The curse on Roger...
Makima's lips curled into a slight smile.
This curse, of course, was set by Genichi himself.
Originally, Roger was supposed to die from a terminal illness, but that kind of illness targeted the old Roger. Despite his strong Haki, the old Roger was still essentially human, and as a human, he was bound by the natural cycle of life and death.
But things are different now. The Devil Fruit might not be significant, but the Monster Cells and the Shikon Jewel fragments were game-changers. These two items enhanced a person's very essence of life. Now, Roger was no longer just human.
It was uncertain if Roger would still succumb to the legendary illness, given that such fantastical diseases defy common sense.
After all, even a Super Saiyan could die from a heart disease!
Genichi intervened when necessary to ensure everything went as planned. He didn't directly impose the curse, but he actively suppressed the part of Roger's power that belonged to him when the illness emerged.
An era cannot have two children of destiny. Once Roger became the Pirate King, his era was destined to end.
Compared to Roger, Luffy was far more critical of Genichi. Genichi and the world required Roger to usher in the Great Pirate Era. Although it sounded harsh, that's the way the world works.
However, unlike the original story, Genichi left a clone for Roger.
This was a tribute to Roger's early contributions to Genichi.
Thus, Makima's response to Rayleigh was one of feigned ignorance.
"Mr. Rayleigh, you might have misunderstood me. I am a Devil Hunter, not a devil myself. I specialise in battles between humans and devils. Gol D. Roger, having merged with the Monster Cells, is essentially a half-devil.
"So, this is a battle between devils. I believe this issue should not be addressed, as I am quite content to see devils fighting each other.
"Moreover, I belong to the World Government as the Marshal of the Black Order, with no reason or obligation to assist a pirate, even though I am not a Navy officer. Despite our past collaborations, I regretfully inform you that I am powerless to help with Roger's predicament."
Makima wrote this reply, and a bird flew off with the message, under Makima's control, to deliver it to Rayleigh.
Though this response might cause Rayleigh some dissatisfaction, she didn't care.
Rayleigh had signed an unbreakable contract with her. Until the contract was fulfilled, Rayleigh would have to carry out Makima's orders, regardless of his discontent.
This world doesn't cater to the will of individuals unless...
They become powerful enough.
Initially and currently, the Roger Pirates did not possess the strength to defy the world's destiny, let alone Genichi and his plans.
Therefore, their fate was sealed.
In this world, ignorance is not a sin; weakness is.
Genichi was eager to discover who the character card exceeding a billion emotional points would be and what powers they possessed. As long as his curiosity persisted, he would continue to pursue emotional points.
Thus...
He would ensure the world operated in a manner that best suited him.
He and the world were aligned, and this would likely continue.
In the future, the world sought to train the child of destiny, while Genichi would play with Luffy, setting up scenarios to gain emotional points for upgrades. However, a conflict between him and the world was inevitable.
He could foresee that the world would never tolerate someone surpassing it. No matter how much trouble Genichi caused before, it was always within the world's boundaries. Although many died, it was beneficial to the world.
The tools and characters Genichi brought from other worlds introduced new rules, which fused with the world of One Piece, raising its limits.
But the billion emotional points character card was different. The rules brought by such a character far exceeded the world's limits and could not be integrated, which the world would never allow.
For now, the world didn't understand the extent of Genichi's powers, so they remained in a honeymoon phase. Genichi could shamelessly claim that everything he did was for the world's benefit.
The letter quickly made its way back across the sea. Since the Black Order was in the New World, the bird swiftly delivered it to Rayleigh.
Rayleigh read the letter behind Roger's back and then burned it with an expressionless face.
Although he had guessed this outcome and suspected Makima wouldn't help Roger, the confirmation still brought a wave of despair.
If even Makima couldn't, or wouldn't, help, who else could they turn to?
"Vice-Captain!"
As Rayleigh pondered, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.
Rayleigh turned to see Nameless approaching. "What's wrong?"
"I just felt a special kind of wave, related to the Ascension Altar," Nameless said.
?!
Rayleigh's pupils contracted. The Ascension Altar?
That mysterious altar in Salzburg had the power to transform people into devils. The Monster Cells likely originated from that altar.
RayleMakima assigned Rayleigh another taskmonitor the sea for devils, either eliminating them or reporting to ththem e Black Order.
Now, with the appearance of an Ascension Altar, it was likely related to devils.
"Let's go check it out," Rayleigh said immediately.
Due to Roger's curse, the crew avoided involving him in battles, fearing it might worsen his condition.
Thus, Nameless had come to inform Rayleigh, the vice-captain.
Roger was busy, too. Knowing about the curse, he had been rigorously training his Observation Haki to reach a level where he could decode ancient history himself.
He hoped to find the final island this way. So, he often secluded himself in his room.
Little did they know...
Everything they did was under Roger's surveillance!
Roger had been keeping his observation Haalways kept it active observation. He knew about Rayleigh's secret letter to the Black Order, Makima's reply, and Nameless's mention of an Ascension Altar—all under his watchful eyes.