The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

"What if I told you that a highly civilized country, like this Egg Point Island, existed nine hundred years ago...?"

"Would you believe that?!"

The voice of [Shakya] is very peaceful, yet it seems to possess a profound weight that has transcended the long river of time.

The fleeting light and shadow of time swept by, the mottled jungle reflecting the traces of time, imprinting the mottled armor.

Right there in that junkyard, right in front of Luffy and his crew.

20, abandoned in a corner of this junkyard, casually placed aside, is a steel behemoth that cannot be ignored at a glance.

It lies there peacefully asleep, like a legend that has spanned an entire era.

The tattered helmet and the scarred body—the warriors, weathered by time, though gradually phased out by the years, have not been buried by time.

It remains there, unfortunately, bearing the marks of countless years, yet silently telling the story of that magnificent era that has been erased!

"Does such a futuristic city really exist?"

While Luffy and his crew were stunned by the ancient, massive steel weapon.

Franky and the others were also greatly shocked after hearing [Shakyamuni]'s explanation.

It's as if the technological secrets of Egg Point Island are being gradually revealed.

Vegapunk's words seemed to overturn their understanding, coupled with the secret-hiding words Link had spoken earlier.

They could only marvel at it.

"This is only a partial hypothesis."

[Shakya] said calmly, "Once upon a time, there was a man who risked his life for archaeology and unearthed the existence of this ancient kingdom."

"But it was manufactured in the same period as the machinery found in a certain place."

"That machine..."

Robin, feeling that he was only one step away from the truth of the matter, followed up with:

"Was it created during that blank century?!"

Her keen intuition detected the hidden connection, which also caught the attention of [Shakyamuni].

"How much do you know?"

However, he didn't hesitate much and continued to unveil the veil of that past story:

"This is probably a topic that will cause you pain."

"After all, it concerns your homeland, Ohara..."

Ohara~

The Straw Hat crew also knew what happened here back then, the Buster Call that occurred twenty years ago, and the island that was destroyed.

It was also Robin who began her tumultuous and unpredictable fate.

"Twenty years ago, your homeland Ohara was destroyed by the Navy's Buster Call. I believe the reason is that Ohara became aware of the existence of that kingdom."

So, it really is because of that real history?

Robin was once again certain that what the World Government was hiding was the very truth she desperately wanted to find.

"I've already let it go."

Robin said calmly, having experienced so much, she had long since become unfazed and indifferent to change.

"That's right~"

Link slowly walked forward and came to Robin's side.

"A famous person once said that a true hero dares to face the bleakness of life and the dripping blood."

Yes, these are indeed words spoken by Zhou Shuren (Lu Xun).

"You know something too, Link?"

Usopp, scratching his head, couldn't hold back any longer and asked.

"Hmm~"

Link nodded slightly and slowly recounted his past:

"During the blank century, there was a history of a highly civilized kingdom fighting against twenty other kingdoms."

"And the twenty kingdoms that won the victory then established the World Government and created the world we know today."

"And in order to prevent the ideas of that kingdom from being inherited by anyone, they erased everything about it from history."

Thought?!!!

"Is this real?! Is this really happening?!"

"What an incredibly long history this is?!"

At first, everyone was surprised by this secretive matter, and then they became concerned about the word "thought".

"Could it be that……"

They all turned to look at Link.

"That communist ideology, Link, is it something you inherited from that ancient kingdom?!"

"And Link, you mean... 823...?"

Everyone stared blankly at Link, gradually piecing together the whole story in their minds.

"If ancient kingdoms had such advanced technology, then Link, you also have so many amazing gadgets."

"In addition, with such a clear understanding of the past, there are still many secrets and histories of the sea."

"And it also includes ideas like communism..."

In the end, everyone came to the same conclusion:

"Are you a descendant or heir of that ancient kingdom, Link?!"

Everyone looked at Link with utter shock on their faces.

Even Aokiji, at this moment, had an unusually solemn expression, looking very serious as he focused his gaze on Link.

Meanwhile, Shakya, though silent, was also subtly focused on Link.

Link, who hadn't expected any of this: "...???"

