"You're saying," Roa's face instantly broke into a brilliant smile, "Katakuri became the ruler of Totto Land and is now a Pirate Emperor alongside Whitebeard, Shiki, and the others?"
So, he really did manage to pull an Auntie Linlin out of power? That kid Katakuri? What nerve, acting so brazen!
Charlotte Katakuri, one of the strongest pirates in the entire world! A super-monster with a bounty over four billion!
While scoffing inwardly, Saladin obediently replied, "Yes. About four years ago, Katakuri defeated the former ruler of Totto Land, Charlotte Linlin, and became the head of the Charlotte Family. After the balance of the New World stabilized and the Emperor structure formed, he naturally became one of the five Emperors."
Oh, wow. Katakuri really made something of himself. He had anticipated this day, but didn't expect it so soon—
Wait, soon? Four years ago would have been his 21st year in the present time. Katakuri would have been forty, right at his peak. Looked at that way, it wasn't exactly fast.
"And what about Auntie Linlin?" Roa's interest deepened, and he asked with a beaming smile.
Auntie Linlin? What was this guy's background? No normal person would call Charlotte Linlin that!
"It's said that the reason Charlotte Linlin was defeated was because Katakuri rallied most of the family's children. Charlotte Linlin was very displeased about this and clashed with Katakuri every few days," Saladin explained. "If not for that, with both mother and son working together, plus those monstrous Executives, the Charlotte Family would have been the most powerful pirate crew in the entire New World long ago!"
"Tsk, tsk." Roa clicked his tongue. He expected as much. How did that saying go, Auntie Linlin? Unkind parents, unfilial children? Something like that?
"Keep going. Next up are the Warlords (Shichibukai), right?" Roa urged with a smile.
"The Warlords are also a very formidable bunch!" Saladin continued. "There's Wang Zhi, who rules Hachinosu (Pirate Island), Silver Axe, who occupies the seas between Totto Land and Wano Country, and," Saladin's voice suddenly carried a hint of gritted teeth, his fists clenched, "John, who is entrenched in the New World's entrance area and is ruthless to any pirate who enters that sea!"
"That's not surprising," Roa chuckled. It seemed they still hadn't managed to escape the World Government.
"Then there's the nomadic World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk!" Saladin's eyes held a slight fervor. "He is the goal of all swordsmen in the world, a true powerhouse capable of rivaling 'Straw Hat' Shanks!"
Saladin was a swordsman himself, so Mihawk was naturally his goal!
The World's Strongest Swordsman. Roa's hand hung casually, resting on the hilt of his Tigrine Soul Blade. That title should have belonged to him! Damn you, Mihawk brat, just you wait!
"The remaining three are 'Desert King' Crocodile, currently in Alabasta, and the General Manager of the Fish-Man Island Deep Sea Logistics Company, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe."
Roa raised an eyebrow.
Crocodile was still a Warlord and still entrenched in Alabasta. He was probably aiming for the Pluton; Roa wondered if he had attempted to challenge Whitebeard and suffered a mental breakdown.
And Jinbe. The Deep Sea Logistics Company was still operating? Since Jinbe became a Warlord, that meant the company was now cooperating with the World Government, right? How annoying! Roa was the only one who got to take advantage of others, and this time, someone else stole his peach!
"And finally," Saladin paused before continuing, "the hero from the West Blue, the man who loves to adventure all over the world with his crew, Gekko Moria!"
"You said... Moria?" Roa's smile became increasingly meaningful.
"Y-yes, that's right..." Saladin was starting to get PTSD. What was wrong with this guy? He couldn't speak two sentences without having a fit! Could they not just talk normally?
"I just find it too interesting," Roa said, full of laughter.
So that was it. Moria... betrayed him? It wasn't entirely surprising; he only joined the Calamity Corporation because of Roa's threat, and his sole purpose was to save his crewmates. It would have been strange if he hadn't betrayed them after Roa vanished.
It was forgivable—not! Moria, you bastard, just you wait!
Wait, should he only be thinking about Moria?
