Looking at the astonishing scene before him, Caesar couldn't help but shake his head, muttering to himself.
"I can't believe that the great secret the World Government has been desperately hiding is actually like this."
Despite his curiosity, Caesar had no intention of revealing everything he had seen. In fact, he wouldn't even tell others that he had set foot on this island.
His reasons were a mix of those once held by Gol D. Roger and his own personal considerations. Unlike Roger, however, his situation was far more complicated. In terms of importance, his existence could be considered even more significant than the Pirate King's.
This was not arrogance—it was fact.
At this moment, whether it was Caesar himself, the Caesar Pirates, the Central Kingdom, or the Central Navy, all of them stood as thorns in the World Government's side. They wanted nothing more than to eliminate him as quickly as possible.
To them, Caesar was like an uncontrollable cancer. If they moved against him, they had to consider the repercussions. If they left him unchecked, he would only continue to grow stronger, posing an even greater threat in the future.
It was a dilemma that plagued them, yet there was nothing they could do.
Beyond all of this, Caesar's bounty and titles had already surpassed Roger's. Though he estimated that Roger's bounty would soon overtake his own, this fact still held weight in the current age.
He had now grasped the secret of the Final Island. However, he would not expose it recklessly. The time had to be right—because, in the ultimate battle, this secret would serve as a powerful weapon against the World Government.
For now, he waited as the permanent log pose recorded the geomagnetic cycles of the island.
Taking one last look around, he absorbed the fragments of history that lay before him. Even for someone like him, it was astonishing.
Once the log pose completed its records, he left the island, carrying three permanent log poses with him.
---
A few days later, an earth-shattering piece of news spread across the world, sending shockwaves through every nation and kingdom.
"Someone actually reached the Final Island?!"
"Hey, you're joking, right? Isn't the Final Island supposed to be Narcissus Island?"
The world was abuzz with disbelief and speculation. On every island, voices filled with shock and curiosity spread like wildfire.
"Could this be the true Final Island beyond the legendary Narcissus Island? Impossible!"
"I won't believe it unless the Navy makes an official statement!"
The sheer magnitude of this revelation placed enormous pressure on the Navy. But even more so, it sent the World Government into a state of unprecedented panic.
In Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders—normally composed and resolute—showed rare expressions of unease.
"What should we do? Did Roger truly reach the Final Island?!"
"Will the secret hidden there be exposed to the world?!"
The speaker was the blond-haired elder in the red suit, usually the most composed among them. But upon receiving this news, even he found it hard to remain calm.
"Damn Roger! What do we do now?!" The bald elder with a curly beard and a scarred head slammed his fist on the balcony railing in frustration.
They knew that if they failed to act, the consequences could be catastrophic. The one person they feared the most—Imu—would surely hold them accountable.
"Find Roger at all costs! We cannot let him roam freely any longer!" The elder in the white robe spoke coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"By any means necessary!" added the elder with white curly hair, gripping his cane tightly. Despite his composed demeanor, the killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable.
The final elder, the one carrying a saber, nodded solemnly. "We must do whatever it takes to contain this situation before it's too late."
And then, a single name was spoken—one that made all of them fall into silence, their expressions turning to fear.
"Master Im..."
For the first time in centuries, the rulers of the world found themselves at an impasse.
---
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, fury erupted.
This was no ordinary news—it was an explosive revelation. And what infuriated them most was a single title now being spread across the seas.
"One Piece... Gol D. Roger!"
Nothing could have been more humiliating.
A title like "One Piece" was a slap to their authority—far worse than even Caesar's moniker of the "World's Strongest."
Without waiting for orders, Fleet Admiral Kong immediately issued a command:
"Deploy every available force to locate the Roger Pirates! Find Roger, and capture him at all costs!"
However, when the Marines next received intelligence on Roger's whereabouts, they were met with an unbelievable report.
Roger... had vanished.
---
Even as the world reeled from the revelation, the months that followed only fanned the flames of speculation. Discussions about Roger's journey to the Final Island dominated every conversation.
"Did Roger really reach the end of the world?"
"What did he find there? A hidden truth? An unimaginable treasure?"
"There must be endless wealth on that island! Don't argue with me, I just know it!"
From the New World to the Four Blues, theories spread like wildfire. For centuries, the Final Island had remained a legend, and now, people were convinced that it held treasures beyond imagination.
The World Government took notice—and saw an opportunity.
If the public believed that the island was nothing more than a trove of riches, then the true secret hidden there would never come to light. Manipulating public opinion became their primary strategy. As long as people pursued a false dream, the truth would remain buried forever.
And so, under the government's careful orchestration, the entire world came to believe that the Final Island contained boundless treasure.
This marked the first step in their elaborate plan.
If they could eliminate Roger and those who knew the truth before it spread, then the secret would remain sealed for eternity.
But what they failed to realize was that their very actions had set the stage for something much greater.
The era of the Great Pirates was about to begin.
---
While the world speculated on Roger's whereabouts, in the heart of the Central Kingdom, inside a grand palace, laughter echoed.
"Is this oden?" Roger exclaimed, taking another bite of the steaming hotpot. "It's different from the ones I've had before, but it's delicious!"
Opposite him sat Caesar, casually enjoying his meal.
"No, this is a dish from my homeland. It has a richer taste than oden," he replied, picking up a piece of meat from the pot.
"Ahh, it's amazing!" Roger grinned, happily devouring another portion.
Despite being a man with a terminal illness, his enthusiasm for food and drink remained undiminished.
His carefree nature fascinated those around him. Even Caesar's family—despite being accustomed to meeting powerful figures—couldn't help but steal glances at the legendary pirate.
The children, in particular, were curious about the guest who had suddenly arrived.
Noticing their interest, Roger chuckled. "You're lucky, Caesar. I envy you for having such a big family."
A wistful expression flickered across his face. For a man who had spent his life chasing freedom and adventure, this kind of warmth was something he had never truly experienced.
Then, suddenly, Roger paused.
"Was it you?" he asked, a knowing glint in his eyes.
Caesar, unsurprised, smiled.
"Yes. It was me."
Roger smirked. "How did it feel?"
Caesar chuckled. "Ridiculous. But in the end, it's all just a game of winners and losers."
Roger stared at him for a moment before laughing heartily. "Well said, Caesar. Well said."
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