#ch397

This is the first time in this flashback that we see Kuzan’s eyes, giving us the first glimpse into his humanity and seeing past the fire and destruction reflecting in his glasses as he’s forced to see the truth of the Buster Call, whereas Sakazuki’s eyes stay firmly in shadow until his reappearance during the Marineford arc, symbolizing his continued willful blindness

This speech by Kuzan is one of the most important ideas regarding Justice in the series, because it’s what sets him apart from characters like Sakazuki. In Kuzan’s eyes, what’s right and wrong can change depending on the circumstances, whereas to Sakazuki it’s Absolute, carved in stone just as much as the poneglyphs he hates.

Kuzan’s able to justify the attack on Ohara because he’s convinced himself (or let himself be convinced) it will result in a net positive in the world. It’s this mental and moral flexibility that allows him not to be angry with Saul for single handedly destroying half the Buster Call.

Remember, Saul and Kuzan are friends, and the ships previously under Saul’s command are part of this attack. Saul has likely killed former comrades and friends in his defense of Robin. He knew those people personally, and Saul himself says his own Justice is confused. Saul doesn’t know what’s right and wrong here, he just wants Robin to be safe.

I mentioned it before during the Alabasta and Skypiea arcs, but...Robin’s always been a character who smiles a lot, even when she’s unhappy. She may not have been dereshishishi’ing it up as she grew older, but you can see her putting Saul’s advice into practice until it becomes second nature. And the first person we see genuinely make her laugh as an adult is Luffy during his fight with Crocodile.

Do you remember the “reason” Robin was given her first bounty?