“What is faith? What is its meaning?”
“Faith is born in the human heart and dies with human nature.”
“What makes our Navy soldiers disregard life and death to fight pirates?”
“Perhaps many soldiers do not understand.”
“Only a vague concept.”
“What is this vague concept?”
“It is faith.”
“It is protection.”
“It is the wish that all the people in the world can sleep soundly through the night without waking in fear.”
“An army with unwavering faith can be invincible, conquering all……”
“……”
“……”
“What is my justice?”
“In the past, new recruits joining the Navy were first taught by instructors to follow their own sense of justice.”
“This is wrong.”
“Soldiers come from different educational backgrounds.”
“First, they should establish correct values.”
“Then, guide soldiers to understand what true justice is.”
“Without proper guidance, many soldiers' justice will eventually go astray.”
“Such as lazy justice, benevolent justice, ambiguous justice, dark justice… and absolute justice.”
“And to understand what true justice is, one must understand what we are fighting for.”
“It is protection.”
“It is the future of innocent civilians that must be protected, even if it means breaking limbs.”
“It is……”
“……”
Morris, holding the booklet, grew more and more shocked with each page he turned, as if struck by a sudden enlightenment. His blood boiled, and his very soul trembled.
“This…!”
“This…!”
For a moment, he could not utter a complete sentence. Every word in the booklet struck his soul, leaving his mind blank.
The booklet contained no earth-shattering secrets, but rather concisely defined faith and justice from various perspectives.
“Vice Admiral Morris, consider this a gift for your appointment as an instructor.”
“For the future of the Navy.”
Sakazuki stood up, walked to Morris, and spoke with solemn sincerity, raising his right hand in a salute.
“This gift is too weighty.”
“Thank you, Sakazuki.”
“I…”
“I…”
Morris rose, adjusted his uniform, and bowed respectfully to Sakazuki. He wanted to express his gratitude but struggled to find the words.
“No need for words, Vice Admiral Morris.”
“Everything is for the future of the Navy.”
“One day, the Navy’s justice will cover the ends of the world.”
Sakazuki interrupted Morris’s inarticulate thanks.
“Indeed, one day…”
Hearing Sakazuki’s words, as if envisioning that scene, Morris gently caressed the booklet and murmured.
--------------------------------------
The next morning, the port of Marineford gradually became busy.
As supplies were loaded into ship holds and warships weighed anchor, Sakazuki stood on the second-floor deck, observing the assembled officers and soldiers below.
His gaze swept over them as the adjutant began the roll call.
“Doberman.”
“Here!”
“……”
“……”
“Strawbery.”
“Here!”
“……”
“Dalmatian.”
“Here!”
“……”
“……”
“Report, Vice Admiral Sakazuki, roll call complete. All present. Please instruct!”
“Set sail.”