"Perhaps that was just a joke played on everyone by the previous Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, before he died?"
Since everyone else is going to be executed by the Navy anyway, it's possible they might cause them some trouble. If I were executed by the Navy, I'd be filled with resentment and would be looking for ways to get revenge!
"Impossible! With the spirit of the Pirate King, he wouldn't do such a thing. Besides, I heard that the previous Pirate King Roger, surrendered voluntarily. He wouldn't harbor any resentment, and he would never play tricks on everyone!"
"That's right! They couldn't possibly be lying to us. Not only Roger, but Whitebeard also said something similar before he died. They couldn't possibly be telling the same lie at the same time. It must be that the Straw Hat Pirates wants to keep One Piece all to themselves!"
"But something's not right with the World Government's actions. If One Piece is truly a treasure even the World Government covets, why didn't they rob it when Roger obtained it?"
And they seemed to be in a hurry, interrupting the Straw Hat Boy before he could finish speaking. They were clearly hiding something!
"Could the history that Straw Hat Boy mentioned be related to the World Government's rule? Why are they afraid to let Straw Hat Boy reveal it to the public? What are they afraid of?"
" The World Government seems to have been established 800 years ago, but the history before that is completely blank, with no records whatsoever."
Even in the stories passed down orally, there's no mention of events from 800 years ago, and the World Government has explicitly prohibited research into the Void Century of history.
Based on their behavior just now, I suspect that 800 years ago, they did something that defied all conventions, which is why they dare not expose it!
"Your analysis makes a lot of sense, but isn't the change of dynasties a really big deal? Is something more serious than that? I really can't think of anything that could shake the rule of the World Government!"
"Perhaps One Piece is some kind of Ancient Weapon with incredible offensive power? That's why the World Government is so nervous and wary!"
"That's possible. There are quite a few legends about Ancient Weapon, and the World Government has been searching for them. Could One Piece really be Ancient Weapon?"
"Is now the time to speculate about what One Piece is? Whatever One Piece is, we'll know once we see it for ourselves, won't we? The Straw Hat Pirates is currently tied up with the World Government, which is our chance!"
"That's right! What are we here for? Isn't it just to try our luck? Now that the opportunity has come, are you still going to grab it?"
"This is our only chance. Once they've decided their match, we'll be out of the picture. Look at their battle; neither side is a match for us!"
Although Luffy revealed some of the information Joy Boy left behind at Laugh Tale, most of the pirates did not believe him.
The One Piece, touted as something everyone knows, turns out to be nothing more than a record of history? Who would believe that?
Moreover, they were ambitious and greedy pirates; this was not an option in their minds, and they simply thought it was just a perfunctory remark from the Straw Hat Boy.
Even if the World Government's behavior is abnormal, they selectively ignore it.
However, a small number of pirates are quite clear-headed because the Void Century mentioned by the Straw Hat Boy is deeply intertwined with the World Government.
Furthermore, the World Government's urgent actions led them to conclude that there was more to the story than met the eye, and that it was something very important, perhaps even something that could shake the World Government's rule!
They racked their brains but still couldn't figure out what it could be, so they didn't take any rash actions for the time being!
" Fleet Admiral! Give the order quickly! The Straw Hat Pirates is completely tied up by the adults. If we act now, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
Seeing that the Straw Hat Pirates was completely tied up and had no time to spare, Ryokugyu knew that now was the perfect opportunity to strike!
If they could provide an assist at this moment, with the top combat power of these few Marines, the Straw Hat Pirates would be doomed, and that would be a great achievement!
Furthermore, the Five Elders seem quite wary of what the Straw Hat Boy might say, so Ryokugyu has to help the Five Elders shut up the Straw Hat Pirates. That's the resolve of a loyal dog!
To be honest, Ryokugyu was really shocked at this moment. He didn't expect the Straw Hat Pirates to be so powerful.
Although he had never fought against the Straw Hat Pirates, he wasn't blind. He could tell how strong others were through battle, and at the very least, he could use his Observation Haki to sense their presence.
Ten years after we parted ways in Wano Country, the other side has become so powerful that they can easily fight three God's Knights at the same time!
It should be noted that among these three God's Knights, two possessed an aura similar to his, while only one was slightly weaker.
If he were to face such a lineup, he would probably be killed in less than thirty moves, even if he were the Mori-Mori Devil Fruit User with the strongest vitality!
Such a threatening group of pirates must be eliminated now, or they will surely become a disaster. This is Ryokugyu's thought at this moment. However, he definitely cannot do it by himself, even if the entire Straw Hat Pirates fights!
"Hey! Aramaki, what are you talking about? We didn't come here to steal One Piece."
Given the pirates' greed, they'll attack the Straw Hat Pirates soon enough. Wouldn't it be better to let them fight like dogs? We just need to clean up the mess at the last minute. Being Marine Admiral requires brains too!
Akainu is still observing the situation; it's absolutely impossible for him to order an attack on the Straw Hat Pirates. He still needs the Straw Hat Pirates to take revenge on the World Government!
If the Five Elders and the Holy Knights hadn't performed so powerfully, he would have already led the Navy to counterattack the Five Elders. Now, without a greater than 50% chance of success, he didn't want to completely turn against the World Government!
"But..."
No matter what Ryokugyu said, how he tried to persuade him, or how he threatened him with the Celestial Dragons, Akainu always had his own rhetoric and reasons. In short, he wouldn't give the order. If you, Ryokugyu, want to go, go by yourself. Don't drag everyone else into it. You can live or die as you please!
" Garp! Are you just going to stand by and watch? Just say the word, and we old guys are willing to go crazy with you!"
Sengoku saw that the Straw Hat Pirates was fighting against overwhelming odds and the situation was extremely precarious, but Garp was still watching from the sidelines, as calm as a rock. Sengoku was starting to get restless!
Currently, among the Straw Hat Pirates, only Kuzan and Straw Hat Luffy have a clear advantage; the others are either evenly matched, barely holding on, or passively taking hits.
Once the one who was being attacked is killed, the situation for the others will only get worse. Sengoku doesn't believe that Garp can't see this, and that he's just watching the show with such composure. He simply can't understand it!
" Sengoku! Haven't you noticed how quiet it is here?"
Garp stood with his hands clasped in front of his chest, his justice cape fluttering in the wind behind him, looking at the place where Luffy was fighting, and said without turning his head.
Garp remained calm and collected, while Vic remained hidden in the shadows. Luffy and his crew would be fine; Vic would step in at the crucial moment!
Then he would naturally use this time to take a good look at his grandson and see if he was really the chosen one, as Vic said!
"Huh? Quiet? Garp, are you getting senile? This place is so noisy and chaotic, with a violent aura that can affect one's mind filling the entire valley. You call this quiet?"
Sengoku looked on in disbelief. The shouts and discussions of the pirates, as well as the sounds of collisions and explosions from the Straw Hat Pirates crew's battle, filled the air!
The aura of greed, madness, and slaughter was almost tangible; even without using Observation Haki, one could feel the mental discomfort. And you, you old geezer, say it's quiet here? Are you senile?