[TIOP] Chapter : 140

“It’s not just his raw power,” Aokiji explained. “He’s got insane stamina. Guys like me, Sakazuki, or Borsalino—we don’t fear his strength itself. But fighting him is like fighting a wall that never breaks. You give it everything, and it’s still there. And at our level, pride stops us from retreating early. Especially when we’re winning.”

“So,” Jack mused, “we push forward thinking we have the upper hand… until we burn out. And that’s when Kaido strikes?”

“Exactly,” Aokiji nodded. “Don’t get me wrong—his attacks are still deadly. But early in the fight, you’re fast enough to dodge. It’s only when you’re running on fumes that a single hit becomes fatal. That’s what makes him terrifying.”

“Sounds like a walking weapon,” Jack muttered.

“Bingo,” Aokiji said. “That’s what he is—a Oni weapon.”

Then Aokiji suddenly changed the subject. “By the way, if you’re so eager for a challenge, why not track down the Three ancient weapons instead? If we can secure them, the Navy’s influence will rise dramatically.”

“The ancient weapons?” Jack repeated, surprised. “You mean Pluto, Poseidon, and Uranus?”

“Huh? You actually know about them?” Aokiji raised an eyebrow, genuinely taken aback by Jack’s familiarity with the legendary names.

Due to the threat Jack’s ambitions posed, many of the Navy’s deeper secrets remained hidden from him. That’s why Aokiji couldn’t help but be surprised when Jack mentioned them by names.

“How do you know about them?” Aokiji asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It’s not exactly classified knowledge,” Jack replied with a calm shrug. “Is it really that strange, I know? Honestly, what the Navy lacks right now isn’t combat strength—it’s the funds and technology to sustain it.”

He leaned back, his tone steady. “As far as I know, all our advanced weaponry comes from the World Government. They control the most critical resources.”

Jack continued, “Take Dr. Vegapunk, for example. Without him, our naval supremacy would collapse almost overnight. And with the staggering military budget we burn through each year, we wouldn’t last long without the World Government propping us up.”

Aokiji’s expression darkened. “Then why oppose the World Government if you understand how much we rely on it?”

Jack smiled faintly. “Am I the only one doing that? Weren’t you the same, once? We both act in pursuit of our own sense of justice.”

He leaned forward slightly, voice sharpening. “That’s why I’ve been trying to find a way for the Navy to break free from the World Government’s grip. You think the G1 Branch is flourishing? Just wait until the Celestial Dragons visit once—our hard-earned credibility will evaporate instantly.”

Aokiji sighed. “You make it sound easy.”

“No, I’m saying it isn’t easy. But if we backed down every time something was hard, what would be the point of being Admirals?” Jack tilted his head slightly. “We’re not the World Government’s lapdogs—we’re supposed to stand for justice.”

A long silence followed, before Aokiji finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind. “So... how far has your plan gone?”

“I was wondering when you’d ask,” Jack said with a half-smile. “Back when Sengoku was still in charge, I didn’t have the strength or the followers to make a real impact. But now, I’ve grown stronger. I have a loyal group standing behind me. So, Aokiji... I can only apologize.”

He didn’t answer the question directly, but his words carried a quiet finality.

In truth, Jack wasn’t much different from Akainu. Both were slowly carving up Aokiji’s authority in their own ways. The difference? Aokiji was aware of Jack’s actions—and, to some extent, allowed them.

“Maybe I’m not cut out to be a Fleet Admiral after all,” Aokiji muttered at last.

“No one’s born ready for leadership,” Jack replied. “You grow into it. I certainly wasn’t fit to lead anyone at the start... but look at me now.”

“So you already see yourself as a separate power? Are you planning to leave the Navy?” Aokiji asked, his gaze sharpening.

Jack shook his head. “No. I consider myself one of the Navy’s factions—a force within the system.”

Aokiji’s patience thinned. “Then what exactly are you trying to do?”

“I’ve already told you everything, haven’t I?” Jack replied casually. “Of course, no superior enjoys having subordinates who act unpredictably.”

“And how much influence do you really have?” Aokiji asked coldly.

Jack sighed. “Not enough. My current strength is still too small to make a decisive move. Although some kingdoms have expressed interest in supporting my vision, it’s not yet time to openly oppose the World Government. So right now... it’s as good as nothing.”

“And if the World Government falls—how many kingdoms would support your side?” Aokiji pressed, his voice low and tense.

Jack met his gaze. “No more than thirty.”

Aokiji inhaled sharply. Thirty was no small number. The World Government only had around 170 member states in total. For Jack to already have the interest of nearly a fifth of them was staggering.

What Aokiji didn’t realize was that Jack had been quietly working in tandem with the Revolutionary Army—sending envoys to any kingdom they had freed, probing for support. In reality, much of the groundwork wasn’t even his alone. Many of those thirty kingdoms leaned toward the Revolutionaries, and Jack had simply capitalized on the momentum.

Still, the fact remained: with that level of backing, if Jack left the Navy now, he had more than enough strength to start his own faction.

“So you could form a new power at any moment,” Aokiji said bitterly.

He wasn’t wrong. At least half the Navy already supported Jack’s ideology—many of them high ranking officers.

But Jack’s response was firm. “I won’t leave the Navy. My goal is for the Navy to sever ties with the World Government and become the true force of justice this world needs.”

Aokiji let out a long breath. “You’re even more dangerous than Sakazuki.”

And again—he wasn’t wrong.

Sakazuki had simply vied with Aokiji for the role of Fleet Admiral. Their conflict had been limited to just the two of them. But Jack was different. If he and Aokiji ever found themselves at odds, it wouldn’t just be a personal clash—it would shake the very foundations of the Navy.

"I told you—I’m not leaving the Navy," Jack said firmly, his tone steady.

Aokiji’s gaze was calm. “But what if my methods go against your ideals? What then?”

Jack responded without hesitation. “The reason I support you and not Sakazuki is because our beliefs align, isn’t it?”

His meaning was unmistakable. Had Aokiji been like Akainu, Jack would never have stood behind him. Aokiji immediately understood the unspoken implication.

Jack, seeing Aokiji fall silent, smiled and casually poured him a fresh cup of tea.

“Why ask something like that?” he said lightly. “Do you think my vision is flawed? Then speak up. Let’s talk it through. If I’m wrong, I’ll fix it. If it’s just a misunderstanding, we can clear the air. And if, in the end, we really can’t see eye to eye—then do what you must. I won’t stop you. Just like I’m doing with Sakazuki now.”

Aokiji let out a quiet chuckle. “So, if that day comes... you’ll try to get rid of me too?”

He brought it up with a touch of irony, recalling how Jack had previously declared his intent to remove Akainu.

“Of course,” Jack said, meeting his eyes. “If you stand in my way, I won’t hesitate.”

Aokiji was momentarily stunned—then burst out laughing. Somehow, the blunt honesty helped lift the weight of his earlier thoughts.

“You’re right,” he said with a grin. “If you believe in your version of justice, then you must do whatever it takes to defend it.”

But Jack shook his head. “Not quite. If I go to any length to get my way, how am I any different from Akainu? I’ll confront anyone who obstructs me, yes. But I’ll never use underhanded tactics. I’ll use strategy—that’s part of strength—but I won’t cross the line into dirty tricks.”

Aokiji laughed again, teasing, “Then what about when you said we’d take down Akainu—three against one?”