielding kings, refugees, and ordinary people who could not pay the Heavenly Tribute.
Aramaki's face darkened. His shock lasted only a moment.
He soon accepted the truth.
"I see."
Aramaki spoke quietly.
"Even someone like you can be swayed?"
Sakazuki did not answer. The sea wind snapped his red cape.
Aramaki slowly raised his head. His gaze turned cold and fanatical once more.
"I used to admire you."
"I thought you and Rock were both men who could truly uphold Justice."
"But it seems I was wrong."
He grinned without a trace of warmth.
"Rock's Justice is too naive."
"And yours has gone soft."
Sakazuki's eyes went cold.
Aramaki continued as though he had not noticed. "This world has never been equal."
"Affiliated Nations pay the Heavenly Tribute, so they receive the World Government's protection."
"Non-affiliated nations, poor countries, trash, weaklings, people who can't pay—they deserve to be trampled."
"Humanity has survived by stepping on those beneath it."
"Discrimination isn't a crime."
"Discrimination is the order that lets most people live in peace!"
On both sides of the docks, the people went pale.
The king knelt on the ground, his lips trembling, unable to say a word.
The Revolutionary Army members hidden nearby were nearly spitting fire with rage.
Sakazuki took a step forward.
"Are you finished?"
Aramaki looked at him.
Sakazuki slowly raised his right fist. Magma dripped from it.
Its red glow lit half his face.
"I hate weakness,