Chapter 138: Those Whom Justice Cannot Judge

The marines on deck finally scrambled to organize themselves, prepared first-aid tools, and then leaped from the deck, rushing toward the core of the battlefield.

"Don't come over!"

Zephyr's voice rang out at that very moment.

Everyone halted their steps, momentarily confused, yet still instinctively obeyed Zephyr's command.

Only Binz sensed something amiss; worried for Zephyr's safety, he flashed forward and charged into the center of the battlefield.

What met his eyes was a dragon-man exceeding eight meters in height, extremely muscular; what terrified him even more was that the dragon-man held Zephyr's Crusher in one hand.

"This..."

At this moment.

Binz felt his very soul trembling with fear.

All because the teacher who had once seemed invincible in his eyes was now kneeling on one knee, his right hand severed and dripping with blood.

His face was deathly pale; he had already lost all power to resist.

The battle situation had changed so rapidly it exceeded everyone's expectations!

Zephyr, who originally could at least hold his own against Gao Wen if not suppress him, had actually been defeated so quickly.

This had reached a level beyond human comprehension!

"Teacher Zephyr!"

Binz shouted, but his figure froze in the next instant.

All because a crimson shockwave, centered on the distant dragon-man, spread outward in all directions.

Gulp!

Around the island, countless marines who had just disembarked were swept by the shockwave; their bodies stiffened, then they swayed and collapsed, with many even rolling their eyes back.

Only Binz knew exactly what that thing was!

"A kingly disposition possessed by only one in a million..."

"Conqueror's Haki!"

Binz stood rooted to the spot, unable to move his legs due to fear; he tried several times, but it was ultimately futile.

Seeing this, Zephyr sighed inwardly, then turned his head and fixed his gaze upon Gao Wen before him.

Such a disposition was secondary; or rather, for someone like Gao Wen to possess such a quality was already within the Navy's expectations.

What truly surprised him was that just now, Gao Wen had grabbed the Crusher mixed with Seastone yet suffered no ill effects whatsoever.

This was the reason the battle situation had been instantly reversed; since their combat powers were already close, Gao Wen's sudden attack left Zephyr no time to dodge.

There were only two explanations for this situation: either Gao Wen was truly a dragon, or he possessed some special method that made him immune to Seastone.

The former was naturally a joke, after all, it was impossible for real dragons to exist in this world.

"A Devil Fruit user who has overcome Seastone? How was that done?!"

Gao Wen paused slightly in surprise.

However, even if exposed, it was exposed; he now had the capability to guard this secret, and besides, who said it would necessarily be exposed?

Then he said mockingly:

"Is there a possibility... that I really am a dragon?!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? How could such a thing possibly exist in this world?"

"In this world, who can say for certain?"

Saying this.

Gao Wen casually tossed the Crusher into the sea, then turned to look down from above at Zephyr, who was half-kneeling before him, and said indifferently:

"You just said that pirates are the root cause of chaos in this world."

"I do not agree with that statement."

As he spoke.

Gao Wen recalled those who had first followed him aboard his ship, and he understood even more deeply the sorrow of the lower classes in this era.

If you do not resist, you are merely leeks for the Celestial Dragons; unlimited taxes and the Heavenly Gold will drain every drop of your blood.

If you resist, you become a pirate or a rebel; someone will raise the banner of justice to judge you, and these people even firmly believe they are executing justice.

The most ridiculous part is that those responsible for escorting the Heavenly Gold are precisely these people raising the banner of justice.

In this era, it no longer matters whether the Navy is corrupt or not.

He obtained the authority to enforce laws solely based on authorization from the World Government; this single point alone determines that the Navy's justice serves only the Celestial Dragons.

The Navy's justice is not the justice of the common people; it is the justice of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons!

"Heh."

Zephyr laughed, his anger turning into mirth:

"What qualification does a pirate have to discuss justice? Are the wronged souls killed by your hands not numerous enough?!"

As his voice landed.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Gao Wen looked at Zephyr before him, and for a moment, even felt a trace of pity in his heart.

Those who believe in the Navy's distorted justice are the most tragic, spending their entire lives verifying an erroneous result and guarding a mistaken justice.

