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Rumble...
A sound like thunder echoed across Enies Lobby. A powerful burst of energy erupted from the center of Aokiji and Soi Fon's collision. Reiatsu and Haki clashed and tore at each other, piercing even the cloud layer high above the sky.
The harbor was utterly devastated by the rampant energy, collapsing into a complete ruin. When the energy subsided, a massive crater appeared before everyone.
"It feels like these two alone could sink Enies Lobby completely, no Buster Call needed!" Auguro murmured with emotion. An Admiral is comparable to a natural disaster, and my Captain is just as formidable!
In the crater, Aokiji and Soi Fon stood facing each other from a distance. Soi Fon's right leg was covered in frost, and she was nearly numb. Aokiji's left arm and chest were scorched black, and the intense numbness was causing dizziness in his head.
As expected, Kidō could indeed injure a Logia Devil Fruit user!
"You are truly troublesome!"
Aokiji hadn't expected this mission to be so complicated. He felt that if they continued fighting, a mutual draw would likely be the best possible outcome.
After letting out a long sigh, Aokiji decisively waved his hand.
"I'm done fighting! I'm done!"
Soi Fon was taken aback, frowning.
"What do you mean?"
Aokiji reverted to his usual lazy demeanor.
"The World Government sent me to arrest you all. I tried. If I can't catch you, there's nothing I can do!"
Soi Fon's eyebrows furrowed even tighter at this. For them, the command of their superior—the Soul King-sama—was absolute. They would go all out, even sacrificing their lives, to execute it.
Thus, Aokiji's sudden act of walking away was utterly incomprehensible to her. She even suspected Aokiji was orchestrating some scheme, trying to launch a surprise attack when she lowered her guard!
"It's alright, Soi Fon! Don't be tense; that's just how he is!"
At that moment, Auguro walked up to Soi Fon and smiled, patting her shoulder.
"If you knew the character of the World Government he serves, you'd understand him!"
Although she didn't fully grasp Auguro's meaning, she understood that Aokiji would not attack again. With her guard lowered, Soi Fon called over Yamada Hanatarō to heal her. Under the effects of Kaido (Healing Spell), feeling gradually returned to Soi Fon's right leg.
Aokiji watched the scene and sighed deeply.
"A Devil Fruit with healing abilities? Your crew really is filled with talents!"
Auguro smiled warmly.
"If you're envious, you're welcome to join us too!"
Aokiji let out a small laugh, choosing not to answer. Joke's on you. I'm one of the Navy's Three Admirals! My power and status are top-tier. Join you? What would I gain?
Auguro continued, "You must be very aware of how corrupt the World Government is! Haven't you ever thought about changing all of it?"
Aokiji's face grew serious at this. He stared at Auguro.
"Are you with the Revolutionary Army?"
Auguro rolled his eyes. Why does everyone think I'm with the Revolutionary Army? Are those half-baked people worthy?
"I am not!" Auguro replied testily.
Aokiji then leaned back lazily.
"Apologies! I won't become a pirate! If the world were ruled by pirates, it would be even worse than the World Government!"
"I'm not a pirate either!" Auguro said helplessly.
"What I mean is to establish a completely new order! Not like the Revolutionary Army, which just overthrows the worst ruler and replaces them with a slightly better one!"
"It's a completely new, fundamental order!"
Aokiji looked shocked.
"You want to establish a new World Government?"
"Something like that," Auguro shrugged.
"Didn't the World Government establish itself the same way 800 years ago?"
Aokiji's mouth twitched. "You truly are insane!"
Why was the World Government able to form 800 years ago? Because twenty powerful families united. Nineteen of those families are the current World Nobles (Celestial Dragons).
You, Auguro, only have a handful of people, and you want to emulate the World Government? Do you truly believe the World Government has been doing nothing for the past 800 years?
Auguro remained unfazed.
"At least when I see this broken world, I think about mending it!"
"Unlike you all, who just cover your eyes and pretend not to see!"
Aokiji fell silent. As a Navy Admiral, he was perfectly aware of the World Government's and the World Nobles' actions. Treating human life as worthless was standard practice for them.
But what did the Navy, which declared everything was for justice, do about it? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Auguro was right; they had indeed covered their own eyes, pretending not to see anything!
Just then, Soi Fon's leg was almost fully healed. It only required a few days of rest now.
Auguro instructed Yamada Hanatarō, "Hanatarō, treat Aokiji's injuries as well!"
Aokiji was startled.
"Hold on! We are enemies! Aren't you afraid I'll grab him and use him as a hostage?"
Auguro glanced at him.
"Would you?" He then gave Yamada Hanatarō a look, signaling him to continue.
"Tsk! I understand now why a powerhouse like Soi Fon is willing to follow someone less powerful than her!" Aokiji lamented. This kind of magnanimity is indeed rare.
However, he still refused Yamada Hanatarō's treatment.
"If I don't have these injuries, I won't have a good excuse when I get back!"
Aokiji stood up and lazily walked toward the Gate of Justice. Just moments ago, everyone heard a tremendous crash. The Gate of Justice had fully opened! Since the Buster Call had summoned ten warships, the Gate of Justice had to be fully open for the fleet to pass through smoothly.
"Get going! The Buster Call is no joke!" Aokiji said without turning around.
"Aokiji... no, Kuzan! Are you truly willing to watch the world eternally fall into darkness and do nothing yourself?" Auguro shouted at Aokiji's retreating back.
Aokiji's figure seemed to pause slightly. He gave no response and continued walking forward.
Bridge of Hesitation, Second Pillar.
Spandam clutched his head, which was throbbing painfully. He was awakened by the Transponder Snail in the Gate of Justice control room, which informed him that the Navy fleet had arrived and required the Gate to be fully opened. Spandam saw the gold Transponder Snail on the floor and instantly understood what had happened.
But there was no use dwelling on it now; he could only make the best of the situation, fighting through his headache to fully open the Gate of Justice.
"Worthless! Worthless! The Navy, the World Government, CP9—all worthless!" Spandam cursed incessantly. They couldn't even stop a few pirates and even accidentally triggered a Buster Call!
If the World Government found out, he would be ruined! The thought made Spandam's head hurt even more. The after-effects of the Conqueror's Haki: Soul Blade were beginning to show.
"No! This isn't my fault! It's those CP9 agents! They claim to be elites, but couldn't stop a few pirates! That's why I was forced to activate the Buster Call!" With his excruciating headache, Spandam immediately shifted the blame to CP9 without thinking.
Finally, events were progressing in the direction Auguro had planned!