Whitebeard was actually someone who understood how to weigh pros and cons. Roa knew this better than anyone.
His sworn brother, Kozuki Oden, was killed by Kaido, yet Whitebeard hadn't visited Wano Country in eighteen years. He'd known about it for a long time but still held his ground. Even Ace wanted to avenge Kozuki Oden, but Whitebeard stopped him. Was it because Whitebeard feared Kaido? Of course not. Because after Thatch was killed by Blackbeard, he still didn't let his crew pursue Blackbeard. He couldn't possibly be afraid of even a single-Devil Fruit Blackbeard, could he?
It could only be said that Whitebeard was indeed a very soft-hearted patriarch. Compared to family members who had died, those who were alive were, of course, more important. If Kozuki Oden and Thatch had been captured, then Whitebeard would, of course, have gone all out to rescue them, just like in the Marineford War in the original story. Because they were still alive. But if it meant risking the lives of his children to avenge the dead, he couldn't do it.
While the current situation didn't involve anyone dying, what happened in Sfenks was a fact and couldn't be changed. Whitebeard couldn't bring himself to risk his homeland's destruction just to vent his anger. He was just that kind of man. He possessed a spirit capable of devouring the world, yet he also appeared unusually timid.
"This matter can end here!" Whitebeard heavily stamped his bisento on the ground, his eyes fixed on Roa, who had deactivated his Calamity War God form. "But, Roa, you must give me an explanation!"
"Since Newgate has already spoken, Roa," Wang Zhi felt he had gained a lot of face, so he smiled at Roa, "what do you say?"
"Alright, if that's the case," Roa shrugged indifferently, "I won't sell my weapons to Sfenks anymore. How's that?" Then he emphasized, "But the loans still need to be repaid."
"Kid!" Whitebeard's eyes instantly turned fierce again. "If you haven't had enough, I can keep going!"
"Alright, Roa, are you really short on that little bit of money?" Wang Zhi said, generously offering someone else's resources, "Just for my sake, let it go."
"Only for you, Uncle Wang Zhi." Roa felt that Wang Zhi had gone to great lengths to come all this way with him, so he could give him this much face. "Otherwise, I wouldn't agree to anyone else."
"Hmm, that's right!" Wang Zhi, who was usually not one to show his emotions, now had a beaming smile. He couldn't help it; two of the four strongest pirates in the world were currently giving him so much respect! Yes, in Wang Zhi's mind, the current Roa was undoubtedly the fourth strongest pirate in the world, trailing only Roger, Shiki, and Newgate. Neither he himself, nor Scopper Gaban, nor Kaido, nor Big Mom could be compared to the current Roa.
"Alright, then this matter ends here!" Wang Zhi said, "Let's shake hands and make peace!"
"Shake hands?" Whitebeard just sneered, "Roa, if I find out you're still inciting the populace in Sfenks, I will absolutely not let you off."
"I've told you already, that's not what's happening at all," Roa said with a helpless expression.
"Hmph." With a cold snort, Whitebeard turned and left without hesitation. He wasn't giving Roa a chance for a reconciliation after all the trouble. Well then, if Whitebeard wants the enmity to continue, then so be it.
And so, this internal conflict among the Rocks Pirates executives ended. The Moby Dick sailed directly away from the island, its sails billowing as it vanished amidst the turbulent waves.
On deck.
"Pops, is it really over?" Marco felt a sense of unease in his heart.
"It should be over, right?" Vista the Flower Sword asked cautiously, "Even that unrestrained guy Roa wouldn't dare to truly infuriate Pops, would he?" He added, "Besides, for him, Sfenks is a place too small to even matter. Getting completely on the bad side of the Whitebeard Pirates for an insignificant place wouldn't be a worthwhile trade, no matter how you look at it!"
But Whitebeard remained silent. The man with the power to destroy the world was frowning, his eyes filled with an unshakeable worry. Vista's words would only hold true if there was one crucial prerequisite: Roa had to be a normal person. But Roa was not normal. So abnormal, in fact, that Whitebeard had no idea what he would do next. Damn it, why did it have to be this kid?!
