Go back?
For the umpteenth time, this thought arose in Wang Zhi's mind. That brat Roa, why didn't he tell me sooner that Whitebeard was the one looking for trouble?
Even among the many monsters of the Rocks Pirates, Whitebeard was one of the most monstrous. In some ways, Wang Zhi felt Whitebeard was even more terrifying than Golden Lion Shiki. While Shiki had few moral boundaries, he was relatively more flexible. But Whitebeard, if truly enraged, his fury wouldn't be easy to quell.
However, the words had already been spoken. To back out now, where would his dignity be? Thinking this, Wang Zhi couldn't help but turn his head, casting a look that could only be described as resentful at Roa, who was slowly throwing punches on the platform atop the snail.
Roa was training. Ever since learning the new Haki secret technique from Wang Zhi, Roa had been diligently experimenting. Roa had long been practicing the control of willpower, for the purpose of forging a black blade. But integrating willpower with Haki, this was indeed his first time. It was a bit difficult. Armament Haki was essentially the manifestation of physical energy; fusing it with the mental power of willpower was no simple feat.
"So, how did you provoke Newgate?" Wang Zhi crossed his arms, looking at Roa with some curiosity. Compared to Golden Lion, Whitebeard could be described as peace-loving. As long as you didn't seek trouble with him, he wouldn't bother to initiate conflict with anyone. Even if Marine warships pursued him, unless they went too far, Whitebeard would choose to escape. So, what exactly did this brat Roa do?
"Actually, it was an unforeseen disaster," Roa said, feigning victimhood. "Wasn't there a rebellion in his hometown? My people thought they'd help out, so they provided some weapons to the rebels. They couldn't even afford repayment; my people even offered loans. As a result, Uncle Whitebeard seemed very angry."
Wang Zhi's mouth twitched. Stirring up chaos wherever he goes—that's certainly Roa's style.
However, what surprised Wang Zhi the most was: "You said, Newgate's hometown?" Whitebeard's homeland? He had never heard that guy mention it. And he cared so much about a rebellion in his hometown?
"You didn't know, Uncle Wang Zhi?" Roa slowly threw a punch. "It's a poor little country called Sphinx. Uncle Whitebeard secretly sends money back there every now and then."
"There's such a thing?" Wang Zhi was intrigued. "I've never heard of it!" If the pirates of the sea knew about this, that country called Sphinx would be doomed! The fact that it was Whitebeard's hometown wasn't important, but the fact that Whitebeard cared deeply about his hometown—that was very important!
However. Wang Zhi's eyes narrowed. Is this brat Roa's intelligence too sharp? He even knows such a secret about Whitebeard. And, if that's the case, his weapon sales network seems to cover a considerably wide range!
"Anyway, I'll be relying on you, Uncle Wang Zhi," Roa said with a light chuckle. "I'm not confident I can face Whitebeard alone."
Wang Zhi felt a pang of melancholy, but his tone was nonchalant. "Newgate, eh? It's been a long time since I saw him. A meeting would be good."
"Oh! So reliable!" Roa gave him plenty of emotional support. Perhaps it was also because he was in a good mood that, when he leisurely threw another punch, Haki suddenly surged forth.
"Oh? I'm getting the hang of it!" Roa's eyes lit up, and his mind focused. The surging, formless Haki suddenly solidified, and a pitch-black arm extended, lightly grasping at the void before it dissipated.
"How miraculous!" Roa's eyes were bright. "It feels like I've extended another arm!" It wasn't that the Haki became immensely stronger in that instant, but it became more vivid, more agile, incomparably more lively than flowing Armament Haki. And, once the Haki gathered, it felt very hard.
Huh? Isn't this just a detached version of Armament Hardening? It's just harder because the control is stronger.
"You brat!" Wang Zhi was somewhat dumbfounded. It hadn't even been a day! This was his secret technique! How long did it take him to successfully master it in the past? Just mastering the control of willpower took him a year, didn't it? He already knew that Roa was an unprecedented monster, but to be monstrous to this extent, it was hard to say if he should even be considered a "being" born into this world.
"I already had some basic knowledge," Roa smiled brightly, showing his gums. He had been practicing the forging of black blades before, so his mastery over willpower already had a sufficiently deep foundation. Combined with his truly extraordinary talent, he was able to quickly grasp this technique.
Roa spread his right hand, attempting to replicate the sudden inspiration he had, and in just a few seconds, black currents of Haki appeared on his palm, smoothly coalescing into a sphere in his palm.
