"I'm afraid I'll have to conduct the testing myself, right?"
Hearing Franky's words, Gawain smiled and asked a question.
Without waiting for Franky's reply, he walked towards the castle on his own.
Over the past few days, Gawain has been quite busy. He spent a long time in the laboratory, watching the experimental apparatus built by Shaka and others gradually take shape.
In this process, he also gradually became familiar with the tasks he needed to perform.
How to use electromagnetic effects to conserve energy and amplify the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's impact, how to connect with Vegapunk's brain, and how to collect and process categorized information.
Most importantly, how to expand the range and influence of your Observation Haki!
Gawain already knew everything he needed to do; all that was left was to put it into practice!
There are no difficulties in practice. Shaka and others already had Roger's experimental records from back then. Gawain had to do was follow suit.
And so, under the watchful eyes of all the crew members and members of the Blackbeard Pirates, Gawain silently walked into the castle.
As Gawain walked in, Franky pressed his chest, and a device resembling a Tesla coil immediately appeared around him.
Moments later, Franky disappeared into the castle with the device.
At the same time, the lightning around the castle continued to spread rapidly until it completely enveloped the entire Dark Bird Ship.
The people on the ship were all astonished as they watched the lightning bolts crashing down around them.
How come this lightning doesn't harm people?
The crew quickly attributed the blame to Gawain, and the ship was soon filled with phrases like "Lord Gawain's favor" and "Lord Gawain's care."
And Gawain.
Standing before the Thunder Throne, he could no longer hear a sound!
Reaching out from afar, Gawain gently touched the plasma surrounding the throne, which resembled a protective net.
Feeling the electric current pulsating through his palm, he muttered something to himself.
"Once I sit in this chair, my influence will truly spread to half the world."
Furthermore, as the Sea Train continues to be built, that area will gradually expand until it encompasses the entire world.
This was one of the ultimate goals I set for myself when I decided to eat the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
However, to achieve such a goal, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to get off this chair.
After speaking, Gawain let out a long sigh.
Behind him, Shaka pondered for a moment, then bowed slightly.
"My lord, the achievement of every goal must be accompanied by a certain degree of sacrifice. Only fairy tales can win all the way without losing anything."
Fairy tales are just the world as seen through a child's eyes, but your actions will save almost every child in the world.
In fact, once you sit in that seat, every adult in the world will receive your protection.
However, I truly don't know whether I should help you or not. Even if I've done everything in my power, I can't help but worry that you might gradually fall from your throne and become a being far more dangerous than Mary Geoise.
The only thing I can believe in is your unparalleled Haki 'Conqueror's Haki, and the supreme determination and perseverance that it represents."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shaka raised his right hand and gracefully gestured for Gawain to enter.
Accepting Shaka's invitation, Gawain nodded slightly and then strode into the plasma.
Amidst a rapid surge of lightning and thunder, Gawain walked step by step to the throne.
Looking at the burning throne, Gawain reached out and gently pressed his hand on the armrest.
There's a saying I've heard for a long time, but I've never really agreed with it.
The saying is... With great power comes great responsibility.
I never expect to make any sacrifices, and even if I have the intention of saving others, I never intend to do so in a way that harms myself.
As for its connection to responsibility, I actually think it should be... with great power comes great responsibility!
But now, it seems I've suddenly seen through something.
Neither ability nor rights are necessarily related to responsibility.
What is truly intertwined with responsibility is the pleasure that inevitably comes with fulfilling that responsibility.
That kind of pleasure... as long as you do it sincerely, others will truly feel it too.
At this point, Gawain suddenly turned around and smiled slightly at the people in front of him.
Upon seeing Gawain's smile, Stussy's expression changed, and he immediately knelt down with a thud.
This was like a signal; after Stussy knelt down, Queen unsurprisingly backed down.
And then Queen's massive knee slammed into the ground.
The slight tremor from that Jiaban affected Franky, Judge, and even Shaka.
They all knelt on one knee before Gawain.
Looking at the crowd kneeling before him in respect, Gawain smiled slightly and then nodded.
"After defeating Whitebeard, I may not truly be the strongest in the world, but in terms of ability, no one can deny my worth anymore."
As for my own power, which governs the entire Grand Line and continues to expand my influence, I seem to have reached the highest step.
No one is better than me, and even if there is, I don't think they are much better.
Since that's the case, let me teach the whole world what the strong should do!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain took a step forward with his right foot.
Stand up straight and turn around.
Gawain finally sat on the throne!
The thick plasma instantly transformed into Uzumaki shape, desperately rushing into Gawain's body.
At the same time, as Franky pressed the button, a tiny puncture device suddenly extended from the platform behind the throne, where the small, egg-shaped brain was placed.
Laugh!
With a soft click, the puncture device suddenly connected to Vegapunk's brain!
In an instant, Vegapunk's brain volume exploded, growing from the size of a baseball to the size of a watermelon!
Fortunately, the rapid growth stopped after it reached the size of a watermelon.
At the same time, the light in Gawain's eyes finally faded.
Below, notice that Gawain closed his eyes.
Stussy stood up and picked up a golden crown from a nearby pedestal.
Holding the crown in both hands, Stussy walked towards Gawain step by step with utmost solemnity.
Upon reaching Gawain, Stussy carefully knelt on one knee and spoke softly.
"My lord, please forgive my intrusion."
Today, I will crown you!
As soon as he finished speaking, Stussy raised the crown high in his hand.
After waiting a moment, she stood up and silently approached Gawain's seemingly lifeless body.
Holding up the crown, Stussy's hands inevitably brushed against Gawain's hair.
The sensation made her involuntarily purse her lips.
At this very moment, how many people in the world truly know how much Lord Gawain has sacrificed for them?
