Chapter 109: Chapter 109: The Justice of the Three Admirals
"So, Kuzan-senpai, are you saying you don't have a single newly promoted Vice Admiral under your command?"
Sitting in the office of Admiral "Aokiji" Kuzan, Wright looked helplessly at the ice-ice Devil Fruit user slouched in his chair, lazily pushing his eye mask up to his forehead.
"At least Sakazuki-senpai has two Rear Admirals promoted to Vice Admiral recently. Even Borsalino-senpai has one, and Rear Admiral Goomir under his command is expected to be promoted soon to take over the G-2 branch…"
"But you… not even one? Don't you feel like you lack someone to discuss tactics with?"
Naturally, Wright's first stop when visiting the three Admirals was Kuzan, the one he had the friendliest relationship with.
"Ah-la-la… Junior brother, I didn't expect you to become as nagging as Sengoku-san…"
Kuzan mumbled vaguely, seemingly realizing he had said something he shouldn't have. Jolted awake, he opened his eyes to see Wright looking at him with a subtly amused expression.
"Uh… well… hmm…"
"Relax, senpai. I won't snitch to Old Man Sengoku," Wright waved dismissively with a grin that practically screamed, I absolutely will.
"…"
With a bitter smile, Kuzan sat up straight, propping his arms on his desk. "Junior brother, haven't you noticed…"
He gestured behind him, and Wright's gaze fell on a large plaque with bold, flowing characters engraved on it:
"Lazy Justice"
Wright pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you're saying, senpai, you're too lazy to train subordinates?"
"Well… that's one way to interpret it," Kuzan replied nonchalantly.
"Wright, I'm genuinely happy that you've reached the rank of Vice Admiral. This means, if I ever need help, you wouldn't refuse, right?"
"…"
"Haha, just kidding," Kuzan chuckled. Then, unexpectedly serious, he intertwined his fingers and leaned forward, his demeanor radiating the authority of an Admiral. "Now that you've become the youngest Vice Admiral in Marine history, have you decided on your 'path of justice'?"
"My path of justice? I have given it some thought. Visiting you and the other two senpai was part of that consideration," Wright nodded.
"Your 'Lazy Justice,' why is that? With your strength, you could accomplish so much more. Yet unless something crosses your path, you rarely act of your own initiative."
Kuzan fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "That's… a long story."
"I can tell, Wright… I know what you, Garp-san, Sengoku-san, and even Z have in common. I used to be the same way."
"But after certain experiences, my perspective changed. Wright, for many years, I've been confused—are the Marines truly the embodiment of justice? The voice of righteousness?"
Wright stared at Kuzan in disbelief. This powerful senior had been grappling with doubt all these years? What a joke!
"The Marines are just a tool—a war machine for the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. While I'd like to say that outright, the truth is that our existence does maintain a certain degree of stability and, in most cases, justice," Wright asserted.
"Though we're often compelled to carry out questionable orders from the World Government…
"Even the World Government has its limits—it cares about its image and won't go too far. For the truly heinous acts, that's what CP is for.
"As for what I want to do… well, let's just say that's for when I take another step forward. Haha!"
"Another step forward, huh…" Kuzan mused with interest. "You're young, but you see things quite clearly. Wright, you're becoming more intriguing by the day.
"Then show me your path of justice. If you can uphold your ideals and take that next step… maybe I'll even put in a bit more effort myself."
Leaving Kuzan's office, Wright's next stop was Admiral "Kizaru" Borsalino.
"Yo! Senpai! I brought gifts!"
"Oh~ Junior brother~ Seeing you here makes me so~ happy~"
Borsalino's sly voice greeted him. "I haven't had the chance~ to congratulate you~ on your promotion to Vice Admiral~"
"Twenty-six and already a Vice Admiral~ How scary~"
"…Senpai, you're the last person who should call anyone scary among the three Admirals," Wright retorted, setting a bunch of bananas on Borsalino's desk before peeling one for himself.
Borsalino, casually clipping his nails, responded with his usual languid tone. The crisp sound of the nail clipper paired with his "so scary" drawl was bizarrely out of place.
"Not bad~" Borsalino said leisurely. "Your feats in the North Blue~ I've heard about them~ Even among Vice Admirals~ you're top-tier~"
"Eh, it was more of a team effort," Wright replied, glancing at the plaque behind Borsalino:
"Ambiguous Justice"
"Senpai, since becoming an Admiral, hasn't it been less carefree than your time as a Vice Admiral?"
"Oh~ That's true~" Borsalino smirked. "But there are perks~ No more running around~ Regular hours~ And the pay's better~"
"What about serving the Celestial Dragons?" Wright pointed upward. "I hear Admirals have to do that."
"Hmm~ Not my problem~ That's for the Fleet Admiral to handle~ I'm just a worker bee~ I do as I'm told~"
"Fair enough…" Wright sighed. This crafty monkey was as slippery as ever. Time to move on to the final Admiral.
With Borsalino's enigmatic smile following him, Wright departed and made his way to the office of Admiral "Akainu" Sakazuki.
"Senpai, I'm here today to seek your guidance regarding your 'path of justice.'"
For a straightforward and uncompromising soldier like Sakazuki, Wright got straight to the point as soon as he sat down.
"My path of justice…" Sakazuki, seated rigidly before a plaque inscribed with "Absolute Justice," paused for a moment before continuing. "If anyone else asked, I'd think they were joking."
Pointing to the plaque behind him, Sakazuki's volcanic aura surged toward Wright. "So, junior brother, what do you think of 'Absolute Justice'?"
"Based on your actions, senpai, I'd say 'eliminating evil' and 'better safe than sorry' define your philosophy perfectly." Wright remained unfazed under Sakazuki's pressure, his expression steady.
"Your hatred for pirates and criminals is evident. You've chosen the harshest, most direct, and unyielding methods to combat them."
Sakazuki listened silently, the shadow of his hat brim concealing his thoughts.
"If you don't mind, I'll speak frankly. Perhaps I was much like you in the past," Wright said after a brief pause.
"I haven't interacted with you often, but after serving as a Marine for so many years, I was genuinely surprised when you personally thanked me last time. It didn't align with the rumors about you."
"Go on," Sakazuki encouraged tersely.
------------------------------
Join my patreon to access advance chapters: patreon.com / juanpiece