Chapter 17: The Classified Truth
Year 1516 - Revolutionary Safe House, Unknown Location
ARC 2: EXPANSION
The folder sat on Aiko's lap, impossibly heavy despite containing only paper.
He'd been staring at it for ten minutes, his hand hovering over the cover stamped with Revolutionary Army seals and the words: CLASSIFIED - WORLD GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE - EYES ONLY
Dragon had warned him: Once you read this, you become a greater threat than you already are.
Isra sat across from him, along with Sadi, Kiara, and his core crew. They'd all agreed—if they were going to read secrets that could get them killed, they'd do it together.
"Ready?" Aiko asked.
"No," Isra replied honestly. "But let's do it anyway."
Aiko opened the folder.
The first page was a organizational chart—the kind Marines used to show command structure. But this one was... wrong. Inverted. The structure went deeper than it should, with layers beneath what any Marine would recognize.
At the top: PUBLIC FACE
Fleet Admiral Sengoku The Three Admirals Vice Admirals Marine Forces
One level down: ACTUAL AUTHORITY
The Five Elders (Gorosei) Commander-in-Chief Kong Cipher Pol 0 (True CP0, not assassins) Special Science Group (SSG)
And below that, in Dragon's handwriting, a single line with a question mark:
??? - Rumors of someone above the Elders. No confirmed sightings. Existence disputed even among Revolutionary high command.
Aiko's finger traced that line. Someone above the Five Elders—the same thing Dragon had mentioned before. Someone who'd existed for centuries, maintaining control from the shadows.
"That's impossible," Koji said, reading over his shoulder. "No one lives for centuries without being known. Even Devil Fruits that grant immortality would be documented."
"Unless," Sadi said quietly, "the documentation itself is suppressed. If someone has controlled the World Government for eight hundred years, they'd have the power to erase themselves from history."
Aiko turned the page.
SECTION 1: THE VOID CENTURY (Years 100-200 of Current Calendar)
What We Know:
100 years of history completely erased from official records Any research into this period punishable by death (Ohara incident) The World Government was established immediately after this period Twenty kingdoms united to form current system Something happened during this century that the WG desperately hides
What We Suspect:
A great kingdom existed before the World Government This kingdom possessed advanced technology and knowledge The twenty kingdoms didn't "unite" peacefully—they conquered The Void Century's erasure isn't about hiding history, but hiding a crime The "D" clan was connected to the destroyed kingdom
Aiko's breath caught. The D clan. Monkey D. Luffy, Monkey D. Dragon, Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace—all carried that initial. And according to this, they were descendants of... what? A destroyed civilization?
"This is why they killed the Ohara scholars," he said quietly. "Not because researching history is dangerous, but because the truth about the World Government's founding would delegitimize their entire authority."
"It gets worse," Isra said, having read ahead. "Look at Section 2."
SECTION 2: THE ANCIENT WEAPONS
Confirmed to Exist:
Pluton: Battleship capable of destroying islands, blueprints believed destroyed Poseidon: Unknown nature, possibly related to Sea Kings Uranus: Completely unknown, no verified information
Theory:
These weapons were created during the Void Century The great kingdom possessed them or knowledge of them The World Government desperately seeks them Whoever controls all three could theoretically challenge WG authority This is why Poneglyphs (indestructible historical records) are illegal
"Ancient weapons that can destroy islands," Marcus said. "And the World Government wants them. Why? If they already control everything..."
"Because they're afraid," Aiko realized. "They destroyed a kingdom eight hundred years ago, erased it from history, and built their power on that crime. But if someone found those weapons, found proof of what really happened, their legitimacy collapses."
He turned more pages, each one revealing another layer of the conspiracy:
SECTION 3: THE CELESTIAL DRAGONS
Descendants of the twenty kingdoms' rulers Possess authority above all laws Can own slaves legally Killing one summons an Admiral automatically Note: They're not just privileged—they're considered literally divine. Why?
