Rhett, along with the doctor and Olga, was on their way back to their base on Skypiea.
So, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons... those were the real problems.
Could they really be as dumb as they seemed?If they were as foolish as the Celestial Dragons in the original storyline, how could they have such power?
The Celestial Dragons had the world's resources. But having resources and knowing how to use them were two different things.
Donquixote Homing couldn't be the only exception. In eight hundred years, were Joy Boy and Dragon the only rebels?
Rebellion is a flame that spreads.Even with the Void Century, they couldn't have killed everyone who knew the truth.
The hardest thing to control is the flame of rebellion.
If the Gorosei's sole purpose was world peace, they would have crafted a favorable image.Public opinion is everything.
Anyone who rebels is a traitor, and they all talk about how legit they are.
These old-timers, they should know this better than anyone. So why would they let the Celestial Dragons mess up their image?
Neither the Celestial Dragons nor the Gorosei want world peace. They want to unify the world under their control.
The pirate world's class structure, here's how it works.
Civilians and affiliated nations are protected by the World Government and the Marines.Non-affiliated nations are screwed.
Like a tribe structure, Rhett realized — the World Government as the dominant clan.
In this era of piracy, it helps the World Government. Those non-affiliated nations can't even pay the Heavenly Tribute — how strong can they be?They turn to piracy, or the country just disappears.
If the World Government attacks nations without cause, the other countries would get suspicious.
If it weren't for God Valley, they would have plenty of time to slowly consume these nations until they couldn't match the World Government, leading to world unification.
As for why the Four Emperors emerged later, it reignited the pirates' passion. The more chaotic the seas, the faster the pace of unification. A bunch of pirates who don't produce anything—what kind of waves can they make?
But taking it further— If a true prodigy among pirates rises to power, becoming a king or overlord, then I'll give you a position in an affiliated nation, supported by the Marines and the World Government. The outcome is the same—if you don't comply, we'll outlast you.
Even the world's strongest, Whitebeard, succumbed to time.
Putting it all together, Rhett understood.
Those fools going out were testing the loyalty of various nations. What's that called?
A compliance test. Compliance buys you more time. You can pay ten years, a hundred years, even a thousand years of Heavenly Tribute, but eventually, the country will collapse. How much Heavenly Tribute is required is up to them.
Any nation that shows signs of rebellion will have its affiliated status stripped, and then it will disappear.
After such high-pressure testing, what else can these affiliated nations do besides lament and worry about their own survival?
The elite Celestial Dragons probably don't consider these pleasure-seeking Celestial Dragons as their equals.
After several days of travel, Rhett's Oro Jackson was almost at Skypiea.
The ship's massive wind dials and retractable wings weren't just for show.
As for the energy source—what Enel? That's my brother! "God of Thunder," the "God of Thunder's" shining moment.
It was only because Enel had recently made a breakthrough in strength that they could fly directly to Skypiea. Otherwise, they would have had to walk to the base of Skypiea before taking off. They wouldn't have been able to afford such a luxurious flight.
The Oro Jackson sailed through the sea of clouds, its gilded hull shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
The doctor stood on the deck, gazing at the unfamiliar sky, his eyes filled with awe and curiosity.
"Is this... an island flying in the sky?" The doctor adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling slightly.
"Exactly. Welcome to our base," Rhett grinned. "This will be your new laboratory and the starting point of our future."
Olga excitedly ran to the ship's edge, looking down at the sprawling sea of clouds and floating islands. "Dad, it's so beautiful here!"
The doctor looked at his daughter's smile, a hint of relief in his eyes.
He turned to Rhett and said, "Captain Rhett, thank you for reuniting me with my daughter and for curing Olga's illness. From now on, I'll be in your care."
Rhett nodded, his gaze profound. "Doctor, your research is crucial to us. The technology of Pure Gold is just the beginning. I need you to help me develop more things that can change the world."
Tesoro stepped forward, his golden ring gleaming in the sunlight. "Doctor, the laboratory on Skypiea has been prepared to the highest standards. All the resources you need will be prioritized."
The doctor took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll start working as soon as possible."
The various shells unique to Skypiea were highly sought after in the Blue Sea.
The ship slowly landed on Skypiea's main island. Stella stepped off the ship with a smile. "Doctor, welcome. I've prepared a place for you to rest."
The doctor nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
Tesoro walked over to Rhett and whispered, "Captain, we've also made significant adjustments to Skypiea's defenses. We're ready to face any threat at any time."
Rhett smiled with satisfaction. "Well done, Miss Stella."
As night fell, Rhett stood alone at a high vantage point, overlooking his domain. Tesoro approached him and asked softly, "Captain, what are you thinking about?"
Rhett's gaze pierced through the clouds, as if looking straight into the heart of the world. "Tesoro, do you think... the World Government is really as it appears on the surface?"
Tesoro shook his head. "That's not something I should be considering, right? What should I do, Captain?"
Rhett laughed heartily. That's Tesoro for you.
"Keep an eye on our businesses recently. The World Government should be getting restless."