One Piece: Seeing Proficiency, I Became a Legend

"Follow me!"

Dongze ignored him and sped ahead, taking Robin to a stretch of solid ground.

"Dongze?"

Robin steadied herself on Dongze's arm as she landed, confusion written across her face.

Dongze answered her with a slight nod. They were both smart enough to understand the situation, and Robin had probably guessed what he intended. She glanced at Enel.

Dongze looked back at the White Sea, which was gradually growing calm again. His expression turned complicated.

If not for that notification, he was certain the lightning brat in the sky would already have been on his way to his next life.

But right now, he had no idea how to develop his Sword Intent. He had finally found one that might awaken if he got struck by lightning, and he couldn't bear to let the chance go.

So he had planted a strand of Sword Intent in Enel's head to keep him under control.

"Hey! You, Dongze! What exactly are you planning?"

"Be my son!"

The classic line Whitebeard used when recruiting underlings almost slipped out of Dongze's mouth.

He gave a wry smile to himself.

Damn, that line really is contagious. I almost said it. Do I have a thing for collecting sons too?

Whitebeard was an old man. It was reasonable enough for him to take in a son; no one would bat an eye if he took in a grandson.

But Dongze was still young. If he said that aloud, Enel might explode on the spot.

Speaking of taking in sons, there was one thing that had always bothered him.

Garp and Whitebeard were of the same generation. Ace called Garp Grandpa but called Whitebeard Pops. It sounded like something out of a family melodrama.

Luckily, none of them cared. Otherwise, there might have been another great battle.

As Enel flew over, Dongze asked calmly, "Want to see what's down below?"

Enel glanced at him. He seemed to have guessed what Dongze wanted, but with his life in the other man's hands, what could he do?

He gave a slight nod.

Dongze was asking nicely for now. If Enel refused, the strand of Sword Intent buried in his head would probably stir. He knew that much.

Everything fell into place after that. Once he calmed down, Enel could be reasoned with. No one had ever kept him in line before, and he had grown into an overgrown problem child.

If Enel hadn't opened with Raigo, Dongze would never have gone this far. He didn't want to attract too much attention from the World Government.

After all, he was no longer alone aboard his ship. He had a long-legged, generous-hearted companion now, and drawing too much attention could put her in danger.

He had even slipped out of the city to fight Crocodile, all to avoid prying eyes.

"Where are we going next... Boss?"

Enel still seemed unused to his new position and sounded awkward as he spoke.

Dongze looked at the enormous vine and sighed softly.

"To witness history!"

"Keep up!"

With that, Dongze picked up Robin and used Geppo and Shave again. Their flickering figures traced a line through the air.

Enel watched the two of them nearly vanish from sight. His feelings were a tangle of relief, anger, resentment, curiosity, and reluctance.

He certainly hadn't let go of his grudge against Dongze. He simply had no choice but to yield.

Whatever came to mind then, it all ended in a quiet sigh.

Lightning flashed, and he chased after them.

Before long, Dongze brought Robin to the vine. He reached out and laid a hand against it.

Then he activated his advanced Observation Haki: the Voice of All Things.

About fifteen minutes later, Dongze slowly opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed deep within them.

"Found it!"

At the sight of the enormous Golden Bell, surprise flashed through Enel's eyes.

In all his years ruling Sky Island, his Mantra had reached into almost every corner. He had never expected to find a Golden Bell here.

"A Poneglyph!"

Different people noticed different things. The moment Robin arrived, her gaze locked on the Poneglyph beneath the Golden Bell.

She was so excited she nearly jumped.

For an archaeologist, these relics were the pursuit of a lifetime—her ultimate dream.

"How did you do that?" Enel asked, puzzled.

"Observation Haki doesn't awaken the same way for everyone. Some can see distant objects, some can predict the future, and some can hear the Voice of All Things!"

"My Observation Haki happens to let me hear the Voice of All Things!"

Enel walked over and rapped on the Poneglyph. "What's this thing for?"

"Recording history."

"History?"

"What good is that?"

Dongze chuckled. "To most people, none at all. But to some, it's worth more than mountains of gold and silver."

"Dongze, why did you send him away?"

Dongze sighed. Of course he knew what was written here: Poseidon. The fewer people who knew about it, the better. Enel was still a problem child in his eyes. Who knew what trouble he would cause if he found out? Better to keep it from him.

