The Straw Hat Pirates had overcome the initial emotional turmoil of their reunion, and their thoughts were now focused on the endless sea and marine life around them. The water wasn't deep, so the visibility was quite good, and the scenery was quite beautiful. There weren't any large marine creatures or Sea Kings, so it was relatively safe, making it a perfect place to enjoy the view and chat. Moreover, since they hadn't seen each other for a long time, they had a lot to talk about.
" Luffy! Are you close to that Four Emperors Vic?"
"Yeah! Vic saved Ace and my lives! But what are the Four Emperors? Can you eat them?"
Sanji was very curious about Vic, a big shot who had connections with several of his crewmates. While reading the newspaper in the Kamabakka Kingdom, he saw the news about Luffy and Vic together, so he couldn't help but ask Luffy it.
Luffy has always ignored the news in the newspapers, and in the past two years he has been in seclusion, completely oblivious to the outside world. He doesn't even know what the title of the Four Emperors is, just like when he was in the East Blue and didn't know about the Shichibukai the Grand Line. His understanding is always a step behind.
"The title 'Four Emperors ' is given by the World Government..."
" Sanji! Why are you making it so complicated? Do you really think Luffy can understand? Luffy! The Four Emperors are the four World's Strongest, the biggest figures at the top, on the same level as that Whitebeard uncle you saw at Marine Headquarters!"
Nami interrupted Sanji's explanation, thinking that it was too formal and Luffy wouldn't understand. She really understood Luffy's thought process and had been following Vic's news, so she had some understanding of the situation in the New World.
"Oh! Whitebeard! He's really strong. He almost destroyed the Marine Headquarters. Vic is strong too; he even beat Akainu. We'll probably run into him later, right? I want to go thank him!"
Originally Luffy was going to Punk Hazard to learn about the New World and the Four Emperors from Law, but now, thanks to Vic, the Straw Hat Pirates have learned about it ahead of time.
" Luffy! Your connections are too strong! You have two Four Emperors friends, and your grandfather is Hero of the Marines. Does that mean you can do whatever you want in the New World?"
"Walking sideways? Will I turn into a crab in the New World? That sounds interesting! Hahaha!"
" Luffy! Your comprehension skills are the best in the world!"
"You might not know this, but Luffy's father is Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, hehe!"
"What?"*7
When Luffy was a child, he heard about the name of Yasopp's son, Usopp, from Yasopp's place, and later told Usopp about it. Usopp naturally went to find out about the Red -Red Hair Pirates Red Hair Pirates learned about their status in the New World.
Therefore, he was amazed that Luffy, a captain who knew two of the Four Emperors, had such a background that his grandfather was Hero of the Marines. With such a background, he could really do whatever he wanted in the New World.
But upon hearing Robin's new information, everyone was even more shocked. Only Robin covered her mouth and chuckled, while Luffy looked blank and tried hard to recall Luffy. He had no memory of his Pops and felt no affection for him, as if he had heard the name of a stranger.
Few people haven't heard of the Revolutionary Army and Dragon. The World Government has reported their "heinous acts" in the newspapers quite a bit. In Sanji and his friends' eyes, the Revolutionary Army is a well-known and powerful force. The fact that the leader of such a powerful force is Luffy's father is too shocking. It's even more shocking than when Garp said it himself in Water 7 in the original work!
Because the Straw Hat Pirates has experienced more and their understanding has improved a lot, coupled with the previous setup involving two Four Emperors's relatives and friends, the effect is naturally different. Zoro didn't even realize that he had crushed the sake bottle in his hand.
"I'm going to be the Pirate King! Only by defeating these strongest guys can I do it. But I can leave Vic and Shanks for last!"
"What? Didn't you just say you were going to thank Vic? And you said you were going to return the Straw Hat to Shanks, now you want to defeat them? Have you lost your mind?!"
Luffy isn't someone who likes to rely on his connections. Although he's enjoyed many advantages brought by his connections along the way and has used them to solve numerous life-or-death crises, he doesn't actively use them for anything. Even if he were to perish on his path to becoming the Pirate King, he would have no regrets.
He has never relied on deep interpersonal relationships. Some people know they have connections, but they don't use them. But what are connections in Luffy's heart? He doesn't even have that understanding, nor has he ever thought of relying on them. Luffy is just such a pure person. Perhaps without these connections, he would have fallen on the road to becoming king much earlier, just like when Buggy executed him in Loguetown. But he would still smile. That's his nature!
On the Thousand Sunny, the Straw Hat Pirates members shared their experiences over the past two years. Only Sanji remained silent, leaning against the ship's railing and smoking. His experiences over the past two years had been terrifying; he had almost been Assimilation by those transvestites, and the thought still terrified him!
When Chopper and Robin mentioned seeing Vic over the past two years, Nami's eyes were filled with resentment. Why couldn't they come to see me? Robin went to see him, why didn't they come to see me? Why the difference in treatment?
Robin didn't mention that Vic came to see her with her mother, which led Nami to misunderstand and think that Vic had only come to see Robin. How could Nami possibly accept that!
When Robin mentioned that the Kuma who sent them flying was also brought by Vic, two flames ignited in Sanji's eyes, and a surge of fighting spirit rose in his heart. So his hellish experience was thanks to Vic, then he must get his revenge in the future. He, a chivalrous man who loves beautiful women, actually went to a country full of transvestites. This is worse than death for him!
You all have some connection to that guy, but Brook and I are the only ones who aren't well-liked. One of us went to the hellish transvestite country, and the other was captured and treated as a novelty. Neither of us had a good experience. The others are in much better situations than them.
Sanji's idea, while not factual, does have some convincing logic that is hard to refute.
Zoro learned swordsmanship from the World's Greatest Swordsman, Usopp also had a good teacher to help him, Nami went to the meteorological holy land of Victoria to learn about weather, Chopper went to the medical holy land to improve his medical skills, Robin went to Luffy and became a guest of honor, Franky went to Vegapunk's research institute to learn the technology of the world's greatest scientist!
Luffy receives the best treatment, is trained by Dark King Rayleigh, and every now and then, Boa Hancock, the world's most beautiful woman, brings him food. How many "world's number one" titles does he have? Sanji is incredibly envious. Although the place he goes to is also a "world's number one" place, he might as well not go to the "world's number one" place for a transvestite!
Although Usopp didn't know Vic, his father was a high-ranking officer under Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. It's reasonable to say that Vic gave Shanks face and improved his treatment. Only he and Brook were truly unfortunate!
There can only be one Pirate King! Only by defeating all the competitors can you achieve final victory!
Luffy's words were resolute. Two years of training had given him great confidence. Of course, even without training, he was never lacking in confidence. It's just that he had matured a lot after the Paramount War.