One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 246: I Found My Organization!

Claudius nodded and continued, "Since you agree with what I've said, let me take a guess. The reason you didn't enlist in the military or join the Marines is because the Marine system is far too large, right? As I mentioned earlier, it's not the kind of environment where your talents or ambitions can be realized."

Fujitora smiled faintly. While he found this statement a bit presumptuous, he eventually nodded and replied, "Yes, I've thought along those lines."

At this moment, the butler, Niya, who had previously been managing the gambling table, transitioned seamlessly into his role as a servant, skillfully refilling Claudius and Fujitora's teacups with a polite smile.

Claudius picked up his teacup and took a sip, appearing deep in thought as he mulled over his next words. Fujitora, maintaining his calm demeanor, quietly waited for Claudius to speak, showing a rare patience.

After a while, Claudius finally set his teacup down and said, "I apologize."

"Your Highness, please go ahead," Fujitora said softly, his tone filled with respect and sincerity.

Claudius nodded slightly before he spoke in a hushed tone. "Don't you think your mindset might be a little... fanciful?"

Hearing this, Fujitora couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. Why was it always so uncomfortable to have his thoughts analyzed by others? Perhaps it was because his dreams, though noble, often seemed overly idealistic.

Claudius continued, "In my opinion, achieving great things requires a solid foundation. Opportunities to rise quickly will always exist, especially in chaotic times like these. But pinning all your hopes on such opportunities is an unwise gamble."

Fujitora considered these words carefully. If not for the massive losses the Marines suffered during the war with Whitebeard, coupled with the retirement of Sengoku, and the subsequent clash between Kuzan and Sakazuki for the position of Fleet Admiral, which led to Kuzan leaving the Marines entirely, there would never have been a "world conscription" to replenish Marine forces on such a massive scale.

This global draft filled the ranks in record time and strengthened Marine operations, allowing Sakazuki to implement his aggressive new policies and fortify Marine presence in the New World. However, it also introduced unforeseen issues, such as Fujitora, a man with unorthodox ideals, becoming an Admiral. His later actions, like openly kneeling to apologize on behalf of the Marines, caused the organization significant embarrassment. Sakazuki himself had nearly been apoplectic with rage at the time.

These developments were ultimately circumstantial. Under normal conditions, the Marines would never have initiated such a desperate global draft. Without these coincidences, Fujitora's current status would have been unattainable, and he might have remained a wandering ronin for life, unless he later experienced a profound change of heart.

Claudius added, "This isn't just something I'm saying to persuade you. From my personal interactions with high-ranking individuals—whether it's Sengoku, Garp, or even the Five Elders—their goals are clear. Sengoku and others may be purer in their intentions, while the Five Elders have their own selfish motivations, but even their actions are ultimately tied to maintaining stability."

He paused, then continued, "This kind of balance is necessary. If the world prospers, so does their power. If chaos reigns, what good is their authority? Even the fight against pirates and revolutionaries ultimately serves the purpose of safeguarding order."

Claudius smiled faintly. "The truth is, the World Government's system is immense and unwieldy. With an organization of this size, the lower ranks inevitably become bloated, and corruption seeps in. Even in the Marines, there are rotten apples like Axe-Hand Morgan or Nezumi the Mouse. They give justice a bad name and are often worse than the pirates they fight against."

He took a sip of tea and added, "But as you move higher in the ranks, the ideals of justice and integrity grow purer. The same is true of the World Government."

Fujitora nodded. He could relate to these observations, having traveled extensively and witnessed firsthand both the flaws and merits of the system. It wasn't Claudius's words alone that convinced him, his own experiences reinforced this perspective.

And it was for this reason that Fujitora wanted to work within the system to enact change. True reform, he believed, had to come from the top. Otherwise, wouldn't it be simpler to just join the Revolutionary Army?

Finally, Claudius got to the heart of the matter. He smiled at Fujitora and said, "The World Government is using the chaos of the Great Pirate Era as a catalyst for change. CP-X is one of the results of that resolve."

Fujitora raised his brow, intrigued but cautious. "Is that so?"

Claudius elaborated, "Projects like the sea train system, the movement to liberate slaves in Mariejois, and the cultural integration of Fish-Man Island... all of these are examples of how CP-X is more than just a tool of violence for hunting pirates. It's a multifaceted organization with broader objectives."

Hearing this, Fujitora was genuinely surprised. He had observed these changes himself but hadn't realized that CP-X was behind many of them. He had assumed they were part of the World Government's broader policies.

Claudius sighed. "We can't act too aggressively. Overturning the system too quickly risks total collapse, and that would only invite disaster. That's why we must move carefully, implementing change step by step."

Fujitora, deeply moved by these words, felt as though he had finally found his place,an organization that aligned with his ideals.