"He was eager to leave."

"I left a strand of Sword Intent in his head. It's the same move I used to split the desert."

"No wonder the lightning guy's been so well-behaved. I was wondering what made him so subdued. He's nothing like he was when we first met."

"I didn't help at all in that fight. Sorry."

"It's fine. You're not even officially part of the crew. I wasn't expecting you to help."

"Aren't you afraid he'll listen in?"

"He's not the only one with Observation Haki. Besides, he's probably trying everything he can to get rid of that Sword Intent. He doesn't have time to listen to us."

"You're not worried?"

"Heh."

"In the year 640 of the Sea Circle Calendar, after untold hardships, we finally discovered the ruler of the seas. We named it Poseidon..."

Robin slowly translated the Poneglyph, her voice steady and unhurried. Since learning about Pluton, she was no longer unfamiliar with Ancient Weapons.

Dongze remained lying beside her, listening closely.

After some time, a sound suddenly rang in Dongze's ears.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

World Will (unlocked): 2/10

Swordsmanship (Minor World locked): 1/10 Peerless Sword Case (awaiting unlock) Divine Weapon Storage 0/13;

Swordsmanship (Minor World locking): 2/10.

A Hidden Consciousness, Listening to Time's Memories

"I came here and guided this text to the final place. Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King."

Robin froze when she saw the line.

"Dongze, I think Roger came here!"

Dongze nodded. "Mm."

Robin turned toward him and asked curiously, "Was he an archaeologist too?"

Dongze was silent for a moment. "No."

"Then how did he know the ancient script?"

Seeing the words Roger had left behind, Robin could barely contain her excitement.

"Does 'the final place' mean Laugh Tale?"

Dongze sighed softly. "Yes."

"Dongze, do you know what happened during the Void Century?"

"No."

"But like Garp said, it probably has something to do with the current World Government. If what's buried in that history came to light, it could throw the whole world into upheaval—especially after Roger began the Great Pirate Era."

Something occurred to Robin, and she asked, "Then does that mean Gol D. Roger and his crew knew the history of the Void Century?"

"Mm."

"Why didn't they reveal it?"

Scholars of history and archaeology felt strongly that history should not be buried. Everyone deserved to know it.

Dongze had his own theory. Roger and his crew had reached the Final Land, Laugh Tale, and learned a terrible truth, only to find themselves powerless. Even they couldn't bear the weight of it.

Then, because of Roger's illness, he had made his grand declaration in Loguetown. Before countless witnesses, he had launched the Great Pirate Era, hoping to enlist the whole world in fulfilling his dream.

Sometimes Dongze thought those who chased the title of Pirate King afterward were really doing Roger's work for him.

With that thought, Dongze said, "Not everyone is like the scholars of Ohara. Roger and his crew knew they couldn't stand against the World Government, so they chose to stay silent."

"As scholars, you must have studied why Roger said those things at the end of his life. What was he trying to achieve?"

"Maybe that century holds something far heavier than you imagine. Even the Pirate King couldn't bear its weight. Knowing that, do you still want to investigate it?"

"Robin."

Robin fell silent. Some things became suspicious if you stopped to think about them, but most of the pirates rushing out to sea had overlooked them.

The scholars of Ohara had studied Roger. After all, he had been the most famous man on the seas in recent years. In the end, they had reached a strange conclusion.

Roger had another purpose in launching the Great Pirate Era, one most people couldn't understand. He had hidden it well.

Only after seeing Roger's message on the Poneglyph today had Robin connected that purpose to the Void Century.

Perhaps that had been Roger's true aim.

"Yes. Even if I'm the only one left, I'll keep going. I'll finish the path my mother and the professor couldn't. That's my duty as Ohara's last survivor!"

"The world is vast. You have a long way to go before you uncover the truth buried in history. Are you ready for that?"

Robin smiled faintly. "Of course, Captain Dongze."

"Next, I should get started on that."

At Dongze's words, Robin looked toward him. He had walked to a spot not far from the Poneglyph.

"Dongze, what are you going to do?"

"Forge a sword. I still need some material."

As if she had realized something, Robin hurried over to Dongze, spread her arms, and stood in his way.

"I won't let you damage an ancient relic!"

Seeing the stubborn look on Robin's face, Dongze smiled ruefully. He had forgotten that side of her.