After experiencing a sudden and unexpected incident, everyone was in a heavy mood. The easy smiles they had worn yesterday were nowhere to be seen. Three ships sailed side by side, silently heading toward the Holy Land.
Zephyr and Garp had separated from Rorschach and returned to headquarters.
On the ship of the Ryugu Kingdom, Hibari and Vivi were comforting the frightened Shirahoshi.
On the bow deck stood Neptune, Cobra, Popla, and Rorschach together.
At this moment, Neptune's tall figure appeared somewhat dejected. His expression was dim, as though he had lost the hope he had once cherished in his heart.
Cobra was shaking his head and sighing.
Popla only pursed his lips, as if this sort of thing was nothing new to him.
Rorschach crossed his arms, silent for a while, then looked toward the three kings before him.
"Has something like this ever happened during previous World Conferences?"
Neptune, staring blankly at the sea, did not answer.
Cobra and Popla exchanged glances. Cobra thought for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Yes. Four years ago, during the last World Conference, I remember a princess from one of the allied nations caught the eye of a Celestial Dragon and was immediately taken as his fifth wife. But… that situation was a bit different. That princess was the daughter of the king of the Kingdom of Loshuwang. She was very beautiful, and her father had brought her to the Holy Land precisely to use her looks to gain favor with the World Nobles."
"I'm younger than you, so I've never seen it myself," Popla interjected. "But I've heard my late old man talk about it. Before the God Valley Incident in the West Sea, the so-called World Conference was basically a grand feast where the allied nations competed to please the Celestial Dragons. They'd send rare beasts, treasures, slaves—cartloads of them. Whoever sent the most would receive more protection from the World Government and live a better life."
He spoke in a low tone, glancing cautiously around, as if afraid there were World Government spies nearby.
Rorschach's expression was cold. Unlike the others, he did not lower his voice. He frowned and said:
"Are all Celestial Dragons really that rotten? Are they all brainless degenerates who only live to satisfy their own desires? Honestly, I don't understand. How could the World Government possibly rule the world for eight hundred years under the leadership of such people?"
At those words, all three men before him turned pale.
Popla's fat body trembled with fear, his small eyes darting about as he raised a finger.
"Shh! Quiet down! Kid, do you have a death wish? You're saying this in front of the Holy Land, and so loudly at that?"
Even the distracted Neptune snapped back to attention, shocked as he stared at Rorschach.
"Relax. No one can hear us." Rorschach waved his hand, and the air around the four of them began to move.
They saw that the section of the deck where they stood was enveloped by layers of flowing air walls.
Not only that—thin streaks of lightning were flashing faintly in the sky above the ship.
Seeing this, Cobra and the others finally sighed in relief.
Popla plopped himself down on the deck, looking at Rorschach with a complicated expression. "Rorschach, after seeing how you dealt with those slavers earlier, I knew you were different from other Marines. You truly have a sense of justice. But… sigh."
He shook his head and said no more.
Rorschach turned his gaze to Cobra.
"Uncle Cobra, your Nefertari family used to be among the Celestial Dragons, didn't you? What do you think of all this?"
Seeing all three looking at him, Cobra frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "Eight hundred years ago, my ancestor, Nefertari Lily, along with nineteen other kings, created this world. I don't know what exactly happened back then, but after establishing the World Government, Lily resolutely left the Holy Land and returned to Alabasta."
"Desire blinds the heart. Many kings, like us, lose themselves to greed, lust, and tyranny once they gain power. So it's no surprise that those who rule the world like gods—the Celestial Dragons—would fall to the same fate."
"But I can tell you clearly, Rorschach, what you saw just now… is only the surface."
Rorschach froze slightly and looked at Cobra. "Uncle Cobra, it seems you know something."
Even Neptune turned his head toward him.
Cobra stroked his graying beard, pondered for a moment, and continued, "The Celestial Dragons that you, or most people in this world, see are arrogant, ignorant, lustful, cruel, and grotesque, right?"
When Rorschach nodded, he went on, "But let me tell you this—the Celestial Dragons you've seen are merely squandering the blessings left by their ancestors. They are the ones among the nineteen kings who lost in the power struggle and were pushed to the fringes of authority. Since they lost their position of leadership in the World Government, they were given great wealth instead—to drown themselves in luxury and debauchery. The weaker they became, the more they indulged. Eventually, they gave up entirely, content to revel in their domination over slaves. Meanwhile, the true leaders seized the core of power—such as the Five Elders."
Rorschach's heart trembled.
This was the first time he had ever heard such an explanation.
Cobra continued.
"The Rozward family and the Donquixote family are examples of those who lost the power struggle and were pushed aside, sinking into depravity and becoming the public image of the Celestial Dragons."
