Robin's words plunged Kuzan into thought.
He hadn't really considered that distinction before. In his view, some pirate crews weren't inherently evil, and there was no need to eliminate them all.
He wasn't Akainu. Throughout his life, he'd encountered countless pirate crews, yet he hadn't relentlessly pursued every single one, choosing instead to let some go.
These kinds of pirate crews were similar to Silver Hair's group, the only difference being that those crews were weak, while Silver Hair's group was overwhelmingly powerful.
He had never known what to call such pirates.
But now Silver Hair had provided the answer.
The term "adventure group" suited them quite well.
The idea of eradicating all pirates from the seas was something only a fool would entertain, for most of this world existed upon the vast ocean, and humans were the most complex of creatures. No one could stop people from venturing out to sea, nor could they stop those who did from becoming true pirates.
So, why not make a distinction?
Kuzan stroked his chin, finding the idea more and more feasible as he pondered it.
If there were more teams like Silver Hair's group, it would actually be beneficial for the stability of the seas and the Marines.
However...
Thinking of something, the light in his eyes quickly dimmed.
The direction of the world was not decided by him, nor by the Marines, but by the World Government.
For something like this, even if he were Fleet Admiral, he would still need the World Government's consent.
And the World Government would certainly not bother to differentiate between pirates and adventure groups.
In their eyes, anyone who threatened the World Government was a pirate, regardless of who they were.
Those who could threaten the World Government were not the small-time pirates, nor those solely pursuing riches. In fact, even the Four Emperors of the New World were not considered threats by the World Government.
Instead, it was people like Silver Hair, who were reckless, despised nobles, and opposed the World Government, who posed the greatest threat.
And those who set sail with the aim of adventure, the pursuit of freedom, and whose actions leaned towards justice—a large portion of them were exactly like Silver Hair's group.
Therefore, from any angle, the World Government would never abandon the bounty on people like Silver Hair.
On the contrary, they would increase it.
Ultimately, from its inception, the World Government was established not as a government of the common people, but as a government of nobles and the Celestial Dragons.
He was acutely aware of this.
It was precisely because he was aware that he found it so troublesome.
He deeply agreed with Robin's suggestion to classify pirates, and he believed many Marines would concur. However, above the Marines stood the World Government. If the World Government did not agree, no amount of effort from the Marines would succeed.
Unless, one day, the Marines had a different government.
"Revolutionary Army?"
With that thought, Kuzan looked at Robin with a meaningful gaze, saying nothing. He then looked up, his eyes fixed on Sora, who was floating in the air, seemingly doing nothing.
Whether Robin herself or Silver Hair, through Robin, had conveyed these words to him, and for what ultimate purpose, he did not wish to ponder.
He only knew that these words had given his confused heart a new reason to strive for the Marines, for the seas, and for himself.
Whatever the future held, he had to at least aim for the highest position in the Marines.
While a Marine Admiral could decide many things, they couldn't dictate the specific direction of the Marines.
Well... even Fleet Admiral couldn't entirely control it, but at least they would have some influence.
And who knew what the future world would be like?
The Marines, in his heart, should not concern themselves with inter-nation affairs. The duty of the Marines was to maintain the stability of this vast ocean, the stability of islands without nations upon the sea, and the peace of coastal populations—nothing more.
Silver Hair's classification of pirates would undoubtedly greatly enhance the stability of the seas and the safety of civilians, which was highly beneficial to the Marines. Why shouldn't he strive for it?
Even if he knew it would lead to conflict with the World Government in the future, he would spare no effort.
At least it was more meaningful than his current lethargy, wasn't it?
Unbeknownst to him, he realized his sense of justice had changed, and his once-confused heart had also been transformed by Robin's words.
At this moment, a powerful ambition erupted from his warm heart, encased in ice.
He... must become Fleet Admiral.
Previously, he had wanted to become Fleet Admiral simply because his ideals differed greatly from Akainu's, and Akainu also aimed for the position. Now, his desire to become Fleet Admiral stemmed from having more profound and grander goals.
He wanted to make the Marines...
Robin tilted her head, a flicker of curiosity in her gaze as she looked at Kuzan.
She felt as if Kuzan had changed. She wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but she felt the lazy aura that had previously surrounded him was rapidly disappearing.
Shaking her head, Robin averted her gaze and turned towards where Kuina and the others were.
Whatever Kuzan was thinking was of no concern to her.
Her appearance before Kuzan and her delivering those words were indeed a deliberate instruction from Sora.
She didn't know Sora's intentions, but since Sora had instructed her, and she herself indeed needed to face Kuzan directly, she didn't resist much.
However, there was one thing that puzzled her: how did Sora know they would inevitably encounter Kuzan?
This point, she couldn't comprehend.
In reality, Sora hadn't anticipated this either. He hadn't expected them to meet Kuzan so soon.
He had envisioned encountering him in Water 7, or the Sabaody Archipelago, or perhaps even in the New World.
Based on his understanding of Kuzan, the Admiral sought the position of Fleet Admiral due to his ideological differences with Akainu.
If it were someone else, like Fujitora, or even Kizaru?
Even if he were offered the position, he certainly wouldn't fight desperately for it.
Hmm...
Kizaru, he probably wouldn't even take it if it were handed to him.
Ever since Ohara, Kuzan had been in a state of confusion. On one hand, he found it difficult to accept Akainu's brand of justice and disliked some of the World Government's orders. On the other hand, he couldn't leave the Marines.
This was why he transformed from a passionate young man into a lethargic old man.
This transformation continued until after he lost the battle for Fleet Admiral against Akainu.
He didn't want the Marines to develop in the direction of Akainu's justice, which was why he resolutely left the Marines to continue searching for the elusive justice he sought.
Honestly, within the Marines, whether it was Akainu or Kuzan,
He wouldn't offer any judgment on their respective senses of justice. From the perspective of the Marines, from the perspective of a soldier, although Akainu's personality was overly stern and extreme, it was precisely because of this sternness that he embodied what a true soldier should be.
Wasn't that the case?
And in this chaotic sea, especially after the Summit War, facing the completely rioting seas, his extremism was precisely what the Marines and the World Government needed more.
Kuzan, despite consuming the coldest Devil Fruit, was actually a very gentle person at heart. His sense of justice was not as extreme as Akainu's.
It was precisely this gentleness that caused his current confusion, and it also led Sora to hold a certain expectation for him.
Sora didn't want to do strenuous things.
He certainly wouldn't pass judgment on Akainu's justice.
At least from his standpoint, Kuzan, who was gentler towards the seas, would clearly be a better candidate to assume the position of Fleet Admiral.
Because in the not-too-distant future, he would ascend to the Holy Land atop the world and slaughter the race that disgusted him.
At that time, the world would no longer be governed by the World Government, but by the Revolutionary Army.
For the Revolutionary Army, Kuzan would undoubtedly be a better choice for Fleet Admiral.
Therefore, he instructed Robin to convey those words to Kuzan upon their next encounter.
Giving the man a goal to strive for was surely better than his current lethargy, wasn't it?
With a casual flick of his hand,
Sora hadn't actually expected things to go so smoothly.
Having him divide pirates and create the adventure group system was clearly more fitting.
He was quite lazy.
Wasn't he?
As for Sakazuki, he could only offer an apology. Although he didn't dislike the man, he also found it hard to like him.
Given his personality, it was impossible for him to divide pirates.
Among the three Marine Admirals, only Kuzan had the potential to undertake such a task.
Indeed! And the future Admiral "Fujitora the Unyielding."
As for Kizaru...
Forget it!
That guy was too lazy.