"Do you think you will become the next Joy Boy?" Roger asked Nicholas, looking at him intently.
"I won't be Joy Boy. I'll only be Nicholas. Besides, why would I want to be the next failure like Joy Boy?" Nicholas replied, tilting his head and posing a counter-question.
Strictly speaking, Joy Boy was considered a failure from eight hundred years ago. Only Kaido, who had partial knowledge of Joy Boy, dreamed of becoming him.
"Wow, what an interesting response! It's truly you, Nicholas!" Roger exclaimed, tears almost welling up in his eyes from laughter.
"Do you have the confidence to change the world?" Roger asked seriously, regarding Nicholas.
"Changing the world isn't about what you say, but what you do, Roger," Nicholas replied, shaking his head.
"Wow hahaha, you're really something, Nicholas," Roger laughed heartily, his eyes showing a hint of regret.
Despite being hailed as the Pirate King, Roger knew deep down that he wasn't truly the Pirate King. That's why he named the final island "Laugh Tale."
The conversation between the two, although brief, had a harmonious atmosphere. Meanwhile, Whitebeard drank quietly to himself.
For others, the topics discussed by Roger and Nicholas were enough to shock anyone in the world. However, Whitebeard didn't seem to be concerned about such matters. He had already achieved his dream during his journey on the seas. As for concepts like the world, the Pirate King, or Joy Boy, they held no significance for him.
A gentle breeze blew, scattering cherry blossoms around the trio.
Their conversation paused momentarily, both sides sensing something and adjusting their demeanor slightly.
"Roger," Nicholas suddenly called out.
"Hmm?" Roger looked at Nicholas, curious.
"I want to know, with your spirit, why would you acknowledge something as laughable as fate? Have you trampled your pride underfoot?" Nicholas asked solemnly and seriously.
Roger's strength undoubtedly stood at the pinnacle of the sea. Even if he didn't unleash his full power, he was still unmatched. However, despite his formidable strength and will, he chose to disband his crew after visiting Laugh Tale and eventually surrendered his life to usher in the Great Pirate Era.
Having spent a considerable amount of time in this world, Nicholas gradually discovered that these powerful figures on the seas each had their own strengths and thoughts. They were real individuals, not mere characters in a manga.
"Nicholas, perhaps if I didn't know everything, I would have unhesitatingly overturned everything with my sword. But the more I know, the more I realize my own powerlessness and insignificance," Roger said, reflecting on his experiences.
His voice contained a smile, but his expression had become serious.
"So, are you afraid?" Nicholas looked into Roger's eyes and asked.
A smile crept onto Roger's lips. "Afraid? How could I be? But after seeing you today, I feel relieved. At least I'm not alone in my beliefs. I just don't know which of us will succeed."
What did he feel relieved about? What exactly were Roger and Nicholas planning? Their conversation seemed to indicate that they were undertaking something capable of influencing the world.
The conversation between Roger and Nicholas left Whitebeard puzzled. He had known Roger for a long time, and he thought he understood him well. However, today's scene made him doubt how well he truly knew his old friend.
And then there was Nicholas, who seemed to harbor significant secrets.
Nicholas stared deeply at Roger, his emotions fluctuating.
As the Pirate King, Roger's determination undoubtedly shook Nicholas. Roger's words indicated that he had made a decision, perhaps even intended to sacrifice his life to bring about a certain event. Moreover, dissolving the Roger Pirates was likely a measure to protect his crew from being involved in that event.
Standing in silence beneath the cherry blossom tree, Roger bid farewell to Nicholas and Whitebeard with a smile, his demeanor as carefree as ever.
Accompanied by falling cherry blossom petals, Roger strode forward and soon disappeared into the cherry blossom forest.
Nicholas stood in place, gazing at the direction where Roger had departed, as did Whitebeard. They remained silent for a long time, only retracting their gaze after Roger's figure had completely vanished.
After a while, Nicholas finally spoke. "I should go, Whitebeard. I'll have someone send what I promised you."
"Very well, let's part ways here!" Whitebeard nodded, speaking solemnly. It was evident that he had been prepared for Nicholas's departure; after all, Nicholas had only boarded his ship to wait for Roger, and now that Roger had come and gone, it was time for Nicholas to leave.
Nicholas took a step forward, blue arcs of electricity flickering beneath his feet. Accompanied by a crackling sound, he vanished into the cherry blossom forest.
In the quiet woods, only Whitebeard remained.
Surrounded by cherry blossoms, his towering figure seemed out of place, and his expression was unusually complex.
After a long while, Whitebeard let out a sigh.
"Roger, what exactly are you planning to do?"
From the conversation between Nicholas and Roger, he had learned that Roger seemed to have made a decision and was willing to sacrifice his life to advance a certain cause. Even the dissolution of the Roger Pirates was likely related to this decision, as Roger didn't want his crew to be involved.
Nicholas, on the other hand, seemed to have similar intentions to Roger's, but with one key difference: while Roger aimed to be a catalyst, Nicholas aimed to be a firsthand witness.
Whitebeard felt perplexed. First, the death of Gold Lion Shiki, and now Roger's newfound determination, signaled the end of an era. As familiar figures departed one by one, he sensed that their era was gradually slipping away.
As he stood amidst the falling cherry blossom petals, Whitebeard sighed once more.
"Roger, what do you truly want to accomplish?"
And with that, Whitebeard made his way towards the shore, leaving behind the quiet cherry blossom forest.