One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Kong gazed at these soldiers with indomitable spirits, his comrades who had all gathered under the banner of justice.

For the sake of the majority's stability, they sacrificed their own interests, giving up their personal space and time entirely.

These fellows, though they had various small flaws, as soldiers, their hearts for justice never wavered.

Kong made one of the most difficult decisions in his life: "Carry out the order! Gather in the First Conference Room to hear the admirals' reform opinions regarding this mission!"

Being in a high position, how could Kong not know about the dirty, sordid, and ugly aspects of the World Government, and even the Navy?

But he deeply understood that the World Government, this massive international organization, despite its many shortcomings, still maintained the stability of the vast majority of people in this world.

If a nation can protect the safety and interests of the majority, then its military should spare no effort to maintain its long-term peace and stability.

And the fact that the World Government has existed for hundreds of years is by no means solely reliant on the Navy as a violent institution or on authoritarian politics to maintain control.

In other words, if an organization was unpopular from the start, it wouldn't have been able to exist for such a long time.

The earlier generations of Celestial Dragons were far from being as corrupt as they are now. They inherited the will of their ancestors and joined forces with the newly established World Government, changing the world.

But eventually, most of the Celestial Dragons forgot the noble will they were supposed to inherit as descendants of the royal families that founded the World Government. Instead, they indulged in flaunting their so-called "noble" bloodlines.

Sakazuki felt unwilling, but also somewhat relieved.

As the Fleet Admiral of the Navy and the supreme leader of the entire military, Kong had to make such a decision.

The Vice Admirals knew well that whether in this world or their homeland, a large organization, no matter how beloved it was at the beginning, would inevitably encounter various problems and flaws over time.

And as part of the Navy under the World Government, when this organization encounters issues,

the first reaction should be to figure out how to resolve conflicts and improve problems, rather than raising a storm and rebelling.

There were also pirates shouting loud slogans, like Doflamingo and Crocodile, who were essentially troublemakers causing chaos, acting as rebel lords.

Claiming to support freedom was a facade; seizing power and wealth was their true aim.

The Revolutionary Army directly opposed the World Government, but that was the most extreme and final approach.

Reform and revolution may seem like similar terms, but revolution has always been built on blood and heads. Once the final mask is torn off, there's no room for compromise—it's a fight to the death.

Regardless of whether the Navy wins or the Revolutionary Army succeeds, the number of civilians caught in the crossfire of a world-scale conflict would far exceed the casualties of the Great Pirate Era.

Reform, while causing many to lose their livelihoods and vested interests, is still better than heads rolling.

If the Navy was destined to play the role of the lone pillar holding up a collapsing building in this chaotic world, Sakazuki didn't mind turning that lone pillar into a stabilizing force.

Sakazuki took a deep breath and followed the steps of the senior leaders.

So what if it's dirty work? Has Sakazuki ever been afraid of anyone?

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When the documents were delivered to all the admirals in the First Conference Room, as expected, a chorus of opposition erupted.

"The Navy will never bow to pirates!" Doberman looked like a rabid dog ready to bite the Five Elder Stars, believing pirates should always remain pirates.

Dealing with pirates was the Navy's responsibility. At the very least, you could cooperate with bounty hunters or use powerful pirates against each other. But this? What was this?

Even the most mild-mannered Mihawk and Fire Fist couldn't help but curse this absurd policy.

If the World Government was truly determined to establish the so-called Shichibukai, the Navy's reputation would be utterly destroyed.

"Fleet Admiral! Are we really going to agree to revoke the bounties on those wanted pirates?"

What is the Shichibukai?

According to the plan, it was an independent force outside the Navy but subordinate to the World Government as a neutral power. Only pirates with significant influence or immense strength would qualify for the invitation.

Members of the Shichibukai would no longer be pursued by the Navy or the World Government.

Aside from being required to respond to the strong summons of the World Government and paying a portion of their earnings, they would have independent raiding rights. They could act freely without interference from the World Government.

Sakazuki felt this policy seemed familiar. In his original world, the most successful example was the privateering system of the 17th-century British Empire.

A privateering license allowed a country to strengthen its naval power indirectly. This meant that without increasing the budget, the country gained an additional maritime force capable of attacking enemy merchant ships.

And as for amnesty for bandits to fight against other bandits, the classic example came from Water Margin , one of the Four Great Classical Novels.

As for nurturing tigers as threats or inviting wolves into the house, the Shichibukai system was the stupidest example of all.

Among the Shichibukai recruited by the World Government in the original story, who among them fully obeyed the higher-ups?

