Paper Paper Fruit In One Piece

Four Seasons Islands 

"Was the battle really that intense?" 

The Straw Hat crew, for once, sat quietly in a circle, either standing or sitting, as they listened to Roman tell his "story." 

Although the newspapers over the past few days had been filled with detailed reports on the "Horace Archipelago Sea Battle," how could the reporters' secondhand embellishments compare to Roman's firsthand account? 

"That's right. Both the Marines and the Blackbeard Pirates are truly among the top fighters in this world." 

Akainu and his elite Vice Admirals were one thing, but the Blackbeard crew also consisted of infamously ruthless pirates. With both sides unleashing their full power, the battle was a literal earth-shattering clash! 

By the end, the former territory of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Horace Archipelago, had been completely reduced to an underwater wasteland. The Blackbeard Pirates suffered over 10,000 casualties, shocking the world! 

"Although most of Blackbeard's key crew managed to escape, they still lost two officers." 

As the battle unfolded, Roman suddenly remembered that the Blackbeard Pirates included the "Colossal Battleship" Sanjuan Wolf. It was a mystery how such a gigantic being managed to avoid drawing attention… 

In any case, the mystery was solved. With someone like him, it was no wonder they could transport such massive amounts of goods in a short time. 

So… fight, damn it! 

Poor Sanjuan Wolf was overwhelmed by an angry Marine barrage. The so-called largest giant on the sea was killed on the spot! 

The other unlucky one was "Big Barrel" Vasco Shot. His unique ability to spew terrifyingly high-temperature flames from alcohol might have been impressive—until he ran into Akainu. 

When it comes to Devil Fruits, dominance within their element leaves no room for reason! 

Even Ace, with the Flame-Flame Fruit, was pierced through the chest with one punch—what chance did this booze-fire guy stand? 

…

"To sum up, the Blackbeard Pirates managed to hold out until the other two Yonko crews responded, forcing the Marines to retreat..." 

Kaido, known as the "strategist" among pirates, and Big Mom, who could play both sides and command wide influence, were far from the "suicidal maniac" and "crazy hag" they were rumored to be. When news of the Marines' large-scale invasion of the New World reached them, they immediately launched attacks on other Marine bases, forcing Akainu to order a retreat. 

A single Yonko might not be a match for the Marines, but if the Marines targeted one Yonko, the others would, at the very least, seize the chance to attack, tying down Marine forces. 

The saying "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold" was something these veteran pirates of the seas understood well. 

Of course, something like the Whitebeard Pirates storming Marineford en masse... 

"And with just this one battle, Blackbeard turned misfortune into fortune, securing his position as one of the Yonko—" 

That's right! 

Although Blackbeard lost tens of thousands of men and two officers in the Marine ambush, his "reputation" skyrocketed. First, he boldly robbed the joint fleet of the Marines, World Government, and dozens of affiliated nations. Then, he somehow endured the Marines' retaliation. 

On top of that: 

"Blackbeard had already moved the stolen goods to 'Hachinosu Island' ahead of time. With that stockpile..." 

With goods worth billions of Belly in his possession and the prestige of having "fended off" Fleet Admiral Akainu and a squad of top Marine fighters, countless outlaws flocked to Blackbeard's banner. His power expanded rapidly, filling the void left by Whitebeard and earning him the title of a new Yonko. 

Fate truly worked in mysterious ways. 

This Yonko was, in a way, a creation of Roman's own actions... 

"I see. Looks like we need to keep working hard too," 

Luffy said as he stood up, brushing off his pants. 

Throwing his arms wide open, he declared to the sky: 

"I won't lose to that big black guy!" 

"Because I'm the man who will become the Pirate King!!" 

Hearing Luffy's ever-unchanging bold declaration, everyone around him smiled. After all, wasn't that why they set out to sea with him? For that single sentence? 

"Alright then, I'll take everyone back," 

Roman said, clapping his hands. 

Sheets of paper fluttered off his body, forming several airplanes that landed gently on the nearby grass. 

"It's settled, then," Luffy said, extending his fist. The Straw Hat crew members walked over, one by one, placing their hands on top of his—big and small, male and female, human and non-human fists joining together in a circle. 

"One year from now, we'll meet again at Sabaody Archipelago!" 

Luffy adjusted his straw hat with a grin. 

"And then, we'll continue—" 

"Toward our dreams!" 

"Let's go!!" 

——————

One year later, 

Sabaody Archipelago. 

"The pirates who competed through the first half of the Grand Line are gathering on this island again," someone said. 

Inside a tavern, a group of idlers held cheap rum as they discussed the current state of affairs. 

