XX-level Hokage

Akainu's gaze flickered slightly. The existence of pirates had always been one of the sources of his hatred, and it was precisely to eliminate them that he upheld absolute justice. "Preserve pirates?" he murmured, his voice tinged with doubt and incomprehension. "Your so-called justice allows those evils to exist?"

Mashiro nodded, her expression remaining calm. "Yes, pirates must exist, but not in the current chaotic state. The vast majority of pirates will be incorporated into a completely new system—the Pirate Alliance."

Pirate alliance? "The doubt in Akainu's eyes grew stronger."

"Yes, it will be managed by several powerful pirates, such as Kaido, who, although I have now defeated him, will still be one of the important forces. There are also other pirates with extraordinary strength, such as the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who will be under my command."

In this alliance, pirates will no longer be rampant villains, but rather adventurers who will continue to explore the seas and search for treasures, but will never be allowed to oppress the people at will.

Whether it's pirates or so-called justice, I will redefine them all.

Akainu remained silent for a moment, pondering Mashiro's idea. He had once wanted to completely eliminate pirates, but had never considered how to truly change this deeply entrenched system.

Mashiro's plan seems to offer a way out for pirates who are not entirely evil at heart, and this may be more practical than simply eliminating them.

Mashiro's eyes flashed with calm and decisiveness as she continued, "On the other hand, the Navy will also be transformed. After overthrowing the World Government, I will..."

A new ruling system will be established above all the lands in the world—the Maritime Lands.

At that time, the navy will become an integral part of the kingdom, responsible for ensuring its smooth operation.

The justice you uphold will continue, but no longer to serve the corrupt Celestial Dragons; it will be for true peace and order.

"The Ocean Kingdom?" Akainu repeated the phrase, vaguely sensing the immense change it implied. "How do you plan to establish this kingdom?"

Would all countries willingly join?

A confident smile appeared on Mashiro's lips. "I won't give them a choice."

After I defeat the Donquixote Family, Kaido, and other forces, the world will fall into a power vacuum.

The rulers of those major powers will have no choice but to submit to me, otherwise they will be powerless to resist the ensuing chaos.

At that time, I will inform all the kingdoms across the world and announce the establishment of the 'Ocean Kingdom.' This will be a completely new system that transcends national boundaries.

Akainu listened in silence. Although he still harbored a deep hatred for pirates, he had to admit that Mashiro's plan had, to some extent, solved a problem he had been unable to solve for a long time: how to maintain long-term order in this turbulent world.

Mashiro continued, "And in this kingdom, the Revolutionary Army will also become an important force. They have always been working to overthrow the corrupt rule, and now I will give them a legitimate identity. They will be responsible for dealing with evil on land, especially overseeing officials in various countries to ensure that there is no more corruption and oppression."

"So, you want the Revolutionary Army to control the land and the Navy to control the sea?" Akainu asked coldly.

“That’s right,” Mashiro nodded, “but most importantly, there will be no more nobles in this kingdom. The Celestial Dragons will be completely wiped out, and their rule will be ended forever.”

This world doesn't need those so-called nobles. Instead, it needs a unified society without class distinctions. I will do so with divine wisdom.

He ruled the entire kingdom in his name.

"The light of God?" Akainu frowned, filled with doubt and unease about this title.

Mashiro smiled slightly, "That's right, in the new era, I will become the sole ruler of the world."

Whether pirates, marines, or revolutionaries, they will all obey my orders. I will use absolute power and wisdom to ensure the stability and prosperity of this lord nation.

And you, Sakazuki, will become the Admiral of the Navy, the Admiral who truly represents justice.

Akainu's brow furrowed deeply. The justice he had always pursued seemed to have found a completely new definition in Mashiro's vision—a kind of justice that was neither...

Justice that is no longer solely dependent on the existing system, nor merely serving corrupt rulers.

However, this justice comes at the cost of Mashiro's absolute rule.

He had to admit that Mashiro's plan was extremely tempting, especially after years of experiencing the corrupt rule of the World Government. However, Mashiro's ambition and ruthlessness also made him feel a vague sense of threat.

"Your plan sounds...not bad." Akainu said in a low voice, his tone slightly wavering, "But I have one more question, sorcerer. You said you want to rule this kingdom in the name of the gods."

So, once you have all that power, who will supervise you?

Mashiro paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sakazuki, I don't need anyone to supervise me, because only I can truly understand this world."

The world's suffering, and leading it towards true peace, necessitates the concentration of power to prevent new chaos. As for oversight, I will let facts and results prove my decisions.

Akainu fell into deep thought.

