OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

"Y-You want me to enlist in the Navy? A princess of a kingdom?"

Igaram immediately stepped forward in protest.

"The president of Baroque Works, Mr. 0, is the Warlord Crocodile! If she enlists, she won't be able to go after him anymore!"

It was a valid concern — and Rengoku nodded, acknowledging the logic behind Igaram's words before calmly offering an explanation.

"The [Seven Warlords of the Sea] only exist because the Navy didn't have the strength to stand against the pirate powers, including the Four Emperors."

Rengoku then spoke bluntly about the Navy's decline — an issue often swept under the rug.

"Back in the day, the Navy Headquarters was led by Admiral Kong, with titans like Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr holding the line at the top, while rising stars like Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino pushed from below. With that kind of might, we had no need for the Warlord system. The Navy alone could arrest the Pirate King and challenge the Four Emperors."

Turning directly to Vivi, Rengoku extended his right hand and continued with conviction:

"The Warlord system was created solely to balance the growing gap between the Navy and the Four Emperors' power. So tell me — what do you think happens if one of the Four Emperors is eliminated?"

"T-Then... the power imbalance shrinks…"

"Exactly. If one of those Four is removed, the Warlords' justification crumbles. That is the most fundamental solution."

"But the Four Emperors... each of them is a monster. The Navy can't afford an all-out war against any one of them!" Vivi objected.

Rengoku didn't flinch.

"There is another way: disgrace Crocodile. Strip him of his Warlord title. That might not dismantle the Warlords altogether, but it could save Alabasta for now."

Rengoku then gently grasped Vivi's hand, his sharp eyes fixed on hers.

"To discredit Crocodile, two conditions must be met:

First, he must be thoroughly defeated.

Second, the one who defeats him must have a bounty lower than Crocodile's."

The silence that followed was heavy.

Those terms... were brutal.

A pirate capable of completely defeating someone of Crocodile's caliber would almost certainly have a higher bounty than him.

And if someone with a higher bounty takes him down, the world won't see Crocodile as weak — just unlucky.

"In contrast, if we draw one of the Four Emperors into a direct battle, destroy them, and win decisively — then we could finally justify abolishing the Warlord system entirely. And mark my words, that day is coming soon."

"That's…"

"Whether it's impossible or not isn't for you to decide — it's for me, a Vice Admiral of Navy HQ, to decide. And right now, there's no better option."

Rengoku was furious at Crocodile's crimes — but bound by the system, his hands were tied. He couldn't arrest a government-approved pirate without cause.

But maybe, just maybe... with Vivi in the Navy, the tides could begin to turn.

Unlike his past life on Earth, in this world, the gap between power and authority was immeasurable.

A single misstep could erase him from existence.

And yet, Rengoku wanted to save the Kingdom of Alabasta — a nation currently dancing on the strings of a government-sanctioned pirate.

Had he been a pirate himself, he would've likely already taken Crocodile's head. But walking the pirate's path meant turning his back on justice — the very justice that the Navy was sworn to uphold.

Yes, there were rotten Marines like Morgan and Nezumi. But the overwhelming majority of Marines had joined for one reason: to uphold justice.

The Navy was a gathering of comrades who shared that single, righteous will.

As a Marine, Rengoku couldn't touch Crocodile — a Warlord of the Sea. But if he could use every ounce of his authority as a Vice Admiral to close the gap between the Navy and the pirate powers, then the Warlord system itself could be abolished.

"That is why, at this moment, it is the most effective solution available. Princess Vivi — join the Navy!"

Vivi stood stunned. Yet she couldn't bring herself to pull her hand away from Rengoku's firm grasp.

She looked to Igaram, wanting to see what her trusted guardian and Captain of the Royal Guard thought about such a drastic proposal.

But to her shock, Igaram simply bowed his head slightly — a gesture of agreement with Rengoku's words.

"Igaram…?"

"I'm sorry, Princess. But at this moment… this may be our only option."

"Igaram! How could you say that?!"

"Crocodile is a pirate officially recognized by the World Government. That recognition alone is proof of his strength. There's no way we can bring him down with just our own hands…"

It was frustrating, but it was the truth.

Still, truth didn't make it any easier to accept. Vivi's heart clenched at the thought of leaving Igaram, her homeland, and waiting endlessly for the Navy to muster the strength to challenge a Yonko in open war.

"Then what about my father?! What's supposed to happen to him while we wait?!"

"Princess…"

This time, it was Rengoku who answered, gently tightening his grip on her hand.

"You don't need to worry about that, Princess Vivi."

"What…?"

Only then did Rengoku let go of her hand and turn to his aide.

"Lieutenant Tashigi. Bring the classified file we received the other day."

"Yes, Vice Admiral!"

Tashigi pulled out a large envelope.

When Rengoku opened it, several photographs slipped out.

"This…!"

Both Igaram and Vivi gasped in unison.

"My uncle…!"

"Prince Mamba…"

The man in the photo looked nearly identical to King Nefertari Cobra — the current ruler of Alabasta.

The only differences were a shaved head, a scar on his forehead, and a slight shift in demeanor. But with makeup and the right clothing, anyone would easily mistake him for the king himself.

"Nefertari Mamba, the younger brother of King Cobra — and one of the last surviving members of the Nefertari bloodline."

"Our intelligence reports suggest that Prince Mamba is currently hundreds of nautical miles away from Alabasta, quietly organizing an armed resistance while spreading word of the kingdom's plight," Tashigi added.

"The downfall of a kingdom with a history as long as Alabasta's isn't something that can happen overnight just because one pirate seized power by force," Rengoku said. "And matters like these… should be left to the adults."

He took Vivi's hands in his once more, looking her in the eye.

"Three years."

"…What?"

"No more, no less. Leave the fate of your kingdom to your father, King Cobra, and your uncle, Prince Mamba. All I ask is that you stay with the Navy until you come of age."

Rengoku had looked into Vivi's age — and it only strengthened his resolve.

In his past life, though he rarely showed it, he'd found it cruel how young teens were forced into the Demon Slayer Corps to fight demon.

He had accepted it back then because there had been no alternative… but here, he had the power to offer one.

Whether someone becomes a pirate or a Marine at a young age — as long as it's voluntary, then they must bear the consequences of their decision.

But to be forced to risk one's life for the sake of a country, simply because of royal blood, at an age where they should still be protected — that was something Rengoku could never allow.

Never.

"…Igaram," Vivi murmured.

"I will leave the decision entirely to you, Princess," he said, bowing slightly.

A heavy silence lingered.

"…Just three years."

"Understood! And within those three years, I will do everything in my power to see the Warlord system abolished."

"…Alright. I'll join the Navy."

"Then allow me to be the first to congratulate you… Private Third Class Vivi!"

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