In an instant, the atmosphere in the vast council chamber grew tense. Even the air seemed to thicken.
At the level Ye Mu, Dragon, and Red-Hair had reached, their experience and composure usually made it easy to control their emotions. For Red-Haired Shanks to lose his composure like this showed just how deeply shaken he was.
Dragon frowned, his expression grim.
But as a member of the Revolutionary Army, he had never been particularly fond of pirates. Ye Mu's talk of ending their era did not hit him as hard, leaving him able to think it through calmly.
Shanks, however, could not help asking,
"So, Captain Ye Mu, you brought out the Poneglyph to use the secret of Laugh Tale to lure pirates into the New World?"
It was no compliment. From Ye Mu's description alone, Shanks could foresee countless deaths. His tone carried an accusation.
Ye Mu replied evenly,
"Didn't the Great Pirate Era Captain Roger set in motion, and the upheaval that followed, also cost many lives?"
Shanks's face was grave, but Ye Mu continued as though he had not noticed.
"Judging something as simply right or wrong is the most foolish way to look at it. Captain Roger didn't set the age in motion merely to make it an age of pirates. He had a far greater goal. You should know that better than I do, Shanks."
Shanks fell silent, lost in thought.
Dragon, on the other hand, asked with sudden interest,
"Then what exactly is your plan, Captain Ye Mu? Would you tell me?"
"Of course. Twenty years have passed since Captain Roger ushered in the Great Pirate Era. The upheaval has weakened the World Government's grip on this world to its lowest point. The rise of my Sky Pirate Crew and Rainbow Country—and even your