The year is 1492 of the Sea King era, February.
Marine Headquarters Port.
After more than a month at sea, Sakazuki's warship, led by Carol.
Finally returned to headquarters.
Standing at the bow of the ship, Carol stretched his waist.
After taking a deep breath:
"Hoo—"
Turning to face everyone, he said:
"Alright, everyone rest for a day."
"Free activity."
The soldiers cheered:
"Yes!!!"
Carol showed a hint of a smile and was the first to disembark.
He walked towards Sakazuki's home.
----------
Sakazuki's Residence.
The study.
Several open books were scattered on the desk.
Sakazuki was writing something in the center of the desk.
It was a tattered booklet.
The orange cover was somewhat faded, appearing to be from several years ago.
The pen Sakazuki was using was also specially made.
The characters he wrote completely lacked any vibrancy.
Instead, they were exceptionally dim.
As if written a long time ago.
The moment Carol arrived at the door, Sakazuki sensed him.
Before Carol could knock.
Sakazuki's voice came through the second-floor window:
"Come directly to the study on the second floor."
Carol glanced at the window.
He lightly tapped his foot and leaped directly to the second-floor window.
With a flip, he entered.
Sakazuki was still writing something:
"Please wait a moment."
Carol replied:
"Yes, yes~"
He then looked around, finding nothing particularly novel.
Watching Sakazuki write furiously, he became curious:
"What is Vice Admiral Sakazuki writing?"
Sakazuki chuckled:
"Something that can change the world."
Carol's interest was piqued:
"Oh?"
He then walked towards Sakazuki.
At this moment, Sakazuki had just finished writing the last word.
He put down the pen in his hand.
The content of the last page was revealed to Carol.
".......
"We organize ourselves, we uncover the truth.
"We let the people of the world know what equality and freedom are.
"Even if we fail.
"But the government's attitude precisely proves that we were right.
"The seeds have been sown.
"One day they will take root and sprout.
"Revolution!
"Victory is assured!"
— Buus Byers, his last testament.
March 7th, 1427, Sea King Era.
Just this single page of content made Carol's eyes widen:
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"If this were to spread."
"Killing ten Whitebeards wouldn't be enough to atone for your sins!"
Sakazuki smiled.
He flipped the booklet he had just written to the first page and handed it to Carol:
"Start reading from the first page."
Carol took it carefully and began to study it with great attention.
Inside the room, only Carol's gradually held breath and the sound of turning pages could be heard.
After a long while.
Carol finished the last page.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead:
"I retract what I just said."
"Killing all the pirates wouldn't be enough to atone for your sins!"
"If this book were to spread..."
Carol shook his head, it was too terrifying.
The core content of this book was not just about overthrowing the government.
It was more about making the populace understand what equality and freedom were.
It analyzed problems from their essence and provided answers.
Frankly speaking.
As long as a literate citizen read this book.
When they saw the World Nobles, royal family members, and other privileged classes.
An idea of dissatisfaction would involuntarily arise in their hearts.
Why am I oppressed, while they indulge themselves?
This is not fair!
As long as this single thought existed.
It would be impossible to stop them from thinking further.
When such thoughts spread, a gathered populace could easily overthrow a nation.
And if it spread throughout the world...
Hiss!
Sakazuki picked up Carol's words:
"Terrifying, isn't it?"
Carol nodded.
Sakazuki stood up and walked to the window:
"Indeed terrifying."
"If this book were to spread, many people would die."
"This is a riot of one class overthrowing another."
"Tens of millions, people from the lower classes, would be swept into it."
"Even without this book, in the future, someday."
"Someone will begin to doubt this world."
"And then they will walk the path laid out in the book."
"And this book can not only allow them to take a less winding path but also make them stronger."
"At the same time..."
"We also need a powerful puppet."
"To stand in front of us and shield us."
Carol fell into a bit of silence.
He sighed and said:
"How cold-hearted."
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki remained silent, gazing at the sky for a long time.
He turned back to Carol:
"Keep it safe, check if there are any problems with the aging process."
"Perfect it."
"And find the opportune moment to send it out."
Carol nodded, closing the booklet.
Looking at the five characters on the cover, "Oppression and Resistance."
He suddenly spoke:
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, aren't you afraid of losing control in the end?"
Sakazuki shook his head slightly:
"Carol."
"Ultimately, this is a world where power reigns supreme."
If there were no extraordinary power, it might be uncontrollable.
But in this world.
The strong can destroy mountains and rivers, and the weak are reaped like ants.
Frankly speaking, as long as Sakazuki stood on the ground.
Even with millions upon millions of ordinary people, they couldn't wear Sakazuki down.
If so many people gathered together.
A single blast of fire.
The deaths would be counted in the tens of thousands.
This is also the reason why Sakazuki is not worried.
The Navy will definitely be the most powerful force at sea in the future.
Without exception.
If the tail becomes too large to wag, we can simply execute the leader.
The only uncertain factors are in the hands of the government.
That weapon that can cleanse the world.
And the foundation built over these eight hundred years.
Sakazuki is not so arrogant as to dare to attack the Holy Land just because he has some strength.
He would likely die without even knowing how he died, so...
We need to support a puppet to probe the government's foundation.
And then let the person who has been feared by the World Government for eight hundred years cause a great disturbance in the Holy Land.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Do not disappoint me."
"Future..."
"Joy Boy..."