SECTION 4: CIPHER POL TRUE STRUCTURE
CP1-CP8: Standard intelligence/operations (what Marines know about) CP9: Assassination specialists (barely known) CP0: The real power—personal guard and intelligence for Celestial Dragons CP-AEGIS: Rumored absolute black ops, existence unconfirmed All answer directly to the Five Elders, bypassing Marine authority
SECTION 5: THE WILL OF D
D clan members appear throughout history Often oppose World Government despite different backgrounds Commonly possess Conqueror's Haki Called "natural enemies of the Gods" in restricted documents Gold Roger (Gol D. Roger) knew something about the Void Century Left his treasure "One Piece" at the end of the Grand Line Theory: One Piece isn't treasure—it's truth
Aiko set down the folder, his mind reeling. Everything he'd believed about the world's structure, about the Marines' purpose, about justice itself—it was built on lies. Eight hundred years of lies.
"There's more," Sadi said, handing him pages from the back of the folder. "Dragon's personal notes. Recent intelligence."
Aiko read:
Personal Assessment - Dragon
The World Government isn't just corrupt—it's built on genocide. Eight hundred years ago, the twenty kingdoms destroyed a great civilization, erased its existence, and built their authority on that crime. The Celestial Dragons aren't nobles—they're the descendants of war criminals who crowned themselves gods.
The Void Century's history is hidden because it would prove that the "Government" is actually a usurping force. The true legitimate authority was destroyed, and we've been living under illegitimate rulers for centuries.
This is why they fear the D clan—because we remember. Not consciously, perhaps, but in our blood, our will, our instinct to oppose tyranny. We are the descendants of those who resisted eight hundred years ago.
And we will resist again.
Aiko looked up at his crew, seeing his own shock reflected in their faces.
"Dragon has the D initial," Kiara said softly. "He's part of this ancient bloodline. Is that why he started the Revolutionary Army? Because of inherited memory or instinct?"
"Maybe," Aiko replied. "Or maybe he just learned the truth and couldn't ignore it. Like we can't ignore it now."
Yuki spoke up, her voice hard. "What do we do with this information? If we expose it publicly, the World Government will deny everything. They'll call it Revolutionary propaganda."
"And they'll come after us with everything they have," Doc added. "We're already 'Enemies of Humanity.' This would make us targets for elimination at any cost."
"We're already targets," Isra countered. "Aiko's bounty is 800 million. We escaped Impel Down. We wounded an Admiral. They're going to try to kill us anyway. The question is whether we do it while knowing the truth or while ignorant."
"Isra's right," Aiko said. He felt something settling inside him—a final piece of understanding clicking into place. "We've been fighting symptoms—corrupt Marines, unjust orders, slavery, oppression. But now we understand the disease. The World Government isn't broken—it's working exactly as designed. Maintaining power through violence, secrecy, and fear."
He stood, despite Doc's protest that he should rest. "Call everyone. All crew members, the freed Impel Down prisoners, Sadi's Revolutionary contacts. Everyone needs to hear this."
"Are you sure?" Sadi asked. "This knowledge is dangerous—"
"Which is exactly why everyone needs it. They deserve to know what they're really fighting for." Aiko looked at the folder, at eight hundred years of hidden truth. "We're not just rebel Marines anymore. We're not just revolutionaries. We're the inheritors of a fight that's been going on for centuries. The fight against an illegitimate power that crowned itself through genocide and maintains itself through lies."
An hour later, over a hundred people crowded into the safe house's largest room. Aiko stood before them, the classified folder in hand, and told them everything.
The Void Century. The destroyed kingdom. The Ancient Weapons. The Will of D. The foundation of the World Government on blood and lies.
By the time he finished, the room was silent.
Finally, one of the freed prisoners—a former pirate named Hendricks—spoke: "So everything we've been told about the World Government... about their right to rule... it's all built on a lie?"
"Yes."
"And this 'Divine Right' of the Celestial Dragons is just propaganda to justify their ancestors' war crimes?"
"Yes."
"And the Marines—the organization you served, that we fought against—are unknowingly enforcing a system built on eight-hundred-year-old genocide?"
"Yes."
Hendricks looked at the others, then back at Aiko. "Then we're not criminals. We're resistance fighters. The World Government are the real pirates—they just have better PR."