"Phew—" Wang Zhi slowly let out a breath. Can't compare to him. Didn't I already know that? This kid was born abnormal. It's hard to say if there's even a human under that skin.
"Uncle Wang Zhi," Roa's joy on his face slightly faded, and his handsome brows furrowed slightly. "If I use this technique on Conqueror's Haki, would that complete Conqueror's Haki coating?"
"Conqueror's Haki is inherently wild. To achieve that, the difficulty isn't lower than directly coating it," Wang Zhi couldn't help but say. "So, Roa, are you already starting to practice Conqueror's Haki coating?" Even he only gradually mastered the technique of coating Conqueror's Haki in the years after the Rocks Pirates' downfall! How old was this kid?! Was he even reasonable?!
"It feels very close!" Roa suddenly clenched his fist. "It's like, just one final push!" For Conqueror's Haki coating, Roa was only missing a bit of control. After repeated battles with Redfield and Wang Zhi, his control over Haki had further improved, making him already very close. Now, with the clear training method of willpower. Roa was almost certain, it was just one final push!
"…" Wang Zhi was speechless. One final push? Roa, why don't you tell me you're actually joking? You being so unreasonable makes me feel so defeated. He was already stronger than himself without mastering Conqueror's Haki coating. If he mastered it, wouldn't the gap instantly widen immensely?
And. Wang Zhi didn't want to look at Roa, so he turned his head and saw the muscular young man meditating cross-legged, and the black-winged young man silently swinging his sword beside him. Mercury Bullet and Demon Descendant King. It was one thing for Roa alone to be strong, but these two under him were also monstrously powerful at such a young age!
However, is this brat named Bullet practicing willpower? Not everyone was suited for that secret technique. If one didn't have sufficiently strong Haki, using that technique was tantamount to courting death. Unfortunately, Wang Zhi didn't know Bullet well. As Wang Zhi looked around, Roa was full of ambition!
Just one final opportunity! Uncle Whitebeard, I'm counting on you!
While they were rushing towards World's old lair, in the North Blue.
On a deserted island.
A ship slowly approached the island. Dragon stood at the bow, observing the island through binoculars, and not content with that, he released his Observation Haki to scout further.
"This is the agreed-upon location." Beside him, Doctor Trafalgar wiped sweat from his forehead. "It's hard to imagine that those extremists would contact us."
"We can't let our guard down. There might be some changes," Dragon said, lowering his binoculars, his stern face devoid of expression. "Don't let the ship dock. I'll go alone. If anything happens, turn around and leave immediately!"
"I'll go too!" Doctor Trafalgar said anxiously. "If you go alone, how will they trust you! You're not even from Flevance!"
"Contact them with a Transponder Snail." Dragon said, "Everything must prioritize safety—hmm?" He suddenly paused. In a bay on the island, a ship slowly sailed out.
Then. From that ship, two dark figures launched themselves forward.
Dragon's face instantly changed drastically.
"No good! Turn around quickly! Leave immediately!" How could this be? How could they be here? But it was too late! How could the ship's speed compare to the monsters' swift flight?
Dragon's eyes widened in fury, almost tearing at the corners. He could, of course, run himself, but would he abandon his comrades on the ship? Dragon couldn't do it.
So.
"You made me look for a long time, Dragon!" A dark figure heavily slammed onto the deck, accompanied by a voice as cold as ice. "Are you going to keep hiding?"
"Mr. Zephyr…" As Hero Garp's son, Dragon was naturally no stranger to the man before him. Like Sengoku, he was of his uncle's generation, and had even held him as a child.
"Zephyr?" Doctor Trafalgar's face also changed dramatically. "The former Marine Headquarters Admiral, Black Arm, no, Black Leg Zephyr?" This is bad! The strongest combat force of Marine Headquarters has arrived here; hasn't everything ended now? Although Dragon is strong, he can't possibly defeat this former Admiral!
"And it's not just Mr. Zephyr!" Dragon looked at the man who followed Zephyr's footsteps, also slamming onto the deck.
"Answer me, Dragon!" Akainu's arms had already turned into magma, and searing heat immediately permeated the air. "Have you truly betrayed justice?"
"Betrayal?" Dragon paused. He looked at his former comrade Akainu, then at the expressionless Zephyr. "I merely chose my own justice."
"Your justice?" Akainu sneered. "Is it to associate with those lunatics?! The guy who brought us to find you—do you know how many people he and his comrades killed when we caught him?"
"Indeed, some Flevance people have fallen into madness," Dragon said gravely. "But more Flevance people are merely innocent victims persecuted by the World Government!"
