The Truth of the World

"National Treasure."

The moment those two words were uttered, it seemed as if even the wind froze.

The air was still on the Scorched Earth after the fire, with only ashes being carried by the wind across the ruins of the Battlefield.

Roy's pupils contracted slightly.

Even though he had weathered countless storms, at that moment, his mind was rarely moved.

This is a taboo word buried deep within the world.

It has never been fully mentioned in any public record, yet even the Celestial Dragons dare not touch it lightly.

He turned his head slightly and looked at Saint Shamrock not far away.

The once arrogant saint was now kneeling in the dust, his eyes vacant, like an empty shell devoid of soul.

Roy gazed at him calmly for a moment, then said in a detached tone, "I hope you can keep an eye on him."

Shanks's expression turned complicated upon hearing this.

Roy said nothing more, but turned around, his footsteps treading over the rubble and embers, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

I'll look for you later.

The words drifted on the wind, echoing through the ruins of Mary Geoise.

--

On the other side of the Battlefield, the wind and thunder gradually subsided, but the smell of blood and gunpowder still lingered.

Teach and Loki stood at the edge of the collapsed crater.

At this moment, they had shed their previous ferocity and fighting spirit, replaced by an unusual silence.

Their eyes were all raised to the sky.

The clouds churned, and sunlight pierced through the dust and smoke.

Beneath this sky, Vegapunk's voice echoed through every inch of air via Den Den Mushi.

"The D. Clan, known as the 'Natural Enemy of Gods,' is not of evil blood, but rather a remnant of the forgotten 'Free Kingdom.'"

Teach listened quietly, his face, which always wore an arrogant smile, unusually calm at this moment.

He didn't utter a single "hahaha," he just listened quietly.

He murmured, "The Free Kingdom... Ah... Is that the 'Age of Dreams' that Pops talked about?"

His energy had long since been contained, with only the wind brushing past the hem of his clothes.

Loki stood beside him, his massive hammer driven into the ground, the afterglow of lightning still lingering on its head.

He gazed at the light on the horizon, a rare look of emotion on his face.

"So... even 'gods' are nothing but historical lies."

His voice was deep, yet clearer than Thunderclap.

Teach glanced at him sideways, grinned, and said, "Haha, it seems even the King of the Giants is impressed."

Loki didn't reply, he just gave a soft hum.

On the other side.

Dragon crouched on the ground, carefully scanning Ivankov and the Crow's bodies with his Observation Haki.

A faint trace of ghostly energy lingered in the air, but the evil "Black Turn Domination" mark had completely vanished.

The dragon raised its head and let out a long sigh of relief.

"... No problem."

Ivankov collapsed to the ground with his arms outstretched, panting heavily, a smile returning to his pale face.

"Oh dear, I almost lost even my 'beauty'!"

"Thanks to you... and them."

Footsteps echoed on the scorched earth.

Dust was stirred up by the wind as Ace walked towards them, flames gently burning on his shoulders.

His body was covered in scars, yet he still stood tall, his gaze calm yet complex.

In front of him, Teach stood silently atop the ruins.

He noticed the person approaching and slowly raised his head.

Those eyes, which always held arrogance and recklessness, now held less of a smile and more of a weariness.

His black hair was ruffled by the wind, and he simply looked at Ace indifferently.

"Ace."

He gave a smile, a smile devoid of his former madness, but carrying a certain lonely serenity.

My goal has always been the same.

"Revenge."

Ace clenched his fist slightly, flames flickering between his palms.

Teach saw this but did not back down.

"Everything I've done,"

"It's all about overthrowing that supreme World Government and becoming the King of the World!!"

When he said this, there was not a trace of falsehood in his tone, only an almost obsessive conviction.

Ace asked in a deep voice, "Revenge? Then who did you sacrifice?"

Those words made even the wind stop.

Teach lowered his head, his smile lingering but tinged with bitterness.

He chuckled hoarsely, "... No matter how you see me, Ace."

"I have never regretted any of this!"

Before he could finish speaking, a scene flashed through his mind—

That was something Roy had said to him before the Battle of Mary Geoise: "Whitebeard is your father's brother."

Those words echoed in his heart like thunder.

Teach's smile froze for a few seconds, then his gaze dimmed.

He remained silent for a moment, as if conversing with the shadows within his heart.

After a while, he raised his head and met Ace's gaze again.

The familiar light reappeared in those eyes, arrogant, yet unable to conceal the bitterness deep within.

Even if we could do it all over again--

He said in a low voice, his tone growing increasingly firm. "I will still choose to seize that only opportunity—!"

After a brief pause, a murmur that no one could hear rose in his heart:

"... But the method might be different now."

Then, he looked up and burst into laughter, as unrestrained as ever. "Ha ha ha--!"

The laughter was both stubborn and broken, as if it were a laugh at one's own destiny.

He turned around, looked at Roy who was walking slowly towards him, and his voice became arrogant again. "My goal has been achieved."

"But my ambition remains!!"

He raised an eyebrow, a familiar sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"Roy, are you going to kill me right now?"

The air vibrated slightly, and the flames flickered among the rubble. Roy remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"Teach."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was as steady as the tide.

Give this world a chance.

"If your ambition still exists two years from now—"

I won't stop you anymore.

Teach paused, her brows furrowing slightly, a rare look of surprise appearing on her usually smiling face.

"... two years?"

"What's the meaning?"

Before he could finish speaking, Roy raised his Right Hand and gently patted his shoulder.

"Buzz--!"

Ripples spread through space, Flash golden light—

Teach vanished into thin air in an instant.

Just as he left, Roy's deep murmur reached his ears:

"Let's go back to Lulusia and take a look."

The wind stopped, and the ashes fell to the ground.

Sunlight pierced through the dark clouds, illuminating the shattered Mary Geoise.

In the distance, Sakazuki, Kizaru, Zephyr, Zoro, Kuina, and others gradually approached.

Their steps were heavy, yet carried a sense of relief and tranquility.

All eyes were focused on the broadcasting image insect in the sky.

The image of the Den Den Mushi is projected onto every sea and every island in the world.

Vegapunk's figure appeared exhausted in the light screen, yet his eyes were clearer than ever before.

"People of the world--"

His voice, hoarse, yet clearly carried throughout the world.

Every island, every Battlefield, every corner is listening.

"The war... is over."

Vegapunk raised his head, his tone calm and solemn.

The World Government has been utterly defeated.

"The rule of the Celestial Dragons has come to an end."

In an instant, the screens of Den Den Mushi) around the world vibrated simultaneously.

Countless people stared in disbelief at the aged scientist, their eyes filled with tears.

"Eight hundred years of oppression have ended."

"The Holy Land Mary Geoise has turned to dust."

Vegapunk's hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the microphone.

His gaze, seen through the lens, seemed to look directly into the soul of every listener.

"However--"

His voice suddenly lowered.

Vegapunk's expression was somber, yet he continued in a calm tone:

"I will not hide the truth: this world is about to sink into the sea."

The wind stopped at that moment.