On the shattered coast of the island, Roa and Wang Zhi stood side by side, watching the Moby Dick disappear into the distance.
"You're truly exaggerated, Roa," Wang Zhi offered a belated compliment. "I never thought you'd be so bold as to use Newgate's hand to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion!" He'd even succeeded!
"Is that being bold?" Roa asked, somewhat surprised.
Wang Zhi paused, then couldn't help but smile. Yes, with Roa's power, was challenging Newgate really that bold anymore?
"So, what are you planning to do next?" Wang Zhi asked with interest. "Are you going to honestly fulfill your agreement with Newgate?" The battle between Roa and Newgate had indeed ended, but he didn't believe the matter was completely over.
"Of course, a man's word is worth a thousand pieces of gold!" Roa nodded earnestly. "Who on Hachinosu Island back then didn't know the name of 'Honest and Trustworthy Young Master Roa'?"
Wang Zhi couldn't help but smile again.
"If I don't sell weapons, I don't sell weapons; it doesn't matter," Roa said leisurely. "When I really want to kill, I can do it even with my fingernails and teeth." Even if he met all of Whitebeard's conditions, so what? Did Whitebeard truly believe Sfenks would calm down? Don't make him laugh.
"You must not underestimate humanity's determination to pursue happiness," Roa sighed softly. Pandora's box had been opened; closing it again wouldn't be so easy. Humans were truly a foolish species. The more you wanted them to change something, the more they might stubbornly resist. After all, the more ignorant and naive people were, the more they liked to defy authority.
"So, you're just going to watch?" Wang Zhi was quite surprised. This was completely unlike Roa's usual way of doing things.
"Originally, just watching would have been enough," Roa said in a helpless tone, "But since you said so, Uncle Wang Zhi, let's give Whitebeard some trouble."
"How about exposing his connection with Sfenks?"
In that case, there would indeed be no need to sell weapons or fan the flames. Whitebeard, I kept my promise, you know.
"What does that have to do with me?" Wang Zhi, suddenly having the blame shifted onto him, was stunned, then couldn't help but click his tongue. "But, kid, are you really not afraid of Newgate coming after you with all his might?" Although the Whitebeard Pirates were considered a very gentle pirate crew and generally wouldn't actively seek trouble with anyone, Newgate had accumulated quite a few enemies over the years. If his feelings for Sfenks were truly exposed, it was hard to imagine what that country would endure. Whitebeard would go crazy. There was no doubt about that.
"He wouldn't dare," Roa answered nonchalantly. Whitebeard still had so many children to take care of, and now Sfenks as well. Why would he risk his life?
"Hahahaha," Wang Zhi laughed heartily. Just moments ago, he'd called Roa audacious, but in fact, he'd underestimated the kid.
"Do as you please," Wang Zhi shrugged. "That's all I can do. I can't control what you do next, since you two have been at odds from the start." He said that, but his lips were practically reaching his ears. He was looking forward to it.
"Because Whitebeard is truly a very annoying person," Roa said, displeased. "He possesses overwhelming power, yet he does nothing."
"Isn't that too much of a waste? He could make the whole world tremble in fear!"
"..." Wang Zhi clicked his tongue. Was he even speaking human language? Was this really why he disliked Newgate? In other words, Roa didn't care about Newgate's animosity towards him from the beginning? No, if it was Roa, he might even be hoping Newgate would do something because of his dislike for him.
Roa said with an expectant look, "After everything is exposed, something very interesting might happen." To protect his homeland, would Whitebeard always stay in Sfenks, making that country his base? Or, like in the future Four Emperors era, would he leave a flag as a deterrent? Either way, a good show would unfold. At this stage, the Whitebeard Pirates' influence was still weak, so a flag alone might not be enough to deter enemies. And if he stayed in Sfenks, with Whitebeard choosing to help the king maintain the situation, perhaps it wouldn't be long before he experienced what it felt like to be abandoned by his own people. Truly, something to look forward to.
