Time became irrelevant as the drinking continued.
When Jake finally used Life Return to expel the last traces of alcohol from his system, he looked around at the pirates sprawled across the floor and let out a deep sigh.
His mouth still carried the lingering taste of alcohol—this was the first time in his life he'd consumed so much liquor, enough to make him sick of the very notion of drinking.
His gaze shifted to Whitebeard, who remained fully conscious and was still downing a large amount of liquor.
A faint trace of admiration crossed Jake's face.
Unlike his own cheating method of using Life Return, Whitebeard had genuinely consumed every drop.
Even his muscular, scarred abdomen had slightly bulged from the sheer volume.
"Gurararara! The last time I drank like this was nine years ago. What a nostalgic feeling! But you brat—using such underhanded tricks to avoid getting drunk? That's hardly the way of a true pirate!"
"I'm a Marine. I need to stay sharp. If pirates attack or civilians need protection, I have to be ready to act with a clear mind at any moment. That's why Marines never overindulge."
Hearing Jake's explanation, Whitebeard cracked a grin.
"You're different from most Marines I've met, kid. I've got some questions for you. Sober enough to answer them properly?"
Jake's smile faded slightly as he replied, "I've been sober this whole time."
"Gurararara! Ice-girl, get the kid a chilled orange juice. Looks like he could use it."
Without hesitation, Monet took a glass from a nurse.
A wisp of cold air escaped her fingertips, instantly cooling the juice.
She walked over and handed it to Jake.
He accepted it without protest—Whitebeard was making it clear that both he and Monet were equally important in this conversation.
After taking a sip, savoring the sweetness that washed away the alcohol's aftertaste, Jake smiled.
"Well then, what would you like to discuss?"
Whitebeard set down his tankard and fixed his gaze on Jake.
"Do you think the continued existence of the Marines in this world is ultimately good for ordinary people?"
The question was sudden and pointed.
Had Jake not possessed the omniscient perspective of his past life, he might have struggled to give a satisfactory answer.
But having known the original story, Jake had his own unique perspective.
He met Whitebeard's gaze and said—
"If the current Marines continues to exist long-term, it will only be detrimental to ordinary civilians—an organization destined to be overthrown one day. Because from its very founding, this Marine has been unworthy of the words written on its back."
As Jake spoke, he tore off his Justice cloak with deliberate force.
Watching the cloak slowly descend before his eyes, Whitebeard's expression shifted subtly before erupting into booming laughter.
"Gurarararara! An intriguing answer brat! You're the most interesting fellow I've met since Roger! Tell me—what makes you say this?"
Jake responded calmly.
"The current Marine, the World Government and those parasites in Holy Land Mariejois form an inseparable structure. As long as the Marine remains trapped within this framework, it doesn't matter whether Sengoku or Kong holds the reins—the fundamental reality won't change."
"For the Marines to survive within this system, it must uphold the Celestial Dragons' rule. Because right now, the Marines is climbing a staircase whose foundation is built upon the Celestial Dragons' military funding. Abandon that support, and the entire structure collapses—sending every Marine on those steps crashing into oblivion."
"But the Celestial Dragons' rule is inherently rotten to its core. Whether it's the soul-crushing burden of Celestial Tribute taxes or their morally bankrupt human hunting games—these are crimes demanding absolute reckoning. To achieve this, the Marines must first break free from this twisted framework."
Whitebeard nodded thoughtfully.
Yet Jake's words stirred something long dormant in Whitebeard—that thrill of adventure he hadn't felt since becoming the world's strongest.
Now this young Marine had reignited it with razor-sharp analysis that cut straight to the heart.
The Marine's corruption stemmed from being the Celestial Dragons' enforcers.
No matter how many righteous individuals joined its ranks, the institution's foundational purpose remained unchanged.
Whitebeard had understood this for decades.
He suspected Sengoku and Garp knew it too—yet those old dogs still fought to reform the Marines from within.
At least the current Marines differed somewhat from decades past.
Chuckling softly at Jake's words, Whitebeard continued.
"Then how do you intend to change the Marines? Many marines have seen these issues you mentioned, yet none have succeeded in changing them. Do you really think you alone can accomplish this? If these are just empty words, then we can end this conversation right now."
Jake smiled upon hearing this, then said to Whitebeard.
"So, to realize my own plans, to change the fundamental structure of the Marines' existence, to overthrow the rule of those guys and to end the Great Pirate Era, I need to make a deal with you—the strongest pirate of this era—to help me completely destroy this rotten old age!"
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