readytorunbook Chapter 733 - 733: 733: The Collapse of Marine Conviction
Chapter 733 - 733: 733: The Collapse of Marine Conviction
"You are justice."Sakazuki placed a firm hand on the soldier's shoulder. He turned toward the other Marines gathered on the deck, his voice heavy and commanding.
"Every one of you is justice. The Marines are justice, that is beyond question."
Silence followed.
The soldiers swayed slightly, their faces pale, yet none of them spoke.
On any other day, their voices would have risen in unison, shouting that justice would prevail, that the World Government would triumph, that their Fleet Admiral stood above all.
But today, the deck was swallowed by a chilling quiet.
In their dreams, these Marines had lived through dozens of lifetimes. They had seen the world through different eyes, carried different identities, walked countless paths. Even now, many of them could not tell if they had truly awakened.
Was this life, the one where they stood as Marine soldiers, even real?
Or was it just another illusion, another borrowed existence?
…
A man dreaming he is a butterfly.
Or a butterfly dreaming he is a man.
…
"Shirogai intended for me to experience everything the Marines went through in that dream. I felt it all as well."
In Elbaf, two figures stood side by side.
One had a single arm.
The other wore a faint, knowing smile.
"Without strong willpower and mental resilience, living through multiple lives in a dream will leave a lasting mark."
Shanks, one of the Yonko, looked out across the dozens of Marine warships. Their formation had broken, their morale shattered. Some soldiers even trembled with thoughts of ending their own lives.
He exhaled slowly, deeply affected.
"Shirogai, this ability of yours is beyond anything I could ever hope to match. I mean that."
His gaze sharpened.
"This kind of psychological assault is more devastating to Sakazuki and his forces than any pirate attack in history. It strikes at the very core of what binds the Marines together… their belief in justice."
He paused, memories surfacing.
"The only thing that ever came close was my captain's final words before his death."
The image of Gol D. Roger lingered in his mind, a man who had thrown the entire world into chaos with a single declaration.
"The difference is, his words stirred ambition across the seas."
Shanks turned slightly toward Shirogai.
"Yours tears apart the very foundation the Marines stand on."
Shirogai watched the retreating warships with a relaxed smile. The Marines had regrouped briefly before fleeing Elbaf without hesitation.
It was as if the island itself had become something they feared.
"Falsehood can never become truth, no matter how many times it is repeated."
His voice was calm, yet resolute.
"A false sense of justice can never replace real justice."
He continued, his tone steady.
"When those who believe in justice are forced to stand in the place of those they judge, everything becomes clear. By seeing themselves through the eyes of their victims, they can finally understand whether their actions are righteous or distorted."
Shirogai shook his head slightly.
"The outcome speaks for itself. After experiencing the suffering of innocent people, they can no longer blindly convince themselves that they are in the right."
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"And yet, this also proves something important."
His eyes gleamed.
"The Marines are not beyond saving."
Shanks listened quietly.
"Most of them are simply deceived," Shirogai continued. "They believe in the image of justice the Marines present. They assume anything done under that banner must be right."
He spoke without hesitation.
"They think it is justice to help allied nations fight off pirates."
"They think it is justified to maintain order in those nations, even if it drains their resources."
"They believe it is acceptable to destroy lands that are not affiliated with the World Government."
"They accept that the Celestial Dragons stand above all, and that anyone who opposes them deserves immediate execution."
…
Shanks gave a small nod.
"A fraction of true justice is used to mask overwhelming injustice," he said. "At the same time, the worst of pirate crimes are exaggerated to hide the rare moments when pirates do something right."
He looked back at the retreating fleet.
"The soldiers who follow orders end up spreading injustice without even realizing it."
His voice turned quieter.
"And yet, they remain convinced they are righteous."
A faint smile touched his lips, though it carried no warmth.
"That is exactly what the World Government wants. It is why the Marines must exist."
He paused.
"Once people accept that belief, they will support anything. And in doing so, they slowly lose the ability to think for themselves."
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