What a terrifying kid, Wang Zhi mused after seeing the expectant look on Roa's face. He certainly didn't want to be Roa's enemy.
"Let's go, Uncle Wang Zhi, it's my turn to host you," Roa turned around. "Field, is the feast ready?"
"Of course, Boss! Your favorite banquet is ready!"
"Good!"
The next day, newspapers detailing the battle that took place on Gynea Island were flying everywhere. It was initially just a local New World newspaper, but it quickly spread, being reprinted by media worldwide. Soon, everyone knew that two former Rocks Pirates executives had engaged in an intense battle the day before. The newspaper claimed that Whitebeard and Roa fought to a draw, and their battle almost destroyed half the island, truly living up to their bounties as three-billion-berry pirates.
Besides the battle itself, another important piece of information was that the reason for the conflict was related to Whitebeard's hometown, Sfenks. It was said that Whitebeard cared deeply for his hometown and, mistakenly believing it had been damaged by Roa, attacked in a rage. However, thankfully, their misunderstanding was resolved through Wang Zhi's mediation, and the former comrades made peace.
When the first newspaper began circulating widely in the New World, the Five Elders were already gathered again in Pangaea Castle, Mary Geoise.
"Roa and Whitebeard went to war?"
"We've sent someone to Gynea Island to confirm. It's almost certainly true."
"So, that guy Roa already has the power to fight Whitebeard?"
"More importantly, what is his relationship with Whitebeard now? If they've already formed an alliance—"
"Quickly send people to Sfenks. We must find out exactly why they went to war!"
Almost simultaneously.
The Whitebeard Pirates, currently returning to Sfenks, also bought a newspaper from the News Coo. The moment they finished reading it, everyone's expressions changed.
"Pops?" Marco looked at Whitebeard with concern. His unease had been fully confirmed.
"That bastard!!" Whitebeard's fury immediately flared. The sea instantly raged, giant waves surging one after another.
"Roa!!" Although there was no concrete evidence, it could only be Roa!
"Pops!" Vista the Flower Sword was filled with indignation. "Should we turn back?"
But. Whitebeard was silent for a moment.
"Speed up and return to Sfenks." That country was about to face a huge crisis!
A few days later, still Pangaea Castle, still the Five Elders. Elite government agents had already made a trip to Sfenks. After receiving their investigation results, the Five Elders were once again, having another meeting.
"Because of that rebellion in Sfenks? Does Whitebeard think Roa was behind it?"
"It's unclear whether Roa was fanning the flames, but Whitebeard went looking for the mastermind behind the weapon sales, and then Roa appeared."
"Roa said he was a weapons dealer a long time ago. Now it seems he wasn't lying!"
"Meaning, the rebellions in other New World countries were most likely his doing as well."
"Whether he instigated the rebellions is still debatable, but he's definitely supplying the weapons!"
"Is it only the New World? Was he secretly supporting the people of Flevance in the North Blue? We couldn't figure out who had the guts or why, but now it's clear. Don't forget his ability; Stussy said that human suffering is his nourishment for evolution!"
"Precisely! Looking at it this way, it's definitely him!"
"What a crazy kid. Is his ultimate goal to drag the entire world into a quagmire?"
"Not just crazy, but he has accumulated immense power without our knowledge! He can easily destabilize numerous countries!"
"Expose this news! Make him a target! Let the whole world help us uncover what that guy is hiding!"
"Seconded!"
"However, I believe we cannot reveal the true nature of Roa's ability! Otherwise, how many people would be terrified by his power?"
The Five Elders considered this and agreed. The more people feared and suffered, the more Roa would thrive—a negative feedback loop.
So, soon.
Roa also saw the newspaper.
"Wow, I've been exposed too."
The newspaper's headline read:
"The Most Evil in History!"