Kong Tai and the others watched the retreating figures of Charles and his group in silence.
They could feel the sadness emanating from Charles and his companions.
This world, on the surface, seemed beautiful.
But beneath this beauty, it hid all sorts of darkness and unparalleled oppression.
As they sailed along, if they were to say which island was the most peaceful...
There wasn't one.
Well, not entirely. Their hometown, Simo Shigaki Village, was peaceful, but that was in a remote corner of the East Blue, under the layers of protection from the Marines and with Vice Admiral Garp occasionally visiting, creating a place known as the weakest sea.
And such places were not common in this world.
With his perspective, there were likely no truly peaceful places.
Even the sky, ten thousand meters above, was rife with war and the oppression of powerful beings called Gods.
Even Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below, was forced to live like caged birds within bubbles, constantly besieged by countless pirates and human traffickers.
What truly prevented this world from prospering was not the dangers of nature; while natural dangers could be severe, they could be consciously avoided once one reached a certain level of understanding.
What prevented all this was the human heart, lawlessness, and the malice that continuously spawned after gaining power.
In this world that idealized freedom.
The rules set by the World Government self-servingly catered only to a select few, while the common people's lives were disregarded.
Although there were Marines, the seas were too vast, and the World Government did not interfere with countries that did not pay them tribute.
Thus, tragedy was ubiquitous.
With the dangers of the sea and pirates on the outside, and nobles within, one could imagine how difficult life was for the common folk.
This was why the world was so insular.
People confined themselves to their own islands, like frogs in a well. While they yearned for the outside world, their inner fears and the dread instilled by the sea prevented them from venturing out.
This also led to the disparity in this world, where some places were highly developed, while others remained like primitive societies.
The root of all tragedy was feudalism.
And to end this tragedy, the problem had to be solved from the source.
Establish rules, true and fair rules.
Support the Navy, so they could truly serve the entire sea, the entire world.
The most crucial point was the abolition of slavery.
Without slavery, there would actually be far fewer pirates in this world, and far fewer tragedies.
Finally, fully open up the world, allowing for mutual exchange and learning. Then this world would no longer be a feudal society but would gradually evolve into a society governed by law.
Kong Tai could not solve all the tragedies of this world, nor would he engage in establishing rules. Breaking the world's feudalism was also not something he should undertake.
However, while he couldn't achieve the aforementioned, he could address the issue of slavery.
And to address slavery, one must first...
Kong Tai looked up in the direction of the Red Line, his eyes filled with killing intent.
No rush, no rush. It wasn't safe enough yet.
Although he didn't know Im's specific strength, being able to erase 100 years of history, to erase a dominant power that had ruled the world for an unknown duration, to pressure the twenty most powerful nations, to sit at the apex of the world for eight hundred years on the Empty Throne.
The power Im wielded must surely be beyond anyone's imagination.
From the Sirens, he knew that in the distant past, this planet must have birthed highly advanced technological civilizations.
Such a civilization might have long ago figured out what Devil Fruits truly were, and the Devil Fruits of today might have been created by them.
They might have even developed nuclear weapons, and even more potent armaments.
While he himself was not afraid, his companions and loved ones were.
He needed to become truly invincible before he would ascend to the world's apex and overthrow this ignorant, cruel, foolish, and utterly repulsive slave system.
Kong Tai withdrew his gaze, raised his sake gourd, took a couple of gulps, then stepped forward, leaning his upper body over the railing, gazing out at the distant slaughter with a faraway look.
While he was lost in thought, unbeknownst to him, at the edge of the horizon, high above the clouds, a colossal object was rapidly approaching.
It came from outer space, its specific form indiscernible. Due to its excessive speed, it was creating friction with the atmosphere, igniting into flames, appearing from a distance like a broom trailing a long fiery tail.
Its passage distorted the very space around it.
Simply observing it from afar conveyed a terrifying amount of energy contained within this colossal entity.
If this energy were to strike an island, it could instantly obliterate it.
And this colossal object was heading directly towards Coco Ludo.
About ten minutes earlier.
Behind Kong Tai and his group, separated by only a wall from the city walls, in Blertes, near the city gate, within a street-side fruit stall.
A middle-aged man of ordinary appearance, dressed ordinarily, with an all-around unremarkable demeanor, unable to bear the quiet outside, couldn't help but walk to the city gate and peer outside through the cracks.
When he saw the Sunny outside, his pupils contracted sharply. His previously ordinary aura transformed into something incredibly profound.
He then withdrew his gaze, quickly retreating into the building behind the fruit stall, retrieved a Den Den Mushi from a secret location, hesitated, and then dialed.
That's right, he was a member of the CP organization. There were members like him on almost every island worldwide. They didn't possess great strength, but they served as the World Government's eyes and ears.
Their sole purpose was to represent the World Government, listening to the whispers from every corner of the world.
A few days prior, he had received orders from his superior: report immediately upon sighting the Silver-Haired Pirates.
*Buruburuburu!!*
The call was answered immediately. He quickly reported the news of the Silver-Haired Pirates being in Coco Ludo. Before he could receive further instructions, the other end hung up, leaving him standing there, slightly dazed, holding the receiver.
However, he didn't overthink it. After concealing the Den Den Mushi, he resumed his original demeanor.
Upon leaving the room, he was once again just an ordinary fruit stall owner.
Upon receiving this message, the CP organization immediately reported it. Within minutes, news of the Silver-Haired Pirates in Coco Ludo was placed before the Five Elders in their usual meeting hall.
The Five Elders, upon receiving the message, immediately became serious. They exchanged glances, picked up the documents before them, stood up, and, through a hidden door behind them, secretly proceeded to the Flower Chamber, a place considered forbidden even in the Holy Land.
In a spacious and bright room, covered in green moss and surrounded by blooming flowers, they encountered Im, whose entire body was shrouded in a black robe.