"What!!!"
Who's-Who stared in absolute shock, his face quickly shifting into a look of pure ecstasy. "This is incredible! I should have known—everything is unfolding exactly according to Kaido-sama's calculations!"
"Worororo!" Kaido's laughter boomed through the ancient shrine. "Of course. I've been preparing for this since the very beginning. Do you all remember when 'Red Hair' Shanks came to provoke us? That was when I secured the old man, Sukiyaki."
The officers looked at one another, trying to connect the dots. While many were confused, Who's-Who—drawing on his past as a CP9 agent—realized the truth instantly. "I see it now! When I was with the World Government, I heard rumors that the Kozuki Clan of Wano held the secret to deciphering the Poneglyphs. Roger only reached Laugh Tale because Kozuki Oden translated the stones for him. If Oden had that power, there is no reason his father, the former Shogun, wouldn't possess it too."
A wave of understanding washed over the room. Kaido's foresight was far greater than they had imagined. Sasaki's eyes filled with adoration as he spoke. "So, you're planning to force Sukiyaki to read them for us? That makes perfect sense."
To their surprise, Kaido shook his head. "No. That old man is too stubborn; he would never willingly translate them for the likes of us. So, I found a more efficient method." He turned his gaze to Pudding, who offered a knowing smile. "I have Pudding to thank for this. Her Memory-Memory Fruit allows her to explore the deepest recesses of a person's mind. I had her extract every ounce of Sukiyaki's knowledge regarding the Ancient Language. And now..."
Kaido looked at the Maiden Knight standing beside him. "Lily, the floor is yours."
"It is my honor, Kaido-sama!" Lily replied, stepping toward the three massive stones.
She approached the red Road Poneglyph first. After studying the mysterious carvings for a moment, she turned back to Kaido. "Kaido-sama, should I decipher the contents here, in front of everyone?"
Who's-Who, Sasaki, and Ulti instinctively stepped back, preparing to leave so they wouldn't overhear forbidden secrets. But Kaido waved them off with a dismissive hand. "Stay. Everyone here is part of my family—my children. I have nothing to hide from my own crew." The officers felt a deep surge of loyalty at his words.
Lily nodded and began to narrate the text of the first stone:
"In the time of nothingness, the earth was scorched by flames. People of the full moon descended from the sky. They created people of the half-moon, taking chestnuts from the fire of magma to forge their cities. However, human greed sparked the earth's dissatisfaction. The enraged God of Earth transformed into a fiery python, enveloping the world in darkness and death. People's desires brought about the arrival of the Sun God, who slew the python. Its body transformed into the Red Line, and its soul returned to the cracks of the earth."
The room remained silent, stunned by the mythological scale of the text. Lily moved to the second stone—the one recovered from Sky Island.
"At the beginning of nothingness, the earth's flames began to extinguish, and forests and oceans appeared. The Forest God was born in the woods, and the Ocean God was born in the sea. However, the merciless sun turned scorching. The Sun God led the people of the full moon and half-moon, desiring to rekindle the flames of war. A conflict erupted between the followers of the Sun God and the demon generals of the Forest God. Amidst the chaos, the God of Earth returned, disguised as a person of the half-moon, and defeated the Sun God. The Forest God was not the victor either; his authority was stripped by the God of Earth. The Ocean God was enraged and unleashed monstrous waves, separating the world forever. She then fell into an eternal sleep at the bottom of the sea, awaiting the day of prophecy."
Finally, Lily stood before the third stone from Fish-Man Island—Joy Boy's apology.
"The Forest God and the Sun God fought, but the forest could not resist the sun's flames. Only the sea could extinguish them. The Forest God sought the Ocean God's aid, promising that one day, her children would live upon the land. She agreed. However, the forest could not walk in the ocean. The Forest God used a section of Treasure Tree Adam for a hull and a section of Sun Tree Eve for energy to forge a giant ship. They challenged the Sun God together. But at the brink of victory, the forest demon generals were incited to drive the children of the ocean off the ship. The Ocean God cursed the demon generals to never walk upon the sea again. It was too late. Though the Sun God died, the Forest God's life was spent. The God of Earth stole the fruits of victory. The people of the full and half-moons left, leaving only the people of the crescent moon. Before dying, the Forest God left a prophecy: One day, the Sun God will be resurrected to unite the people of the crescent moon, the forest demon generals, and the children of the ocean to guide the world to its end."
Lily finished and bowed to Kaido. "The deciphering is complete, Kaido-sama!"
"Hmm," Kaido grunted, deep in thought. "Now that you've heard the history, what do you make of it?"
Jack was the first to speak. "Big Brother, it's clear the Forest God is Joy Boy. And that giant ship mentioned must be the Ancient Weapon, Pluton."
Who's-Who nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The Ocean God is clearly the Sea King, and the Sun God is the legendary warrior Nika. I never realized that Nika was considered a bringer of destruction in these texts."
Kaido turned to King. "And you?"
"The 'children of the ocean' are the Fishmen and Sea Kings," King mused. "The 'forest demon generals' are likely the Giant Race, given the connection to Treasure Tree Adam. As for the 'people of the crescent moon'... I suspect that refers to my people, the Lunarians."
Queen suddenly interjected with a smug grin. "That's not quite right. I don't think these refer to the modern Giants or Lunarians. These are the Ancient Giant Race and Ancient Lunarians."
The group, including Kaido, looked at him with surprise.
"Think about it, Big Brother," Queen continued, his tone becoming increasingly superior. "Do you remember Oars the Continent-Puller? He was an Ancient Giant. Hogback and I have been researching their lineage factors. I've discovered something very interesting: You, Big Brother, might actually carry the bloodline of the Ancient Giant Race in your veins."
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