He was a young, powerful Vice Admiral and a Celebrity at that. Naturally, whatever he said would capture the world's attention.
It was easy to imagine that if this interview were broadcast, their news agency's popularity would skyrocket to new heights.
"Justice, you say?" Kojin pondered for a moment before answering earnestly.
"The Justice I envision is equality between all people."
"There shouldn't be any distinction between noble and lowly, and regardless of status or race, there should be absolute equality between individuals and between races and absolute equality in human dignity!"
With that, he faced the Den Den Mushi camera and flashed a radiant smile, completely oblivious to the horrified expressions of the reporters before him.
"I once heard a friend talk about the goal we Marines strive for as we work hard and grow stronger.
"He said..." Kojin paused, his smile unwavering.
"We don't grow stronger to become superior to others. But rather, to ensure that no one in this world ever lords over another again!"
Though his voice remained calm, the room fell into stunned silence.
The reporters' faces twisted in shock, their bodies trembling violently. The image on the Den Den Mushi shook, yet Kojin's voice continued to reverberate across every island, every nation, and every region.
For a dozen seconds, the world stood still.
A profound silence settled over the land.
Absolute equality between people and between races.
Equal Justice!
To the world at this moment, Kojin's words struck like a thunderclap on a clear day, sending countless souls into tremors of fear, excitement, and madness.
They were no less powerful than the final words of Pirate King Roger, which had ignited humanity's ambitions.
And the words that followed sent shivers down countless spines, igniting an indescribable fire within their hearts.
Striving to grow stronger and become a Marine was never about becoming superior to others!
Instead, he aimed to create a world where no one would ever be superior to another!
Countless renowned powerhouses recalled their own days of weakness, when they had been trampled upon and oppressed.
Countless weak individuals felt a blazing fire ignite in their hearts!
They realized that changing the world wasn't about becoming superior themselves, but about realizing the dream of a world without superiors...
Madness. Because of Kojin's words, the world sank into a silent frenzy.
"Equality!"
"No more superiors!"
Countless people murmured these words to themselves, planting a seed deep within their hearts. And the Marine Vice-Admiral named Kojin was etched into their memories, never to be forgotten.
His words were so earth-shattering that they resonated like thunder across the world.
"As Marines, our very purpose is to strive for the peace and prosperity of countless ordinary citizens."
"Justice isn't the Justice of the victors but the Justice that protects the weak."
"Because every person grows from weakness to strength."
Kojin paused, facing the stunned cameras, and continued with a smile, "I remember my own days on Sabaody Archipelago, when I was so weak."
At that moment, a reporter suddenly realized the implications of his words, shaking his head frantically and gesturing for silence.
"What's wrong, my journalist friend?" Kojin asked, puzzled.
Then, all the reporters snapped out of their daze, staring at him with a mixture of terror and awe.
His words were too terrifying for the world to hear.
If everyone were truly equal, then what would the Celestial Dragons and the nobles of various nations be?
This was nothing short of a thunderous declaration capable of overturning the entire world!
Just then, Sengoku emerged with a gloomy expression, clamped his hand over Kojin's mouth, and roared at the reporters, "Cut it off! Cut off this entire segment!"
Then he grabbed Kojin and vanished from everyone's sight in an instant.
Only a group of terrified reporters remained, exchanging nervous glances. But when they looked down at the Image Den Den Mushi, their faces twisted into expressions of helplessness and despair.
This was a live broadcast!
Which meant that Kojin's words had just been heard by the entire world.
...
"You fool! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Loguetown, inside the temporary base.
Sengoku's furious roar echoed throughout the entire facility.
"?"
Kojin wore a look of confusion and bewilderment.
"I told you to just say anything to get them off our backs!" Sengoku bellowed. "What on earth were you talking about?"
"Do you have any idea what kind of impact those words will have on the entire world if they spread?" Sengoku continues to roar.
Kojin scratched his head. "I was talking about Justice!"
"Isn't Justice about standing before the common people, protecting their lives and their right to survive?"
"And aren't we Marines the last line of defense standing between them and chaos?"
Hearing this, Sengoku froze for a moment.
"What you said isn't wrong.
"But..."
"But..."
He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come out.
At that moment, Garp's loud laughter rang out from the side.
"Sengoku, don't look like that. I think Kojin is absolutely right! Otherwise, what exactly is Marine justice supposed to be?"
"In our eyes, the lives of ordinary citizens are just as important, aren't they?"
After a pause, he added mockingly, "In my opinion, the reason the world is so shocked and astonished by Kojin's words is simply because some people have become corrupt, turning into a pile of trash."
Sengoku whirled around, shouting angrily, "Garp! Don't forget your position!"
Garp curled his lip but said nothing more.
Seeing his old friend no longer fueling the fire, Sengoku turned back to Kojin, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice, "You've caused a major incident this time!"
"The impact of those words will be beyond imagination. The entire world might go mad because of them."
Kojin wore a gentle smile and looked perfectly calm.
Since he had dared to say them, he had naturally prepared himself to bear the consequences.
"Hah... The words have been spoken. Now you must face the consequences!!"
"Kojin, you must prepare yourself!" Sengoku said, his voice heavy as he rubbed his forehead.
He felt an intense headache coming on. Given Kojin's momentum and reputation within the Marine, he might soon have become the new Admiral. But these words had undoubtedly revealed Kojin's political leanings, introducing a major destabilizing factor that would severely impact his future prospects.
"I understand." Kojin replied with a faint smile before turning to leave.
As he stepped out of the office, Kojin noticed the Marines and officers focusing their gazes on him. In their eyes, he saw deep reverence and admiration.
'Everyone is equal. No more superiors.'
These words might be fatal to certain elites, utterly unacceptable to them. But for the vast majority of ordinary people, for those at the bottom of society, they were the spark that ignited the flame of faith in their hearts.
"Vice-Admiral Kojin!" The first Marine saluted, his voice filled with respect.
"Vice-Admiral Kojin!"
"Vice-Admiral Kojin."
The voices rang out one after another, from Vice-Admirals and Rear Admirals to commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers.
Kojin returned their salutes with a smile and strode away.
This scene at the temporary Marine base in Loguetown was merely the beginning of the impact of his words.
At this moment, the entire world was in an uproar.
(End of Chapter)
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