How did I end up with a new identity again?!

~~~~~~~~~

[A huge thank you again to the generous donor 'Once Upon a Time There Was a Eunuch' for the latest donation this morning!!]

815 You've carried this burden for so long, Link, you've really had a tough time!

Link really didn't expect that after he only gave a brief explanation, he would suddenly be given such a big title and identity.

And, most importantly...

If we follow this line of reasoning and speculation, it seems to make perfect sense!

After all, from every perspective, he seemed to fit perfectly with that ancient kingdom...

Don't overthink it~

Link said, somewhat speechless, "If I were truly a descendant of that kingdom, I would have told you about my origins long ago."

"After all, there's nothing you can easily hide from your companions about something like this."

"No, not necessarily~"

Sanji lit a cigarette, the flame flickering.

"If nothing unexpected happens, this matter is highly classified by the World Government."

"Anyone who knows about this should be eliminated, given the World Government's usual practices."

He raised his head, blew out a puff of smoke, and said calmly:

“If you had initially intended not to burden or implicate us, it wouldn’t have been impossible for you to have concealed your origins and background from us.”

"Just like myself and Robbins, we all have bumpy and different past experiences, which will bring some trouble to our team."

"If you want to bear all of this alone and hide the truth from us, that's perfectly understandable."

Usopp and Nami listened with unwavering agreement, nodding repeatedly.

Link: "..."

I'm not carrying this burden alone! You're fabricating something out of nothing and secretly plotting something...

Link had a lot to say, especially seeing Usopp and Nami's unwavering belief in him.

And then there's Franky's self-indulgent, tearful, and snotty-clown-like demeanor, poised to erupt.

And Robin suddenly realized something, and a gentle, touched smile appeared on her face.

'Link, it turns out he had the same experience as me~'

'No wonder he could say things like that to me back in Whiskey Peak and Alabasta.'

He himself experienced all of this, bearing it all alone.

Even so, he maintained a sunny and optimistic attitude, and on this ship, he took care of everything, managing and arranging everything, fulfilling all the duties of a first mate, stabilizing the situation so we could do whatever we wanted.

'Link is truly a very gentle and strong person...'

Even without Link needing to sense Robin's feelings, he could roughly guess what kind of result Robin's rich imagination would come up with.

Most likely, it's just what's mentioned above, right?

Link was truly exhausted:

"I have absolutely nothing to hide~"

He was making a final effort: "Robin and Sanji, didn't you all eventually have your identities exposed?!"

"Especially Robin, after her identity was exposed, and later when we stormed Enies Lobby, we were already completely at odds with the World Government. Was there any need to hide it anymore?"

His words were indeed very reasonable, and they were truly from his own perspective.

But~~~

"Ah la la..."

The only one on the ship who had withdrawn from the World Government and was also aware of the relevant inside story spoke up:

"Back then, after you captured Enies Lobby, the World Government arranged for Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, to eliminate you."

"If we had known that there was a descendant of an ancient kingdom on board, I would have believed that it was definitely not just one Shichibukai who had come out."

With his hands in his pockets, Aokiji spoke in an unusually calm tone: "At the very least, it will need to be on a scale no less than the Buster Call to deal with your group."

"Furthermore, based on the World Government's past practices, it will require a high-ranking admiral to lead the team, determined to achieve complete victory in one fell swoop."

"And, to ensure the absolute smoothness and success of this operation, it is highly likely that the person sent will be Sakazuki."

"so……"

He slowly looked at Link: "Your decision not to reveal your identity at that time, and during the Marineford War, was absolutely the right one."

Link: "..."

Correct my foot! Correct!!

I don't have any other identity at all, okay?!

Especially when he saw Sanji nod solemnly and exhale a smoke ring, he said:

"You've carried so much on your shoulders for so long, you've really suffered, Link~~~"

I'm not working hard at all! What do you mean, "working hard"?!

Link was completely fed up with talking to these people. In their eyes, what he was "hiding" was the whole truth.

"actually……"

[Shakyamuni] there said calmly:

"This is actually just a hypothesis based on some documents and traces, and there is no concrete evidence or material to prove the reality of this statement."