"Innocent?" Akainu's voice grew even colder. "No one forced them to cause chaos in the North Blue. No matter what they've been through, it's no reason for them to wantonly harm truly innocent people!"
"We did nothing!" Doctor Trafalgar behind Dragon couldn't help but speak in anger. "Ultimately, isn't the root of everything the World Government?"
"Who concealed the dangers of the Amber Lead? Who caused us to contract an incurable disease? And who, to hide the news, sought to exterminate us completely? We weren't even like the extreme revenge-seekers; we originally just wanted to live in peace, but you still wouldn't let us go, still wanted to completely eradicate us!" Doctor Trafalgar roared out all his inner fury. He had originally wanted to live out his days peacefully with his wife, but he couldn't.
"Why did the extremists become crazed? Wasn't it all because of you people forcing them?!"
Akainu fell silent for a moment.
Then.
"Indeed, even those who claim to be moderate harbor a latent seed of madness within them." The man with the hottest ability but the coldest heart spoke indifferently, "People of Flevance, the very existence of your race threatens justice."
"Akainu, you bastard!" Dragon's face finally showed anger. How could there be such an unreasonable person!
"Go ahead, Sensei Zephyr," Akainu said coldly. "Both Dragon and the Flevance survivors, they all deserve to die!"
Dragon took a deep breath. It seemed today wouldn't end peacefully. Akainu, that madman, was one thing, but Zephyr had also become extreme after his battle with Roa! What should he do? The still-young Dragon felt his mind in a tangled mess, unable to think of any solution.
However.
"Tell me everything that happened in Flevance, from beginning to end." Zephyr spoke.
"Sensei Zephyr?" Akainu turned back in surprise. What was the point of asking these things now?
Dragon was also somewhat bewildered. But Doctor Trafalgar, as if grabbing onto a lifeline, poured out everything, from an unknown force finding him and revealing the existence of Amber Lead Syndrome, to him spreading the news throughout the country, thus causing a riot. Finally, the Flevance people scattered, splitting into moderate and extremist factions, leading to unrest throughout the entire North Blue.
"Everything is true and undeniable!" Doctor Trafalgar shouted, pleading, "No matter which Flevance person you ask, their answer will surely be the same as mine!"
"At this point, what's the meaning of saying this?" Akainu remained unmoved. "Even if they are moderate now, when their lifespans truly begin to dwindle, who can guarantee they won't turn to extremism?" He was a ruthless character who, merely suspecting a scholar was on board, directly blew up an entire refugee ship with a single cannon shot. Sacrificing one race to save the entire North Blue, Akainu considered that a fair trade.
"Utterly foolish!" Dragon gritted his teeth. Foolishness isn't scary; what's most terrifying is such a person wielding immensely powerful military force! Can you only see the surface of things, Akainu?! Or rather, do you refuse to look deeper?
"If all Flevance people are killed, will everything truly end?" Zephyr spoke.
Akainu was stunned again.
"In another corner of the world, might there be another kind of highly toxic mineral, and the government and local royalty are also using their citizens there to mine that mineral?" Zephyr said.
"Sensei Zephyr, what's the point of such a hypothesis?" Akainu was very confused, not knowing what was suddenly wrong with his teacher.
"I said it was just a hypothesis," Zephyr looked at his beloved student. "But Akainu, do you think the government would do such a thing?"
Akainu was instantly speechless. Even he, after learning the truth about the Flevance incident, could no longer defend the World Government. Yes, if it were the World Government, of course they would.
"Didn't you notice, Akainu, after we visited so many countries recently?" Zephyr said. "Where do those countless pirates on the sea truly come from?"
"The Flevance people became extreme because they couldn't survive. So, how many more people on the sea cannot survive?" Akainu's eyes were gradually changing.
"This world has countless Flevances, only those places don't have deadly Amber Lead, and their people won't suffer from an incurable disease."
"But," Zephyr took a deep breath, "poverty, hunger, pirates, and even the World Nobles' triennial massacres—these are all incurable diseases that can drive them to extremism."
"As long as the root problem isn't solved, the Flevance people will never be fully eradicated, and pirates will continuously emerge."
"Mr. Zephyr!" Dragon was greatly shocked. After the shock came ecstasy. Mr. Zephyr could actually say such words! Could it be, no way? How could such a thing happen?!
Akainu's reaction was even more intense; he seemed to be lost in confusion, staring blankly at his teacher.
"Akainu, answer me: do you want to eliminate the pirates currently on the seas, or completely erase the profession of piracy from history?"
Akainu's pupils gradually contracted, yet his eyes widened continuously.