Chapter 207 Laugh Tale
"Do you think you will become the next Joy Boy?"
Roger looked at Nicholas and asked.
"I won't be Joy Boy. I'll only be Nicholas. Besides, why would I want to be Joy Boy, the next loser?"
Nicholas looked at Roger, tilted his head, and asked back.
After all, strictly speaking, Joy Boy was a loser from eight hundred years ago. Probably only Kaido, who barely understands Joy Boy, dreams of becoming him.
"Wahahaha, that's truly an interesting answer! I should say, as expected of you, Nicholas!"
Roger heard Nicholas's words and laughed so hard that tears were about to come out.
"Then do you have the confidence to change this world?"
"Changing the world isn't about talking, it's about doing, Roger."
Nicholas shook his head and said.
"Wahahaha, you're really too interesting, Nicholas."
Roger laughed heartily, his eyes fixed on Nicholas, filled with regret.
If he hadn't learned everything, maybe he would have the same thoughts as Nicholas. But on Final Island, he learned so many things unknown to the world, and about the unique One Piece so close yet out of reach, simply because he arrived too early.
This made Roger somewhat doubt whether fate truly existed.
The world calls him Pirate King, but only Roger himself knows he's no Pirate King. Otherwise, he wouldn't have named the Final Island Laugh Tale.
Their brief conversation had a harmonious atmosphere, while Whitebeard drank his wine to himself on the side.
For anyone else, the topics Roger and Nicholas discussed would be shocking enough to shake the world.
But not Whitebeard. During his journey on the Sea, Whitebeard had already achieved his Dream. As for the world, the Pirate King, Joy Boy – none of it concerned him.
A gentle breeze stirred, causing Cherry Blossom petals to drift down around the three of them.
Their conversation paused. Both seemed to sense something, and their Complexions subtly shifted.
"Roger."
Nicholas suddenly called out.
"Hmm?"
Roger looked at Nicholas, puzzled.
"I want to know, with your spirit, why would you accept something as laughable as Fate? Has your pride been trampled under your own Foot?"
Nicholas asked in a deep voice, his Tone serious and solemn.
It could be said that Roger's Strength was absolutely at the peak of this Grand Line. Even if Nicholas entered that special State, he wouldn't be a match for Roger at Full Power Burst.
And without sufficient spirit and Will, Roger wouldn't have accomplished the feat of Navigating around the World.
Yet this Roger, with his incredible spirit and Will, after visiting Final Island, chose to disband his Pirate Crew and ultimately surrender himself, using his Life to usher in the Great Pirate Era.
Having been in this World for a while now, Nicholas gradually realized, through each encounter, that these Strongest individuals on the Grand Line each had their own strengths, their own thoughts and ideas. They were real People, not just Anime characters.
"Nicholas, perhaps if I didn't know everything, I would have unhesitatingly drawn my Sword and overturned everything! But the more I learned, the more I understood my own powerlessness and insignificance."
Roger said with emotion.
His Tone was laced with a smile, but his expression had turned serious.
"So are you afraid?"
Nicholas looked into Roger's Eyes and asked.
A smile appeared at the corner of Roger's mouth.
"Afraid? Impossible. But after seeing you today, I'm relieved. At least I'm not alone on this path. I just don't know which of us will succeed."
What was he relieved about? Or rather, what were he and Nicholas plotting? Why did it sound like they were doing something that could impact the World?
Roger and Nicholas's conversation puzzled Whitebeard. He had known Roger for a long Time and thought he understood him, but this scene made him doubt if he truly knew his old friend.
And Nicholas this Kid, also seems to have a huge Secret.
Nicholas stared intently at Roger, his own Mood also turbulent.
The spirit of the current Pirate King was undoubtedly awe-inspiring. Roger's words indicated he had made his choice, or rather, reaffirmed his decision to use his Life to usher in the Great Pirate Era, guiding the one Joy Boy awaited to Final Island and reveal the Truth to the World.
"Then, let's part ways here."
"Newgate, Nicholas, I hope Fate brings us together again."
Beneath the Cherry Blossom Tree, Roger smiled at Nicholas and Whitebeard, as carefree as ever.
As Cherry Blossom petals fluttered down from the Tree, Roger strode forward, his Figure soon vanishing into the Cherry Blossom Forest.
Nicholas remained standing, and Whitebeard gazed in the direction Roger had left for a long Time, only turning away when his Figure was completely gone from sight.
The two looked at each other, and neither of them spoke.
Their Moods were heavy, for they both knew in their hearts that this parting today might be their last.
"I should be going too, Newgate. I'll have someone send you the Things I promised later."
After a while, Nicholas said to Whitebeard.
"Yeah, let's part ways here!"
Whitebeard nodded, speaking in a deep voice. He was clearly prepared for Nicholas's departure. After all, Nicholas had boarded his Ship solely to wait for Roger, and now that they had met, it was time for him to leave.
Then, Nicholas took a step, blue Electric Arc crackling beneath his Foot. With a sizzling sound of Electric Current, he vanished into the Cherry Blossom Forest.
In the quiet Forest, only Whitebeard was left alone.
Surrounded by Cherry Blossom, his towering Figure looked stark against the Cherry Blossom Forest, his expression unusually Complex.
After a long, long silence, Whitebeard finally sighed.
"Roger, what exactly do you want to do?"
From Nicholas and Roger's conversation, he understood that Roger seemed to have made a Resolve, planning to use his Life to set something in motion. Even the disbandment of the Roger Pirates was likely to avoid involving his Members in this Thing.
And it seemed Nicholas was doing something similar to Roger, but the key difference was Roger intended to be a catalyst, while Nicholas aimed to be a participant.
Whitebeard felt a sense of confusion. First, Golden Lion's Death in Battle, then Roger returning from Final Island with a Resolve. Watching familiar Figures depart one by one, he felt their Era was slowly fading.
Old comrades were fading away, like fallen leaves in the wind.
"Ah!"
After a sigh, Whitebeard's Figure also walked towards the Seaside.
(End of Chapter)