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Chapter 116: Straw Hat Disabled Gang
Under the strong suppression of Rogge and the Suzheng Fleet, The Fish Men Island completely got rid of the shadow of unrest in just a few days.
The streets that were once shrouded in black fog and fear are now full of vitality. Murloc and human caravans frequently travel back and forth, cargo ships shuttle through the port, and the market is bustling.
On the high platform, Rogge stood with his hands behind his back, his cloak fluttering in the ocean current.
His gaze penetrated the entire kingdom, as calm as the abyss.
"Report!"
A Marine from the Disciplined Forces trotted over, stood at attention, and saluted, his voice resonant and powerful: "The New World's submarine waterways are completely under control! The pirate strongholds along the route have been completely eliminated, leaving no one behind!"
Rogge nodded slightly, his voice calm, "Very good. Continue to strengthen the garrison and ensure that no Pirates can sneak in."
The soldier took the order solemnly and turned to leave.
Princess Shirahoshi beside him gently pulled the corner of her cloak, looked up at Rogge, and said with a hint of hope for the future:
"Lord Rogge... Can the future of The Fish Men Island really change for the better?"
Rogge did not answer immediately, but just looked quietly at the sacred beam of light in the distance shining through the sea, like hope that penetrated the darkness.
"If you believe it and do it, it will happen."
He glanced sideways at Shirahoshi, his gaze as firm as a rock.
Shirahoshi bit Sakura's lip, his mind recounting the teachings of his father, King Neptune, the last wish of his mother, the princess, and the life in the Hard-Shell Tower that was once filled with fear and humiliation.
She slowly clenched her fists, and for the first time her beautiful amber eyes revealed her determination to no longer rely on others.
——Poseidon's power is not for destruction.
——Instead, it is used to protect all those who yearn for peace in this world.
[Mariejois Holy Land·Hall of Power]
Inside the magnificent hall of power, the air was as heavy as if it had frozen.
The Five Elders sat around a huge obsidian round table, their brows furrowed.
"The fishmen island..." The blond Five Elders slammed the table angrily, his expression sullen. "It was actually brought under the direct jurisdiction of the G-5 by Rogge?!"
"This is a blatant provocation to the authority of the World Government!"
The bald Five Elders said coldly, "The location of the fishmen island has always been a strategic hub between New World and the Red Line!"
"If he controls The Fish Men Island, it will completely cut off our direct interference in the New World!"
The knife-wielding Five Elders' eyes were like knives, and he spoke slowly: "Also, don't forget, The Fish Men Island also hides a heavy bomb..."
"just in case..."
The curly-haired Five Elders tapped his fingers slowly on the tabletop. His voice was deep and husky. "Did he really control the power of 'Poseidon'?"
After these words were spoken, the hall fell into deathly silence.
That terrifying force that destroyed the ancient world was once an existence that even gods feared.
If used by Rogge, the true ruler of the New World will no longer be the World Government, but the G-5 Rectification Fleet.
The Five Elders stared at each other for a moment, their eyes flickering with unspeakable fear and dread.
The blond Five Elders gritted his teeth and said, "Wait until His Highness Im wakes up and makes the judgment!"
The knife-wielding Five Elders slowly drew out the legendary First Generation Kitetsu from his waist, which reflected a cold and gloomy light.
"Hopefully, by then, it will still be too late."
The Red Line above Mariejois seemed shrouded in dark clouds, and an eerie silence descended from the "Void Seat" in the distance...
[Unnamed Island]
A blood moon rose quietly, and its cold light fell on the rocks of the island.
The waves hit the rock walls, and the sound of the waves seemed to be tainted with a hint of solemnity.
Rayleigh sat alone by the campfire, his eyes calm but with a hint of worry.
He shook the wine flask in his hand and sighed, "Roger... the 'freedom' you longed for has now become a shackle for these children."
Not far away on the coast, Luffy stood on a rock, the sea breeze ruffling his tattered red clothes, and his straw hat had long been hung on his back.
The pitch-black Armament Haki wrapped around his right fist, and a faint sense of oppressive heaviness permeated the air.
"Rogge..." he murmured, his voice seeming to come from the abyss.