As a member of the execution plan, Stussy was unaware of how things were going to go.
Gawain only needs to connect to Vegapunk's brain to live like Roger.
As for how long he will survive...
As long as Gawain regularly stores the sounds and information he collects in his mind into Vegapunk's brain.
Gawain will only truly face the question of death when Vegapunk and all his clones die.
Survival is so simple, yet Lord Gawain resolutely chose the most difficult one!
In order to continuously expand his Observation Haki, in order to be able to observe every corner of the world at the same time, in order to maintain the effect of Voice of All Things at all times, and in order for the power of an adult to instantly travel along the tracks of the Sea Train to reach every place in the world.
If those things are done, the Dark Bird Ship will not even need many soldiers to achieve control over the entire world!
We gather intelligence on every living and non-living thing in the world by listening.
Intelligence is used to identify every crime that occurs around the world.
The tattoos are created by transmitting electric current over a Gawain distance.
Those clones, each possessing up to 80% of Gawain's power, are perfectly capable of instantly handling crimes occurring in any corner of the world!
Looking at Gawain on the throne, Stussy clenched his teeth.
But did gods exist in the past?
From this moment forward, there will be one more god named Gawain!
The moment Gawain took that step, he traded Gawain lifelong freedom for a power that could truly be called divine authority!
As for whether Gawain still has a chance to finish the series...
Stussy knew that Gawain could step down at any time if he was willing to give up his efforts to protect the world.
But Stussy knew even better that Gawain would not give up.
So, Gawain never be able to come down?
If one day, Gawain could continuously monitor and appear all over the world without any devices.
He would obviously become an existence far surpassing that of gods, or at least far surpassing the gods as understood by people in the Pirate World!
At this moment, as he watched the golden crown approaching Gawain's head, Stussy's body trembled even more.
Gawain, you... you absolutely must sit up!
No matter how much time passes, you must rely on your own strength to break free from the shackles of that throne!
Although when you sit on it, you will have the power to fight head-on against all the chaos and evil in the world.
But if you have the chance to stand up again.
You could have done even better back then!
Must!
Click!!!
With a crisp sound, the golden crown, crackling with lightning, landed on Gawain's head.
Just as Gawain's hair was slightly flattened, plasma instantly flowed into a stream, connecting Gawain's crown to the device inserted into Vegapunk's brain!
At the same time.
Buzz buzz buzz!
Accompanied by the resounding sound of the electric current, Gawain reopened his eyes.
The moment he saw the world again, he let out a heavy sigh and then laughed.
"Thank goodness, thank goodness, I can still open my eyes and move my buttocks freely on the throne."
At least I don't have to endure immense pressure like an emperor, even the slightest movement.
Very good."
At this point, Gawain raised his head and looked at the slightly astonished Stussy.
Meeting Gawain's gaze, Stussy remained stunned for a moment before kneeling down with a thud and saying...
"My lord, how can the emperors of the mortal world compare to you at this moment?"
What you are capable of right now has already surpassed the realm of mortals; you are already qualified to be called a god!
Presumably, in the distant future, your Rumble-Rumble Fruit will also be elevated because of you.
People in the future will never refer to them as ordinary Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
Even if Rumble-Rumble Fruit is Logia, they will redefine its Rumble-Rumble Fruit- Zoan Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Thunder God form!
And that Thunder God...
Perhaps in the distant future, this Devil Fruit will be called the Gawain Fruit!
As soon as he finished speaking, a bit of color returned to Stussy's face.
Or perhaps it was a few uncontrolled dilations of capillaries, which is... a touch of crimson.
Gawain sat imposingly before me, his aura as solid and imposing as a mountain range.
That aura, imbued with mystery and the scent of power, slightly softened Stussy, who yearned for power and status the most.
Only...
Before Stussy could enjoy his happiness for long, Gawain, after a brief silence, spoke to the excited Stussy.
"Gods?"
If they truly exist, why can't the suffering people see them?
When the gods awaken, they only favor the fortunate. As for the unfortunate, they not only have to bear their misfortune, but are also slandered as people whose faith is not firm enough.
Since the gods cannot save everyone who demands salvation.
Let's just forget about all those so-called gods!
Humanity, we humans will save ourselves!
So don't try to idolize me; I don't like it, it's disgusting!
"But, sir..."
Hearing Gawain's words, Stussy felt even more admiration, but she still shook her head and said softly.
"No matter how much you emphasize it, mortal thinking will not stop diverging."
When you appear in every corner of the world and bring help to them, they will respect you like a god no matter what!
"Since that's the case, well..."
Gawain interrupted Stussy with his sharp gaze, and then he continued.
"In that case, I will tell them my name myself."
From this day forward, you shall all call me Emperor. Let us use this title, which symbolizes supreme authority in the mortal realm, to constantly emphasize and ensure that no one associates me with gods!
Emperor, ah, such a title also makes it convenient for me to completely establish an empire that belongs to each and every one of us at the right time.
At the same time, it's better to have them respect me like an emperor than to have them worship me as a god.
Because the emperor would tell them exactly what the limits of humanity are, which would make them understand those limits and know how to pursue them.
While faith in deities can protect their hearts, it also discourages most self-proclaimed mortals from striving for further progress, let alone approaching the level of the gods!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain waved for Stussy to leave.
After Stussy left, Gawain finally looked at Shaka and Franky.
"Franky, Shaka, you two check the connection for me."
If everything goes well, then starting today, I will let my will descend upon every place where thunder reaches!
Life is short, so we must seize every moment. Even emperors sometimes feel that there isn't enough time.
The sooner the better, for I have already heard it.
There are far too many desperate people in this world who can't wait even an hour or a minute longer!