After filling Nicholas's wine glass again, Shakky looked at Nicholas and asked, "Can you talk now?"
After Nicholas emptied the wine glass again, he let out a hearty belch and then looked at Shakky, saying, "This is just my speculation, Shakky. You should know that I am very interested in many of the legends of the sea, but according to the information I have gathered, the history between seven hundred and eight hundred years ago has disappeared. We don't know exactly what happened, but the World Government should have done something to completely conceal this period of history.
The Elbaf Giants should have some understanding of this history, given their lifespan, but considering that the Giants have never really interacted with the outside world, they don't know much either. So the answer to the question should lie with the Celestial Dragons."
"Those parasites again?"
Shakky murmured to herself.
The Celestial Dragons are the descendants of the twenty kings who established the World Government 800 years ago. Apart from the Nefertari family, who chose to go to Alabasta, the rest of them all chose to reign over the Red Soil Continent and establish the World Noble on Mary Geoise, claiming to be the "descendants of the creators" and even calling themselves gods.
They are protected by the Marines and CP0, enjoying all privileges, and have always been arrogant and disdainful. They view people of other races as slaves and even consider it an insult to breathe the same air as others.
In fact, Shakky also has some speculations about the power of the Celestial Dragons. It is hard to imagine how they managed to make the World Government and even the Marines submit to them, especially considering how they treat Marines and World Government officials as if they were nothing more than watchdogs. Even Admirals are considered merely people with some status in their eyes.
And these arrogant Celestial Dragons still reign supreme over all the races of the world to this day, which can only mean that they wield absolutely terrifying power.
"Are you saying that the captain might be killed by the Celestial Dragons?"
Shakky asked with a furrowed brow.
Nicholas waved his hand, "Who knows, but I don't think the captain can do what Joy Boy failed to do back then, even if the captain is hailed as the strongest of this era. No one knows exactly what Joy Boy knew at the time, but it is certain that Joy Boy failed.
So, Shakky, I need to consider the future of my comrades."
After that, the two continued to talk until late into the night before Nicholas left Shakky's residence.
…
Under the blazing sun, Nicholas was practicing swordsmanship by the sea on Beehive Island. The long sword in his hand sliced through the air, giving off a chilling sensation.
Sixteen-year-old Nicholas wasn't as tall as the celebrities of the pirate world, standing at only about 1.7 meters. Perhaps he might grow a few centimeters taller in the future, but he probably won't reach the towering heights of two or three meters, especially since he doesn't have Giant blood.
However, despite not having the imposing physique of Whitebeard and others, the perfect muscular contours still conveyed a sense of strength.
As he continued to feel the sensations from his hands, Nicholas heard Vista's voice.
Vista looked somewhat strange, just informing Nicholas that Rocks had a mission for them.
Don't think joining the Rocks Pirates is a good thing. Many things that Rocks couldn't be bothered to do were simply delegated to the subordinates.
"What mission?"
After sheathing his long sword, Nicholas asked.
"Not a difficult mission, it's about a king from a small country in the New World who attacked the representative sent by the pirate crew to collect tributes. Rocks wants us to exterminate the royal family of that country to send a message to others."
"A king from a small country, is he that powerful?"
Nicholas was surprised to hear this. While many countries in the New World are formidable, some even having military strength to rival top-tier pirate crews, it's rare to see someone openly defy the will of Rocks, especially a king.
"Who knows, maybe he's lost his mind, anyway, there are a few people every year who don't think straight."
Vista said emotionlessly.
Three days later, at the dock of Taji Island in the New World, a group of busy workers suddenly saw a ship appearing in the distance, and Nicholas finally saw the target island.
"Vista, let's greet them first."
"Yes, Captain."
After Vista finished speaking, he turned and arranged for the pirates under his to prepare for bombardment.
"Captain, isn't our mission just to destroy the royal family of this island?"
Simon looked at the pirates on deck starting to load cannonballs and asked nervously.
"Simon, you're still so naive. You should know that the islands that can survive in the New World are not like those weak ones in the Four Blues. Let your Observation Haki 'see' what they have prepared to welcome us."
Nicholas looked at the distant dock and chuckled.
As Nicholas predicted, soldiers began to appear in large numbers on the dock and on the towers along the coast, and cannons were aimed at them one after another.
After ten minutes, the harbor was in chaos with flames everywhere, and Nicholas stepped onto the dock.
It must be said that in the face of absolute strength, all resistance appears feeble and powerless.
"You guys, you'll all meet a bad end."
A heavily injured soldier leaned against a pile of scattered goods, looking at Nicholas with hatred.
"Mm."
Nicholas just nodded and walked directly towards the castle in the center of the island. As for the soldier behind him, Vista approached and ended his life with a single axe blow.
With his crew dealing with the remnants of resistance, Nicholas, accompanied by Stussy, Vista, and Simon, walked through the streets. The once bustling streets now seemed silent, and even the food on the roadside stalls still carried warmth.
After receiving a string of grilled squid handed over by Stussy, Nicholas tasted it. It must be said that although the taste was acceptable, it was still not comparable to the taste of Sea Kings. Additionally, the energy provided was inferior to that of Sea Kings as well.
Perhaps due to the peculiarities of the pirate world, as strength increases, so does the appetite. At first, Nicholas could fill his stomach, but as his strength increased, only consuming large amounts of food could make him feel satiated.
This was also why he wanted to defeat a Near Sea King on his fourteenth birthday—to satisfy his craving.
"Captain, we're here."