Chapter 57

"Sigh, you never listen, do you, Roger?" Rayleigh's voice carried a hint of frustration as he tried to reason with his stubborn friend. "We can still find a way. Maybe, like Crocus said, we may be able to find the Ope Ope no Mi or the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi and help you recover. There's still a chance. It's not too late to look for the final island after we help you completely recover."

Rayleigh knew that healing Roger was no simple task. Even Crocus had admitted his limitations in saving his friend. Yet, he held onto hope, clinging to any possibility that could extend Roger's time.

"Rayleigh, I cannot give up on my dream. If I do, I'm afraid the dream would give up on me," Roger replied, his tone resolute. "My gut instinct tells me that we can achieve it. But if we go after finding a cure for myself, we may never achieve our dream in this lifetime."

A heavy silence settled between the two friends, neither willing to yield. Rayleigh understood Roger's determination, but he couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him.

With a resigned sigh, Rayleigh relented. "Fine, you win. But promise me not to recklessly involve yourself in unnecessary clashes, especially with that madman Garp. You both have dung for brains. The more you fight, the faster your life drains. So, avoid fights unless absolutely necessary, alright?"

Roger's sheepish grin only exacerbated Rayleigh's headache. "What am I going to do with you?" he muttered, shaking his head in exasperation.

But Rayleigh wasn't finished yet. He had an idea—a spark of inspiration that could potentially solve their dilemma.

"Why don't we find someone who might already know about these poneglyphs?" Rayleigh suggested, his eyes alight with newfound hope.

Roger's interest was piqued, and he urged Rayleigh to continue.

"Remember, Whitebeard's crew has Oden Kozuki," Rayleigh continued. "Maybe if we can convince him to help us, then maybe we wouldn't have to roam around the seas blindly to find those red poneglyphs."

Roger's eyes widened in surprise at the brilliance of Rayleigh's suggestion. Why hadn't he thought of this before? His friend truly was a genius.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Roger felt the thrill of adventure coursing through his veins once more. It was time to find Whitebeard, and perhaps, finally uncover the secrets hidden within the ancient poneglyphs.

After the mess in Ambrosia Kingdom, Garp refused to go back to Marineford because he was mad at Kong for tricking him. So, we stayed in the New World, chasing pirates whenever we felt like it. Garp was quiet and kind of sad after his fight with Dragon. He used to be loud and cheerful, but now he just seemed lost in his thoughts, making everyone on the ship feel uneasy.

But I kept up with my usual routine. I was lifting this really heavy weight, adding more and more plates to it. I didn't even know how much it weighed anymore; I just wanted to push myself harder.

"17123... 17124... 17125..." I counted each time I swung the weight. It was tough, with my muscles burning with every swing, but I knew it was making me stronger. I focused on the exercise, shutting out everything else.

Garp's silence hung over the ship like a dark cloud. He seemed weighed down by what happened with Dragon, lost in his thoughts. It was like he wasn't himself anymore, just a shell of the person he used to be.

As I finished my routine for the day, wiping the sweat from my brow, I noticed Kuzan sitting on the railing in my usual spot. He looked lost in his own thoughts, his gaze fixed on the horizon as if searching for something in the vast expanse of the sea.

Approaching him cautiously, I could sense the weight of his contemplation, mirroring the heaviness that seemed to hang over the entire ship since our encounter with Dragon.

"Hey, Kuzan san," I greeted him softly, not wanting to startle him from his reverie.

He turned his head slightly, acknowledging my presence with a nod but saying nothing. His expression was inscrutable, a mixture of melancholy and determination.

I sat down beside him, leaving a respectful distance, not wanting to intrude but also feeling compelled to offer some semblance of companionship in our shared solitude.

"Everything alright?" I asked, my voice low, as if afraid to disrupt the fragile peace of his thoughts.

Kuzan sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "Just thinking," he replied, his voice tinged with resignation. "About everything that's happened, about where we're headed next."

I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. We were all grappling with the aftermath of recent events, each of us searching for our own path forward in the midst of uncertainty.

"It's a lot to take in," I offered sympathetically, unsure of what else to say.

Kuzan chuckled softly, the sound tinged with bitterness. "That's one way to put it," he remarked, his gaze returning to the endless expanse of the sea.

For a while, we sat in silence, the only sound being the gentle lapping of waves against the hull of the ship. Despite the heaviness of the moment, there was a strange sense of peace in our shared solitude.

"I now understand some things you've told me before, Ross," Kuzan began, his voice thoughtful. "I used to believe in finding true justice by staying true to my beliefs, and standing strong. But recent events have shown me otherwise. I think the concept of justice... changes its shape depending on where one stands."

His words hung heavy in the air, echoing the sentiments of many who had grappled with the complexities of morality and righteousness in a world rife with uncertainty.