Nervous laughter rippled through the room, but Aiko saw understanding in many eyes. They'd all been called criminals, traitors, enemies of humanity. But now they understood—they were only enemies of a system that had no legitimate authority to begin with.
"What's our objective?" Kiara asked. She'd been taking notes, her strategic mind already working on implications. "If the World Government is built on lies, how do we expose them? How do we fight eight hundred years of established power?"
"We do what they fear most," Aiko replied. "We find proof. Physical evidence of the Void Century, of what really happened. The Poneglyphs that they made illegal to read—we find them, decipher them, and broadcast the truth to the world."
"That's insane," Marcus said. "Those are scattered across the entire Grand Line, guarded, hidden, and we'd need someone who can read the ancient language—"
"Nico Robin," Sadi interrupted. "The only person in the world who can read Poneglyphs. She escaped the Ohara incident as a child. The World Government has been hunting her for twenty years."
"Then we find her before they do," Aiko decided. "We offer her protection in exchange for her knowledge. We locate the Poneglyphs, learn their secrets, and gather evidence that even the World Government can't deny."
"They'll kill us," someone said from the back. "They destroyed an entire island to stop this knowledge from spreading. What makes you think we'll succeed where Ohara failed?"
"Because Ohara was alone," Aiko replied. "They were scholars, not fighters. They had knowledge but no power to protect it. We have both. We have Marines trained in combat, Revolutionary Army operatives, and people from across the world who've been hurt by this system. We're not isolated scholars—we're a movement."
"And because," Dragon's voice came from the doorway, making everyone turn, "you have allies. The Revolutionary Army will support this. Finding and deciphering the Poneglyphs aligns with our goals perfectly."
The Revolutionary leader entered, Belo Betty and Bartholomew Kuma behind him. "We've been gathering fragments of historical truth for years, but never had the strength to push for complete revelation. Together, we might actually accomplish what seemed impossible—exposing eight hundred years of lies."
"There's risk," Dragon continued, his expression serious. "The moment we start actively hunting Poneglyphs, the World Government will know our objective. They'll send everything—Admirals, CP0, possibly even forces most people don't believe exist. We could lose everything."
"We've already lost everything," Aiko replied. "The moment we chose conscience over convenience, we gave up normal lives. The question isn't whether to fight, but how effectively to fight. And fighting with truth as our weapon—that's the most effective strategy I can imagine."
Dragon smiled—a rare expression. "Then we have an accord. The Revolutionary Army will share our intelligence on Poneglyph locations. You bring your ability to inspire people within the system itself. Together, we'll do what neither of us could do alone—tear down eight hundred years of tyranny and build something better in its place."
"What about Im?" Aiko asked, catching Dragon off-guard. "The person above the Five Elders. The one who's supposedly existed for centuries. Shouldn't we account for them?"
"You believe those rumors?" Dragon looked surprised.
"After everything in that folder? After learning the World Government is built on genocide? Yes, I believe someone could have lived for eight hundred years maintaining this system. And I believe that person is the real enemy—not the Elders, not the Admirals, but whoever's been pulling strings since the beginning."
Dragon was quiet for a moment. "If you're right—if there truly is someone with that kind of longevity and power—then our fight is even more dangerous than I thought. Because that person would have eight centuries of experience in crushing rebellions, eliminating threats, and maintaining control."
"Then we'll just have to be better than eight centuries of resistance movements," Aiko replied simply.
"Arrogant," Dragon observed. "But I like it. Very well, Snow Admiral. You focus on finding Nico Robin and the Poneglyphs. We'll provide intelligence, resources, and backup. And together..." He extended his hand. "We'll rewrite history. The true history, not the lies they've been teaching."
Aiko shook his hand, sealing the alliance.
As the meeting dispersed, people splitting into groups to discuss implications and plan next steps, Isra pulled Aiko aside.
"You realize what we just committed to?" she said quietly. "This isn't just fighting corrupt Marines anymore. We're trying to expose and overthrow the fundamental structure of world governance. That's..."
"Revolution," Aiko finished. "Complete, total revolution. Not just changing who's in charge, but proving they never had legitimate authority to begin with."
"And you think we can actually do this? A hundred rebels against eight hundred years of established power?"
