Chapter 2 Discussion
"Usurp the country?" He sneered with increasing sarcasm on his face. "Do you think that joining the World Government is a good thing? If that's the case, why doesn't the Amazon Lily Kingdom join them?"
"In the end, the Celestial Gold given to the Celestial Dragons is just protection money paid to the Navy. And what's the difference between those protected countries under the Four Emperors? What's the difference between the Navy and the Four Emperors?"
His words looked at the world from an unprecedented perspective, which surprised both the Empress and Gloriosa. However, upon closer inspection, they realized that he was not wrong. In the New World, all countries have to pay protection money to the Four Emperors, and the Navy's power is greatly suppressed and squeezed by the Four Emperors. These protection fees are not as high as the Celestial Gold, but from his point of view, what's the difference between these protection fees and the Celestial Gold?
In the end, these two things are just different names for the same thing.
The Empress's eyes shone, and she suddenly asked, "So, according to what you're saying, sitting in the position of a pirate emperor can also change the world. As one of the Four Emperors, you can make your subjects safe and prosperous." This is also what she is doing. Although they plunder outside, under her jurisdiction, her subjects live in peace and happiness, and life is orderly. Compared to the outside world, her country is like heaven.
In fact, it is precisely because of this that the Empress's pirate group is so united. This is the home of all Amazonian female pirates, and it is where they belong.
This is also where she has always been complacent.
"They do have a large sphere of influence and can also dictate the governance within their own factions. However, they have not fundamentally changed anything. Their system relies on their own existence, much like the imperial system, and lacks policy continuity. Once they die, their power dies with them. All the brutality and kindness are stored in one person. Such a country has no future." Leo shook his head, and he completely looked down on the Four Emperors.
The Empress snorted lightly, not saying anything, but she was very dissatisfied with Leo's statement.
But even so, she had to admit that he had some truth in what he said.
"You have a big mouth," Gloriosa looked at him in astonishment, as if she thought she had misjudged him. Wasn't this guy supposed to be a powerless person, rather than a hidden expert?
"By your logic, most of the pirates in this world are not worth your attention?" Gloriosa asked incredulously. She was sure that this guy had no Devil Fruit or Haki, but when facing the heroes of the world, especially the Pirate King, he showed no respect.
Even the world's top pirates didn't earn his respect. All he had was contempt.
"Of course, what do the pirates in this world have that deserves my respect?" Leo tilted his head.
"Kid, you're a frog in a well. Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, was a great pirate left by the Pirate King Roger. He sheltered countless islands and countries, and was the most promising person to become the Pirate King after Roger. Doesn't he deserve respect?" Gloriosa had been living in the Amazon Lily Kingdom for so many years, but she was not weaker than the pirates who wandered the sea in terms of understanding the world. She even knew more about the top combat powerhouses in this world and what the top forces were.
"Haha, Whitebeard never had any ambition to become the Pirate King. He is just an old man who deeply desires a family, so all his crew members call him 'father.' "
Gloriosa was shocked. Although the Whitebeard Pirates were indeed like that, few people dared to speak out so frankly and disdainfully in this world.
The Whitebeard Pirates were extremely united, and the crew members were like family. Anyone who dared to insult Whitebeard would be hunted down by the crew members. Anyone who dared to kill a member of the Whitebeard Pirates would be constantly pursued and killed by them, and even Whitebeard himself would be alarmed.
If you were to ask who the Four Emperors in the New World were that you absolutely should not offend, the answer would undoubtedly be the Whitebeard Pirates.
Gloriosa was speechless, then somewhat unwillingly said, "Big Mom! The Big Mom Pirates are a group of pirates centered around the bloodline of Big Mom, with all the executives being her children. Their unity, cohesion, and combat power even exceed those of the Whitebeard Pirates. Can you not see that?"
"Big Mom, who is controlled by her appetite, and her children who are bound by bloodline, all crave a stable family instead of world domination. Their strength is just an illusion, and they impose heavy taxes on others while living in fear of Big Mom's cruelty. They will never get what they crave, and they are actually very weak. Their spiritual weakness is just masked by their strong power. They won't last," Leo not only despised the Four Emperors, but also sorted out his memories and thoughts.
Although One Piece is overall a comical manga, the battles often bring unexpected surprises, with many abilities that Luffy and his crew cannot solve, such as the Hobi Hobi no mi Fruit wielded by Sugar and the Horo Horo no mi Fruit used by Perona. However, Usopp manages to defeat them in very humorous and inexplicable ways. If it were someone else, they would probably not have such luck.
This stroke of luck gives a feeling of entitlement, which is very annoying.
In other words, if he were to encounter these individuals, he would likely suffer the same luck.
This is even more unsettling.
Before he can gain more power, he must cling to the Empress's thigh.
All of his previous actions have been paving the way for convincing the Empress.
His ultimate goal is only one thing.
To convince the Empress to abandon the Amazon Lily and join him in overturning the World Government.
From the beginning until now, everything he has done has been in service of this goal.
The most important thing is to make the Empress agree with him. This is not an easy task, as she is the most proud female pirate in the One Piece world.
