More than nine hundred years ago, the world was not divided into countless islands like it is today.
At that time, the world consisted of a single massive continent.
Nearly every island that exists in the Pirate World today once belonged to that ancient landmass. It stretched across the seas on a scale that people of the present era could hardly imagine.
And upon that continent, there existed an enormous kingdom.
The entire continent and the seas surrounding it were under the rule of that kingdom. It was the center of civilization during that era.
The ruler of that nation was a man known as Joy Boy.
He was remembered as a liberator, a man who brought freedom and laughter to the world.
Under his rule, the kingdom flourished.
Unlike most of the kingdoms that exist in the Pirate World today, that ancient nation was built upon equality and freedom. Its people lived peaceful lives, without oppression or deceit.
Wars between nations were almost unheard of.
There was no tyranny, no exploitation, and no endless struggles for power.
The citizens lived prosperous and joyful lives, and laughter could often be heard throughout the land.
The moment Rolan spoke these words, it felt as if a massive bomb had exploded within a calm sea.
The entire Pirate World erupted into chaos.
"What did he just say? One continent? That is impossible!"
"How large would that continent have been?"
"If such a place existed, how did it disappear?"
"Could an entire continent really vanish?"
"And that kingdom, did it survive or was it destroyed?"
Countless people stared at their Den Den Mushi screens in disbelief.
The idea that every island in the world once belonged to a single continent sounded completely absurd.
At the same time, Rolan's words caused a tremendous disturbance in Marineford.
Naturally, Rolan understood that such information would shock anyone who heard it.
However, he showed no hesitation.
His voice remained calm as he continued speaking.
"In that ancient kingdom, the people did not merely live peacefully. Their standard of living was extremely high, far beyond what most people experience today."
"They lived in abundance."
"At the same time, their technological development had reached a level that far surpassed the current Pirate World."
Many people listening could not help but hold their breath.
Technology beyond the modern world?
That sounded unbelievable.
Rolan continued.
"The ancient weapons known today as Uranus, Pluton, and Poseidon all originated from that kingdom."
"They were not simply legends. They were powerful weapons created through advanced technology."
"They served as the ultimate defensive force of that kingdom."
Even the world's most brilliant scientist could not compare to them.
"Even Vegapunk, who is said to possess technology three hundred years ahead of the world, cannot reach the technological level of that ancient kingdom."
"In truth, Vegapunk only managed to achieve his current accomplishments because he studied some ruins left behind by that civilization."
---
Egghead Island, New World
This island was known as the world's greatest center of technology.
Advanced inventions could be seen everywhere.
Within the enormous research facility located at the center of the island, a strange looking old man stood before a large screen.
His head was shaped like an apple, and his tongue hung out slightly as he stared at the broadcast.
This man was Dr. Vegapunk.
For the first time in a long while, a noticeable change appeared in his expression.
"Rolan..."
Vegapunk muttered quietly.
"Who exactly is this man?"
Before this moment, he had paid very little attention to Rolan.
Even when Rolan appeared at Marineford, Vegapunk had remained focused on his research.
He had been studying something extremely important that the World Government referred to as the "Seed".
However, Rolan's words had now captured his full attention.
Vegapunk had also been researching the lost history of the world.
The Blank Century.
So he watched the screen carefully.
He wanted to hear what Rolan would reveal next.
---
Rolan lightly cleared his throat and continued speaking.
"This kingdom should have existed forever."
"Its people should have continued living peaceful and prosperous lives."
"But everything changed one day."
"A man appeared."
"This man united the military forces of twenty different nations that were originally under the rule of the ancient kingdom."
"And then he betrayed that kingdom."
The entire world fell silent.
"A massive war broke out."
"The allied forces of the twenty nations launched an unprecedented assault against the ancient kingdom."
"This alliance was extremely powerful."
"But their strength was not the most dangerous part."
"They were cunning."
"They used deception and schemes to gain advantages during the war."
Rolan's voice remained steady.
"They managed to seize Uranus, the most powerful of the three ancient weapons."
"And they turned it against the very kingdom that created it."
Gasps could be heard across the world.
