[BBS]

[fierybluebird]

What makes someone a good leader? Is it caring about the people they're in charge of? Or is it more making sure they can all get out of an impossible situation alive? During those times do numbers count, or is any single loss an unacceptable failure?

And when it comes down to it, how do you know if you're a good leader until something directly happens?

I've always considered my Pops the best leader there ever was, but he was the strongest man in the world on top of caring about all of us. So I guess he had both qualifications covered.

Just curious as to thoughts on it, if you will.

- Marco.

Comments

[ready-set-fire.livejournal.com]

I'll 'always be nakama'? No. Fuck that. When are you going to get it through your thick skull that if you gave a damn what I wanted, you'd stop thinking like that? I want you to hate me, so hurry up and do it.

I insult you because it's so easy it's hard not to be tempted. Everything you stand for is wrong. It's like you're begging to be punched, and a few insults is the least I can do.

[fierybluebird]

I can't hate you. That would be turning my back on everything I stand for. Whether you consider it wrong or not, it's who I am. Yes, I want you to be happy, but I'm not so foolish as to kill myself or crew over it.

Then insult away. I don't worry about the yapping of government dogs. You protest that I'm morally evil, and maybe I am. But you refuse to bother to try to understand what my views are, instead letting your preconceived notions speak for you. How am I supposed to take that seriously in turn?

What really grinds me is that you have the stupid gall to think you're stronger mentally and emotionally than my Ace. He would mop the floor with you, marine.

[ready-set-fire.livejournal.com]

I'M not what you stand for. I'M nothing to do with you. Love your own Ace, I don't give a shit about that. But HATE ME.

You never bothered to consider my views, why the hell should I consider yours? You insult everything about my beliefs, my loyalties, and expect me to listen and be unbiased about yours? Fuck you. You mocked my dream and ambition and everything I worked to achieve. I'm only giving the same back.

I AM stronger than him, in every way. You know how that is? Because I'm stronger than a rotting corpse. Surprise! Your Ace is incredibly FUCKING DEAD.

[fierybluebird]

I have bothered to consider your views. Aside from my own dislike of marines and Sengoku trying to make a sacrifice of my best friend just for being related to someone, I've been trying to call you Commodore, simply because you're right. You have earned that position and I'm sure it was difficult. I'm TRYING to get your justice. Just because I can't completely capitulate to all your standards doesn't mean I'm not trying. I don't blindly say all marines kill babies, even though we both know some did. This is part of why I insist you're still you Freckles. Because wherever you go, whatever you join, I know you'll still follow your values.

You aren't. Strength isn't just about being the last one to survive. Why do you think the World Government is still afraid of Gold Rogers and One Piece? He's been dead for 22 years. It's because people don't have to be physically alive to continue on their will. And the other you knew that. I believe it's why he wanted to avenge Thatch. And I know I can never make up for losing either of them, but we all did our best to carry on his will. How many artists are only recognized once they die? That's part of what Ace realized about killing Pops. I don't think my Ace was afraid of death. On the contrary, he was so reckless, we all thought he had a deathwish. People who spend their lives clinging it to desperately, too afraid to do, won't be fulfilled. Everyone dies Ace. Accepting it and doing what you can with it is a far bigger strength than you seem to grasp.

[ready-set-fire.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'll follow my values. Values which are completely different than your Ace's. If you cam across a third Ace that followed the values of slaughtering civilians for amusement, would you count him as nakama because he 'followed his values'? Bull. The values themselves matter, not just the fact they're being acted upon.

Uh, actually I was just pointing out that your Ace is really, really dead, and therefore devoid of every strength. Stop reading bullshit into it. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, pirate.

[fierybluebird]

Obviously that would be following whims, not values, Sparky. You're in the marines, as you've insisted over and over, to protect innocent people. You stayed with the Whitebeard pirates even when defeated to protect your Spade Pirates who were loyal enough to stick around as well. And unless you as a marine, or you as a fishmen no longer wanted to protect Luffy and people you were loyal to, then yes, I'd count that as following those values.

Still too naive Commodore

Let me ask you something else, Ace, if I may. If I could be a marine too, would you still hate me? Would you always think it was just to use the marines for some wily pirate trick?

[ready-set-fire.livejournal.com]

Not if he considered it a worthy goal for some reason. And I don't want to only protect 'the people I'm loyal to'; I want to protect every damn civilian who might find find themself a target, not just people I personally know. If you're only out to protect what makes you, personally, happy, then you're selfish, and I refuse to be that type of person.

If you were a Marine, of course I wouldn't hate you. Well, unless you were corrupt, or whatever. Why would I hate you? That would be stupid.

[fierybluebird]

How do you know who I'd protect or not Ace? Fact of the matter is, you don't actually know me. I don't try to protect the whole world, but we get our nurses and more crew members through means other than just hiring mercenaries off the street. We pride loyalty, and that's something that has to be earned, not bought.

I don't mean if I was always a marine. I mean if I became one now. Though really, I have to wonder. Do you think being a marine just automatically makes someone more moral? What then, if your friends in the marines were pirates? Does that mean there's nothing redeemable and they only deserve your hate?