After their battle with Zephyr, Ritter and his crew continued their journey under the banner of becoming Pokémon Masters.
On the way back to their sky island base with the Doctor and Olga, Ritter used the quiet of the voyage to think about the greater balance of the world.
If he truly wanted to stand at the very peak, he would have to face the World Governnt and the Celestial Dragons head-on.
Ritter pondered: could a race that had ruled for eight hundred years really be as pathetic as they seed? If the Celestial Dragons were truly nothing more than the brainless swine shown in the original tale, how could they have maintained such overwhelming power for so long?
Yes, they possessed imnse resources, nurtured by the world itself but having resources and knowing how to wield them were two very different things. Donquixote Mjosgard could not have been an exception. Could it really be that in eight centuries, only Joy Boy and Dragon had chosen to resist?
The spirit of rebellion does not vanish easily. Even with the lost century erased from history, Ritter did not believe the World Governnt had silenced every last witness. The hardest thing to extinguish is the fla of defiance.
So Ritter ventured a bold guess: if the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders sought nothing more than peace, they would never have allowed themselves to appear so corrupt. A favorable reputation is the most powerful weapon of all.
Throughout history, no rebel could ever claim legitimacy every uprising was labeled treason. Those who rule always stress their rightful claim to power. The old n who dwell in politics should know this better than anyone. So why allow the Celestial Dragons to drag their image through the mud?
Because peace was never their goal. What they truly wanted was to forge a unified world, one where every ambitious soul was forced into their orbit.
The class structure of this world made it clear enough:
Ordinary citizens of allied nations lived under the protection of the World Governnt and its navy.
Non-mber nations, too poor to pay the Heavenly Tribute, were left vulnerable.
It was like a giant confederation of tribes. The World Governnt was the strongest and most powerful among them, managing all the rest.
In an age when pirates ran rampant, the World Governnt's hand grew even stronger. What could those poor nations who couldn't even afford tribute possibly do? Either turn pirate like Chinjao, who supported his country through plunder or watch their holand vanish.
This, in turn, gave the Governnt justification. If they attacked nations without cause, the other kingdoms might grow wary. But if those kingdoms fell into piracy or chaos, the Governnt could swoop in as the "righteous" enforcer.
Had it not been for the God Valley incident that nearly wiped out the Five Elders, they would have continued their slow, thodical conquest. Ti was their greatest weapon. Gradually, one by one, the kingdoms would weaken until even combined they could no longer rival the Governnt. At that point, unification would be inevitable.
And the rise of the Four Emperors later on? Nothing more than another spark to fan the flas of piracy. The more chaotic the seas beca, the faster the world would march toward unification. What could a band of pirates, who produced nothing, ever achieve in the long run?
Even if one of them rose above the rest, beca king of the seas, and carved out their own empire, the World Governnt would offer them legitimacy as a mber nation. And if they refused, the Governnt would simply wait them out. Ti devours all.
(Author's aside: In the manga, I strongly suspect Im has the power to create demons. Notice how none of the Five Elders had their Devil Fruits revealed when they appeared? I'll wait and see what Oda intends… but if it takes too long, I'll write my own version.)
After all, even the strongest man in the world Whitebeard was ultimately defeated by ti itself.
With these thoughts connected, Ritter suddenly understood.
Those "foolish pigs" sent out into the world were not accidents they were loyalty tests. Compliance allowed nations to survive a little longer. As long as a kingdom could keep paying the Heavenly Tribute ten years, a hundred years, even a thousand they endured. But eventually, every nation would collapse. The tribute was whatever the rulers demanded it to be.
And the mont a nation dared to rebel? Their mbership was revoked, their status erased.
For those left behind, what was there to do but grieve, worry, and tremble for themselves?
Surely, the true elites among the Celestial Dragons did not even see those indulgent, gluttonous nobles as their kin.
After days of travel, Ritter's Blumarine Jackson finally approached the sky island. Yes flew toward it. The ship's massive jet-powered dials and retractable wings were far more than decoration.
As for energy? Well, Enel was Ritter's ally now the Thunder God himself. Without his lightning to power them, they would have had to launch from the seas below. Flying all the way up was a luxury.
The Blumarine Jackson cut through the sea of clouds, its gilded hull gleaming in the sunlight.
On deck, the Doctor stood wide-eyed, staring at the vast sky above. His voice trembled with awe: "This… this is truly an island in the sky?"
"That's right," Ritter grinned. "Welco to our base. This will be your new laboratory, and the starting point of our future."
Olga rushed to the rail, leaning over to gaze at the endless clouds and floating isles below. "Papa, it's so beautiful here!"
The Doctor's eyes softened at his daughter's smile. He turned to Ritter with gratitude. "Captain Ritter, thank you for reuniting with my daughter, and for curing her illness. From this day on, I entrust our future to you."
Ritter nodded, his gaze steady. "Doctor, your research is vital to us. Pure Gold is only the beginning. I need you to help create more things that can change the world."
Tesoro stepped forward, the golden rings on his fingers flashing. "Doctor, the laboratory on Sky Island has been prepared to the highest standards. Every resource you require will be supplied first."
The Doctor inhaled deeply and nodded solemnly. "I understand. I'll begin my work imdiately."
Under Tesoro's managent, Ritter's stronghold had already beco highly organized. Sky Island's shell-based technology was particularly popular in the Blue Sea, creating a thriving trade.
The ship descended slowly onto the main island. Stella greeted them with a warm smile. "Doctor, welco. I've prepared quarters for you."
The Doctor bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Tesoro leaned close to Ritter and murmured, "Captain, we've also reinforced Sky Island's defenses. We can respond to any threat at a mont's notice."
"Well done, Miss Stella," Ritter replied with satisfaction.
That night, Ritter stood alone at the island's highest peak, gazing down at the land that was now his. Tesoro joined him quietly. "Captain… what's on your mind?"
Ritter's eyes pierced the distant horizon, as if he could see the very heart of the world. "Tesoro, tell … do you really think the World Governnt is only what it appears to be?"
Tesoro shook his head. "That's not for to decide. Just tell what needs to be done, Captain."
Ritter laughed heartily. That was Tesoro through and through.
"Keep a close watch on our industries. The World Governnt won't sit still for long."
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