Shin's request was accepted by the Marines.
While Vegapunk was an invaluable asset, the Marines were in no position to refuse. Without financial support, what could they expect him to invent? Scientific research was expensive, and they had no means to fund it now.
With both sides reaching an agreement, the Marines immediately retreated.
Then came a new round of the World Summit. Although the World Government had collapsed and many well-informed nations already knew this, the fundamental strength of the Marines remained intact.
Additionally, with the New World Government and the Revolutionary Army united, even the most defiant former World Government member states dared not act recklessly.
Of course, there were always fools. Some rulers believed this was their golden opportunity to seize power, only to be swiftly put in their place by the still-formidable Marines. With order quickly restored, they reluctantly attended the World Summit.
What followed was almost predictable. As Shin had expected, in a world where strength dictated power, ruling, and governance were surprisingly simple—there was no need for elaborate political strategies or intrigue.
Once all the kings had gathered, Shin entered the assembly hall alongside Charlotte Pudding, Sengoku, and Dragon. One by one, Charlotte Pudding used her Devil Fruit ability to peer into their memories.
In the world of pirates, morality was often extreme. Some rulers were saint-like in their benevolence, while others were utterly corrupt. This made Pudding's task of assessing them quite simple.
For those deemed unfit to rule, Shin swiftly removed them. The Revolutionary Army then installed new leadership, ensuring that each nation was effectively governed.
In less than a year, the entire world underwent a dramatic transformation. With the Celestial Dragons gone and the burdensome Heavenly Tribute abolished, global taxation was reduced by at least 90%. As a result, prosperity flourished, and the number of people choosing to become pirates plummeted.
After all, when basic survival was no longer a struggle, fewer people sought out the dangers of a pirate's life.
Even the Revolutionary Army ceased its campaigns and became an official part of the New World Government.
"Speaking of which... isn't this a bit underhanded?"
On a golden island, Ace frowned as he looked at Shin.
"Yeah, yeah! Using deception like this isn't the way of a true warrior!" Yamato chimed in, nodding fervently.
"Quit complaining." Shin rolled his eyes. "The true adventurers won't be deterred by our scheme, and those who would have turned to piracy for looting will be discouraged. Isn't that better for the world?"
"Even if you say that…" Ace scratched his head, but before he could continue, he was interrupted.
"Alright, everyone, gather for a photo!"
A humanoid albatross in pristine white feathers approached with a wide grin.
"Hey! Morgans! You always claim that news is your lifeblood. Aren't you worried about reporting something this fake?" Ace questioned.
"Well... I do live for big news. But whether it's true or false doesn't matter as long as it's sensational!" Morgans laughed.
"Besides, if the real One Piece treasure is found someday and your deception is exposed, I can publish another explosive headline. That's two big stories for the price of one—double the profit!" he added smugly.
"Ugh, do whatever you want." Ace sighed, rubbing his temples.
"You should embrace this, Ace," Shin said, placing a hand on Ace's shoulder with a sly grin. "Your father started the Great Pirate Era, which made your childhood hell."
"Haven't you always scorned the title of Pirate King and the Great Pirate Era? Now, it's up to you to bring it to an end."
"Shin, you bastard," Ace muttered. "I feel like this lie is going to be exposed someday…"
"Then let it be exposed," Shin shrugged. "We'll just say we searched the wrong island. No one's been there anyway!"
"And if it really becomes a problem, just pin it on me. I don't mind taking the blame."
"Enough talking! Let's get this picture taken. Smile, everyone—this is historic!"
With a loud click, the camera captured Shin's radiant grin, Yamato's slightly nervous expression, and Ace's reluctant grimace.
Breaking News! The Final Island, Laugh Tale, Has Been Discovered!
After Twenty Years, the Son of the Pirate King Ascends the Throne!
Whitebeard held the latest newspaper in his massive hands. The front page featured a photo of Shin, Yamato, and Ace standing atop a massive golden island, its peaks resembling mountains of treasure.
A twitch formed at the corner of his mouth as his expression turned strange.
"These brats... they really pulled it off. They faked Laugh Tale."
"Dad, didn't Shin invite you to come along? You could've been Pirate King yourself if you had said yes," Marco teased.
Whitebeard's mustache bristled as he rolled his eyes. "What kind of joke is that? You expect this old man to take part in such a scam? I refuse to be remembered as the biggest fool in history!"
"Well, that's not necessarily true," Marco mused. "Just like how the World Government erased the Void Century, if we keep promoting this fake Laugh Tale as the real one, it becomes the final island."
"Gurararara! I can fool the world, but I can't fool my old friends." Whitebeard laughed heartily. "If I went along with this, I wouldn't be able to face them in the afterlife."
"Besides, what would I say if I met Roger? He wanted to tell me the truth about the final island, and I refused to listen."
"What am I supposed to say? That I played make-believe and declared myself Pirate King? That guy would never let me hear the end of it!"
After the fabricated discovery of Laugh Tale spread, the already-dwindling pirate movement took another hit. Compared to the peak of the Great Pirate Era, the number of new pirates setting sail had dropped to a fraction.
Ordinary pirates had no way of confirming the truth. The sheer sight of a golden island hailed as Laugh Tale, was enough to convince them. And with the supposed "One Piece" already found, the motivation to go to sea had all but disappeared.
The Great Pirate Era had come to an end.
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P.S. Can anybody help me create a new cover fic? I don't know where to create a fire cover. Just drop it in the comments. Shin will travel to the multiverse after this One Piece Arc.