[Loguetown]
The island known as the Town of the Beginning and the End now carried an easy prosperity under the sea breeze.
As the hometown of the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and the place where he was executed, it should have been a lawless land.
But history's course had long since been changed. Although Loguetown was still the final supply stop before entering the Grand Line, it now felt more like a lively tourist destination.
In the official history rewritten by the World Government, the supreme God of the World, Jaygarcia Rosse, personally ushered in a new era, bringing Roger's sinful age of great pirates to a complete end.
Because of this legendary turning point in history, countless tourists came here every year out of curiosity.
Most of them came from the other three seas.
Due to certain special restrictions, Loguetown had become the furthest point in the East Blue they were allowed to visit.
The rest of the East Blue would gradually be opened for exploration only after Luffy had left.
Once Luffy passed through, the world would finally welcome true peace.
On the bustling streets, Rosse and Olvia strolled side by side.
Their tall figures should have stood out in the crowd, but Rosse's presence was blurred by a law-like force.
Even if a passerby happened to look his way, they would never be able to clearly see his face.
Even a brief glance would be forgotten the instant they looked away.
Olvia, however, made no attempt to hide herself.
After years of Rosse's wholehearted care and "nurturing," the former archaeologist had undergone astonishing second growth.
She now stood over two meters tall, with her long, shapely legs alone measuring an incredible one and a half meters.
Her snow-white silver hair flowed smoothly to her slender waist. Her striking curves stretched the close-fitting dress into breathtaking lines, and every step radiated the mature charm of a woman in full bloom.
Olvia suddenly stopped.
Her blue eyes quietly rested on the remains of Roger's execution platform in the distance, a faint trace of nostalgia appearing on her face.
"I used to naively believe that uncovering the truth of the world would be worth it, even if it cost me my life."
She spoke softly with a hint of self-mockery before turning her gaze to the man beside her, "But now that you've laid everything out in front of me... I just feel empty inside."
Rosse turned toward her. His eyes lingered over her refined, mature face before he smiled and wrapped an arm around her slim waist, "What? Has being my Director of Historical Archives been that hard on you? Or are you disappointed that uncovering the Void Century wasn't as exciting as you'd imagined?"
Olvia leaned obediently against him and gently shook her head.
Over the past decade or so, although she was, in name, Rosse's caged canary, she had never stopped studying history.
To her now, the World Government's history held no secrets.
"If I'd first heard the story of those eight hundred years over a decade ago, I would've thought it was a magnificent epic. I probably would've done everything I could to reveal the truth to the world."
She looked up, her eyes carrying the weariness of someone who had seen through the world.
"But after organizing the million-year history of the Soul Society, that urge completely disappeared. Compared to that, the falsification of history eight hundred years ago feels like children playing house."
She couldn't help recalling the mountain of records she had personally organized from that other world.
The Soul Society.
The Seireitei.
The Royal Palace.
Hueco Mundo.
The Five Great Noble Houses.
Depending on the interests of different factions and the testimonies of various survivors, the same period of history could give rise to countless completely different, almost fantastical versions.
There was even a rumor in the Rukongai that only Squad Zero could deal with Menos.
But she had personally read the authentic records Rosse had given her.
Forget ordinary Menos, even a Vasto Lorde standing at the pinnacle of Hueco Mundo was nothing more than a joke that Squad Zero could cut down with a casual swing.
"After learning so many cruel truths about history and seeing the filth behind so-called official records, I've completely lost any sense of reverence for them."
Olvia sighed softly, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.
"Sometimes I don't even know what I'm living for anymore. These days I just habitually go to the archives to organize old records."
"When I'm in a good mood, I'll teach a few history classes at Mary Geoise University. If I have any free time in the evening, I'll write a little more of this world's chronicle."
"By the time Luffy and the others finish their adventure, it should be ready for publication. After all... I don't have much time at night."
As she said that, a faint blush spread across her fair cheeks, and she shot Rosse a flirtatious glance.
Why didn't she have much free time?
Because whatever time she did have was spent indulging with Rosse and the other women.
Whenever Rosse got started, she could forget about moving so much as a finger for the entire night.
Still, to be honest, this life, where she was mentally fulfilled and materially abundant, really suited Olvia.
Rosse chuckled at her charming expression.
His long fingers slowly slid down her back before giving it a firm squeeze.
"Sounds like you've completely settled into your current role. But little Robin found her chance and slipped out of Mary Geoise a long time ago. As her mother, you really don't plan to ask about her?"
At the mention of Robin, Olvia's expression barely changed.
Only a faint, deeply hidden trace of complexity flashed through her eyes.
It quickly disappeared, replaced by calm.
"As long as you all know where she is and what she's doing, that's enough. Under your watch, nothing will happen to her. She can only belong to you, can't she?"
She spoke as though discussing a stranger with whom she had no connection.
"From the day Ohara was destroyed... from the moment I pulled the trigger at her to save my own life... the Olvia who lived only for her daughter, and the Robin who saw her mother as her whole world, both died completely in each other's hearts."
Rosse raised an interested eyebrow.
He didn't interrupt, simply listening as she continued analyzing herself.
"Time may heal wounds, but some scars can never truly be accepted. She can't forgive my betrayal, and I don't want to force a mother-daughter relationship that should've ended long ago. My life now is just fine."
Olvia curled her lips into a self-deprecating smile.
"If you didn't deliberately bring her up every so often, I might've erased her from my memory by now. In a way, I really am a selfish piece of trash."
"Compared to me, your moral standards are pretty high."
Rosse laughed and shook his head, his hand moving up to stroke her hair.
"From a historical perspective, you're more like a saint."
