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[TIOP] Chapter : 112
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 17:50:50 +0000 UTC"Justice," Jack continued, his tone growing sharper. "It’s the word we in the navy wear like a badge of honor. It’s the ideal that drives us, that justifies our every battle. But today, I want to ask you—what is justice?"
His gaze swept over the assembled marines. He ignored Sengoku and Aokiji's scowls.
"In this navy, each of us carries a different answer. Some believe in 'absolute justice'—a vision where all darkness is eradicated, no matter the cost. Even if it means using ruthless methods, they believe the ends justify the means. Others preach 'lazy justice,' tolerating whatever happens so long as it doesn’t cross certain lines. And then there are those who cling to 'straightforward justice,' despising anything that feels like deceit or compromise."
"But in my eyes, those are just methods of enforcing justice. So I ask you—what is the true justice of our navy?" Jack’s voice rang out, calm yet sharp. "I’ve been wrestling with this question ever since the day I first put on this uniform. And after years of watching, listening, and thinking… I’ve come to a conclusion that even I struggled to accept—our navy… has no justice of its own!"
He gave a casual shrug, as if his words weren’t shaking the very foundation of the institution around him.
The reaction was immediate. Murmurs turned to shouts as the gathered sailors erupted in uproar. In the navy, justice wasn’t just a word—it was their creed, their identity, the bedrock of their every mission. And now Jack had cracked that foundation wide open.
Up on the high platform, Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru stiffened, their faces dark as storm clouds. More than anything, they wished Jack would stop talking now.
But Jack pressed on, raising his voice above the commotion. "You disagree? Then tell me—what is justice? Who here can give me a clear answer?"
"Justice is justice! There’s no question about it!" barked Vice Admiral Doberman, unable to hold back any longer.
A loyal follower of Akainu's hardline faction, Doberman had always stood for absolute, uncompromising justice—crushing darkness no matter the cost.
Jack chuckled. "Ah, Vice Admiral Doberman. I thought you might say that." His eyes gleamed as he leaned in. "Let me paint you a simple picture. You believe every trace of darkness must be stamped out, no matter the means… correct?"
"Of course!" Doberman sneered, standing taller. "It’s our duty as the navy to wipe out evil—completely!"
"Good. Then let’s test that logic." Jack gestured toward a group of fifteen marines nearby. "Let’s say among these fifteen men, ten are confirmed spies from pirate crews, four are suspected agents from other factions, and only one is a true, loyal soldier of the navy. Tell me, Vice Admiral Doberman—what would you do?"
The sailors he pointed at blanched, shaking their heads desperately. They hadn’t signed up for this kind of example.
Doberman’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t sure whether Jack was bluffing or hinting at real intelligence.
"It’s simple," Doberman declared stiffly. "If fourteen out of fifteen are compromised, then we kill them all. Better safe than sorry!"
Jack smiled faintly. "So… in your version of justice, we sacrifice the innocent with the guilty. Even if there’s one true loyalist among them, we sweep him away too—just in case."
Doberman’s face twitched, but he gritted out, "Of course. That’s the price of executing justice thoroughly."
Jack’s gaze sharpened. "Very well, then. Let’s take it a step further. What if I told you there’s a spy among the vice admirals standing here right now?" His eyes flicked to Akainu. "Tell me, Admiral Akainu—would you handle it the same way? Kill them all without hesitation?"
Akainu grunted, turning away with a scowl. His silence was answer enough. Even he wouldn’t dare suggest purging the elite ranks so easily.
"There are no spies among the vice admirals!" Doberman roared, furious now.
Jack shrugged again, keeping his tone light. "Relax. We’re just speaking hypothetically here." His smile faded, and his voice grew colder. "But you see the point, don’t you? When it’s common soldiers, you’re quick to execute them all—guilty or not. But when it comes to officers, to people of rank and reputation… suddenly, things get complicated. Suddenly, justice starts to bend."
He let that sink in before continuing, his voice steady but cutting. "A spy doesn’t stay a foot soldier forever. Given time and no mistakes, he rises—becomes an officer, maybe even an admiral. After all, anyone clever enough to infiltrate our ranks isn’t ordinary. So, is justice different depending on rank? Is that the navy’s justice?"
The courtyard fell tense and silent, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Jack’s words cast a heavy silence over the crowd. Even Sengoku momentarily forgot his earlier fury over Jack’s challenge to the navy's justice—because deep down, he knew Jack wasn’t just stirring trouble. There was a spy among the vice admirals, and it was Jack who had first uncovered the clue, prompting Sengoku to quietly send agents to investigate.
Seeing the uneasy faces and the stunned quiet of the navy around him, Jack pressed on, his voice steady.
"So, let’s return to the question at hand - What is the justice of the navy? As soldiers of the sea, what is it that we truly stand for? Why do we fight? These questions, to me, are the ones that matter most. Because if a person’s heart is confused—if they fight without clarity—then even their greatest strength will be wasted, only half as effective. But when the heart is firm, when belief is unshakable, then even impossible odds can be overcome—and a warrior can unleash more than 120% of their true power!"
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Maybe some of you will say we fight for justice—that we uphold it, that it’s our cause. Fine then. But tell me—what is this justice? Is it maintaining peace across the seas? Protecting the safety of civilians?"
His voice was calm, almost gentle, but the impact struck like thunder in every heart present.
Down among the lower-ranked sailors, many couldn’t help but silently ask themselves:
Yes… what exactly is our justice?
Even the reporters—outsiders who had come to cover the spectacle—felt a chill. They, more than anyone, knew the contradictions. For years, the navy had shouted the word justice from every podium and every battlefield. But in practice? Hadn’t they also destroyed peaceful islands in the name of order? Hadn’t civilians been caught in their crossfire more times than they cared to admit? Jack’s words dug into old wounds.
"Jack! Enough!" Sengoku’s roar cut through the growing whispers. The veins on his temple bulged with rage—because he could feel it. Jack wasn’t just criticizing policy; he was shaking the very foundation of the navy’s belief.
'Could this man… be a plant? A spy sent by some hidden enemy?' the thought flashed darkly through Sengoku’s mind.
But Jack just smiled and gave a casual wave toward the furious man. "All right, all right, I’ll stop. If I keep going, Sengoku-san might just have my hide for this."
The tension eased slightly, but Jack wasn’t done. His smile faded, and his gaze swept over the crowd.
"I’ve said enough to stir your hearts—so now, let me tell you about my justice. The kind I believe in. And it’s simple. Just eight words: Humility. Honor. Sacrifice. Valor. Compassion. Honesty. Justice. Spirit."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Humility, honor, sacrifice, valor, compassion, honesty, justice, spirit…?" Some officers frowned, puzzled. Even among the higher ranks, many looked lost. Jack’s words were unfamiliar to them, strange even.
But in the crowd, Issho—sitting quietly next to Lena—allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips. He understood, at least in part, what Jack was driving at.
Jack noticed the confusion and chuckled softly.
"You don’t understand? That’s all right—let me break it down for you." His tone turned warmer, almost like a teacher addressing his students.
"Take humility, for example. It means showing respect to others, acting with courtesy, and being modest and mindful of your place. As navy men and women, we hold power and prestige—it’s easy to let pride consume us. But what sets us apart from arrogant nobles is this: we must balance our pride with humility. Not just when dealing with high-born lords or dignitaries—but with ordinary civilians too. We never look down on them, never speak with contempt. We respect all who walk the path of goodwill. That… is humility."
His words hung in the air like a new banner, unfamiliar but bright.
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