From the initial leak of information about the World Government to the disdain towards the Four Emperors in the middle, and finally the criticism of the World Government system, it all leads to one final point: systemic issues.
Although he has developed a strong aversion to systemic issues on social media in his old world for a long time, in some aspects, those individuals who have a twisted sense of right and wrong are actually correct. There are indeed reasons that stem from systemic issues, but it's difficult to pinpoint which country's system is at fault.
And now, the World Government is the largest institutional system in this world and also the biggest problem.
As someone who has read the manga, he knows that the World Government is only able to sustain itself thanks to the monster, Im, who has lived for several hundred or even thousands of years, and is able to ensure policy coherence and continuity. Along with the support of the Five Elders, the World Government and the Navy, this is what has allowed the World Government to rule the world for so many years, artificially masking some sort of mechanism.
Actually, it's not like that. People think that the Celestial Dragons have some kind of world-destroying weapon, which is why the Navy shows such deference and restraint towards them. But the real reason is simple: the Celestial Dragons' ancestor, Im, is still alive, and they have the biggest backer in the world supporting them. Over the centuries, the Celestial Dragons have become a bunch of spoiled pigs, but they haven't faced any consequences for their actions.
Sometimes, the world can be so cruel and straightforward.
However, for the Empress, he couldn't just tell her this secret directly. It's not that she isn't trustworthy, but this secret may be the biggest problem in the world of One Piece. Before confirming her as an ally, telling her this secret could harm her.
So... he had to attribute the success of the World Government to the system:
"What does the World Government control? The reins of power! They have the Red Line, they control the world's most stable sea routes, they control the vast majority of countries in the world, they have most of the intelligence in this world, and their system is very strong. Layer upon layer, they continually cultivate strong people who are loyal to them from new recruits who want to drive out pirates. Their system may have flaws, but it is also powerful."
He carefully explained to the Empress and Gloriosa about the advantages of the Navy:
"First of all, the vast majority of people in this world stand with the Navy, with the World Government. Although the government exploits them more, people are more easily compromising animals, just like me in the past. When the Celestial Dragons gave me some good food, I was grateful to them. Then, they gave me a little freedom and I started to have some imagination. Finally, they entrusted their business to me and I started to expand."
"Most ordinary people are the same way. If the country collects very high taxes at the beginning, but there is a slight loosening, they will be grateful to the country and forget the high taxes before. But if we turn the situation around, these are their internal contradictions. No matter how harsh they are, they will actually unite against external pirates. That is to say, if the pirates don't come, they have internal conflicts, but when the pirates come, they will unite externally. Can you understand this difference between internal and external conflicts?"
The Empress's pretty face flashed with a hint of confusion. She seemed to understand something, but also seemed to not quite understand.
Gloriosa, the previous generation of the Amazon Lily Empress, was indeed wise. Her face showed a thoughtful expression.
"Pirates, kings, and civilians form a situation where pirates eat kings, kings eat civilians, and civilians are eaten by both sides but will unite with the kings against the pirates. In this way, the arrival of pirates actually eases the conflict between them and becomes a third party involved, even giving the Navy a reason to intervene in the country's internal affairs."
"Is piracy good or bad for the World Government?" asked Leo.
In fact, Leo was just a small bourgeoisie who only had a vague understanding of theoretical knowledge and didn't really like to study the Marxist theory.
So he stuttered at first, unable to express his thoughts clearly, but as he spoke, he gradually articulated his meaning.
"So if you ask me if I respect pirates, my answer is certainly no. Pirates are just a tool, even if they become the Pirate King, even if they take the Four Emperors under their command, their power, combat effectiveness, and potential cannot compete with the World Government, which represents the will of the people of the world."
"Becoming pirates is the desperate choice of people who have been oppressed and pushed to their limits by the World Government. However, they often fail to understand who their true enemies are. Once they set sail, they become outlaws who are not bound by the law, but instead become the very people they despise. As the swords of the World Government, they aim their attacks at their own countries and people."
"In the end, not all pirates have grand ambitions to conquer the Grand Line. Many simply leave their original kingdoms to plunder and exploit other villages, cities, and kingdoms before being taken down by the Marines."
"This is all due to the lack of mechanisms that constrain ordinary kingdoms. It is something that the World Government should have taken care of, but they only recognize the legitimate rule of the royal families within kingdoms while collecting exorbitant taxes. They don't get involved in the internal affairs of various countries. It may seem idealistic, but in reality, they simply shift the responsibility onto the royal families after exploiting them for their own gain."
"Is this normal? Is this right?" He broke down the hypocrisy of the World Government to the Empress, who sat still on the back of the giant serpent. This was his view of the world, the core mechanism that drove it and the cruel reality that most people fail to see. They only focus on what is right in front of them, in the past, today, tomorrow, and the future. But they fail to see what is right in front of them yet does not exist."
"The only way to change this is to stand up against the World Government with justice on our side and defeat them. Only then can we liberate all ordinary people."
"So, will you join me, Empress?" he calmly asked the Empress, who showed no sign of resistance, leaning against the giant serpent.
"An interesting discourse." The Empress leaned against her pet snake, Salome, and squinted at the man before her.