"The last time we saw a scene like this was two years ago." 

"Back then, the 12 Supernovas all showed up—it was such a grand sight. But now..." 

If you ask why: 

"Haha, these past two years have been brutal for new pirates! At least half of them ended up captured by the 'White Dove.' I even heard Impel Down started using prisoners as dog food." 

"Impel Down doesn't just cook prisoners directly for meals?" 

"Not to mention that, I heard there's been a rise in gangs robbing the Sea Train recently. They're even calling themselves the 'New Pirates'..." 

"Yeah, recently, many pirate crews arriving here are using submarines."

A burly man took a swig of alcohol and complained, 

"To avoid the 'White Dove,' those guys are really racking their brains. Is it going to turn into the 'Great Submarine Era' now?"

"Haha, that's nothing," 

another burly man sneered. 

"Recently, a few 'air-sea hybrid' hot-air balloon pirate crews showed up here. I think the next era might be the 'Great Flying Era'!"

"...What about the weather on the Grand Line?"

"So now, skilled navigators are in high demand. Even if they can't fight, they immediately become key members!" 

Hearing this, a man and a woman who had just entered showed a brief look of surprise. 

Who would have thought? The people of this pirate world are pretty adaptable. 

Hmm?

As they looked toward the handsome man and the orange-haired beauty who had just walked in, the pirates and drifters in the hall froze for a moment— 

this wasn't a place where people like them should appear.

"This place... seems busier than two years ago." 

The orange-haired beauty sat at the bar, glancing around with a mix of nostalgia and disdain. 

"Such chaos lurking with danger... freedom tainted by crime."

"Yeah, I kind of missed it," 

the man replied.

"Hahaha, that's because Marine Headquarters moved three months ago," 

the bar owner explained kindly to the woman in front of him. 

"The Marine Headquarters swapped places with the 'G1' branch on the other side of the Red Line. Now their focus is entirely on the New World. Thanks to that, my bar has been bustling again."

"That's not exactly good news," 

the handsome man in the suit shook his head. 

"Sure, your bar has more customers, but—"

Bang! 

A gunshot rang out.

"Hey, did I hear that right?" 

A raspy, arrogant voice followed the gunshot, while the man in the suit sitting at the bar casually pointed his thumb backward. 

"Do you think they'll pay up, boss?"

"This..." 

The bar owner forced a bitter smile. Indeed, there were more guests now, but trouble had also increased.

"Take a good look. My bounty poster says 70 million berries, right?" 

The one who fired the gun was a tall, fat, and scarred man wearing an open red vest and a straw hat. 

"Get lost, trash!" 

He kicked the pirate captain he had just shot, sending him flying as his arrogant voice echoed through the bar. 

"I'm the son of Revolutionary Army Dragon! A 400-million-bounty pirate!" 

"Get out!!"

"Truly ruthless," 

one drifter muttered in a hushed tone, sipping his drink nervously. 

The companion beside him nodded in fear. 

"Well, what can you do? His strength speaks for itself." 

Four hundred million! 

That kind of bounty is legendary in the first half of the Grand Line. Of course, people with this level of strength usually head straight for the New World. 

"Hey, Franky!" 

The fat, towering 'Luffy' turned to a man with a pompadour and sunglasses nearby. 

"How many recruits have we gathered?" 

"Only ten who meet the standards, but we've absorbed four pirate crews..." 

"Hahahaha! We only want elites! Captains with bounties below 70 million berries? Forget it. Those weaklings aren't even in the same league as us! Hey, bartender, bring some drinks!"

Turning toward the bar, 'Luffy' froze for a moment when he noticed the elegant orange-haired beauty sitting there. 

"Hey, gorgeous! Come over and drink with us." 

...

See? Dressing all fancy and showing up at a place like this to drink—there's always a price to pay. 

Under the watchful eyes of the pirates and drifters around, the orange-haired woman calmly rested her chin on one hand while swirling her drink with the other. 

After two years of indulging in fine alcohol, her tastes had become refined. 

Ah, it's easy to grow accustomed to luxury, but so hard to go back to simplicity.

"I already have a man by my side."

!?

"Hahaha!!! The man by your side—" 

At the table with 'Luffy,' a few bizarre-looking individuals stood up abruptly. 

"Hearing our captain Luffy's name and not falling to his knees in fear? Where did this country bumpkin come from?" 

Watching the failed "invitation" turn into a plan to use force, the orange-haired beauty waved her hand dismissively without even turning back.

"I'll leave it to you."

"At your service, my lady."

The man in the suit standing beside her got up, revealing a strikingly handsome face—Roman's face.

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