Olvia turned toward him and spoke earnestly, "I'm genuinely a terrible person. But you aren't. You've never betrayed the people who follow you. Compared to the Celestial Dragons or any other rulers, your personal desires are unbelievably small."
"Even compared to Joy Boy, you'd count as a saint. Every time he stirred things up, far more people died than from anything you've ever done."
"And under your rule, this world has only gotten better. That's an undeniable fact."
"Maybe someday, when a new regime comes to power, they'll smear your name. But judged by history, you're unquestionably one of the greatest rulers."
Those words came from the bottom of Olvia's heart.
Precisely because she knew history, because she had personally documented it, she understood Rosse's impact better than anyone.
Measured by personal virtue, Rosse was far from perfect.
But from a broader perspective, that didn't stop him from being a good ruler.
"That's an interesting evaluation. Other than the people whose job is to flatter me, it's the first time I've heard someone say that," Rosse smiled.
It was precisely because he appreciated Olvia that she had survived until today and held an important place in his heart.
From the standpoint of family, Olvia could hardly be called a decent person.
But from his own perspective, she was an excellent woman.
"Hm?"
As they spoke, Rosse suddenly stopped walking.
He slowly raised his head and looked past the rows of buildings toward Loguetown's harbor.
Olvia immediately noticed the subtle change.
Following his gaze, she quickly understood, "Has Straw Hat Luffy finally arrived?"
She asked softly, a trace of curiosity entering her voice.
As someone personally witnessing this chapter of history, a god playing with destiny's chosen one, she was more than happy to record every detail.
When it was all over, perhaps she would write a book about it.
Of course, there would be no embellishments.
It would all be historical fact.
As for whether it would be published, based on what she knew of Rosse, she was certain it would.
Rosse was generous in every respect, "Yes. He's finally here."
Rosse nodded lightly, an interested smile spreading across his lips.
"Today, we'll be stepping onto the stage ourselves for a wonderful performance."
Taking Olvia's hand, he smiled, "I just wonder how entertaining today's show will be."
There were quite a few important figures gathered in Loguetown today.
Besides Straw Hat Luffy, who stood at the center of the storm, Dragon had already arrived. The Red Hair Pirates' ship had quietly docked at another harbor.
Even Beckman, who had only recently gotten used to his new life at Reverse Mountain, had come here.
With such a lineup and such tangled relationships, as the one controlling everything, Rosse intended to step into the game himself and enjoy the show.
———
[Loguetown Harbor]
The Going Merry slowly sailed into the harbor before coming to a steady stop.
As the heavy anchor splashed into the sea, the Straw Hat Pirates made their way down the wooden bridge one after another.
"Meat! I'm going to eat meat! And I want to see the square where the Pirate King was executed!"
Walking at the front, Luffy held down his straw hat, looked excitedly at the bustling streets around him, and shouted as he rushed toward town.
"Sanji, here's the supply list."
Walking behind him with a thick ledger in her arms, Nami didn't even glance at the bouncing Luffy.
She simply handed Sanji a sheet of paper in a businesslike manner.
"When you buy supplies, you are to follow the budget in the ledger exactly. If you spend even one extra berry, I won't reimburse it."
"Got it. I'll stick to the list."
Sanji took a deep drag from his cigarette before slowly exhaling the gray smoke.
He nodded calmly and slipped the list into his pocket.
"I'm going to check out the swords here."
Zoro stepped off the ship with his three swords over his shoulder.
Yawning carelessly, he tossed out those words before preparing to split off on his own.
Although they all stood beneath the same Straw Hat Pirates' flag, their interactions felt cold and purely professional.
After the fallout at Arlong Park, the Straw Hat Pirates had long since lost the passionate bond between companions.
They looked more like a group of strangers reluctantly traveling together.
Or rather, they had never shared much of a bond to begin with.
Only Luffy believed they did.
Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, Usopp quickly cleared his throat and volunteered to play tour guide.
"Ahem! Now that everyone's off the ship, let me introduce this island."
"This is the legendary Town of the Beginning and the End. Gol D. Roger, the man who started the Great Pirate Era, was born here. In the end, he was publicly executed in the square of this town."
He gestured dramatically as though giving an important lecture.
Every team needed someone to lighten the mood.
Otherwise, this journey would be so depressing that he'd rather go home and spend time with his wife and mother.
"If this place is so important, then why can our pirate ship dock here with our pirate flag still flying?"
After hearing the explanation, Zoro stopped walking.
He looked around the harbor at the pirate ships openly docked there, his brows knitting together.
Although he didn't know much about the World Government's true rule, he could already sense that something about East Blue felt very strange.
"There isn't even a single Marine coming over to question us. That's not how you'd expect the hometown of the Pirate King to be treated."
Usopp quickly dropped his exaggerated expression, glanced around, and lowered his voice mysteriously.
"What do you know? Loguetown has an unwritten iron rule. It doesn't matter if you're a pirate worth tens of millions or some gang boss. Once you get here, you keep your head down. Nobody dares cause trouble."
"And why's that?"
Zoro's curiosity was piqued, and he immediately asked.
"Because there's a Marine Commodore permanently stationed here."
Usopp grinned, looking completely serious.
"With a monster like that around, nobody would dare make trouble."
"A Commodore? What kind of rank is that supposed to be?"
The unfamiliar title left Zoro completely confused.
Scratching his short green hair, he asked in bewilderment, "I know a little about Marine ranks. A Vice Admiral is a Vice Admiral. A Rear Admiral is a Rear Admiral. Before you become a Vice Admiral, the highest you can be is Rear Admiral. So where did this 'Commodore' suddenly come from?"
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