Dragon was still unwilling to give up and continued trying to persuade him. "But within the Navy, you'll still be subject to the World Government's authority!"
"You arrested Doflamingo. The Five Elders will never let you off!"
"In the Navy, you'll only ever be a dog of the Celestial Dragons. They can strip you of everything at any time!"
At those words, Lorne's gaze abruptly turned utterly arrogant.
He raised his head, an invisible, domineering aura radiating from him as the hem of his clothes stirred without a breeze.
"A dog of the Celestial Dragons? Are they even worthy?"
Lorne sneered, his voice filled with contempt for the Celestial Dragons.
"I stayed in the Navy, but not to be their lackey."
"The Navy is the largest, most complete machine of violence in this world."
"It has millions of elite soldiers, countless advanced warships and weapons, and the very strongest fighters."
"Why would I abandon resources that useful to go start from scratch with you?"
Dragon's pupils contracted sharply. He had a vague inkling of Lorne's intentions.
Lorne stepped forward and arrogantly declared his chosen path:
"I'm going to fight my way to the top from within the Navy!"
"Admirals, the Fleet Admiral-if they stand in my way, I'll trample every last one of them underfoot!"
"When this enormous machine of violence is entirely in my hands..."
Lorne paused briefly, an utterly terrifying flash of killing intent crossing his eyes.
"I'll personally lead the Navy into the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!"
"And with these fists, I'll smash that rotten world order, along with those lofty Celestial Dragons, to pieces!"
His words crashed into the backyard like a thunderbolt.
Koshiro's mind went blank as he listened.
His right hand twitched, and the hand holding his teacup began trembling violently.
Scalding tea spilled