"Meanwhile, the Izambaron, Shepherd, Topman, Marcus, Jaygarcia, Figarland, and Nerona families are the victors in that struggle for power."
"They are the true Celestial Dragons—the ones who hold the power to rule the world."
"They are strong, intelligent, domineering, shrewd, and far more disciplined than most of the world's so-called wise rulers. It is precisely because they are at the helm of the World Government that it has remained so stable."
"They may be ruthless, but they are not fools. If we truly think all the Celestial Dragons are idiots, then we are the real fools. Fools don't rule the world for a thousand years."
Cobra took a deep breath. He rarely spoke of such sharp truths, and the emotion in his voice was intense.
Rorschach suddenly understood.
After hearing Cobra's words, the fog that had clouded his understanding of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons finally cleared.
So that's how it was.
It all made sense now.
Indeed—the World Government's power is finite, and there were nineteen founding kings.
They couldn't have divided authority evenly among them, or the regime would have collapsed.
But if someone emerged victorious in the struggle for power and seized control of the core, becoming the true helm of the World Government, the system could remain stable.
The Five Elders—the five great families.
The families of the Holy Knights.
And behind them all, the hidden hand of the Nerona family, who truly control everything.
Layer upon layer, link upon link.
That was the true face of this vast hegemony.
Yet if those disgusting Celestial Dragons were the losers of the power struggle, why hadn't they been eliminated?
Allowing them to act recklessly would surely tarnish the World Government's image.
The Five Elders couldn't possibly be ignorant of that. With their power, they could easily shape a more perfect, noble image of their dominion.
An organization that controls over 170 allied nations could easily dominate global opinion.
It wasn't as if Morgans' balloon journalism could really escape them.
Stussy, after all, was an agent of CP0.
If the World Government wanted Morgans gone, it would only take a word.
Rorschach voiced this question.
Cobra gave a bitter smile, but Popla answered for him.
"Isn't it obvious? To a power with absolute dominance, public image doesn't matter. Strength—that's what they want to show. Those spoiled heirs living in luxury, stirring up trouble, and causing scandals—they're useful. They give the government excuses to demonstrate its might whenever they wish."
"When Rocks attacked the Figarland family, they wiped out Rocks. So what if he ruled the New World? So what if he was the so-called King of the World? He still died."
"When Roger became Pirate King, he died too. Even if he hadn't been sick, his death was inevitable. Nineteen kings are more than enough—who needs more?"
"Anyone who offends the Celestial Dragons brings down the wrath of Marine Admirals. That constant show of power—that's what matters."
"Rorschach, you're still young. Remember this—being beautiful, kind, and innocent doesn't make you just."
"Only the victor—only the strong—can define justice."
Popla removed the golden crown from his bald head, scratching his scalp as he spoke words completely at odds with his foolish appearance.
"So, are you saying that my daughter, Shirahoshi, being targeted by the Celestial Dragons… is just another way for them to flaunt their power?" Neptune's voice was filled with sorrow.
Popla was right.
Only the victor can define justice. Weakness itself is the original sin.
How could the fish-men, so weak, ever hope to talk of equality with humans or the World Government?
Popla shrugged. "Yes, you could put it that way. Though to be fair, it's also the consequence of those spoiled nobles' unchecked desires. Still, don't worry too much, Neptune. The Five Elders are fairly reasonable about such matters. If you go to them, humble yourself, and explain things properly, it'll pass. If any Celestial Dragons try to grab her again, the Five Elders will intervene. Don't make gods out of them—there have been times when even Celestial Dragons were executed by the Five Elders or the Holy Knights."
Even though Popla's words offered some comfort, Neptune still sighed deeply, his heart feeling heavy, weighed down by invisible chains.
He felt an overwhelming urge to abandon his late wife's dream and return to Fish-Man Island.
Rorschach could tell what he was thinking and said earnestly, "Neptune, it's precisely because it's difficult that you must keep trying. If the king of the fish-men gives up, then who will ever speak for those enslaved fish-men again? Don't let the efforts of Tiger and Queen Otohime go to waste. There are still just and good-hearted people among humans."
"Sometimes, doing what you know you can't—doesn't mean you're overestimating yourself. It means you have the courage to walk into the tiger's den, knowing full well there's a tiger there."
Neptune's heart trembled. He looked down at Rorschach, lips quivering slightly, then took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
"Vice Admiral Rorschach, you're right. If even I, the king, don't take the lead in fighting for our people's equality, how can I expect anyone else to show us compassion? Don't worry—I won't give up. No matter what difficulties come, I'll stand my ground. I will fulfill Otohime's wish!"
(End of Chapter)
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