Rayleigh's fingers tightened around his wine gourd. "You really intend to destroy Laugh Tale?"
Orion tilted his head to glance at Rayleigh, speaking calmly, "Decisions I make are never easily changed."
"Whatever Roger saw at Laugh Tale back then, whatever made him willingly enter the game and start this so-called Great Age of Pirates—none of it matters to me."
"Because I am not Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago, nor am I a descendant of the D clan that Roger was waiting for."
Here, Orion's tone suddenly shifted. "Joy Boy, Roger—in my eyes, they're all incompetents! Entrusting what they couldn't accomplish to future generations is just seeking peace of mind!"
These words stunned not only Rayleigh but even Gaban beside him.
Ignoring their reactions, Orion pointed to the open space opposite.
The two exchanged a glance, then silently stepped forward and sat down across from Orion.
Squinting slightly, Orion looked up at the blue sky of Elbaf, his voice growing distant.
"Before I was born, a great man emerged in my homeland. I call him 'Sir.'"
"In his era, there were powerful enemies outside and warlords carving up territories inside, constantly warring with each other, leaving the people living in misery. But he never thought of placing hope in future generations. Instead, after each fall, he stood up again and again..."
Orion withdrew his gaze, sweeping it over Rayleigh and Gaban.
After a brief pause, he continued, "Because he said, 'For truly great men, look to this age alone!'"
His smile gradually faded. "With me in this world, there's no need to wait for Nika!"
"The grudge between Joy Boy and Imu, the conflict between the D clan and the World Government—in the end, it's just a power struggle between two groups!"
"The truth Roger saw at Laugh Tale back then... did he really believe it was the truth? Or do you also think it was the truth?"
Hearing this, Rayleigh and Gaban felt a jolt in their hearts.
Was what they saw not the truth?
Just as doubt arose in their minds, Orion's voice suddenly rose:
"I'll tell you what the truth is!"
"The truth is, this world doesnt belong to the D clan, nor to the descendants of those twenty kings from eight hundred years ago!"
"The true masters of this world are the hundreds of millions of people living in the Four Seas and the Grand Line!"
"Whether the Celestial Dragons continue to rule or the D clan succeeds in pulling them down from their divine pedestal, in my view, it's just selfish scheming! This is the inescapable cycle of fate for this world!"
"Whether it's Sun God Nika or Imu, none of them can break the chains of this cycle."
"The only one who can shatter the chains of fate is me."
After a brief pause, Orion's tone suddenly softened as he extended an invitation to Rayleigh and Gaban.
"Rayleigh, Gaban, you once followed Roger and witnessed the so-called historical truth. Now, would you assist me in finding Laugh Tale and help me usher in a brand new era?"
Gaban remained silent, immediately looking toward Rayleigh.
Rayleigh picked up his liquor gourd, took a large swig, and squinted his eyes while murmuring.
"For truly great men, look to this age alone?"
"How truly exciting!"
With that, Rayleigh hung the gourd back at his waist, his face breaking into that carefree smile once more.
"Fleet Admiral Orion, ever since you launched your coup, I've watched all the changes you've brought to this world. Now that you're giving me this opportunity, I naturally want to witness the dawn of this new era with my own eyes!"
"Since Laugh Tale stands as an obstacle to the new era, I'd be glad to help find and destroy it!"
Gaban, who had clearly anticipated Rayleigh's decision long ago, immediately stood up and exclaimed, "So this time when we go to Laugh Tale, I won't have to play second fiddle anymore, right?"
Rayleigh tilted his head and glanced at him: "When have you ever played second fiddle? Past, present, future - you'll always remain beneath me!"
"Bullshit!" Gaban instantly bristled, jumping to his feet in frustration, "If you want to fight, just say so! I'm ready anytime!"
Watching the two elderly men still arguing over the second-in-command position, Shakky nearby could only shake her head helplessly before stepping forward.
"Fleet Admiral Orion, may I join this expedition?"
Orion glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips.
"What? After all those years of mutual dependence with Rayleigh on Sabaody Archipelago, you still haven't cured your lovesickness?"
Before Shakky could respond, Orion waved his hand decisively: "Permission granted. Depart immediately."
Then he turned his gaze to Mihawk, who had remained silent all along, quietly polishing his black blade.
"Go. I await your good news."
Mihawk gave a slight nod without uttering a word, sheathed his sword, stood up, and turned to leave.
"We're off, Fleet Admiral!"
Robin, Yamato, Denjiro and others came forward to bid farewell to Orion before quickly following Mihawk.
Shakky shared a brief embrace with Hancock in farewell, while Gaban jumped into Ripley's palm to bid a solemn goodbye to his tall giant wife before catching up with the main group alongside Rayleigh.
"Fleet Admiral~"
Seeing this, Perona immediately floated before Orion, clinging to his arm while acting cute.
"I dont want to go anywhere, I just want to stay by your side. Please don't send me away, okay~"
Orion, swayed by her antics, nodded: "Since you don't want to go, you may stay."
"Yay! The Fleet Admiral is the best!"
Perona cheered and was about to kiss Orion while hugging his neck.
A hand timely extended, blocking Perona's mouth.
Before Perona could kiss Orion, Hancock pushed her away with an icy expression.
"You little runt, before coveting this queen's husband, first see if you have what it takes!"
Perona puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, retorting while straightening up.
"I'm almost grown up!"
Hancock looked her up and down disdainfully: "Almost grown up? That means you're not grown up yet! Go play with mud somewhere, little runt."
"You!" Perona was rendered speechless by the retort and snapped furiously, "You're not cute at all! Negative Hollow!"
Hancock reacted with lightning speed, activating her ability almost simultaneously as Perona released the hollow.
Perona froze mid-charge, instantly petrified on the spot.
Hancock's legs gave way, and she fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands, her entire form turning ashen.
"I am unworthy of living… Someone like me has no right to remain by my husband's side!"
Witnessing this scene, Orion felt a headache coming on.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand and gave a light wave.
An invisible surge of Conqueror's Haki swept through, instantly dispelling the abnormal state affecting the two women.
Before they could react, Orion rubbed his temples and spoke sternly, "If you two keep arguing, I'll pack you both off to Laugh Tale."
The moment the words left his mouth, the two women fell silent.
Then, Hancock and Perona exchanged a silent glance before simultaneously turning their heads away with a haughty huff, refusing to look at each other.