Rowan presented a theory of his —
Life itself is arrogant, and it is precisely because of this arrogance that life can endure.
Whether this theory is correct, we'll set aside for now.
Furthermore, Vinsmoke Judge, as a scientist, did not agree with it.
But Judge did agree with something else —
This Ryan Rowan, nicknamed "Golden Dawn," before him, was indeed as the historical records from eight hundred years ago described: an emperor so arrogant he was practically conceited.
He agreed with the hypothesis Rowan proposed:
Facing the great tree that used the entire world as its nourishment, the "resistance" emotions generated by the life within the world were also a part of the natural cycle, because the "life" of this world could never succeed in its counterattack against that tree.
This hypothesis was indeed terrifying, even sending shivers down one's spine.
However, Rowan's response gave others a different feeling.
It was a statement that invited laughter, even bordering on absurd —
The reason "life" in the past failed to resist that tree was simply because they weren't "strong" enough.
...
Judge couldn't comment on this remark, only feeling a very strange sensation.
But if Crocodile himself were present, he would surely exclaim—
Heh heh heh, that truly is a "Ryan Rowan" kind of thought!
This man only had eyes for his own future goals and never doubted his ability to reach them.
Just as he himself said:
He is "Golden Dawn" Ryan Rowan.
— This is enough; it is the best proof.
...
"Hahahaha, what an extraordinary man!"
Judge's gaze shifted, lost in thought.
A moment later, his eyes glanced at Rowan, and he asked, "So, what do you plan to do?"
Rowan didn't look up but continued to stare at the tree on the sand table and slowly replied:
"Just like I said before—cut down the tree."
Judge pressed, "How do you plan to cut it?"
"Cut it with force." Rowan's answer was somewhat perplexing.
Judge found it amusing, "A tree that can use the world as nourishment—it's too big, you won't be able to cut it."
"Then find many, many people, and cut it together!"
Rowan said this very calmly, but within that calmness, there was no hiding his unwavering conviction.
He truly meant it!
But after hearing this, Judge couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Heh heh heh, are you talking about some naive ideals?"
"Didn't you just mention that the texts containing this information were covered with messages from scholars of Shandora from eight hundred years ago?"
"What were they? Tell me again."
Rowan, being very open, repeated those two words.
"Run."
"Run? That's right, it was 'run'."
Judge spoke slowly, "Then have you ever considered why the scholars who recorded such detailed information would leave the last message as 'run'?"
"And have you considered why the ancient city of Shandora, capable of constructing an entire Seastone room, would ultimately be lost eight hundred years ago, becoming the lost Golden City?"
"Because in the end, they all became part of the natural cycle!"
Judge's words echoed across the deck of Germa Kingdom.
The surrounding clone soldiers had never seen their commander like this.
So serious, and exuding a completely different aura than usual.
And what the commander of Germa 66 was saying at that moment was hard for the clone soldiers to believe.
These were not the words one would expect from the creator of Germa Kingdom, who ruled the North Blue with terror.
Rational, and calm.
"They lost, Ryan Rowan, they—lost!"
Judge's face darkened.
He had no doubt about what Ryan Rowan had just said.
Because that "Golden Dawn" Ryan Rowan would not joke about such things, nor would he use such unbelievable stories to achieve some strategic goal.
He wouldn't bother, and there was no need.
Therefore, Judge's way of thinking was based on the premise that "all of this is true."
It was for this reason that Judge displayed an attitude so different from his usual self.
Because what he and Ryan Rowan were discussing was perhaps something "unknown" that no one else on this sea knew about!
"If Nico Robin's translation is correct, can I interpret it this way?"
Judge began:
"Eight hundred years ago, the scholars of Shandora discovered the existence of that tree and learned about the natural cycle involving it."
"They wanted to stop the tree from using the world as nourishment, and so they began dedicated research."
"They spent countless efforts, exhausting enormous manpower and resources."
"As a result, eight hundred years ago—the era when you were active—Shandora was unheard of."
"They only wanted to cut down that tree; everything else was meaningless!"
"Because regardless of the reality of the world, as long as that tree existed, the world would inevitably become its nourishment, and everything that seemed to exist forever, whether nations or powers, would be completely absorbed!"
"But they failed."
"They were defeated by that tree and also turned into its nourishment."
"Shandora, thus, sank into ruin."
Judge reached out and scooped up a handful of sand from the sand table.
"So, Ryan Rowan—you, how do your cards compare to Shandora's?"
He asked:
"Alabasta, yes, that is your country."
"So, does your Alabasta have the capability to construct Seastone secret rooms on such a scale?"
In response to Judge's question, Rowan shook his head.
"Your military strength, let alone Shandora, how does it compare to the Alabasta Empire of eight hundred years ago?"
"Inferior."
Rowan answered without hesitation.
The Alabasta Empire of eight hundred years ago was indeed a terrifying existence that kept the island nations awake at night.
The current Alabasta, though prosperous, was far from it in terms of military strength.
In fact, without Ryan Rowan and the Four Seas Alliance, Alabasta could have been easily bullied by the surrounding pirates.
This was also why Crocodile was revered as a national hero.
Hearing such a blunt answer, Judge was somewhat surprised.
"Since you already know the existing gap, why are you pondering such a fanciful thing?"
"Because Alabasta is not the only one who needs to cut down the tree."
Rowan spoke, replying:
"By the way, I never said the Four Seas Alliance was a... purely commercial alliance, did I?"
As soon as he said this, Judge suddenly understood.
He seemed to know what Ryan Rowan was planning to do.
"Vinsmoke Judge, have you heard of the Four Seas Alliance?"
Rowan grinned, looking very happy and excited.
"How about we form an alliance?"
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