It was a rare occasion for Shanks to agree with Buggy's idea. It was evident that both of them had a deep fondness for the mysterious and technologically advanced kingdom.
"That's right! Besides its kingdom, the TVs and channels Caesar introduced are incredibly popular!"
"Sometimes, I really wonder how Caesar's mind works. How does he even come up with these things?"
Sitting nearby, the ship doctor Crocus, who had remained silent for a while, took a bite of his meat and spoke with a puzzled expression.
In his opinion, such inventions were beyond the comprehension of the people in this world. The very concept of televisions should have been impossible in their era.
Yet, Caesar had not only created them but had also spread them across the world.
"Yes, yes! TV is amazing! I really want to know how those programs are made!"
Hearing the mention of television, two young crew members immediately became excited.
Had they been born in the 21st century, they would surely have been glued to the screen. Here, in this world, their obsession was just as intense.
The TV shows and films produced by the Middle Kingdom had become their absolute favorites.
On their ship, the Oro Jackson, multiple TVs had been installed in different areas, ensuring that everyone could watch their preferred programs without conflicts.
For instance, some crew members wanted to watch movies, while others preferred TV series. One television wouldn't have sufficed, so they had purchased several at once.
Even Roger and Rayleigh, who usually had little interest in leisure activities, had become devoted fans of certain shows.
"Mr. Gan Fall, do you know what a TV series is?"
As the lively discussion continued, Shanks turned toward the old man and asked.
They had been caught up in their enthusiasm, forgetting that their guest might not understand.
"Judging by your expressions, it must be something wonderful," Gan Fall said politely, offering a reserved smile.
Shanks pondered for a moment before explaining, "A TV series is a story shown on a screen! It's performed by real people, kind of like a play, but it spans multiple episodes and airs at scheduled times!"
"Today's…"
Before he could finish, his words suddenly stopped.
Gan Fall looked up in confusion. He found that the once lively crew had suddenly frozen in place, their eyes wide open, their movements halted.
Shanks' mouth remained slightly open, as if the words had gotten stuck in his throat.
Gan Fall, intrigued, was about to ask what was wrong when, suddenly, a chorus of cries erupted!
"Ahhh! 'The Domineering Prince Falls in Love with Me' has already started! Dammit, I missed ten minutes!"
"It's all your fault!"
Toki, holding her daughter, turned pale with frustration. With a distressed expression, she pinched Kozuki Oden's waist fiercely.
Everyone else winced instinctively, imagining the pain.
"Oh! Sorry, my dear! I forgot!"
Oden yelped, twisting his waist in an attempt to dodge.
But no one laughed at his plight—because they all shared the same regret.
Even Roger looked deeply annoyed. "Damn it! We were having so much fun talking, I completely forgot that 'Only You in My Heart' was airing today! Damn it!"
Despite being the Pirate King, Roger had never been in a serious relationship. This long-anticipated romantic drama had become a guilty pleasure for him.
He wasn't the only one—most of the crew, excluding a few women, had their own favorite shows.
Without hesitation, Buggy and Shanks rushed to adjust the television.
Although they had already missed a portion, they refused to miss the entire episode!
Thus, what had started as a banquet soon turned into a TV-watching party. Everyone ate and drank while watching their favorite programs with full concentration.
Gan Fall, experiencing television for the first time, was equally fascinated.
---
The next day, the Roger Pirates vanished from their encampment without a trace. However, their ship remained, leading Gan Fall to assume they had simply gone exploring.
After spending several days with them, he had come to see Roger as a bold, regal man—a good person at heart. He had no reason to be wary.
Little did he know that at that very moment, the Roger Pirates were standing beneath the Golden Bell, gazing upon something centuries old with awe and admiration.
Beneath the bell, Roger noticed a stone monument—the source of the mysterious voice he had sensed.
As he examined it, he was suddenly taken aback.
There, inscribed upon the stone, were several lines of text.
The first line read: "Caesar was here."
Below it were notes left by members of the Caesar Pirates.
But what shocked Roger the most were the words that followed:
"Roger, you're too slow!"
Kozuki Oden, Rayleigh, and Jabba read the message aloud, exchanging bewildered glances with Roger.
"Captain… does this mean Caesar…?"
Before anyone could finish their thought, Roger suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Amazing, Caesar!"
"It looks like he might know more than I do!"
The crew fell silent.
Shanks and Buggy, who didn't fully grasp the significance, simply cheered in agreement.
"That's right, Captain! The Middle Kingdom has changed so much! I want to go back there!"
"Yeah! I agree!"
Even Shanks, usually the calmer of the two, couldn't help but feel excited.
Roger grinned. "Heh, alright! If we get the chance, we'll go again!"
---
Meanwhile, in the Middle Kingdom, within the royal palace, Caesar glanced at a report detailing the Roger Pirates' recent disappearance near Devil Town.
A smirk played at the corners of his lips as he murmured to himself.
"I wonder, Roger… what was your reaction when you saw my message?"
At Roger's level, who would want to retrace the entire Grand Line from the beginning?
But this time, his journey carried an entirely different meaning.
Most had dismissed Roger's voyage as a passing event, forgetting about it after reading a report or two.
Only two people truly understood its significance—Caesar, who knew everything, and Whitebeard, Roger's greatest rival and closest friend.
With Kozuki Oden now serving as the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Roger's crew possessed four fighters at admiral-level strength.
The Navy now faced the same challenge they had once encountered with the Rocks Pirates and Caesar Pirates.
If they committed too many forces to stopping Roger, other areas would be left vulnerable, giving opportunists a chance to strike.
Thus, only Garp relentlessly pursued Roger.
For Roger, who was in the final sprint of his journey, this was a welcome relief.
After leaving Upper Yard on Skypiea, the Roger Pirates made their way through Water 7, Sabaody Archipelago, and Fish-Man Island.
Upon arriving at Fish-Man Island, Roger was stunned to find it completely transformed. It was now more prosperous, more beautiful, and most importantly, truly safe.
And it was all thanks to Caesar.
With those thoughts in mind, Roger and his crew resumed their journey.
Little did they know, history was about to be made.
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