Just as the old man was about to continue speaking, Nicholas quickly stepped forward, pushing through the crowded crowd.
In the astonished eyes of the onlookers, he grabbed the arm of the old man, who was looking somewhat puzzled.
"Come with me!"
"What are you doing?"
The old man asked, clearly bewildered.
But Nicholas didn't say a word. He simply used his immense strength to drag the old man away. During this process, the old man did try to resist, but his resistance was futile in the face of absolute power.
Shortly after the two left, a large group of men dressed in black suits with black hats rushed to the scene. As soon as they arrived, they efficiently sealed off the area, controlling everyone who had been surrounding the old man earlier.
"Do you know who I am!?"
"Let me go, my uncle is a Rear Admiral in the Navy!"
"I am the sixteenth prince of the Brulia Kingdom, you offend me and my father will kill you all!"
"I am the noble son of a chieftain in the South Sea. Be wise and offer your wives and daughters to me, and I'll make you my prime minister."
"Sir officer, we were just passing by, please let us go."
Watching the men in black suits, expressionless as they surrounded the crowd, and even shooting those who resisted on the spot, many people began to feel uneasy. Even the foolish ones realized that they might have gotten involved in something dangerous.
Soon, a man dressed in a black suit, wearing a white coat with long wavy hair, appeared under the protection of the men in black suits.
"Hmm? Where's the man?"
Seeing that the old man had disappeared, Spandine's expression immediately soured. Their orders were to eliminate the old man and everyone who had heard what he said in the square.
Now that the most important person was missing, how were they going to report back?
Meanwhile, Nicholas and the old man were seated face to face in a bar in the Lawless Zone.
The Sabaody Archipelago was one of the few areas not under the control of the Navy and the World Government.
As for taking the old man to Shakky, Nicholas wasn't that foolish. His relationship with the old man wasn't that good, and he knew that Shakky wouldn't appreciate him bringing such trouble along. Besides, if he did, he might not get the same generous deals on information in the future.
Nicholas ordered two drinks for them and remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"What you were talking about earlier, it's too dangerous."
"Dangerous? What's dangerous about it? I'm just telling people the truth about history, giving them the right to know what they should."
The old man snorted, looking quite dissatisfied with Nicholas's words.
Then he continued, "Do you know how hard I've worked for the truth of those hundred years of blank history? Do you know how much I've sacrificed? I sold my house, I lost my wife and children. Do you think it's easy? I just want to tell the world what happened during those hundred years. What's wrong with that!"
After saying this, the old man picked up the glass on the table and downed it in one gulp.
"According to my research, all signs pointed to the Final Island, but I couldn't reach it with my abilities. I had hoped that Roger, who became the Pirate King after reaching the Final Island, would reveal the truth to the world when he returned, but that guy disappeared without a trace after coming back from the Final Island."
"That guy selfishly took the wealth that should have belonged to all humanity and disappeared!"
"So, I decided to tell the world what I know and let everyone know that they've been deceived by the World Government!"
After hearing the old man's words, Nicholas asked calmly, "So, have you discovered the truth of those hundred years of blank history?"
The old man scratched his head awkwardly. "Not yet, but I can confirm that there's a gap in history for a hundred years, and that gap was erased by the World Government. The fact that the World Government was willing to go to such lengths to erase a hundred years of history indicates that something significant must have happened."
"Are you saying that you're not sure what happened during those hundred years of blank history?"
Nicholas said with a sigh.
"We'll soon find out the truth about those hundred years of blank history, I'm sure of it!"
The old man emphasized.
"You guys..."
Nicholas shook his head, not knowing what else to say.
"Everyone has the right to know the truth. Revealing the truth of history, restoring history to its original state, that's what we scholars should do. It's our belief!"
The old man said proudly.
"Have you ever thought that if the World Government has the power to erase a hundred years of history, Would they tolerate you revealing the truth of what happened during that time?"
The old man was taken aback by Nicholas's words.
Then his expression changed rapidly, and he looked at Nicholas with shock in his eyes.
"Could it be...?"
Though he didn't finish his sentence, Nicholas understood what he meant.
"That's right."
Nicholas nodded.
The old man looked at Nicholas with a complicated expression, feeling somewhat defeated. "I never thought that after all my efforts, I would end up accomplishing nothing."
Just then, the bartender approached Nicholas and whispered, "Sir, our boss wanted me to tell you that the World Government has sealed off the square and is eliminating everyone inside. The government's hounds are searching the island for anyone who managed to escape."
After speaking, the bartender glanced at the despondent old man sitting at the table.
"What's wrong?"
When the bartender left, Dasukuli couldn't help but ask, apparently noticing the glance the bartender gave him earlier.
"Just now, the World Government conducted a 'cleaning' operation in the square."
Upon hearing Nicholas's words, Dasukuli's body trembled, indicating he understood what Nicholas meant by "cleaning."
"How dare they! How dare they!?"
Dasukuli's eyes reddened.
"Why wouldn't they dare? What makes you think you have the power to intimidate them? With your laughable hundred-year history? They've erased eight hundred years of history. Do you think they'd fear such a threat? Moreover, you don't even know what happened during those hundred years of blank history. Do you have the right to threaten their rule?"
Nicholas said coldly.
Dasukuli fell silent. He had considered the danger of his actions, but conducting a mass elimination was terrifying. After all, there were at least a thousand people in the square just now.
"You may not fear death, but that doesn't mean the innocent do not fear death. Perhaps you seek truth for your own sake, but those innocents may have just been curious. Yet, they might lose their lives for it. Maybe those who were eliminated had parents waiting for their sons, wives waiting for their husbands, children waiting for their parents, or families just out for a stroll, listening to your speech, and then being wiped out."
Nicholas continued.
This statement shattered Dasukuli's resolve, causing him to clench his fists, but soon he let go, feeling powerless.
The truth was, he was on the brink of discovering the truth, but he was too weak to pursue it. Worse, his actions had implicated countless innocent people.
"You've probably attracted attention. Leave the Sabaody Island as soon as possible."
As a final reminder, Nicholas watched as Dasukuli's expression changed. As Nicholas stood up to leave, Dasukuli also stood up.
"If I can't reveal the truth, then what's the point of my existence?"
"Besides, if I die, it might prevent many innocent people from being sacrificed."
After saying this, Dasukuli straightened his clothes and appearance before calmly walking out of the Lawless Zone.
Watching Dasukuli, who walked out as if he were a martyr, Nicholas couldn't help but feel helpless. In this world where power ruled, the weak were truly powerless.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Accompanied by a series of gunshots, Nicholas walked toward the other end of the Lawless Zone.