...…
"Hurry! Hurry and retract your killing intent! Otherwise, you'll really be crushed into a meat patty!"
Saint Garling saw even one of the Five Elders in such a sorry state under the light curtain's pressure and hurriedly shouted anxiously, sharing the experience he had just gained by exchanging it with "blood and tears."
The monstrous form of Saint Saturn (or rather, Imu controlling him) initially still wanted to resist with his unfathomably deep power…
But he immediately discovered that the stronger his intent to resist, the more terrifying the vast pressure bearing down on him became!
It felt as if the weight of the entire world was pressing on his spine, causing even his specially reinforced body to groan under the unbearable burden…
His bones creaked, almost on the verge of complete shattering!
Realizing that the rule-based power contained within the light curtain far exceeded imagination and might even surpass the authority they controlled, Imu, through Saint Saturn, had no choice but to abandon the idea of resisting head-on.
The overwhelming killing intent receded like a tide, and the terrifying monstrous form also contracted and deformed, ultimately returning to the human posture of the Five Elder in a black suit, leaning on a cane.
If not for everyone present having witnessed that horrifying transformation process with their own eyes, probably no one would believe…
That one of the highest authorities of the World Government had such a terrifying true form as a monster!
"Truly… unbelievable!"
Golden Lion Shiki looked at Saint Saturn on the ground, who had returned to human form but still appeared somewhat disheveled, his eyes filled with shock and deep wariness.
"The highest leader of the World Government is actually this kind of… non-human monster?!"
The pure malice and destructive aura emitted by that monstrous form earlier had indeed made even a powerhouse like him feel a chill down his spine.
"Linlin, what was that? An Animal-type Devil Fruit ability? It feels a bit like my dragon form transformation!"
Kaido tightly gripped his kanabo "Hachisekai," already in a combat stance. His hatred for the World Government was etched into his bones.
His hometown, the Kingdom of Wano, had sold him—as someone hailed as a "powerful weapon"—to the Marines just to curry favor with the World Government and gain participation rights in the World Conference.
Although he ultimately escaped, this experience of betrayal filled him with extreme loathing toward the World Government and all those in power.
Even if he killed all these Celestial Dragons, he wouldn't feel the slightest guilt.
"Mam-ma-ma-ma~"
Big Mom Charlotte Linlin's massive body leaned forward slightly as she carefully recalled the details from earlier.
"It should be an awakened state of an Animal-type Devil Fruit! Yes…
Around the monster that Saint Saturn turned into earlier, there were some special black smoke clouds swirling—that's a characteristic only present when an Animal-type Fruit awakens!"
Big Mom frowned at this point. Even she was experiencing such close contact with a being at the level of the Five Elders and witnessing their transformation for the first time!
However, she had still captured that unique aura.
"Hey, Zephyr, Sengoku, Tsuru…"
Garp sidled up to his three old classmates, lowering his voice to a whisper only they could hear as he grumbled.
"Who would've thought the Five Elders had this side… Tsk tsk, the boss of the maggots really has an appearance that suits his status!"
"Garp! Watch your mouth!"
Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru almost simultaneously glared at Garp with stern looks, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
They truly couldn't do anything about this friend who never filtered his words. At a time like this, how dare he mock the highest power holder of the World Government like that!
These were the Five Elders! The true top superiors of the Marines!
Seeing the three of them so tense, Garp indifferently shrugged and turned his head away with disdain, but he didn't continue the topic.
However, in his heart, this thought remained firmly unshakable.
"Hey, Rocks, do you know what that thing is?"
Roger sheathed Ace and looked toward Rocks beside him.
His reaction was similar to most of the powerhouses around—also seeing such a bizarre form for the first time.
Although the monster's aura was terrifying, Roger's eyes held only curiosity and scrutiny, without the slightest fear.
"I don't know exactly what ability that is either."
Rocks shook his head, his gaze still coldly fixed on Saint Saturn. "These old geezers usually hide away in Mary Geoise and rarely show themselves.
If it weren't for this God Valley incident being so special, I doubt this old bastard would have personally come here."
Although Rocks had been to Mary Geoise and met that mysterious existence, his understanding of the Five Elders was still quite limited—after all, beings at this level were far too enigmatic.
"It's truly… something inexplicable…"
Saint Saturn slowly stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze sinister as he stared fixedly at the light curtain, its glow now unbearably piercing in his eyes.
"This thing… can't be explained by existing science at all!" As the Warrior God of Science and Defense, he prided himself on having seen most of the world's top technologies and mysterious powers…
But the energy form and absolute rules displayed by this light curtain completely exceeded his cognitive scope, even instilling a chill born from the unknown.
Seeing even Lord Five Elder suffer a setback before the light curtain, Saint Garling's spine—which had just straightened with the arrival of reinforcements—bent again unconsciously…
His heart was filled with lament. It seemed that in front of this damn thing, whether dragon or tiger, everyone had to coil up or lie low—no one could act tough.
Because the light curtain had once again asserted its power, demonstrating its absolute authority that brooked no challenge, at this moment in God Valley, no one dared to act rashly anymore.
After all, no one wanted to be the one instantly suppressed as the standout.
"Continue watching the light curtain… Mm… very interested~"
At that moment, an ethereal, indifferent voice—as if transcending gender and time—directly echoed deep in Saint Saturn's mind.
This was a direct command from the master of the Empty Throne, Lord Imu, that only he could receive.
Saint Saturn's body trembled almost imperceptibly, then he respectfully nodded slightly, saying no more, and silently retreated to the front of the Celestial Dragons and God's Knights' formation.