Crocodile and Doflamingo used the title of Shichibukai to overthrow national governments, sell weapons, collude with the dark underworld, and profit from war.

One sought the ancient weapon Pluton, while the other traded with the Four Emperors, aiding enemies and strengthening pirate forces in the New World.

Boa Hancock, the highest leader of Amazon Lily and captain of the Kuja Pirates, had both the political background and the reputation and strength within the pirate community to qualify as a Shichibukai.

But due to the sins of the Celestial Dragons, the formidable force of the Kuja Kingdom was never utilized by the Navy.

Jinbei, affiliated with the Sun Pirates, was quite powerful.

After Tiger's death, considering the special political status of Fish-Man Island, the World Government chose to recruit him to ease the strained relations with Fish-Man Island.

Hawkeye Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, was actually the most ideal candidate for the Shichibukai. With his immense prestige and combat ability among swordsmen, and having fought (or sparred) multiple times with one of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, he could suppress pirates in the first half of the Grand Line while balancing the Four Emperors—a rare talent indeed.

But such a proud hero cared nothing for the orders of the World Government.

Bartholomew Kuma was obedient, but considering his background as a Revolutionary Army officer,

the possibility of him being a double agent was high, always a thorn in the Navy's back.

Gecko Moria, on the other hand, only qualified because he survived a battle with Kaido of the Beasts. Since entering the first half of the Grand Line, he completely neglected his duties as a Shichibukai.

He attacked civilians, Navy personnel, and pirates alike, obsessing over digging up graves for his twisted pursuits.

Then there was Blackbeard, who used the Shichibukai title as a stepping stone, releasing countless prisoners detained in Impel Down.

Law and Buggy, each harboring their own schemes, and finally Edward Newgate's alliance, became the last straw breaking the Navy's back, even directly leading to Zephyr's angry departure.

Sakazuki couldn't help but sigh. The Shichibukai system, if managed well, could function like a privateering license in the pirate world.

It could greatly hinder the development of pirates while indirectly strengthening the World Government's combat power.

But if mishandled, like the way the Five Elder Stars did in the original story, it would become a policy of appeasement, nurturing tigers as threats!

The Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals turned their gazes toward the few seated at the front of the conference room.

Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, and the three rising stars of the Navy's younger generation.

Sengoku closed his eyes and shut out the noise around him.

Garp bit his teeth and stared blankly out the window. Zephyr sat expressionless, slumped in his seat. Logically, he should have been the strongest opponent of the idea.

But opposing now would only make things harder for his former superior and comrade, Kong.

Seeing the most respected generals unwilling to speak, the officers turned their attention to the most hardline hawkish figure present—Sakazuki.

"What pirates are like, everyone here knows." Sakazuki's opening words gave the Navy officers opposing the idea a sense of solidarity.

Sakazuki scanned the entire military conference room. The lowest rank eligible to attend a meeting of this level was Rear Admiral, meaning the Navy's elite forces were all gathered here.

"The Five Elder Stars' expectations are simple: let a pack of untrustworthy wild wolves herd sheep and drive away other wolf packs." Sakazuki clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.

His metaphor resonated with nearly all the Navy officers present, breaking the previously tense and angry atmosphere. The vivid description brought knowing smiles to their faces.

"But the Five Elder Stars stand too high, unable to see what lies beneath the clouds. We can oppose the Shichibukai system, but it would be meaningless. Politicians can bypass us entirely to carry it out." Sakazuki's words carried a tone of coldness.

"Vice Admiral, are you saying that regardless of whether the Navy agrees, the Shichibukai system will be implemented without us?" Onigumo pointed out the key point in Sakazuki's statement.

Sakazuki knew well the result of blindly opposing. In the original story, the Navy didn't even have the authority to participate in screening candidates for the Shichibukai.

The Five Elder Stars placated internal opposition within the Navy by promising increased military funding.

"Orders are like mountains; obedience flows like water!" Sakazuki surveyed the high-ranking officers of the entire military department. "The World Government wants wild wolves to act as dogs, but they can't do it. Then we'll put leashes on these mongrels ourselves!"

"Rather than letting politicians who know nothing about the specifics of pirates control everything," Sengoku, who had been meditating with closed eyes, suddenly added, "The Navy must carry out the orders issued by the Five Elder Stars! If they leave us no room to maneuver, then we will ensure that the Shichibukai can only operate under the control of justice!"

"Gentlemen, any objections?" The Fleet Admiral scanned the officers. Seeing anger on everyone's faces but no one explicitly refusing to carry out the order, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Then the formal meeting to discuss modifications to the Shichibukai system and the selection of candidates begins!"