Rayleigh's fingers tightened around the flask. "You really want to destroy Laugh Tale?"
Akira tilted his head and glanced at Rayleigh, saying calmly, "I never easily change the decisions I make."
"Whatever Roger saw in Laugh Tale that made him risk his life to start this so-called Great Pirate Era is unimportant to me."
"Because I am neither Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago, nor the descendant of the D Clan that Roger was waiting for."
At this point, Akira abruptly changed his tone, "Whether it's Joy Boy or Roger, in my opinion, they're both incompetent! Entrusting what they couldn't do to future generations is nothing more than seeking peace of mind!"
These words stunned not only Rayleigh, but also Gaban standing nearby.
Akira ignored their reactions and pointed to the open space opposite.
The two exchanged a glance, then silently walked over and sat down opposite Akira.
Akira narrowed his eyes slightly, looked up at the azure sky of Elbaf, and said in a somewhat distant voice, "Before I was born, a great man appeared in my hometown, whom I call 'Sir'."
"In his era, he was surrounded by powerful enemies from the outside and plagued by warlordism and constant warfare, leaving the people living in dire straits. But he never thought of placing his hopes on future generations; instead, he rose again and again after each fall..."
Akira withdrew his gaze and swept it over Rayleigh and Gaban, paused slightly, and then continued, "Because he said, 'The truly great men are those of today!'"
He paused slightly, the smile on his face gradually fading. "With me in this world, there's no need to wait for Nika!"
"The feud between Joy Boy and Imu, the feud between the D Clan and the World Government, ultimately boils down to nothing more than a power struggle between two groups!"
"The truth Roger saw in Laugh Tale... Did he really believe that was the truth? Or do you all believe that was the truth?"
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh and Gaban were startled.
Isn't what they saw the truth?
Just as the two were beginning to have doubts, Akira's voice suddenly rose:
"I'll tell you the truth!"
"The truth is, this world shouldn't belong to the D Clan, nor should it belong to the descendants of those twenty kings from eight hundred years ago!"
"The true masters of this world are the countless people who live on the Four Blues and the Grand Line!"
"Whether the Celestial Dragons continue to rule, or the D Clan successfully dethrones them, in my view, it's nothing more than a matter of self-interest! This is the inescapable cycle of fate that this world cannot escape!"
"Neither the Sun God Nika nor Imu can break the shackles of this cycle."
"Only I, the commander, can break the shackles of fate."
After another pause, Akira's tone suddenly softened, and he extended his hand to Rayleigh and Gaban, inviting them, " Rayleigh, Gaban, you followed Roger and witnessed the so-called historical truth. Now, are you willing to help me find Laugh Tale and create a new era with me?"
Gaban didn't speak, but immediately looked at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh picked up the wine jug, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp. His eyes narrowed slightly as he murmured, "To see who the truly great men are, look to the present."
"I can't wait!"
With that, Rayleigh hung the wine flask at his waist, his carefree smile returning to his face, " Marshal Akira, since you launched your coup, I have witnessed the changes you have brought to this world. Now that you have given me this opportunity, I naturally want to witness the arrival of a new era!"
"Since Laugh Tale is a stumbling block to the new era, I am happy to serve you by finding and destroying it!"
Gaban, clearly having anticipated Rayleigh's earlier decision, immediately stood up and exclaimed, "So, this time on the trip to Laugh Tale, I won't be second-in-command again, right?"
Rayleigh tilted his head and glanced at him. "When have you ever been second-in-command? Past, present, and future, you will always be subordinate to me!"
"You're talking nonsense!" Gaban instantly bristled, standing up abruptly and angrily shouting, "If you want to fight, just say so! I'm ready anytime!"
Surprisingly, Rayleigh and Gaban, both at their age, were still vying for the second-in-command position. Shakky, standing nearby, shook her head helplessly, then stepped forward and asked, " Marshal Akira, may I come along?"
Akira glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. "What? You and Rayleigh have been inseparable for so many years in the Sabaody Archipelago, and you still haven't gotten over your lovesickness?"
Before Shakky could react, Akira waved his hand and said decisively, "Granted. You may depart now."
After speaking, he looked at Mihawk, who had remained silent and was simply wiping his Black Blade.
"Go ahead, I'll be waiting for your good news."
Mihawk nodded slightly, without uttering a word of nonsense, sheathed his sword, stood up, and turned to leave.
" Lord Marshal, we're off!"
Robin, Yamato, Denjiro, and the others stepped forward to say goodbye to Akira, and then quickly followed Mihawk.
Shakky and Hancock gave each other a brief hug goodbye, while Gaban jumped into Lipri's palm and solemnly bid farewell to his tall giantess wife before joining Rayleigh in chasing after the main group.
" Lord Marshal ~"
Seeing this, Perona immediately floated to Akira's side, hugged his arm, and acted cute and charming, "This little loli doesn't want to go anywhere, she just wants to stay by the Lord Marshal's side, please don't send this little loli away~"
Akira, unable to resist her nagging, nodded and said, "Since you don't want to go, then stay."
"Yay! Lord Marshal is the best!"
Perona cheered and wrapped her arms around Akira's neck, about to kiss him.
"Presumptuous!"
A delicate hand reached out just in time, blocking Perona's mouth.
Before Perona could kiss Akira, Hancock, with an icy expression, pushed her away.
"You little brat, before you covet my husband, you should first consider whether you have the ability!"
Perona, unconvinced, straightened her back and puffed out her cheeks in retort, "I'm almost grown up!"
Hancock gave her a disdainful once-over. "Almost grown up? That means you're not grown up yet! Go play in the mud, little one."
"You!" Perona was speechless, then snapped angrily, "You're not cute at all! You Negiho Ghost!"
" Mero Mero Mellow!"
Hancock reacted with lightning speed, activating her ability almost at the same time that Perona released the ghost.
The next second.
Perona remained in her forward-leaning posture, frozen in place.
Hancock's knees buckled, and she collapsed to her knees, covering her face with her hands, her entire body turning ashen.
"I am unworthy to live... Someone like me has no right to be by my husband's side!"
Seeing this, Akira felt completely overwhelmed. He then simply raised his head and waved it lightly, accompanied by an invisible Conqueror's Haki that swept over them, instantly dispelling the abnormal state on the two women.
Before the two women could react, Akira rubbed his temples and said sternly, "If you keep arguing, I'll pack you up and send you to Laugh Tale."
The two women fell silent the moment the words were spoken.
Immediately afterward, Hancock and Perona exchanged a silent glance, then simultaneously turned their heads away with haughty expressions, refusing to look at each other again.
--