Room of Authority.
The atmosphere here was a stark contrast to the bright sunshine outside. Heavy curtains blocked the daylight, and a few dim beams of light projected onto the carpet. The air felt frozen.
The two CP0 Agents leading the way knelt prostrate at the entrance, their foreheads pressed against the floor, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Tatsuki walked alone to the center of the room.
Five figures, either sitting or standing in various poses, all exuded a terrifying sense of pressure that belonged to those at the top of the food chain.
Particularly the bald old man holding a sword. Even through his glasses, Tatsuki could feel a sharp gaze roaming over him.
"Tatsuki."
The Warrior God of Legal Affairs, Warcury, sat in the center of the sofa, hands resting on his cane.
"Why do you not kneel upon seeing us?"
Boom!
The moment the words fell, an invisible Conqueror's Haki mixed with the pressure of long-held authority crashed down on Tatsuki like a tsunami.
The CP0 agents at the door trembled, burying their heads even lower.
This was the Gorosei's show of strength!
They wanted to break this young genius's pride first, then bestow a few favors to make him a submissive, good dog.
However...
Tatsuki, standing at the center of that terrifying pressure, suddenly blinked.
The next second.
Thud!
Tatsuki knelt heavily on one knee on the mirror-smooth floor, his movements crisp and neat, carrying a sense of... impatient devotion.
He cupped his fists, and the fortitude and coldness belonging to the "Marine Hero" instantly melted away. In its place was an excitement as if he were seeing a long-lost father, along with undisguised worldliness and flattery.
"Gorosei!"
Tatsuki's voice was loud and high-pitched, the end of his words trembling with excessive excitement.
"I... I was just awestruck by the brilliance emanating from your five Lordships."
"For a moment, I actually forgot the etiquette for meeting celestial beings. I truly deserve death."
Gorosei: "..."
CP0 agents kneeling at the door: "..."
The vast Room of Authority fell into a brief silence.
The Warrior God of Agriculture, Peter, frowned and gave a dry cough, attempting to pull the rhythm back. "Ahem... Tatsuki, we saw your speech at the commissioning ceremony. You said you wanted to be a torch? To be the only light?"
"It's good for young people to have ambition, but this thing called justice..."
Before Peter could finish, he was interrupted by Tatsuki's impassioned voice, "That was a script! My Lords! That was written for that group of stupid grunts to hear!"
Tatsuki looked up, his face written with the word "sincerity," his eyes shimmering with undisguised greed.
"If I don't package myself as grand and righteous, if I don't shout a few hot-blooded slogans, how can I trick those peasants into dying on the front lines? How can I establish my prestige?"
"As for justice..."
The corners of Tatsuki's lips curled into an extremely disdainful sneer.
"Gorosei, you all are sensible people. This 'justice' thing, how much is it worth per pound?"
Gorosei: "..."
"I don't know how much justice is worth, and I don't want to know."
Tatsuki became more excited as he spoke, as if he had finally found kindred spirits, and began a frantic ranting mode.
"I work myself to death at Marineford, acting like a saint every day. For what? Isn't it just to get promoted and get rich?"
"Protecting commoners, the dignity of the Marines—that's all bullshit. Can those things be exchanged for Berries? Can they get me into the Holy Land?"
By the end, Tatsuki's eyes were glowing as he stared intently at the Gorosei. His gaze was naked, as if he were looking at five mountains of gold.
"So, my Lords, don't bother with those empty tests. Be direct. Tell me, what dirty work do you need me to do? And then... how much can you give me?"
"As long as the price is right, forget justice—even if you want me to go pull out Fleet Admiral Kong's hair right now to entertain you Lords, I won't hesitate."
Inside the Room of Authority, the air completely froze.
The five Kings of the World, who had lived for untold ages and seen countless heroes and legends, were now collectively plunged into silence.
They had imagined Tatsuki being a tough nut like Garp, stubborn and unyielding.
They had also imagined him being a deadhead like Zephyr, full of ideals.
They had prepared countless follow-up methods.
Coercion, bribery, intimidation, division...
They had even prepared a plan on how to use his death to pressure the Marines after killing him.
Only... only they never thought... this guy was such a pure, low-level-interest-free... opportunist?
How was this the soul of the Marines?
This was simply a natural-born seed for a World Government lackey!
He didn't even bother to act?
[Ding! Detected that the host has publicly desecrated, belittled, and insulted the concept of 'Justice' at the world's highest center of power, subverting the core values of the Marines!]
[Congratulations to the host! Obtained Violation Points: 100,000!]
[Violation Points: 397,700]
Tatsuki maintained that greedy and humble smile on his face, but inside he was roaring frantically. 'This acting, I give myself full marks. Come on, old guys, hurry up and use your dirty money and power to corrupt me. I can't wait.'