[Two Days Later]
A ship flying the World Government flag appeared in the waters of the New World Marine Headquarters.
Gion and Zephyr stood together at the bow, gazing at the calm sea before them.
"Teacher, this is what he considers the value of the strong to be."
Previously, the waters around Wano had been full of whirlpools and undercurrents; ordinary ships could not approach. But now the sea was smooth and calm.
"How did he do it? Can sheer strength make the sea part for him?"
Zephyr couldn't help asking. He knew some Devil Fruit powers could temporarily stir up natural disasters, but he really didn't know of any fruit that could turn disasters into a paradise.
Even Kuzan's power could only briefly freeze the sea; it couldn't permanently change the geography of an area.
"Teacher Zephyr, maybe you should let us learn more," Gion smiled, "Whirlpools and undercurrents don't form naturally; there's a high probability they're caused by uneven seabed terrain."
"Ordinary navigators don't need to learn that."
Zephyr glared at Gion sourly. He told Gion and the others to read more, but he never said he'd read more himself.
If he'd really sat down to study, his wife and child might not have been harmed; after all these years he'd still only be a top-level enforcer.
Still, he understood what Gion meant.
"So in other words, Rosse and Sakazuki completely changed the seabed topography of this area, which is why we see what we see now," Zephyr mused.
"That's right."
Gion nodded lightly, "Sora's already researching automated industrial machinery. Once that's completed, half of the Red Line continent will be turned into agricultural and industrial parks. Teacher Zephyr, do you know what that means?"
"Automated industrialization?", Zephyr frowned. He could understand each word, but together they were completely bewildering.
They were everyday words, yet placed together they felt so profound.
As a former high-ranking Marine, he knew they were technical terms, but he'd never heard of them.
"In simple terms, newly made machines can automatically complete sowing, tilling, watering, and harvesting of fields. Animal husbandry can be entirely handled by machines, so you don't need to expend huge amounts of manpower like before. And because the scale can be infinitely expanded, both cost and efficiency are significantly improved."
Gion explained in a precise, textbook manner.
On knowledge matters, she wasn't different from Zephyr; she might even know less than him.
But she had people behind her.
All she needed was a good memory to write these things down.
"Why are you making it sound so mystical? If what you say really happens, then what will ordinary people be for?", Zephyr frowned deeply.
He'd been an admiral and now a CP0 instructor; he knew the World Government and allied nations all too well.
Even if Gion's vision came true, the most likely outcome wouldn't be ordinary people living well. Ordinary people would be completely replaced.
Because ordinary people, apart from providing emotional value to the elites, possessed no other value.
If only emotional value remained, could ordinary people still be considered human? That would become a problem.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Gion smiled confidently.
Coincidentally, she had considered that question too.
It turned out Teacher Zephyr's perspective wasn't any higher than hers.
Sora saw much further on this issue, and her answer left Gion with no rebuttal.
"Teacher Zephyr, if all this is driven by the World Government, then the result will likely be what you fear. But…"
"What difference does it make if Rosse is leading it?", Zephyr frowned.
To him, Rosse might have a broader vision, but he still measured people by their value.
If people are measured by value, then when ordinary people lose value, how will they survive?
"You still don't understand Rosse."
Gion smiled at Zephyr, chin lifted a little.
The moment Sora said Rosse was in charge, Gion had already worked the problem out in her head.
On this point, she was a step ahead of Zephyr.
"In Rosse's eyes, beneath him, all beings are equal. Ordinary people's value? In his view, only our own people have value."
"So that still means no value. Then what will they do?", Zephyr still didn't get it.
"Rosse never chases after value. To him, allied kings and farmers are essentially no different. So have you thought, Teacher Zephyr, why he pushes automation?", Gion countered.
"Why?"
Zephyr narrowed his eyes and turned to look seriously at his student.
He had a premonition that this outstanding student of his wanted to give him a lesson.
But he felt no discomfort. His student growing to this point made him happy and proud.
Especially lately, he'd been confused by Rosse's actions.
"Because Rosse wants to truly liberate them. He wants to see what kind of brilliance ordinary people will produce when freed from material pressure."
"Maybe some will choose exploration, maybe some will choose the ordinary, maybe some will carve new paths. Whatever it is, it's the spectacle Rosse wants to see."
"Only after Rosse reaches the pinnacle of the world will he treat nobles and commoners equally. Because only he would look down on everyone equally."
Gion smiled, expressing her understanding of Rosse.
Having accompanied Rosse the longest, she understood him even better than Sora.
She was sent to kill Kake not because Kake had done something tremendous, but simply because Kake had fallen into mediocrity.
After moving to the East Sea branch, Kake chose indulgence and decadence.
By coincidence he'd brought half the East Sea high command into the NEO Marine, his final act of brilliance.
After joining NEO, Kake had become utterly ordinary; he didn't seek change and fully leaned on Sengoku and the others.
That was why Rosse chose to have her act. That was her own analysis.
Fortunately, Rosse wasn't that harsh on those around him.
Even if he might one day grow bored of someone, as long as she could serve as his sword-bearer, she could follow him on.
But if that day truly came, perhaps she'd find life meaningless and choose to end it herself.
Gion didn't pay heed to the thoughtful Zephyr; she turned and looked not far away.
The former Wano cliffs were gone, replaced by a newly formed port with a very steep slope.
At the port stood a tall, upright figure.
Seeing that figure, warmth filled Gion's heart and she broke into a bright, radiant smile.
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