"They also used trickery to cause several of Joy Boy's companions to betray him."
That revelation shocked many listeners.
Joy Boy had been betrayed by his own allies.
"The war lasted for decades."
"In the end, the ancient kingdom was defeated."
---
Mary Geoise, Pangu Castle
Inside the highest authority of the world.
Five elderly figures sat within the chamber.
They were the Five Elders.
One of them spoke with a grim expression.
"It seems this man knows far too much."
The one known as Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes.
"Who exactly is this Rolan?"
Another elder spoke coldly.
"Nico Robin, the Devil Child, is on his ship."
"They must have deciphered the poneglyph."
A third elder slowly stood up.
"We must report this matter to Imu-sama."
The others nodded without hesitation.
"I agree."
"I agree."
"I agree."
The five elders rose together and walked toward the chamber of the Empty Throne.
Interestingly, none of them showed any reaction to the destruction of the God's Knights during the battle at Marineford.
To beings who had lived for centuries, the lives of ordinary humans meant very little.
---
Back in Marineford, Rolan continued his explanation.
"Although the ancient kingdom was defeated, its legacy was not erased."
"They understood that the victors would attempt to erase the truth."
"So they took measures to preserve history."
"The Kozuki Family, masters of extraordinary craftsmanship, engraved the history of that one hundred year period onto massive stone tablets."
"These stones were specially created."
"They cannot be destroyed by weapons."
"They cannot be damaged by time."
"They are indestructible."
"Those stone tablets were scattered throughout the Pirate World."
"So that one day, someone would gather them together and reveal the truth to the world."
Rolan paused briefly.
"And those stone tablets are what we now call the Poneglyphs."
---
The reaction across the world was mixed.
Many people simply looked confused.
"What is he talking about?"
"Poneglyphs?"
"I have never heard of such a thing."
Only a very small number of people truly understood what Rolan was referring to.
Among them was Donquixote Doflamingo.
A twisted smile spread across his face.
"Fufufufu..."
"So that woman really deciphered them."
His tone carried a mixture of amusement and excitement.
Meanwhile, Sengoku frowned deeply.
Even as a former Fleet Admiral, he had never heard such detailed information about the lost history.
---
Rolan allowed a short silence to settle before continuing.
"During the war between the ancient kingdom and the twenty allied nations, the world itself began to change."
"The sea level slowly rose."
"Little by little, the enormous continent began to sink beneath the ocean."
"The land was gradually swallowed by the sea."
"In the end, only the highest regions of that continent remained above the water."
"And those remnants became the islands we know today."
The world had never heard such a theory before.
Rolan continued calmly.
"After defeating the ancient kingdom, the rulers of the twenty nations relocated to Mary Geoise."
"They established a new regime."
"The organization that would eventually rule the entire world."
"The World Government."
"They were aware that the ancient kingdom had recorded the truth on the poneglyphs."
"So they made a strict decision."
"No one would be allowed to study those stones."
"Anyone who attempted to decipher them would be eliminated."
His eyes remained indifferent.
"And that is the real reason why Ohara was destroyed."
---
A Forest Island in the New World
Along the coastline of a dense island forest, a gigantic figure leaned against a cliff.
He belonged to the Giant Race.
A Den Den Mushi sat beside him, broadcasting Rolan's voice from Marineford.
The giant listened quietly.
Then his massive fists slowly tightened.
"So that is why..."
His eyes gradually turned red.
"You launched the Buster Call on Ohara..."
His voice trembled with anger.
"Just because you were afraid the truth would be exposed..."
"You burned innocent scholars alive."
Large tears streamed down his face.
Each one was the size of a washbasin.
"Dr. Clover..."
"You believed the truth would one day save the world..."
He wiped his tears roughly.
Then he forced out a laugh.
"No."
"I cannot keep crying."
"I have to keep living."
"Dereshishishi..."
"Dereshishishi..."
His laughter echoed through the forest, though sadness still lingered within it.
---
Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle
Before the Empty Throne, five figures slowly appeared.
The highest rulers of the World Government had arrived.
And the truth that had been buried for eight hundred years was beginning to surface once again.
---