"No." Aiko looked at his crew, at the freed prisoners who'd become allies, at the Revolutionary soldiers who'd joined their cause. "But I think a thousand can. Ten thousand. Eventually, millions. Because once people understand the truth—once they realize the World Government's authority is built on lies—they'll join us. Not all at once, but steadily, inevitably."
"That's a long game. We might not live to see it."
"Probably not. But we'll start it. We'll light the fire. And even if we fall, others will carry it forward." Aiko smiled slightly. "That's what really terrifies the World Government. Not strong opponents—they've always had those. But the idea that their authority isn't absolute. That their power can be questioned. That's the real threat."
"Then let's be that threat," Isra said, her expression fierce. "Let's show them that eight hundred years of tyranny ends with us."
Mary Geoise - Im's Chamber
One of the Five Elders stood before Im, delivering his report with evident concern.
"The Snow Admiral has gained access to classified Revolutionary intelligence. We believe he now knows about the Void Century, the Ancient Weapons, and possibly even rumors of your existence, Im-sama."
Im's response was surprisingly calm. "Good."
"Good, Im-sama?"
"Let him know. Let him understand the scope of what he's fighting against. Let him realize he's challenging not just a government but a eight-hundred-year-old system maintained by forces beyond his comprehension." Im turned from the window. "Fear is most effective when the victim understands exactly how hopeless their situation is."
"But if he shares this knowledge—"
"Who will believe him? A rebel Marine calling the World Government illegitimate? That's exactly what rebels do. The masses won't believe it without proof." Im's ancient eyes gleamed. "And we've spent eight centuries ensuring that proof remains hidden, scattered, or destroyed."
"What about the Poneglyphs?"
"The indestructible stones left by our ancient enemies?" Im's smile was cold. "They're precisely why we made reading them a capital crime. Scattered across the Grand Line, most in locations too dangerous for anyone to reach, written in a language only one person alive can read."
"Nico Robin."
"Who we've been hunting for twenty years. If the Snow Admiral tries to find her, he'll be led into a trap. We've had plans for that girl since Ohara." Im walked to the wall of crossed-out wanted posters. "No, let him play historian. Let him search for truth. Every Poneglyph location is monitored. Every step toward revelation is a step toward his own execution."
"And when he gets close to actual answers?"
"Then I personally intervene." Im's presence intensified, the room temperature dropping despite no Devil Fruit power being active. "But I want him to get close first. I want him to believe he's succeeding, that change is possible, that truth will triumph. Let him gather followers, inspire hope, build his little revolution."
"And then crush it completely," the Elder understood.
"Exactly. The lesson must be absolute: there is no truth powerful enough to overcome our authority. No hero strong enough to defy our will. No light bright enough to illuminate what we've kept hidden for eight hundred years."
Im returned to the window, looking out over the world they'd controlled for centuries. "The Snow Admiral will be an example. A warning that lasts another eight hundred years. And this time, we'll ensure no D clan survivors escape to perpetuate resistance."
"We've already marked all known D clan members for elimination, Im-sama. Including Monkey D. Dragon and his son, though the boy is only a child currently."
"Good. When we move against the Snow Admiral, we eliminate the entire D bloodline. Every. Last. One." Im's voice was absolute. "This generation will be their last. And without the Will of D to oppose us, our authority will finally be unquestionable."
In the shadows, Saint Ju Peter dared to ask: "And if the boy proves stronger than expected? If he actually succeeds in finding and revealing the truth?"
Im's laughter was like breaking ice. "Then I will remind the world why I have ruled for eight hundred years. Why nations fell before me. Why even the great kingdom with all its weapons and knowledge could not stand against my power."
"The Snow Admiral will fall. His crew will fall. His followers will fall. And the Revolutionary Army that supports him will be purged from existence. This I promise—on my eight centuries of absolute authority, on the blood of the kingdom I destroyed to build this world, on the very concept of divine right itself..."
Im's eyes flashed with terrible ancient power. "Danzo Aiko's story ends with me. And it ends soon."
END OF CHAPTER 17
Next Chapter: "The Hunt for Nico Robin - Child of Ohara"