The Marines, pirates, and viewers watching the broadcast—those not overwhelmed by Rōmu's aura—
were all thinking about the same thing.
The words Rōmu had spoken earlier.
The Thirteen Purple-Gold Kings.
"Didn't Sengoku say that at the end it was nine of them fighting Rōmu?"
"So where did these thirteen Purple-Gold Kings suddenly come from?"
"Which version is actually the truth?"
Before this war, people had placed unconditional trust in the World Government and the Marines.
After all, they represented justice.
Their duty was to protect the safety of the people.
But now—
Sengoku had declared earlier that Rōmu had been killed.
Yet Rōmu had just appeared alive before the entire world.
That contradiction had already planted the first seed of doubt.
Still—
most people subconsciously hoped Sengoku could provide an explanation.
At that moment, countless eyes turned toward the execution platform.
Toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sengoku's face had grown extremely dark.
Not long ago, he had even been proud of himself.
He had taken that humiliating history and twisted it into a story that increased the Navy's prestige.
But now—
with Rōmu's appearance—
all of that buried history was about to be dragged back into the light.
And the worst part?
Moments ago, he had lied to the entire world.
As the Fleet Admiral of the Navy.
"Ha… ha…"
Under Rōmu's pressure and the gaze of millions watching him, Sengoku's teeth clenched so tightly they almost creaked.
He knew everyone was waiting for his explanation.
But he refused to speak.
For the sake of the justice he believed in—
Sengoku would never allow that humiliating past to come from his own mouth.
That would be worse than killing him.
"Heh. The Navy's sense of justice really is flexible."
Rōmu's cold eyes swept across the Marine high command.
"When it benefits you, you deceive the public again and again."
"But when it damages your reputation…"
"You suddenly go silent."
His voice was calm.
Yet every single person present heard it clearly—
as if the words had been spoken directly inside their minds.
"Did the World Government deceive us?"
"Was Sengoku lying earlier?"
"Is the truth about the battle forty years ago different?"
The voices of the crowd grew louder and louder.
People watching the broadcast stared at Sengoku, hoping for answers.
But Sengoku remained silent.
Even some elderly spectators who had experienced that era simply shook their heads.
They didn't know the truth either.
But they were just as eager to hear it.
Rōmu's intention was simple.
He wanted the authority and prestige the World Government had built over forty years to collapse in a single moment.
Defeating them physically was one thing.
But destroying their reputation in front of the entire world—
that was far more interesting.
He intended to strip away the secrets the World Government had hidden—
and expose them naked before humanity.
Kill the body. Break the spirit.
Meanwhile—
the Five Elders' expressions changed drastically when Rōmu mentioned the Thirteen Purple-Gold Kings.
A memory surfaced in their minds.
The final moment of the God Valley battle.
A colossal figure cloaked in jet-black Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki—
like a demon rising from hell.
Around him floated tens of thousands of energy spheres like stars in the sky.
Those spheres crashed toward the Thirteen Silver-Armored Knights.
The collision unleashed a terrifying wave of power.
God Valley itself sank beneath the sea.
And in that explosion—
both Rōmu and the thirteen knights vanished.
"Rōmu clearly died in that attack!"
The white-haired elder's face twisted with hatred.
"Why… why is he still alive?!"
But the kimono-clad elder forced himself to calm down.
"His survival no longer matters."
His voice was cold.
"His mere appearance has already shaken the Navy's morale."
If they lost their composure now—
they might as well surrender.
"Rōmu will definitely reveal the truth of that buried history."
"We cannot allow the World Government's authority to be judged by the world!"
The elder placed his hand on the hilt of the First Generation Kitetsu.
"We attack first."
"Break his rhythm."
The other four elders nodded.
Their auras erupted instantly.
"Wait."
Suddenly the kimono-clad elder shouted softly.
He looked down at his legs.
Two glowing green hands had appeared around his ankles—
locking him firmly in place.
The hands were almost transparent.
Without careful observation, they were nearly impossible to notice.
Faint streams of energy flowed inside them.
"Since when…?!"
The elder's expression changed.
The other four elders quickly realized—
their situation was exactly the same.
They all raised their heads simultaneously.
Their eyes locked onto Rōmu.
Rōmu simply smiled faintly.
He had set the trap the moment he appeared—
taking advantage of the Five Elders' shock.
Normally such a trick wouldn't have worked.
But Rōmu knew his sudden return would disrupt their composure.
That brief moment of hesitation—
was enough.
The trap wouldn't hold them for long.
But it was sufficient.
Long enough for him to reveal the truth to the world.
"Damn it!"
The Five Elders poured their strength into their legs, trying to break free.
But it wasn't easy.
After forty years—
Rōmu had grown far beyond the level they once remembered.
Ignoring them, Rōmu turned his gaze toward the other Marine powerhouses.
Anyone whose eyes met his felt their spine turn cold—
as if a snake were crawling across their back.
It felt like standing at the edge of death.
"Why haven't the Five Elders attacked yet?"
Sengoku said grimly.
If this continued, the situation would only become worse for the World Government.
Steel Bone Kong replied calmly.
"They must be waiting for the right moment."
"We shouldn't act recklessly and disrupt their plan."
Sengoku nodded.
For now, that explanation made the most sense.
Meanwhile—
Rōmu slowly smiled.
"Since you've all chosen to remain silent…"
"I'll tell the story myself."
"About that battle."
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