บท 315: Chapter 315: Joining Colt
(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"Why stay with them, Aokiji?" Colt asked.
Colt's goal was finally apparent. He wanted Aokiji to join him.
"You know the Celestial Dragons' so-called justice is a lie."
Aokiji frowned.
"I'm not supporting them. I'm protecting people who depend on the Marines."
"Protecting people while the Celestial Dragons exploit them?" Colt countered.
"You think you're helping, but you're enabling tyranny. With your strength on my side, we could bring real justice to this world."
Aokiji's gaze hardened.
"And what happens if your vision fails? The people would pay the price."
Colt held his stare.
"They're already paying it. How many more suffer while you hesitate at this very moment?"
Aokiji paused, doubt flickering in his mind.
And Colt didn't rush him.
The admiral had seen enough to know the state of the world.
Finally, after what felt like an hour of silence, Aokiji sighed, defeated.
"I'll join you."
Aokiji then added.
"As long as it does not violate the justice in my heart, I am willing to help you overthrow the Celestial Dragons."
He was an Admiral, a man who stood at the pinnacle of power.
This made it all the clearer how terrifying the display Colt had shown just now truly was.
If it had been in Marineford, not many would have survived from just that single move.
At this moment, Aokiji was fully convinced that Colt had the power to change the world.
"I don't believe you. It's safer to dispose of you"
Colt said calmly.
Aokiji nearly choked in frustration, his temper flaring.
"You kept persuading me when I wouldn't surrender, and now that I do, you don't believe me? Are you playing with me?!"
Aokiji tried to prove himself, speaking calmly.
"Your strength is enough to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, and I don't want to persist in this 'lazy justice' anymore."
"If it wasn't for the goal of protecting the people, I wouldn't have stayed with the Marines at any rate. But that doesn't mean I support those who are corrupt."
Colt replied.
"Really? I don't believe you."
Aokiji wanted to hit something.
Preferably Colt's face!
Robin seemed like she wanted to speak up, but she stayed silent.
She knew her place now as Colt's ally.
Speaking up in Aokiji's defense might annoy Colt, and she couldn't afford that in such a tense situation.
Colt chuckled at Aokiji's anger.
"Alright, I'm done playing around,"
Colt slowly extended his right hand, pressing it on Aokiji's forehead.
Chakra surged forth, wrapping around Aokiji's heart in a powerful, constricting force.
Aokiji's face shifted in shock as he tried to do anything to stop it, only to realize this energy was like a parasite—relentlessly clinging to his heart.
"Don't waste your time," Colt said as he withdrew his arm.
"As long as you're alive, the mark won't disappear."
"Just a light squeeze, and your heart will explode."
Then he directly released him from his icy shackles.
Aokiji grumbled, resigned to his situation.
"All right, you've got the power here, so whatever you say goes."
Accepting this, Aokiji rubbed his sore wrist and asked.
"So, is there anything I should do now?"
Colt used his healing technique to treat most of Aokiji's injuries before saying.
"How about I kill Sengoku and make you the fleet Admiral?"
"An Admiral has prestige, sure, but the power isn't all that meaningful. It's a limiting position. Look at Naruto now, even he can't do anything even if I order him to,"
Aokiji sighed.
'It seems even Naruto is working for this guy…'
"That's not necessary. Sengoku hasn't done anything to provoke you, so let him live his life in peace."
He couldn't imagine the reaction Sengoku would have upon learning that both he and Naruto had been undercover agents.
Sengoku might need to stock up on heart medicine.
"Then you're free to go for now. I don't need anything specific from you at the moment," Colt said, clearly unconcerned.
To him, a Marine Admiral was little more than another collectible.
But, still, he added, "It'd be great if you could turn Kizaru over to our side. I've always admired his abilities."
Aokiji thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.
"It's not that simple. Borsalino might be even more laid-back than I am, but he's sharp."
"Suddenly approaching him would likely make him suspicious."
Aokiji also clearly had no desire to see Kizaru follow in his footsteps, especially if he could delay it.
But Colt was patient; time was on his side.
"I'll reach out if I need you in the future. You're free to go."
Before leaving, Aokiji glanced at Robin, hesitating.
"About what happened in Ohara…"
"No need," Robin raised her hand, stopping him.
"The Marines were the executioners, but the Five Elders and by extension the Celestial Dragons were the true culprits. Aside from Akainu, I won't blame the Marines."
"But Sakazuki was also following orders," Aokiji replied.
"No," Robin said firmly.
"He murdered civilians. Those people posed no threat, and they were already sailing away in the boats."
A heavy silence fell between them before Aokiji shook his head.
"Some things are beyond my control. Take care of yourself. And Keep an eye on him."
With that, he got on his bicycle and slowly rode away.
Robin watched him go, then turned to look at Colt.
"Thank you for telling me about what happened back then," she said.
"It's nothing. Just part of the job."
Robin nodded and then mentioned, "Actually, Alabasta has a piece of Poneglyph, with the legend of the Sky Island…"
"Wait." Colt looked at her in surprise.
"Who said I was interested in Poneglyphs?"
Robin stared, puzzled.
If he wasn't interested in the Poneglyphs, then why did he want her with him?
Colt waved his hand.
"I'm not really interested in history itself. I want knowledge—all of Ohara's knowledge. And it's waiting in Elbaf"
The scholars of Ohara had sunk their books into the lakebed before the island's destruction.
Saul had later gathered these books and brought them to a certain country with a group of giants.
"Elbaf?" Robin asked excitedly.
"Exactly, Elbaf." Colt snapped his fingers.
"You are the rightful owner to that knowledge, and only you can retrieve it."
The ancient kingdom of centuries past had been a civilization of brilliance. Colt desired their technology.
"Count on me," Robin said with conviction, eager to set out for the New World and find the fabled land of giants, Elbaf.
After unburdening herself of her lingering worries, Robin seemed far more relaxed.
Colt then took out his transponder snail.
Sasuke had been trying to reach him earlier but was interrupted by Aokiji's arrival.
"I'm done here. What did you need to talk about?"
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