The known Poneglyph were limited. The Poneglyph that Kaido had taken before his defeat were the only ones within reach. As for the rest, they were in the possession of another Emperor of the Sea, Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin.
Kaido's current whereabouts were a mystery, making him difficult to locate. As for Big Mom, confronting her was even more challenging. It wasn't an option to rely on Marine Headquarters for assistance; the government wouldn't allow them to provoke two Emperors of the Sea in succession and disrupt the delicate balance of the world.
Even with Luffy's strength, defeating Big Mom single-handedly was out of the question. For now, all he could do was maintain a low profile, waiting for his subordinates to grow stronger before devising a new plan.
As they walked, the four of them discussed these matters and other trivial topics. Ain and Koala enthusiastically shared stories with Robin, recounting everything that had happened since they arrived in Wano Country. They spoke of air-drying Kozuki Sukiyaki, stabilizing Wano's internal order, and restoring production for residents in various regions.
Robin listened intently, her curiosity piqued by their tales of governance. She was particularly intrigued by Luffy's unique methods of managing Wano Country. While many rulers resorted to rigid systems or harsh tactics, Luffy's approach seemed refreshingly simple yet effective.
To Luffy, governing a country—or even the entire world—didn't require radical measures. He believed the key to stability lay in a few fundamental principles.
"The essence of governing," Luffy began, his voice calm but confident, "is understanding that a country is like a family. If you take care of the people—treat them like family—they will trust you and willingly follow you. That's what makes a ruler great."
Robin tilted her head slightly, intrigued by his perspective. She remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.
Luffy's thoughts drifted to his experiences in Wano Country. "Take the Kozuki family's turmoil as an example. Or even the occasional unrest we face today. The real troublemakers are always the noblr—the aristocracy. The lower-class people? They were too busy trying to survive. They didn't have the time or energy to scheme or support the Kozuki family."
He continued, "When the Marines treated them kindly, they remembered that kindness. Even when they were starving, few were unwilling to join the rebellion unless manipulated with promises of food. Those rebels weren't loyalists; they were just desperate."
Koala and Ain nodded in agreement. Their own investigations had corroborated Luffy's observations. Most of the so-called ronin were simply descendants of disgraced samurai. Supporting the Kozuki family wasn't their true motive—they wanted to restore their own families to power.
Robin's expression remained thoughtful as she absorbed Luffy's words, her interest growing with each passing moment.
"For ordinary people," Luffy continued, "it doesn't matter whether the rulers are Celestial Dragons or the Revolutionary Army. All they care about is whether they have food on their plates and jobs to sustain their families. That's the bottom line for most people. If a ruler fails to provide those basics, the people will rebel—or worse, turn to piracy."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "But when those same people have nothing, when they're desperate, they'll commit atrocities they never thought themselves capable of—killing, stealing, setting villages ablaze, even turning to piracy. It's survival at any cost."
Robin listened closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. It was a stark yet undeniably accurate portrayal of human nature.
Luffy's voice grew firmer. "So what's the point of the Marine fighting pirates for hundreds of years, chasing them across the seas? Wouldn't it make more sense to arrest the corrupt nobles and wealthy businessmen who exploit the people? They're the ones creating these conditions."
He gestured widely as he spoke, his passion evident. "If you improve people's lives—give them food, shelter, and dignity—they won't need to become pirates. Over time, the number of pirates will shrink on its own. That's how we make the world a better place: by starting with the ordinary people."
Robin's lips parted slightly in surprise. It wasn't the first time she had heard someone dissect the world's problems, but Luffy's perspective was refreshingly straightforward. His words echoed the ideals of the Revolutionary Army but were more direct, simpler to grasp, and deeply insightful.
Koala and Ain were equally captivated. Stars practically sparkled in their eyes as they hung on Luffy's every word. Their trust in him was absolute—they believed with all their hearts that Luffy could accomplish whatever he set out to do.
Luffy turned his gaze back to Robin, his tone calm but resolute. "Wano Country is just the beginning," he declared. "I can't promise that everyone here will become rich, but I can promise that no one will go hungry or lack clothing. Once we perfect the Wano model, we'll take it to other countries and change the entire world. Everyone deserves a chance at a peaceful and happy life."
His words weren't delivered with fiery passion. Instead, they were spoken with quiet certainty, as if describing something inevitable.
Robin's heart stirred as she listened. The young man she had once known—bold, daring, and reckless—had grown into a visionary leader. His ambition to reshape the world was undeniable, and the brilliance surrounding him felt almost tangible. It was enough to touch even Robin's skeptical heart.
Ain and Koala, already devoted to Luffy, seemed even more entranced. They looked at him with unwavering trust, their confidence in his abilities absolute.
As the four of them reflected in silence, their journey finally brought them to the Marine base in Wano Country. The structure loomed above them, and beneath it lay a vast, open space.
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