"Hahaha, is that what you've come to after all this, Kuzan-san?" I chuckled, my tone laced with a hint of amusement. "It seems like a convenient excuse, doesn't it? You still fail to understand how corrupt this world is, Kuzan-san. Sometimes, it's simple if you're willing to face the consequences that follow. Remember this, Kuzan-san: Justice cannot be for one side alone; it must be for both. And until you realize that, you'll never be able to break out of that shell."

As I spoke, I was aware that I was pushing Kuzan towards a different path than his canon counterpart. I needed him to remain within the Marines if I were to execute my plan to take over the organization in the future. Having the Marines under our control would be a crucial turning point against the World Government.

While it might lead to the splitting of the Marines, as long as I could garner the support of the majority of the Marine powerhouses, fighting the World Nobles would be more manageable. I wasn't naive enough to believe that the power that had ruled for close to eight centuries could be toppled with mere one-on-one brawls. It would require an all-out war, and the entire world would burn in the aftermath. Moreover, we would need the Marines to deal with the aftermath. It was a long-term project, but it was necessary if we were to ascend to the throne.

"Say, Ross, in that case, what do you think Garp San should have done?" Kuzan questioned, delving deeper into the discussion.

"Honestly, Kuzan-san, I cannot speak for others. No two humans are the same. But for me, once I have the strength, I will follow what my heart truly wants, damn the consequences. If I have to burn the whole world to achieve peace, then so be it, hahaha," I replied, unable to contain the flow of my ambition. Even Kuzan seemed uneasy about me and my words.

"So, you truly want to quit, don't you? Do you know how Garp-san might feel about this? He truly thinks of passing on his mantle to you. He prides in you even more than his own son, you know," Kuzan commented, acknowledging the unique bond between Garp and me. He understood that, out of the two of us, I had the talent to surpass Garp in the future.

"Honestly, Kuzan-san, Garp-san is the one who understands best that I will eventually quit. Maybe what he truly wishes is for me to inherit his true ideals, and change the world for the better. Who knows? Maybe in the future, it might be the Marine Hero who sows the seeds of change in this world. A monkey might truly help change this world," I said, knowing that eventually, things would change. But I was not going to rely on the protagonist of this world. I, myself, would become one and change this world, ruling it alongside my brother.

Time flew by. In the vast expanse of the tumultuous seas, the year 1498 unfolded with a tapestry of events that would shape the destinies of many individuals and nations. As I, a mere observer with access to information from various sources within the Marines, Cipher Pol, and even my own brother, reflected upon the pivotal moments of this year, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.

Among the myriad events that transpired during this year, one of the most significant occurrences was the ascension of Neptune to the throne of the Ryuuguu Kingdom. Following the demise of the previous monarch, Neptune assumed the mantle of kingship, ushering in a new era for his underwater domain.

Meanwhile, on distant shores, the exploits of legendary figures reverberated across the seas. Kyros, a formidable warrior, achieved a remarkable feat by notching a record 1000 victories in the Corrida Colosseum, cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

However, amidst these triumphs, darker forces lurked in the shadows. In the distant land of Wano, the tyrannical Orochi solidified his grip on power, forging an unholy alliance with the fearsome Kaido to establish weapon factories that churned out instruments of destruction. Their nefarious dealings spread ripples of chaos and suffering throughout the world, as their insatiable greed knew no bounds. 

As the Donquixote family tightened its grip on the North Blue, my brother's sights were set on the elusive realm of the New World. Despite my reluctance to embroil ourselves in the treacherous affairs of that fabled sea, Doffy remained steadfast in his determination to explore its depths. What started as a mere inclination soon solidified into a fervent desire, fueled by ambition and a thirst for power.

The turning point came with an unexpected invitation from the Beast Pirates, a notorious crew led by the indomitable Kaido. Their offer of collaboration in the production of weapons piqued Doffy's interest, presenting an opportunity too tantalizing to resist. As the preeminent weapon makers in the world, the Donquixote family held sway over markets far and wide, and Kaido's proposal promised to expand their influence even further.

Despite my misgivings and warnings about the dangers lurking in the New World, Doffy was undeterred. His eyes gleamed with the promise of adventure and conquest, his ambition driving him ever forward. Perhaps it was the allure of power or the thrill of the unknown that spurred him on, but whatever the reason, he set sail with his Donquixote Pirates in tow, ready to carve out a new empire amidst the chaos of the New World.

As they ventured into uncharted waters, I couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that gripped my heart. The New World was a realm of untold dangers and untamed seas, where even the strongest of men could meet their end. Yet, despite my reservations, I could not dissuade Doffy from his chosen path.

Perhaps he was being manipulated by unseen forces, or perhaps it was simply his insatiable thirst for power driving him forward. Whatever the case, I knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with peril and uncertainty. But as the Donquixote family set sail for the New World, I could only hope that they would emerge victorious, their ambition undimmed by the trials that lay ahead.