Ian didn't leave Laugh Tale immediately, even though he said they were heading back.
After all, it wasn't easy to reach this island. They had already obtained everything they came for, but shouldn't they at least take a good look around before leaving?
Aside from the massive library, there were countless other structures scattered across the island.
Who knew whether any of these buildings still held something valuable?
Ian decided to take everyone on a full tour.
When they stepped out of the library, the little robot was still standing dutifully at the entrance.
But it wasn't alone.
More robots were lined up beside it, standing silently. When Ian and the others emerged, all of them raised their heads in unison to look at the group.
"There's quite a lot of them."
Law chuckled. "Were all of these left behind by Joy Boy to await the ones who came after?"
"Have you obtained the legacy left by Lord Joy Boy?"
The little robot who had guided them earlier looked up, asking the question in a dazed tone.
"Yeah."
Ian gave a gentle nod. "From here on, leave this world to me."
The robot didn't respond. It simply lowered its head quietly.
Ian wasn't sure whether it possessed anything close to human thought. Instead, he said, "Would you mind guiding us around the island? Show us what's inside the other buildings."
"All right."
The robot agreed immediately without hesitation.
And so, Ian and the others followed behind it as it led them on a tour through the island.
Though this place was built more than eight hundred years ago, to the people of today, it still looked like a futuristic city, every corner brimming with advanced technology.
Yet in truth, there wasn't much of practical value left.
Most of the buildings were simple residences, and the items left inside were everyday objects used by the people who once lived here eight centuries ago.
Every room was covered in a thick layer of dust, the weight of history settling over everything.
Aside from the library, the only structure truly worth a visit seemed to be the factory located on one side of the island.
It was a massive all-purpose factory—weapons, furniture… just about anything could be produced there.
It must have been built for the daily life of the people who once lived on this island.
Uncle Queen found it all quite fascinating and planned to take the entire factory back with them.
But taking the library, the gold, and the factory wasn't something ordinary methods could handle. This was when Bullet and Solem's abilities finally came into play.
Solem was responsible for the gold in the underground vault, while Bullet was in charge of the library and the factory.
Before leaving, Ian specifically asked the little robots if they wanted to come along.
But the robots simply shook their heads and refused. "Lord Joy Boy ordered us to protect this place. This is our mission."
Since they said that, Ian naturally didn't insist any further.
Besides, the technology behind these robots should be recorded somewhere in the library's archives.
Once he snatched Vegapunk someday, if he was interested, he could even have the old man build an entire mechanized army.
And so, they began the return journey.
Leaving this place was far more troublesome than entering it. After all, aside from the Winged Dragon, they were now taking a library the size of Onigashima and a mountain of gold nearly as massive.
Compared to those two giants, the factory could almost be called petite.
Fortunately, both Bullet and Solem possessed overwhelming strength. Their bodies were more than capable of handling the transport.
Bullet directly fused the library and the factory together, shaping them into a massive spindle-shaped ship, and even swallowed the Winged Dragon into it along the way.
Solem followed his example, molding the gold according to Bullet's design into a smaller—but similarly shaped—structure.
Then the two colossal constructs began traveling back toward the New World through the underwater passage.
It must be said that the route Joy Boy left behind was truly enormous. Even with their massive size, the two giants moved through it without feeling cramped.
On the way back, Yamato's expression still looked dazed. "Is… that it?"
They had just found the Final Island. They had just obtained the Great Treasure. They had just learned the truth of the world.
Why did it all feel…
"So easy."
Yamato blurted out, "It doesn't even feel as exciting as I imagined!"
"That's because it really was too easy."
Law said with a small smile. "Without struggling through hardships or fighting against fate, of course you won't feel that overwhelming joy at the end."
Aunt Linlin's face stiffened.
What was this brat implying? That she hadn't played any role in stopping Ian from reaching the Great Treasure? That she had basically let Ian become the new Pirate King without resistance?
"Because it's me," Ian said calmly. "Isn't that only natural?"
Ian spoke with complete certainty, as if everything he said was only natural.
"Of course it's only natural."
Hancock's gaze burned with intensity. "Because it's you, Ian."
Aunt Linlin could only listen while her whole body broke out in goosebumps.
These people—every single one of them—didn't put anyone else in their eyes!
"Ian," Ace leaned in. "So, when are we starting the war? I can't wait any longer!"
He had already completed the greatest achievement of that bastard father of his. Now, he only needed to surpass him.
And the simplest way to surpass him was to overthrow the World Government.
To accomplish the great task that even his bastard father admitted he could never achieve and could only entrust to future generations.
"We still need to wait a little longer."
Ian wasn't impatient. "If you feel anxious, then prepare yourself properly. Make your strength even greater. Only then will you be able to defeat your enemies when the final battle comes."
"Got it!"
Ace cracked his fists with excitement. "All these years of training were for this very moment!"
"Ian, our Revolutionary Army is also ready for your orders at any time!"
Dragon's expression was solemn. "When necessary, we can mobilize many nations to join this war!"
"Oh?"
Ian raised a brow. "Looks like you've been hiding all these years, but you've still been doing quite a lot."
Dragon smiled. "We've never given up on freeing this world and overthrowing the World Government."
"But dragging the other nations of the sea into this war… I don't think it's necessary."
Ian said this calmly.
Even eight hundred years ago, Imu's victory wasn't because he had the support of countless nations behind him.
He and his allies only had twenty countries at most. Some were tiny kingdoms like Dressrosa, which only had a single city.
The true key to victory was the Ancient Weapons, along with several exceptionally powerful individuals on his side.
For the final showdown with the World Government, Ancient Weapons and top-tier combat power were enough.
Otherwise, no matter how many civilians you rallied, relying solely on ordinary people—even if the entire world stood together—victory would be nothing but a fantasy.
Cruel as it was, that was the underlying logic of this world.
Strong decide everything; the weak can only drift with the current.
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