Zoro on the side brandished the Wado Ichimonji, and the sword energy cut through the night, splashing sharp air currents.
He could already briefly attach Haki to the blade, but he was still one step away from fully mastering the technique.
"Tsk... still a little bit short."
Zoro's brow furrowed, his eyes growing fiercer. "If I can't cut through that guy's air barrier with one sword, what qualifications do I have to call myself a swordsman?"
Usopp was lying on a huge rock, his left mechanical arm bought from the black market reflecting silver light, his eyes fixed on the starry sky.
"The flow of the wind, the trajectory of the bullet, the enemy's heartbeat..."
He closed his eyes and murmured, "Rogge... you owe me, I will definitely use this shot to get it back!"
At the foot of the distant cliff, Nami and Robin stood side by side.
Nami tried hard to steady the weather stick in her hand, the electric light flickered faintly, but she was unable to control the violent thunder.
"Damn it! Why can't I catch that 'Haki' feeling?!"
Nami gritted her teeth and stamped her feet, her silver teeth clenched tightly.
Robin sighed softly, crossed his hands, and carefully sensed the power that had not yet awakened in his body.
"These things are not recorded in the official history texts..." she whispered.
Chopper was trying hard to strengthen his form. He could use his monster form briefly, but his armament color could not cover the entire hoof.
"Am I... so useless..."
Chopper looked down at his hooves, his face filled with frustration.
Rayleigh sat cross-legged by the campfire, shaking the wine jug in his hand, his eyes sweeping over the group of scarred young people in front of him.
"A month."
He said calmly, "You are progressing faster than I imagined."
Luffy sat across from him, the shadow of his straw hat obscuring his eyes, but those pupils that had once been filled with laughter now glowed with an ominous red—the darkened will of Nika was subtly eroding him.
"Not fast enough."
He whispered, clenching his remaining right fist, the dark Armament Haki faintly visible on his skin.
"Haki is just the basics."
He said coldly, "To kill Rogge, this alone is far from enough."
Usopp sat aside, holding tightly in his right hand an ancient-looking sniper rifle - it was a relic of his father Yasopp that he got from the Red Hair Pirates.
"Observation Haki... I can feel it."
Rayleigh nodded slightly. "Your observation Haki is quite good, but hatred can make you lose your composure."
Usopp's eyes snapped open, rage burning in them. "Rogge killed my father! How can I possibly remain calm?!"
Rayleigh looked at them and sighed. "Haki can't be mastered by brute force. It requires 'awakening'."
"Enlightenment?" Nami frowned.
"right."
Rayleigh stood up and walked slowly to them, his voice like a loud bell striking everyone's heart.
"Do you know...what a truly strong person is?"
The surroundings suddenly became quiet.
Rayleigh's eyes were sharp as he slowly scanned the crowd.
"A truly strong person is never born out of hatred, but becomes stronger in order to protect what is important."
Luffy slowly turned his head, the red light in his eyes flickering slightly in the moonlight.
"guard?"
He chuckled softly, "I can't even protect the most important person...so what else can I talk about protecting?"
Usopp snorted, "Stop talking nonsense... What's the point of guarding if we can't kill Rogge?"
Zoro lowered his head in silence, but his fingers were still stroking the knife in his hand. For a moment he seemed to think of a certain yellow-haired man.
Rayleigh was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Hatred can be a driving force, but it can also be a shackle."
"The truly strong are not driven by hatred, but transcend it."
Luffy didn't answer, but stood up and walked towards the distant shore.
Zoro glanced at him, then continued sharpening his blade.
Usopp gripped his sniper rifle tightly and whispered, "Beyond hatred? Haha... Wait until I kill Rogge."
Rayleigh sighed and tilted his head back to take the last sip of his drink.
"Hatred is a double-edged sword, children... You are standing on the edge of an abyss."
Rayleigh looked at their backs, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"These children...are being swallowed by darkness."
On an unknown island, Luffy stood alone on the shore, looking at the dark sea.
His fists slowly clenched, Armament Haki burning like flames.
"Rye..."
"Just wait...we'll see you soon."
The sea breeze howled, rolling up waves, as if responding to his oath.