Chapter 343: Always Standing on the Side of Justice

"Cap is out on a mission; only us old folks remain at headquarters."

Zephyr, whether intentionally or not, pointed out to Dragon that he was not the only one wanting to know how the Revolutionary Army solved its military funding problem.

"I see." The Den Den Mushi changed the subject.

"Mr. Zephyr, please wait a moment; I will call back shortly."

Dragon prepared to ask Mr. whether to reveal their hand to the Marines or continue waiting for the day to flip the table.

"Very well, I will wait for you."

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Zephyr looked at Sengoku.

"I have a feeling that Dragon, this leader of the Revolutionary Army, seems to be pushed out to draw fire, while the true person in charge of the Revolutionary Army hides in the background?"

While Sengoku was deep in thought, Zephyr continued speaking.

"First, we can confirm."

"Dragon hanging up the phone must mean he went to contact someone to inform them of our inquiry regarding military funds."

"Second, as a powerful figure on par with Luo Jie and Whitebeard, the Red Count absolutely could not submit to another, yet the Red Count joined the Revolutionary Army."

"When I first heard this news, I was utterly baffled."

"You all think carefully: who on the Grand Line could possibly subdue a powerhouse like the Red Count?"

The three of Sengoku spoke in unison.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen?"

Indeed, Sengoku's eyes grew brighter, as if he had finally discovered the truth after peeling back layer upon layer.

Shiki, Luo Jie, and Whitebeard are known as the three legendary pirates; the Red Count is also on par with Luo Jie and Whitebeard, meaning Shiki and the Red Count are powerhouses of the same caliber.

Combining Shiki's previous joining of the Morning Star Group with the Red Count joining the Revolutionary Army, the truth is about to emerge.

As for who on the Grand Line could subdue top-tier powerhouses like Shiki and the Red Count, it must be none other than Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, the leader of the Morning Star Group.

So the question arises.

"How did Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen do it?"

Could a single person's charm really make the older generation of top-tier powerhouses approve and willingly join the Morning Star Group?

How great must that charm be?!

No one answered Sengoku's muttering; Zephyr, Tsuru, and Kuzan had not yet recovered from the shock of the revealed truth.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen... preparing to rebel?"

Sengoku coughed lightly.

"Saint Saint Saint Saiwen is a model among the Celestial Dragons; even the Five Elders spent fifty billion Berries to teach Saint Saint Saint Saiwen how to be a Celestial Dragon."

"Everyone, do not speak rashly about the Celestial Dragons."

Even if they discovered the truth, so what? Is there evidence proving Saint Saint Saint Saiwen is preparing to rebel?

Moreover, even if they truly obtained evidence, Sengoku did not intend to inform the Five Elders and the World Government at this time; Xiao Mi Guo is still in the Morning Star Group!

Rebellion leads only to death.

As an intern of the Morning Star Group, Xiao Mi Guo would similarly not escape the fate of being eradicated by the World Government.

Zephyr would not betray them either; the New Faction Marines have always taken fulfilling justice and eliminating all pirates as their lifelong goal.

Now the Morning Star Group is to rebel.

Whether successful or not, Zephyr is willing to sit on the sidelines and watch the pirates and the World Government tear each other apart.

Tsuru was considering what the probability of the Morning Star Group and Inazuma successfully rebelling actually was, and where the Marines should go from here.

Overthrow the World Government together?

Or maintain the existing order?

Only Kuzan sighed softly.

"Once the war breaks out, it恐怕 cannot end in a short time; at that time, who knows how many innocent civilians will be affected, and other pirates will also take advantage of the chaos."

Hearing these words, Sengoku made a decision.

"Regardless of whether this matter happens, the Marines always take protecting civilians as their purpose; we cannot control the New World, but whether in the Four Seas or the Grand Line, it absolutely will not become chaotic because of this."

Having spoken, Sengoku solemnly reminded them.

"Everyone, we currently have no evidence... this matter must be kept secret."

"Very well." X3.

Meanwhile, Saint Elaine, the trigger that caused the Marine high command to discover the truth, was following Vegapunk, chattering incessantly.

"Big Head, if you do not get me a spaceship that flies to outer space, I will not leave."

"Sigh, I eat your food, drink your drinks, and also spend your research funds."

Vegapunk cast a look seeking help toward Kizaru and Akainu, but only saw Kizaru shrug with both hands open, while Akainu smoked his cigar on his own.

"Saint Elaine, my lord."

"Blackbeard is arriving soon; I am also busy researching the Pacifistas, which is the Top Priority ordered by the Five Elders."

Hearing the Five Elders' order, Saint Elaine had to settle for the next best thing.

"Then I will follow you to learn."

Thinking that having a Celestial Dragon stay in the laboratory to learn meant at least no need to worry about security work, Vegapunk reluctantly nodded.

"Very well, come with me to register."

Watching the two leave, Akainu patted Kizaru's shoulder: "Go for a walk?"

"That works too." Kizaru nodded.

From the moment he received the second Senzu Bean from the captain, Kizaru had already realized that his old friend Akainu would inevitably inquire about this matter.

How can a Marine Admiral have such a good relationship with a pirate?

Such a precious spiritual pill, given by a pirate so casually—have you already betrayed the Navy?

Not long after.

The two arrived at the coast of Punk Hazard; this was Akainu's Weight's first time by the sea since regaining his sight.

"I never realized before; the sea is actually so beautiful."

Kizaru scowled and said nothing.

Beautiful? My brother traded his freedom for it!

"Borsalino, thank you."

Akainu did not intend to bring certain matters directly into the open; no matter what his old friend had done or what price he had paid, his original intention was to let him see the light again.

If Akainu were to blame Kizaru for this, enjoying the light with a clear conscience while accusing his old friend of betraying the justice in his heart.

Would that still be human?

"I quite agree with what Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen said: the fault lies not with you or me, but with this world."

The moment he learned that the Five Elders had spared no expense, providing five hundred billion Berries, just to have Saint Elaine teach Saint Saint Saint Saiwen how to be a proper Celestial Dragon, Akainu gave up on the World Government entirely.

But this in no way hindered Akainu's resolve to exterminate all pirates.

Akainu understood: a man like Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen would absolutely never be content to merely be a Celestial Dragon.

One only needs to think about it to know.

Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen possesses such terrifying Conqueror's Haki; how could he be willing to remain beneath others?

But there was one thing Akainu could not figure out no matter how he thought: why did the Five Elders never worry about Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen rebelling? Where exactly was the problem?

What could make the Five Elders trust the other party so much?

"Old friend, I hope that no matter what the future holds, you will stand on the side of justice."

Kizaru straightened the Navy cap that the sea breeze had knocked askew.

"Old friend, I have always stood on the side of justice."

Just then, a dog-headed warship docked steadily at the port of Punk Hazard; Karp, carrying Blackbeard, strode down from the ship with a swagger.

"Borsalino, sigh, Sakazuki is here too; I've brought Blackbeard along."

Kizaru silently gave a thumbs-up.

"As expected of you, Mr. Karp."

Karp's successful capture of Blackbeard only further highlighted the embarrassment of Akainu and Kizaru's previous failed attempts to capture him.

Moreover, the Captain had solemnly instructed that Blackbeard must be watched carefully.

"Mr. Karp, I will take you there."