"So, what was it you wanted to tell me only after sending Perona and the others away?" Moria asked Jake, his body slightly tense.
Though he didn't know Jake's true intentions, the fact that the other man had dismissed his top subordinates already made Moria uneasy.
Still, considering Jake's strength and the safety of Perona and Absalom, Moria had let the two leave.
As for Hogback, his loyalty was questionable at best, and he had already excused himself without being asked.
Jake looked at Moria and said softly, "Relax. It's nothing bad—just some news regarding the Celestial Dragons. You must have heard what I discussed with Whitebeard earlier, right?"
"So what if I did?"
"If you heard it, then until every last Celestial Dragon is dead, you absolutely must stand on our side. I'm laying all my cards on the table—can you handle that price?"
Hearing Jake's words, Moria's lingering unease finally settled somewhat.
He met Jake's gaze, nodded slowly, and said, "If that's all, then I can agree. But you didn't need to send Perona and the others away for this. They're different from others. Even if following me would one day mean death, they'd stand by me without hesitation."
Jake smiled and nodded in response and said.
"They do seem like a rather impressive bunch of comrades, but I haven't finished what I wanted to say. From what I understand, the Shadow Fruit can cut off the shadows of powerful individuals and forcibly consume them. The memories and combat abilities of the original shadow owners seem to be inherited as well, correct?"
Upon hearing this, Moria nodded.
He glanced at Jake and then said.
"You seem to know quite a lot. The Shadow-Shadow Fruit does indeed have that capability, but the consequences are severe. If you don't have a strong enough willpower to resist the erosion of those shadows, you might end up having your body consumed by them.
Kishishishi, but someone like you probably doesn't need to worry about that, right? With your current strength alone, you should already be able to crush the vast majority of people on these seas."
Jake merely smiled at this and replied.
"The enemies we're facing are far more terrifying than you imagine. It involves the void in the world's history. Since you once dreamed of becoming the Pirate King, you must have some knowledge about that, right?"
At this point, Moria's expression changed slightly.
He looked at Jake with a grave face and said.
"The void century... I have indeed come across mentions of it in some places, but I never had an archaeologist around who could decipher the texts. However, I've heard from others that it seems to concern the very foundation of the current world government's rule."
"Exactly. If the truth of that void year were exposed, the World Government that currently rules these seas might lose its legitimate authority. I've heard some rumors that long, long ago, this world didn't have so much ocean.
All the continents were connected, but one day, dozens of countries united to attack a certain enormous nation. In that battle, the entire landmass was shattered, with many parts sinking into the sea. The sea level rose by dozens of meters because of that war.
That very conflict created the world as we know it today. Now, if the Shadow-Shadow Fruit can replicate both the personality and abilities of a shadow's original owner, then theoretically, you should also be able to excavate and replicate the shadow's memories.
What I want is to capture a powerful being who knows about those events and use your ability to make his shadow tell us what really happened centuries ago.
That's the real purpose I wanted to discuss with you."
Hearing Jake's words, Moria felt his long-dormant heart suddenly surge with vitality again.
He looked at Jake and said:
"You... are you really a Marine? Are all Marines as crazy as you these days? Kishishishi! Have I been out of this era for too long? Has the world really become this strange?"
Watching Moria's somewhat exaggerated expression, Jake simply smiled and said.
"The times are always changing, but the changes in this era will be a storm powerful enough to overturn the entire World Government. If we can survive this storm, you and I will undoubtedly leave our mark in the legends of future generations."
"Kishishishi, what an interesting little Marine brat. If things truly unfold as you predict, then even if I die, I won't have any regrets. Of course, that's only if I can rescue my comrades imprisoned by Kaido first."
To this, Jake nodded and said.
"Don't worry. Soon enough, we will launch an expedition against Kaido. If Kaido refuses to cooperate with us, he will undoubtedly die before the Celestial Dragons. Believe me, Moria, in the face of the Marine Headquarters at its peak, no Pirate crew in this world stands a chance!"
"The largest, most overwhelming force of violence in this world should rightfully be the Marines!"
Moria stared at the ambition burning in Jake's eyes, feeling his blood boil.
This was the kind of life he had been seeking!
How long had it been since he last wore such an expression after his defeat by Kaido?
Even Moria himself couldn't remember.
But he knew one thing—if he were to meet his old comrades in this state, they would surely be unable to contain themselves!
"Kishishi, Jake, you're the most unexpected and pleasantly surprising person I've ever met in my life! If you weren't a Marine but the captain of some Pirate crew, I might genuinely be willing to serve under your fleet."
"Even as a Marine, that doesn't stop you from doing so. Do you know why I'm doing all this?"
"So the Marines can become the new rulers of the world?"
Jake shook his head at this.
Then, under Moria's slightly stunned gaze, he uttered words that Moria would never forget for the rest of his life:
"The rulers of this world shouldn't be the Marines, nor should they be Pirates—and least of all the Celestial Dragons. There is only one rightful ruler: the countless people living in this world."