"If we execute Vegapunk for his crimes," Raleigh said softly, "we satisfy the law. But we lose the future. We waste the chance to end hunger and shorten wars. Is that truly Justice?"
Gion remained silent.
Seeing her struggle, Raleigh stepped closer to comfort her.
"Gion," he said, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "I know you might struggle to accept this all at once. It goes against everything we were taught at the Academy. But listen to me."
He looked out at the dark sea.
"In this world, 'Absolute Justice' has never truly existed. It is a fairy tale. The harsh reality is that the value of people has never been equal from the start."
Raleigh turned back to her. "Some people's value far exceeds the average. This includes scientists who can change the world, high-ranking Marine officers who protect the peace, and officials who govern the nations."
"Take Vegapunk," Raleigh continued. "He killed civilians in his experiments. It is a heinous crime. By law, he should be executed immediately."
Raleigh paused, letting the words sink in.
"But... if Vegapunk shares the technology for this ship with us? If he teaches us how to cross the Calm Belt safely? Think about what that means."
Raleigh pointed at the silent, windless water around them.
"It means the Marines could travel freely between the Grand Line and the Four Seas without passing through the Reverse Mountain. If a massive pirate fleet appears in the North Blue, Headquarters wouldn't have to wait weeks to send help. We could dispatch Admirals through the Calm Belt and end the threat in days."
"That speed would save thousands of lives," Raleigh emphasized.
"And that is just the beginning. I saw the Lineage Factor data he is studying. Imagine if our loyal Marine soldiers could be enhanced? Imagine if an ordinary soldier, who would usually die in the first wave of battle, could be strong enough to take down a pirate captain single-handedly?"
"We cannot save the civilians who have already died," Raleigh said solemnly. "But in the future, we can use Vegapunk's technology to save countless others who are not yet suffering. That is the choice we have."
Raleigh poured out his thoughts in one breath. He waited for her response.
For a long time, there was only the sound of the paddle-wheels churning the water.
Finally, Gion let out a long sigh. She looked up, her face expressionless but her eyes clear.
"Raleigh, there's no need to persuade me further," she said coldly. "Vegapunk may have contributed to the world's development, as you said. But so what?"
She looked him in the eye. "What he has done still goes against my beliefs. It is evil."
She took a step back and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"I know you are pleading for Vegapunk because we need him. I understand the logic. So, I will compromise."
Gion's voice turned sharp. "I can spare him today. But he must never use civilians as test subjects again. Not once. I will be watching him closely. If he ever commits such unforgivable acts again..."
Shing!
Gion half-drew her famous sword, Konpira, from her waist.
The bright blade reflected the moonlight, glowing with a cold, sharp light.
"...my sword will show him what true Justice means. I will cut him down myself, regardless of his value."
Seeing this, Raleigh actually felt relieved. He smiled slightly.
He knew Gion's temperament well.
Gion's conviction was "Fair Justice"—an impartial justice that treated everyone the same, regardless of their status or talent.
This kind of justice wasn't wrong. In fact, it was admirable.
"Agreed," Raleigh said. "If he crosses the line again, I will help you hold the sword."
However, Raleigh knew in his heart that such justice required immense strength to uphold.
Only when you are the strongest in the world will the world listen to your version of fairness.
"In this chaotic era," Raleigh thought, "we cannot achieve perfection. Sometimes, even protecting ourselves is extremely difficult."
Raleigh looked at the horizon.
The Great Pirate Era was about to begin.
Soon, they would likely be transferred to the Grand Line.
They would have to battle against the monsters of the this era: Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, and Golden Lion Shiki.
Although Raleigh was confident in his new strength, he remained vigilant.
He wasn't arrogant enough to think he was invincible.
With powerful individuals emerging endlessly, Raleigh couldn't be sure if his presence in this timeline had changed things.
Perhaps some strong fighters who should have retired would reappear.
"We need to be ready," Raleigh muttered. "That is why I need Vegapunk."
...
Hours passed.
The sun began to rise, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
The vague shape of a small island began to appear on the horizon. Reefs scattered across the sea surface became visible.
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A fresh, salty breeze hit Raleigh's face.
Raleigh took a deep breath. A smile returned to his face. They had left the Calm Belt.
The moment they crossed the boundary, Raleigh's Devil Fruit ability reactivated fully. His connection to the wind returned.
His perception field, which had been suppressed to a tiny radius, instantly expanded.
It covered the entire ocean for miles.
BOOM!
A faint explosion sound caught Raleigh's attention. It came from the direction of the island.
"A battle?"
Within his perception field, Raleigh "saw" everything clearly.
About ten miles away, two ships were locked in combat.
One was a pirate ship flying a flag with a Salamander skull emblem. The other was a standard Marine warship with white Justice sails.
They were exchanging artillery fire. But something was wrong.
"What are they doing?" Raleigh frowned.
The two ships were continuously closing in on each other.
The Marine ship was not keeping its distance; it was charging forward, seemingly preparing for a boarding battle.
"Who is the fool commanding this warship?" Raleigh growled. "Is this what I taught them?"
Raleigh gritted his teeth in frustration. "Idiot! He doesn't know how to use the Marine's artillery advantage!"
Raleigh distinctly remembered his reforms.
After gaining control of the Eryoku Kingdom, the first thing he did was use the Fine Iron resources to produce high-quality cannons and rifles.
He supplied the North Blue Marines with superior firepower.
He had issued strict standing orders: Avoid boarding battles with pirates whenever possible. Use the range advantage to bombard them from a distance. Save Marine lives.
But now, the commander of this warship was treating Raleigh's words as empty trash.
He was charging in for a sword fight, risking his men unnecessarily.
"Speed up!" Raleigh roared. "Get us closer! I want to see who this incompetent commander is!"
After receiving the order, the messenger relayed it promptly.
The warship's propulsion system surged abruptly, and the vessel shot forward like an arrow toward the site of the engagement.
In the distance, within Raleigh's perception, the two ships were steadily closing in, closer and closer!
Thud!
The ships' rams collided directly, producing a terrifying sound of splintering wood.
The sea churned violently, unsettling everyone aboard both vessels.
However, judging by the impact, the Marines's all-metal ram clearly surpassed the pirate ship's ram in sturdiness.
Without a doubt, the warship's ram shattered the pirate ship's ram and embedded itself into the pirate ship's deck.
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