Carlo looked at the intelligence report in his hand and thought for a moment before speaking. "Increase the surveillance efforts. Let's see what they're really up to. I'll report this to 'Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.'"
The head of the surveillance department nodded. "Understood."
He set down the report in his hand and quietly withdrew, while Carlo picked up the intelligence report as well and left the room, heading toward "Sakazuki's" office.
* * *
High above the clouds on Egghead Island.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Sakazuki" accepted the report Carlo handed over. It contained intercepted communications and information regarding Revolutionary Army branches establishing their own nations.
After a quick glance, he chuckled and casually set the report aside. "Interesting. Dragon isn't as foolish as I thought."
Unlike the purely robotic Seraphim, this "Sakazuki" was created through the powers of a Devil Fruit. Not only did he possess all of Sakazuki's memories, but he also had independent thoughts.
The moment he saw the report, he understood exactly what Dragon was trying to do.
Below him, Carlo became somewhat interested. "Oh?"
Looking at him, "Sakazuki" explained, "Dragon is trying to preserve the spark by dissolving the Revolutionary Army. Because whether the World Government wins or the Marines wins, a purge of the Revolutionary Army is inevitable.
"But once those Revolutionary Army branches disband and establish kingdoms, they become legitimate nations.
"If you want to rule the world, you can't openly attack newly established lawful countries without a justified cause. When the time comes, Revolutionary Army nations will be spread across all four seas. What then? Are you going to purge the entire world?
"That's his plan. Unfortunately, he was one move short..."
After hearing the explanation, even Carlo couldn't help clicking his tongue.
Indeed, no matter which side won, they would be forced to swallow this loss. It would be unpleasant, but there would be no choice. After all, they couldn't declare war on every nation in the world. If they did, they would be abandoned by the entire world.
The Marines would be no exception.
Unfortunately for Dragon, he had run into Fleet Admiral "Sakazuki."
By cutting off communications, "Sakazuki" had effectively placed the entire world in the palm of his hand.
Not only had countless hidden forces and ambitious factions been lured out into the open, but Dragon himself, a man carrying the accumulated wisdom of generations of the Monkey D. family, had been completely trapped by the scheme.
A flawless killing move had become a joke…
* * *
Year 1523 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
The Great Cataclysm entered its second year, and the world had completely stabilized.
Every island in the New World had been fully garrisoned. The Marines had begun rebuilding order throughout the region and implementing a new system of governance.
At the same time, after more than a year of global communication isolation, hidden forces and ambitious kingdoms around the world were gradually beginning to reveal themselves.
At the former site of Mariejois, a massive beam now stretched across the enormous gap carved through the Red Line. At its center stood a towering spire that reached toward the heavens.
Mounted atop the tower were Pluton's main cannon and its targeting systems, while Egghead Island and the still-under-construction headquarters of the World Federal Government were both located below it.
* * *
Inside the temporary office of the Vice Chairman at the World Federal Government headquarters, the head of the surveillance department was delivering a report to Carlo.
"..."
"..."
"Including the Kingdom of Kabukru on the Grand Line, a total of seventeen kingdoms have resumed maritime operations and launched wars against external targets.
"The number of kingdoms established by former Revolutionary Army branches has increased from six during the last report to eleven. The primary reason is that the seas have gradually become calmer. Although communications remain cut off, traditional navigation methods are beginning to regain effectiveness, and some nearby islands have already resumed trade.
"As for hidden destabilizing elements, surveillance has currently identified four hundred and ninety-one. Some are retired pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million Berries, while others are powerful independent dojo masters or national-level experts.
"According to current assessments, among the known destabilizing elements, the strongest is Sai, the 13th Leader of the Happo Navy from the Kano Country in the West Blue.
"Also on the list is the former leader of the Happo Navy, Chinjao, who once carried a bounty of five hundred million Berries.
"As for the underground criminal organizations whose exact locations have been identified, there is the base of the Loan Shark King, 'God Of Fortune' Lu Feld, the location of the Shipping King, 'Deep-Sea Currents' Umit, the whereabouts of the Warehouse King, 'The Concealer' Giberson, and the headquarters of the 'Major Undertaker' Drug Peclo, along with the forces under his command.
"Pleasure District has already been brought under control. In addition, criminal organizations of all sizes have begun causing unrest. The islands of the West Blue are currently caught in a struggle for control between gangs and Revolutionary Army forces.
"There are also several rising powers on the Grand Line. At the entrance of Reverse Mountain, there's the Bounty Hunter Alliance, which currently controls four islands.
"Then there's Gild Tesoro, who conquered six islands and established Slave Island. He's a confirmed Logia user and possesses the Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability that once belonged to the deceased Rear Admiral Smoker.
"The Accino Family, a bounty hunter clan, has occupied seven islands in the surrounding seas.
"Nolly has conquered the Kingdom of—"
Click.
The sound of a doorknob turning suddenly interrupted the report.
The head of the surveillance department immediately stopped speaking, set down the documents in his hand, and quietly withdrew.
At the doorway, Robin entered while carrying a book.
When she saw the departing department chief, the two exchanged nods. She glanced back and waited until he had completely disappeared before turning to Carlo.
"Looks like I interrupted something."
Flipping through the documents the chief had left behind, Carlo smiled. "Just a routine report. Need something?"
Robin shook her head. "No. Nothing in particular. I'm just tired of reading..."
She walked over to the sofa, set down a device with a screen roughly the size of a book, and sat down while rubbing her temples.
That was indeed the case. All of Vegapunk's books and accumulated knowledge had been digitized. Everything could now be accessed through the device in Robin's hands.
But no matter how much she loved studying, reading from morning until night was still exhausting…
Carlo smiled and stood up. Walking over to the sofa, he poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Robin.
"Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
Robin thanked him and took a small sip of tea before shaking her head.
Carlo walked over to a bookshelf, pulled out a book titled "A General History of the World," then returned and handed it to Robin.
Curiosity flashed across Robin's face. A title like A General History of the World clearly suggested an epic account of the entire world's history, yet she couldn't remember anyone ever writing such a book.
Not even the scholars of Ohara had managed to compile and organize the complete history of the world despite centuries of effort…
She glanced at the cover. There wasn't even an author's name.
Robin gently opened the book and froze.
Two pages… three pages… five pages… seven pages…
This book… didn't contain a single word.
Robin was speechless.
At that moment, Carlo reached over, took the book, and closed it. A pen had somehow appeared in his hand.
Under the six large characters of A General History of the World, he wrote: written by Nico Robin.
Then he looked at the stunned archaeologist and asked, "Well?"
Robin stared at the cover. She was surprised and delighted, yet she still hesitated.
"But..."
Carlo smiled. "Don't worry. The newly established World Federal Government won't prohibit the study of history. If you want, you can even compile and publish a book interpreting the Poneglyphs.
"We don't really care about history, and we have no reason to fear it. Everything we possess was obtained openly and honestly. There's no need to hide anything.
"Regardless of how much time passes. Eight hundred years, a thousand years, even several thousand years. Even the history of the Void Century, which the former World Government forbade anyone from researching, will never be banned.
"Just like Ohara believed, the people have every right to know the truth of history.
"So everything we're doing now, including cutting off communications, conducting secret surveillance, and purging the world, you can write all of it into your book.
"'Fleet Admiral Sakazuki' doesn't care. And he never will.
"Even 'Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's' autobiography records every plan and every action he has taken since joining the Marines. Even if you don't write it down, everyone will know once it's published in the future."
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