"But our country is very safe. No matter how big the storm, it is difficult to cross the Calm Belt and enter the Amazon Lily. We are completely detached from all things in this paradise. What gives you the right to make me leave this island, my own country, and fight for outsiders?"
Her words seemed heartless, but they hit the core of the problem and made Leo smile bitterly.
Yes, this is the problem.
No matter what, the fearless internationalist warriors are not the mainstream of this world. The people who realize that they are being oppressed are a minority among minorities, and those willing to fight and sacrifice for these oppressed people are even fewer.
In his world, this was called the second International, but later it gradually turned into an imperialist regime, which was a very regrettable thing.
The true second internationalist warriors, like Norman Bethune, Akio Yashiro, Robert Shaw, and Hans Schuber, fought even sacrificed for their beliefs in foreign countries.
But there are so few of these people, too few...
He couldn't even ask the Empress to do more.
However, he did not understand why the former Empress Gloriosa turned to look at him in surprise. He did not know her well, but as the one who brought the current Empress back to Amazon Lily and watched her grow into the Amazon Lily Empress, Gloriosa knew that she was moved. If not, she would have already refused him with her proud eyes and even let people take him down to feed the Bacura (the leopard).
But as she said, although she already vaguely agreed with his views, she also voiced her doubts. What reason or need does she have to leave Amazon Lily and drag the islanders' lives into the flames of war?
Leo smiled bitterly, scratched his temple, and suddenly fell silent.
"I used to think the same way," he opened his hands, "When I was free, I stayed silent because those who became slaves of the Celestial Dragons had nothing to do with me."
"After becoming a slave of the Celestial Dragons, I stayed silent because I was favored even more."
"After the most favored slaves were sold off, I stayed silent because I had become a relied-upon steward for the Celestial Dragons."
"But when those Celestial Dragons were about to discard me, no one spoke up for me anymore."
He said softly, as if reciting a poem.
This is from the cautionary poem "I Didn't Speak" by Martin Niemöller, a German theologian under Nazi control. Due to the poem's direct yet philosophical nature, it is taught to varying degrees in schools worldwide.
Now, he slightly adapted it to use as a cautionary poem to warn the Empress without threatening her. It instantly moved both the Empress and Gloriosa.
He didn't let them dwell on it but instead lowered his head towards them.
"To be honest, this world primarily values high-end combat prowess," he said with his head down.
"Don't be fooled by my apparent disregard for the Four Emperors and the Three Admirals. But when facing them, I might not even have the courage to speak."
"Without high-end combat strength, I, who can't shoulder or carry anything, have to be extremely cautious and spend more time accumulating and avoiding the Marines."
"Perhaps I'm just laying the foundation, spreading ideas, awakening people, like Gol D. Roger did, helping more people break free from exploitation and head toward the open sea of freedom."
"But I'm not satisfied." He clenched his fists tightly on his knees, veins bulging. "I'm only twenty-eight years old now, and I have at least fifty more years of life. I can completely overturn the World Government before I die."
"But high-end combat prowess is something that cannot be cultivated at this stage. It takes a long time to develop. Perhaps it will take a lifetime to cultivate a few. I can only use my language, ideas, and sincerity to persuade you, so that you can quickly gain this combat strength and confront the World Government."
"Hmm? Am I considered high-end combat strength?" Hancock propped her chin with her right hand, making an unclear sound.
"Yes, even in the New World, your combat strength is remarkable."
Although she may not match the Four Sweet Commanders under Big Mom or the Three All-Stars under Kaido, when it comes to others, she poses no problem at all. In the first half of the Grand Line, she is virtually invincible. In reality, Crocodile and Gecko Moria may not be able to defeat her. As for Donquixote Doflamingo, Kuma, and Jinbei, she should be on equal footing. After all, she possesses Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and the Love-Love Fruit.
Her overwhelming superiority over lower-level combatants practically makes her a specialist in cleaning up cannon fodder.
Even the Marines must be wary of her; after all, ordinary Marines who encounter her would turn to stone instantly. Who knows how many potential talents she's held hostage?
This is probably why the Marines recruited her.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I'm tired today, and I need to bathe and change clothes. Leave," she said somewhat disdainfully, waving her hand to dismiss him. This left Leo confused. What did this mean?
Did it work, or did it not?
Was it agreement, or disagreement?
What did today's discussion mean?
By ordering him to leave, did she mean for him to leave Amazon Lily or just to leave her chamber?
He was completely bewildered. They had only talked halfway, so why was he being driven out now?
With an expressionless face, Gloriosa easily knocked Leo to his feet with her cane. He felt pain in his arm from the hits, as if his bones were about to break.
This old woman pushed him out one hit at a time. Helpless without any strength, Leo was forcibly sent out. Then, Boa Hancock ordered the Amazonian warriors outside the door to take him away.
Leaving the Empress's chamber, he and the guard both began to worry because while Boa Hancock and the Gloriosa had ordered him to be taken out, they hadn't said whether he should be supervised, leaving him free to wander in the Amazon Lily Kingdom.
As for Leo, he had given up on swaying the Empress. Instead, he shifted his focus to the other Amazonian warriors...
(Chapter End)