In Kong's eyes, the World Government had gone mad, they actually wanted to destroy the entire world. This approach was too extreme, too terrifying.
These people didn't see ordinary humans as fellow beings but as livestock, trash, not even the same species.
It was no longer within his power to decide. He could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded, utterly powerless to stop the world's descent into madness. Any attempt to intervene would result in Imu erasing him without hesitation.
The thought made Kong sigh. There was nothing he could do. Let them indulge in their madness, what would come of it, he didn't know, nor could he imagine.
The world had already gone insane. Even in Wano, Roy received news of the turmoil.
"Fourteen countries have refused the conscription. Are there others?" Roy had obtained internal intelligence from the World Government. Many nations were growing rebellious.
Fourteen countries had openly refused conscription, while dozens more remained ambiguous. As for those willing to comply, their military strength was negligible, like the Goa Kingdom, which announced its obedience to the World Government's conscription order.
But what use was the Goa Kingdom's army? Even if they joined the Marines, how would that enhance their power?
The fourteen refusing nations were among the strongest affiliate countries of the World Government.
These included the Kano Country, the Iron Kingdom, Alabasta, Prodence Kingdom, Tajine Kingdom, and Ballywood Kingdom, among others.
The World Government was clearly pressuring them. If they didn't submit, these nations would be obliterated.
This only fueled their anger further. They were already on the brink of ruin, and now the World Government was pushing them to the edge. They resolved to stand their ground, daring the World Government to try and destroy them.
Especially Alabasta, a vast nation. With Cobra dead and Vivi missing, the country seethed with rage, demanding accountability from the World Government.
"So far, only fourteen have explicitly refused conscription. Less than thirty have agreed. The rest are still watching, undecided," Marco reported.
"It seems the world is about to descend into complete chaos. I need to make a trip. When I return, we can launch the final battle," Roy said.
"Big Brother, where are you going?" Marco asked.
"To find that burned man. It'd be a shame if he died," Roy replied.
"You're worried about Loxus clashing with Red Hair, aren't you? I heard the Kid Pirates were wiped out," Marco said with a laugh.
"I'm not worried about that. That guy won't kill Loxus," Roy shook his head.
"The Red Hair Pirates just took out Bartolomeo, one of Straw Hat's crewmates. The Straw Hat Pirates will inevitably clash with the Red Hair Pirates, but before that, the Red Hairs will likely fight Ace and his crew," Marco said.
"The final Poneglyph," Roy smiled.
"The Cross Guild is almost here," Marco added.
"Dealing with them will be easy," Roy said, glancing toward the sea. The sky was already bright.
As expected, the Cross Guild would arrive soon.
Not far from Wano, at sea
A large ship sailed across the waters.
"Why does this ship look like this?" Gecko Moria grumbled for what felt like the hundredth time. Every time he saw the ship's appearance, it pissed him off.
"It really is ugly. It doesn't look like a pirate ship at all, more like a circus. Though, it basically is a circus!" Kuzan sighed, joining in on the complaint. He glanced back at the crew performing onboard, it really was no different from a circus.
"I feel embarrassed to be with these people," one of Kuzan's subordinates muttered, then added, "Though they are fun, a good bunch."
"They are a good bunch, just with an unreliable captain," another remarked.
Watching the original Buggy Pirates, there was no sense of tension whatsoever. They were about to battle the Whitebeard Pirates, yet they were still laughing and performing tricks. Did they not understand what kind of opponents they were facing?
"Our next opponents are the Whitebeard Pirates. Can we win?" Perona asked.
"I don't know. I've never seen the Whitebeard Pirates," Absalom replied.
"I heard they're all monsters, especially that guy named Roy. Even Mihawk isn't his match, is that true?" Perona pressed.
"No way! Someone as strong as Mihawk, how could he lose?" one of Buggy's men chuckled as he approached.
"You're mistaken. They fought before, and Mihawk lost," Kuzan said.
"Really?" Perona asked.
"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes," Kuzan confirmed.
"That's terrifying! Are we really going to fight opponents like that?" Perona knew exactly how powerful Mihawk was. For someone like him to have lost was unthinkable.
"They are the strongest Emperor crew of the sea," Kuzan said.
"I see Wano."
"Huh? Is that Wano? I thought these waters were dangerous?"
"I've been to Wano before. It's different, completely different. How did Wano become a mountain?" Buggy exclaimed in shock.
It wasn't just him. Gecko Moria knew this place well, and the current Wano was nothing like what he remembered.
"Is this Wano? Are you sure we didn't take a wrong turn?" Gecko Moria asked his subordinates.
"N-no mistake. This is the direction the Log Pose points," a subordinate replied.
"Then the Log Pose must be broken," Gecko Moria insisted.
"The Log Pose isn't wrong. I bought three Wano Log Poses, all previously obtained from the Beasts Pirates. They can't be wrong," Crocodile said.
"This is Wano? Where's the waterfall? The dangerous waters are gone. What's with that mountain? How did Wano become like this?" Gecko Moria couldn't believe his eyes.
"I feel the same. Wano is definitely different from what I remember. What happened to make it like this?" Buggy wondered aloud.
"This is the land of the samurai, Wano, the birthplace of the dragon-slayer Ryuma," Hawk Eyes stepped forward and said.
"Wano has always been isolated. Intel doesn't get out easily. We've been traveling nonstop, so it's normal we didn't know what happened. But since we're here, the Whitebeard Pirates should still be in Wano," Crocodile said.
"We're about to battle the Whitebeard Pirates. Can we win?" one of Buggy's men worried.
"You fools! Of course, we'll win!" Buggy stood at the bow and shouted.
"Hohoho! Captain Buggy!!"
The crew cheers wildly, full of adrenaline.
But the others wore concerned expressions. For some reason, they all had a bad feeling, Wano stood before them like a sword, ready to strike them down.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu