Hashirama's reputation, bolstered by the combined propaganda efforts of the Navy and the World Government, was like a sea growing ever more turbulent, surging higher and higher.
After hitting a low point following the Summit War, the Navy's prestige had also returned to its former heights after two major battles: the Third Raikage driving back the Four Emperors Kaido, and Hashirama forcing Kizaru to retreat.
To the various forces across the sea who didn't know the truth, especially the Affiliated Nations, the Navy had replenished its top-tier combat strength through the World Military Draft and regained its former power—perhaps even surpassing it.
The trust of the Affiliated Nations and the apprehension of hostile forces were exactly what the Navy and World Government wanted to see. They were also the foundation of their rule over the sea.
On this sea, rife with chaos and division, the World Government and Navy didn't need to prove that they could overpower the entire world. They only needed to show the other forces that they could easily destroy any one of them.
That was the order the World Government had built over more than a thousand years. Through overwhelming strength, they had established a delicate balance across the sea, then maintained it for a thousand years.
On Kuja Island, with Kizaru's help, Rayleigh brought Hancock back after rescuing her. He also brought Luffy along and continued training him on an island near Kuja Island.
This time, however, Rayleigh and Luffy weren't alone. There was someone else with them.
Perhaps to thank Kizaru for stepping in, Rayleigh revealed an old story to him after rescuing Luffy and Hancock. He wanted to remind Kizaru that the World Government had far more power in reserve than it showed the world.
That story concerned a pivotal event that had