He knew that excessive concentration of power could very likely lead to new corruption and dictatorship, but at this stage, he could not deny the feasibility of Masashiro's abilities and plans.

Finally, he raised his head and looked at Mashiro, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "If everything you've said is true, perhaps I can follow you, overthrow the World Government, and shatter this corrupt world."

Mashiro smiled with satisfaction; Akainu's compromise meant she was one step closer to her goal.

“Very well, Sakazuki,” she whispered, “we will witness the arrival of a new era together, and you will be the sword of justice for the new world.” Akainu remained silent, knowing that the road ahead would be filled with the baptism of blood and fire.

But regardless, he has decided to stand on Mashiro's side for now and wait for the world to be reborn.

However, Akainu does not completely trust Mashiro. If Mashiro later falls into the lust for power, he would not mind cooperating with the Revolutionary Army once to overthrow the "tyrant".

Chapter 176: Brainwashing (Part 2)

Meanwhile, in the streets of Dressrosa, the liberation movement was in full swing.

Standing on the high platform, Bello Betty's call to action grew stronger, and more and more citizens took up arms to launch a final reckoning against the Don Quixote family.

Lindbergh led the revolutionary army's technological forces to quickly restore order to the city.

Meanwhile, in the dark and damp depths of Dressrosa prison, Mashiro's figure, like a ghost, silently passed through a heavy iron door and headed towards the cell where the Revolutionary Army leader Monkey D. Dragon was imprisoned.

At the end of the deep corridor, the dragon's cell door was tightly shut, covered with thick Seastone. This stone, with its unique properties, restricted the abilities of those with superpowers, and the dragon imprisoned within was also bound tightly by Seastone chains, making it difficult for him, even as a powerful being, to break free.

As footsteps echoed through the narrow corridor, Mashiro's mind began to plan her next move. After persuading Akainu, the next step was Dragon.

Upon arriving at the dragon's cell, the heavy iron gate made of sea stone was tightly shut. The guard at the door respectfully opened it. Mashiro walked in. The cell was dimly lit, and a damp, musty smell filled the air.

The dragon was tightly chained to the central stone pillar, its limbs firmly bound by sea stone chains, and even its head was forced to droop.

Even so, his aura was still undeniable, like a caged beast, only temporarily dormant, but ready to leap at any moment. Long Shuang kept his eyes slightly closed, and although he sensed Zhenbai's arrival, he showed no sign of closing them.

At this moment, he was filled with anger and disappointment. His partner, who had once fought alongside him and shared ideals, had betrayed him.

“Mashiro, you actually came here,” Ryu’s voice was low and cold, tinged with weariness. “Are you here to mock me, or to flaunt your achievements?” Mashiro smiled slightly, sat down on a stone bench not far from Ryu, and calmly said, “No, I’m not here to mock you. On the contrary, I’m here to tell you…”

Everything the Mingjun army has done over the years has been meaningless.

“You’re not qualified to discuss the Revolutionary Army,” Long Chao said sarcastically.

Mashiro chuckled lightly, as if she were facing a naive child, and said, "You overestimate the role of your Revolutionary Army, Dragon."

"What revolutionary army? Nothing but rats hiding in the shadows. What have you done all these years? You wave the banner of freedom and peace, yet you've never shaken the foundations of the World Government."

Upon hearing this, the dragon said in a deep yet firm voice, "You don't understand the meaning of revolution at all, sorcerer! We don't have a powerful army or a large force, but we have the support of the people."

Everything we do is for the sake of ensuring that this corrupt world can one day truly be free from tyranny and oppression.

"Oh? The support of the people?" Mashiro's tone was full of sarcasm. She slowly walked up to Dragon and looked down at the bound man. "After all these years, what has the Revolutionary Army actually changed? Your petty squabbles have accomplished absolutely nothing except causing the World Government some minor annoyance."

Her voice gradually became serious.

But what about me? I saved Cocoyasi Village from being controlled by evil fishmen, liberated the Alabasta Kingdom from Crocodile's conspiracy, defeated Enel who claimed to be a god on Skypiea, revived Ohara, the land of scholars, cleared away future threats for Fishman Island, and even defeated Kaido, restoring peace to Wano Country.

And Dressrosa, the people enslaved by Doflamingo, have now also gained their freedom.

Mashiro's tone gradually rose, carrying an overwhelming momentum: "And you, Monkey D. Dragon, where is your Revolutionary Army? You are still hiding, still planning those meaningless actions."

Compared to me, you are nothing but incompetent delusional dreamers.

