Chapter 197: The End Of The Great Pirate Era
"The Great Pirate Era... finally nearing its end. Roger's dream, all that chaos... a pointless exercise after all."
Whitebeard, no longer a pirate himself, had grown weary of the rampant lawlessness that defined the era Roger ushered in. He craved stability, a peaceful world. The constant turmoil on the seas, the rise of monstrous pirates – such things troubled him deeply.
While Whitebeard himself was a fearsome force, his concern lay with his "children." The Paramount War, where he played a pivotal role, wasn't a continuation of Roger's dream. It was fueled by raw vengeance – vengeance against the Marines who had slain his son.
His actions then stemmed from a place of immense grief, a vengeful spirit. Beyond seeking retribution against the World Government and the Marines, he aimed to divert their attention. With the focus to the World Government and the Marines trained on the final land, his "children" would be less vulnerable.
Both Whitebeard and Roger were catalysts for the Great Pirate Era, yet Luo Ning found Roger's approach distasteful. Roger's ambition was grand, bordering on recklessness. He even abandoned his wife and son in pursuit of his dream. Whitebeard, on the other hand, acted from a deeply personal place. One of his motivations was revenge, but the other, the driving force behind his actions at Marineford, was the unwavering love for his "family." While the results were similar, Whitebeard's actions were grounded in a desire to protect those he loved.
Whitebeard's motivations resonated far more with Luo Ning than Roger's empty pronouncements. What truly disgusted Luo Ning about Roger wasn't the inevitable civilian casualties, but the hollowness of his reasons. The grand, yet ultimately meaningless, justification left a bitter taste in Luo Ning's mouth. So many lives lost for such a pointless endeavor infuriated him. Were Roger still alive, Luo Ning would have gladly ensured he spent his remaining days in the depths of Impel Down.
***
Meanwhile, Shanks, the sole remaining Emperor in the New World, grappled with a complex mix of emotions. Unlike the others, he hadn't reached the final land, disembarking halfway through the journey. The newspaper revelations ignited a firestorm, signifying the imminent end of the Great Pirate Era.
"Shanks," Beckman stated, his voice grave, "continuing as pirates will only make us targets in this new landscape."
Shanks nodded curtly. "I understand. Time to put our plans into action. We'll build our own nation."
He set the newspaper aside, a resolute glint in his eyes. Preparations had been underway for some time, and this news presented the perfect opportunity.
The allure of a hidden treasure had driven the era of pirates, now exposed as a sham. This revelation, coupled with the ever-present threat of Impel Down, would undoubtedly deter the more opportunistic and faint of heart.
Most pirates now scoured the fringes, existing in the precarious space between various forces. Zephyr's Impel Down defectors, the Marines, and the Revolutionary Army all vied for control. Pirates, notorious for their misdeeds, naturally drew the ire of the Revolutionary Army, whose mission extended beyond liberation. The newly established New World monarchs, having transcended piracy, held these petty criminals in disdain. With their freedom of movement severely restricted, the news of the Great Kingdom only served to further squeeze the already dwindling space pirates could occupy.
The curtain had fallen on the Great Pirate Era. The revelations, devoid of the promise of hidden treasure, had shrunk the pirates' domain to an almost invisible sliver.
***
"As the tide turns. Mr. Luo Ning has once again accomplished something monumental. Not only has he brought about the demise of the Great Pirate Era, but more importantly, he has exposed the true nature of the World Government alongside it.
"The World Government, powered Uranus with human lives! And to think they started as a rebellious clan that committed genocides against entire races! No wonder they've gone to such lengths to erase that century from history.
"Each activation of Uranus devours countless innocent lives. Back then, their bloodthirsty lineage must have slaughtered untold numbers of civilians! Who would want to be complicit in such atrocities?"
Dragon, his brow furrowed in contemplation, scanned the newspapers spread before him. The sheer volume spoke, meticulously laying bare the World Government's dark underbelly. The truth about the Twenty Kings' lineage and their role in the Great Kingdom's demise was laid bare.
Their rise to power was fueled by the systematic elimination of entire races, a horrific process that undoubtedly took a significant amount of time to accumulate the necessary energy for Uranus.
A crucial detail gnawed at them – Uranus required recharging after each use. The number of activations during that bygone era remained a chilling unknown.
The very existence of Uranus loomed a constant threat hanging over everyone's heads. The prospect of such a weapon was abhorrent, its presence intolerable.
Sabo, a spark of determination glinting in his eyes, slammed his fist on the table laden with newspapers. "Those kingdoms won't dare continue their alliance with the World Government now!" he declared with fervor.
"No. On the contrary," Dragon countered, shaking his head. "Those rotten kingdoms will cling to the World Government like leeches."
"Why? Isn't the truth out there for everyone to see?" Sabo's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Power," Dragon explained. "While Uranus requires life to recharge, it also possesses immense destructive power. Otherwise, it wouldn't have annihilated the Great Kingdom entirely.
"Therefore, Uranus represents their greatest source of confidence. These people have no moral qualms. If need be, they'll readily sacrifice their own citizens to ensure their safety. Don't expect them to suddenly defect."
Betty offered a grim nod. "These army commanders – we've seen these people for who they truly are. They have no integrity and are capable of anything."
"Damn scoundrels!" Sabo slammed his fist on the table, anger boiling within him. Since joining the Revolutionary Army, he'd been exposed to the true extent of these kingdoms' depravity. Years of dedicated service fueled his resolve to dismantle their corrupt system.
The sheer number of potential victims at the hands of these monsters filled him with despair.
"Their downfall is imminent," Dragon declared firmly. "This news serves as a clarion call. No one wants to be sacrificial fodder."
"There will be those with the foresight to understand that. Their actions have painted them into a corner. Now, contact our operatives embedded within those kingdoms. Let them disseminate this information as widely as possible – sow the seeds of rebellion!"
Dragon's eyes gleamed with determination. To spark a revolution, they need to ignite the hearts of the people. And this news provides the perfect tinder. Initially, these citizens might feel insulated from the conflict. But now, the fire is at their doorstep. They won't stand idly by and await their demise. They can capitalize on this fear and turn it into a force for change.