"Hey! You old bastard! Why aren't you attacking anymore?!"
Seeing this, how could Rocks let go of such a perfect opportunity to mock?
He sheathed his long sword, crossed his arms over his chest, and shouted at Saint Saturn and Saint Garling with a face full of madness and contempt: "Weren't you so arrogant? Come on! Transform again!
Hearing the name 'Joy Boy' earlier—did it make your legs go weak? Afraid that the truth you've buried will see the light of day again?!"
Rocks' words were like poison-dipped daggers, every syllable striking at the heart, viciously stabbing at the sore spots of Saint Saturn and Saint Garling.
Their faces turned livid, veins bulging on their foreheads, fists clenched until they creaked, overwhelming rage surging in their chests…
But under the light curtain's rule-based deterrence, they had no choice but to forcibly endure—this pent-up frustration nearly made them explode.
Saint Saturn's chest could still "endure," but Saint Garling couldn't tolerate it at all—he had been eating setbacks from the beginning until now…
Garp nearby watched these two top world dignitaries getting humiliated, struggling to keep a straight face, but his mouth corners still rose wildly, shoulders twitching slightly.
Zephyr couldn't stand it anymore and elbowed him hard, signaling him to restrain himself.
But Garp really couldn't hold back—this spectacle of "evil people grinding against evil people" was just too satisfying to watch.
Roger watched Rocks berate the highest echelons of the World Government without any restraint. For some reason, a inexplicable sense of exhilaration surged in his heart, even subtly changing his view of Rocks a little.
This guy, although a bastard, had the "merits" of a bastard—at least when cursing these world parasites, it was truly cathartic!
"Hahahaha! Well said! Rocks!"
Golden Lion Shiki laughed uproariously, fearing the world wasn't chaotic enough, cheering Rocks on: "Guys like these sanctimonious hypocrites deserve to be cursed like that!"
These self-proclaimed "World Nobles" really couldn't match Rocks, this pure "villain," when it came to trash-talking with such unbridled fervor.
While Rocks unleashed his frenzy and the World Government side endured in suffocating silence, the light curtain seemed to ignore the disputes below…
and continued steadily playing the footage after the Roger Pirates arrived at Laugh Tale.
"Joy Boy! You bastard… actually left behind such an incredible treasure!"
In the scene, Roger now seemed rejuvenated, his previous sickly pallor gone, his face ruddy and glowing.
He laughed heartily, the laughter filled with indescribably complex emotions.
"This is really… one hell of a joke! Hahaha!"
"Hey! Everyone!"
Roger turned back and announced loudly to all the crew: "This final island that no one has reached in eight hundred years! If not, let me name it!"
He took a deep breath, his voice spreading far and wide:
"From now on, this place will be called Laugh Tale!"
(Laugh Tale, literally meaning "laugh tale" or "tale of laughter"!)
So, the name that would be passed down through history, symbolizing the endpoint of the Pirate King's treasure and dreams—its true meaning and origin.
Was actually decided here, personally by Roger!
Then, the scene shifted—the Oro Jackson had already set sail from Laugh Tale, navigating on the return journey.
Rayleigh, holding a bottle of wine, walked to Roger's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, gazing at the distant sea.
"Roger, do you remember what you said when we first met?" Rayleigh asked with a smile.
Roger heard this and showed a nostalgic smile on his face—he certainly hadn't forgotten: "Of course I remember! I said…"
"Let's go turn this world upside down together! Our meeting is fate!" x2
Inside and outside the light curtain, Rogers from two different times seemed to produce a wonderful resonance, actually shouting out this phrase carrying dreams and vows in unison!
The young Roger himself was stunned for a moment, not understanding why he had inexplicably shouted along.
"It seems… we've fulfilled that promise, huh!"
The Rayleigh in the light curtain said with a smile, clinking his bottle against Roger's.
"Mm…"
Roger tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of strong liquor, his eyes flashing with satisfaction and relief: "Fulfilled! What an amazing journey!"
The scene immersed in a tranquility and warmth after completing a great voyage.
The setting sun dyed the sea a warm orange, the Oro Jackson breaking through golden waves, slowly advancing.
Roger's gaze swept over every partner on the ship one by one: the reliable Scopper Gaban, the vice-captain Rayleigh who fought side by side, Kozuki Oden from Wano Country, the young Shanks and Buggy, the ship doctor Crocus…
His eyes were gentle yet resolute.
"Come on!"
Roger suddenly raised his volume, as if he had made some determination.
"I'm already prepared!"
Young Scopper Gaban seemed to sense something, standing straight with excitement and anticipation on his face, waiting for the captain's announcement.
However, the words Roger said next left all the crew members—and the God Valley audience outside the light curtain—stunned.
"The Roger Pirates…" Roger's voice clearly spread across the deck and also throughout God Valley,
"is disbanded from this moment!"
As soon as these words came out, although some core crew members seemed to have been mentally prepared, everyone's bodies still trembled involuntarily, their faces filled with sadness and reluctance.
The crew members couldn't help but sob quietly.
"We're… disbanding from now on?!"
Outside the light curtain, the young Roger watched himself in the scene personally announce the disbandment of the pirate crew, completely dumbfounded, his mouth agape wide enough to fit an egg.
Rayleigh, Scopper Gaban beside him, and all the Roger Pirates members were also stunned and bewildered.
They simply couldn't understand why their future selves would make such a decision.
They were clearly at their peak, having just completed the circumnavigation of the world and reached the final island—why choose to disband at this moment…?
...…