Thus Gao Wen spoke, his tone neither sad nor joyful, revealing no emotion whatsoever:

"If there are people in this world whom justice cannot judge, then justice is merely a... whore that such people can toy with at will."

Zephyr paused slightly in surprise, then instinctively sneered:

"Even Roger or Whitebeard, if we wanted to, we could..."

As he spoke, Zephyr's voice gradually faded; he slowly lowered his head, then suddenly raised it again, opening his mouth yet ultimately saying nothing.

He wanted to say there was no one justice could not judge, but was that truly the case?!

Even if he could deceive others, how could he possibly deceive himself?!

"It seems you have finally understood."

Looking at Zephyr, who had aged over ten years in an instant before his eyes, Gao Wen continued:

"However."

"I am curious. As a former Admiral, a man who stood at the pinnacle of the Navy system, should you not see this issue clearly from your perspective?"

"Who is truly the source of the chaos in this world?"

"Is it that you do not know, or that you are unwilling to know?"

Zephyr slowly closed his eyes, his teeth clenched tight.

Yet in his mind, the figures of Sengoku, Tsuru, and Garp appeared. What he wanted to know now was whether these three knew the answer to this question.

He dared not think about that answer either.

But at this very moment.

A reason like a lifeline suddenly surfaced in Zephyr's mind:

"But this does not mean pirates are right! You are also bandits who burn, kill, and plunder, committing every kind of evil!"

"The Navy pursuing and even killing pirates is beyond reproach!"

The smile on Gao Wen's lips grew even wider, becoming impossible to conceal:

"I never said pirates were right!"

Zephyr was stunned:

"Then why, knowing it is wrong, do you still do it?!"

"I cannot give you my reason, but I once heard a line from one of my subordinates that left a deep impression on me."

"What line?"

"If they had a choice, who would want to be a pirate, fighting for scraps on the edge of a blade?!"

"..."

Zephyr froze, his face growing paler and paler, until tears overflowed from his eyes at that moment.

A few minutes later.

The wailing cry of an old man echoed across the island.

The crying grew louder and louder.

So much so that the Marines around them, gradually waking up, wore expressions of utter confusion, not knowing what had happened.

From Gao Wen's perspective, he could even see the muscles on Zephyr's body trembling uncontrollably.

It was not due to physical pain or fear, but because something within his heart had shattered.

For someone like Zephyr, killing him directly would be nothing more than a release; only shattering the beliefs he had shaped over decades would make him truly feel pain.

"Bastard!"

Seeing this, Binz, who had regained his ability to move, roared in anger:

"What have you done to Master Zephyr?!"

Saying this.

He raised his hand and threw several shuriken, which were knocked down by Gao Wen's wings.

Gao Wen raised his hand and unleashed a flying slash, sending Binz flying dozens of meters away, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

"Stop!"

The severe injury of his student brought Zephyr back to his senses. He turned to look at Gao Wen, his voice now carrying a hint of pleading:

"Let them go! I will take the blame for this alone!"

"Very well!"

Gao Wen's voice was indifferent, his gaze fixed on Zephyr before him, now carrying a touch of coldness.

Suddenly.

An anxious call came from the distance, interrupting Gao Wen's next move.

"Gao Wen!"

"You cannot kill him!"

Gao Wen turned his head and saw Fujitora rushing over from the distance, feeling quite surprised at the sight:

"Issho?! What are you doing here?!"

"Did you make it in time?!"

Fujitora sighed inwardly in relief and continued:

"I originally wanted to see if I could help you, but it seems I was overthinking things."

"No, I am grateful that you were willing to come here."

Gao Wen looked at Fujitora, his tone sincere.

After all, friends who arrive at a time like this come with their lives cast aside, carrying the will to die in battle.

How could Gao Wen's heart not be moved?

He then turned his gaze to Zephyr, who had already lost his combat ability, and said calmly:

"I know what you are worried about. This man has trained countless Marine officers; even the current three Admirals of the Navy are his students."

"If we truly kill him here, we would be poking the Navy's hornet's nest."

"However, similarly."

"Given his status within the Navy, he is also sufficient to help me obtain certain things from the World Government."

"If waiting won't work, then I'll take it by force!"

"This is the way of the Seven Warlords!"

(End of this chapter)