Dragon's expression changed slightly. Although Mashiro's words were harsh, they undeniably hit the nail on the head.

For many years, the Revolutionary Army has indeed failed to deliver a fatal blow to the World Government. Instead, it has been overwhelmed by Mashiro's series of victories in a short period of time.

Nevertheless, Long was not completely convinced. He coldly retorted, "What you did was ultimately nothing more than the satisfaction of personal ambition. You defeated Kai..."

"You liberated many oppressed kingdoms, but all of this was to consolidate your own power."

“Is that so?” Mashiro smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned to refute. “Ambition and power are indeed part of what I pursue, but can you deny that the people of these kingdoms are living better lives now than before? Can you deny that the enemies I defeated were the source of evil in this world? Compared to your Revolutionary Army, my actions are faster and more effective, while you only hide in the corner, waiting for others to finish everything.”

Dragon fell into a brief silence; Mashiro's words undoubtedly left him with mixed feelings.

As the leader of the revolutionary army, he naturally could not accept Shinji's actions, but he could not deny her achievements.

After a moment, he looked up at Mashiro and said coldly, "Even if you liberate those countries and overthrow the corrupt rulers, you are still just another ruler."

The 'peace' you seek is ultimately nothing more than an extension of your personal desire for domination. A person like you has no understanding of true freedom and peace.

Mashiro was not angered by the dragon's accusations. Instead, she revealed a disdainful smile: "Freedom and peace? What a naive fantasy! The world is chaotic, and human nature is greed and desire."

Without absolute control of power, your so-called freedom is nothing more than a breeding ground for new chaos.

You and your revolutionary army cannot understand this, and are destined to hide like rats until they are completely swallowed up by the torrent of the world.

"I will establish an ocean kingdom," a completely new system that transcends any nation or power. This kingdom will break down all old boundaries, and there will be no more corrupt nobles or Celestial Dragons in power. I will concentrate all my strength to ensure order and peace in this kingdom.

And you, Dragon, if you so desire, your revolutionary army will become the oversight force on land, responsible for monitoring government officials in various countries and ensuring their safety.

They will no longer be corrupt.

Long's expression gradually became complicated. Zhen Zi's plan was clearly more intricate than he had anticipated.

She not only wants to overthrow the world government, but also to create a completely new system of governance, utterly overturning the existing order.

Deep down, Ryu had to admit that Shinji's plan was indeed feasible, even more practical than the Revolutionary Army's ideals. But he still refused to accept this future.

Chapter 177: Kerla

He said coldly, "Sorcerer, you are nothing more than a substitute for the tyranny of the World Government in another form."

The kingdom you've built is ultimately nothing more than one person's control over the entire world; the peace you speak of is merely a pseudo-peace under violence and coercion. The people...

What is needed is freedom, not a new dictator.

Mashiro, still smiling, replied after hearing Ryu's words, "Dictator? Perhaps you're right. I don't mind being called a dictator."

But it is precisely because I possess sufficient power that I can truly bring peace to this world. The concentration of power is not for my own ambition, but to prevent new chaos.

"I will rule this world in the name of divine wisdom, and will no longer tolerate any form of betrayal or turmoil." "In the name of divine wisdom?" The dragon frowned. Hearing this title for the first time, he felt a vague unease.

Mashiro said calmly, "You can continue to indulge in your childish ideals, Dragon, but you will soon find that reality cannot be changed by fantasy. I will prove to you that my ocean kingdom will bring true order and peace. At that time, you will find that your so-called freedom is nothing but useless empty talk."

"Are you threatening me?" the dragon asked.

"No, I'm just giving you a choice: join me or continue struggling in this corrupt world. Only by standing on my side can you truly achieve your ideals."

Long fell silent, feeling an immense struggle and inner conflict within him.

“I believe that true liberation will only be achieved by the people themselves, not by a self-centered tyrant,” the dragon said slowly.

Mashiro raised an eyebrow slightly, her smile gradually fading, and then she said calmly, "Perhaps, but you must understand that times have changed. Even if you are unwilling to accept it, the future direction is no longer determined by your revolutionary army. Follow me, or be forgotten in future history."

Dragon's heart was in turmoil over Mashiro's words. He knew that no matter what, he could not bow down to this former comrade. "I am not afraid of sacrifice," Dragon said softly. "I will continue to fight for my beliefs, even if it is for that tiny hope."

"Hope?" Mashiro sneered. "Do you think hope can change everything? I've seen the truth of this world, while you're still asleep in your dreams. You can continue to cling to your beliefs, but I'll show you that this world doesn't need those empty ideals at all."