Roa then asked with interest, "Besides the five Pirate Emperors and the Seven Warlords, are there any other renowned pirates on the seas?"
"Of course," Saladin hurriedly continued. "'Cerberus' Teach and the cursed Giant Prince Loki are both said to be monsters with the strength to challenge for the Emperor title! Especially Loki; his Giant Warrior Pirates, who betrayed Elbaf, are even stronger than they were a hundred years ago!"
Roa's eyes narrowed slightly. Hmm, that wasn't too surprising either. Without him, Dylan, Bullet, and King definitely wouldn't be able to keep those guys suppressed.
In short, all of you wait.
"Beneath them, the captain of the Kuja Pirates, Empress Robin, is also a very formidable and ruthless character!"
This time, Roa genuinely froze. "You said, Empress Robin? Not Hancock?"
"You know about Boa Hancock too!" Saladin was startled. "She's the Kuja Pirates' Vice-Captain, but even though she's only the Vice-Captain, she's universally recognized as the World's Most Beautiful Woman!"
What the heck! He didn't know about the others, but he knew about the World's Most Beautiful Woman! He must be a pervert!
"Is that so?" Roa couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Robin was entrusted to Amazon Lily by Roger, was she? That made sense; she had Shakky to pull strings for her.
What a shame. When he returned from the Moon, he almost went to Amazon Lily.
Looking back now, he missed far too much.
"Interesting! This sea has become truly fascinating!" Roa's smile was radiant.
The monsters of the previous era still shook the seas, and the young upstarts had now all made names for themselves.
"Do you have a Den Den Mushi?" Roa asked.
"Y-yes, I do." Saladin quickly pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it to Roa.
"Thanks, this helps a lot." Roa took the device without hesitation and immediately dialed Dylan's number.
However, all he got was a dial tone. It wouldn't connect.
"They're not all dead, are they?" Roa mumbled. That would be too bad.
Forget it, I'll call Uncle Shiki and the others. They should know something.
Roa then called Shiki. Still no connection. Next were Kaido and Charlotte Linlin. Same dial tone.
"Did they all change their numbers?" Roa was slightly frustrated.
Was this the true meaning of "brothers in heart, but the phone doesn't work when you need help?" He did save their lives before!
But on second thought, it wasn't strange. Wang Zhi and those two bastards became the World Government's running dogs, so their old numbers would have been exposed and certainly monitored.
Roa tried the numbers for Stussy and Morgans. Unsurprisingly, they didn't connect either. Too much time had passed.
"In that case," Roa sighed, "I'll just go ask Katakuri."
His good friend got rich, while his good brother fell on hard times. Asking for a handout wasn't too much, was it?
In any case, he'd go find his good brother first.
Find Katakuri? Saladin looked at Roa, bewildered.
Then, he saw Roa lean down and say, "Let's go to Totto Land."
"Eh??"
"T-Totto Land?" Saladin stammered. "The Charlotte Family is very dangerous—"
He couldn't finish his sentence. Roa just smiled sweetly and said, "I wasn't asking for your opinion, you know."
"Yes!"
Regardless, the ship was now heading toward the Totto Land waters.
The pirates were quite obedient. Realizing Roa was an opponent they couldn't hope to fight, they offered no resistance and simply sailed on. Although entering the Charlotte Family's domain was dangerous, refusing would mean being sunk into the sea right now.
Roa then managed to get more information about the current state of the sea from Saladin.
For example, the three Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru had taken office years ago, with the former Admiral Zephyr retiring to the second line to focus on training new Marine recruits.
For example, a terrifying scale of riots had broken out in the North Blue over a decade ago, reportedly staining that entire sea red, and during that time, an organization called the Revolutionary Army had gained massive prominence.
He had missed two decades of exciting things on the sea.
But that was alright. It seemed he returned just in time for the most turbulent part. Old Man Fate, you really do love me.
A short while later, on the pirate ship's deck.
"Oi, Saladin, don't you have any better clothes?"
Roa had changed into a new outfit—a typical floral shirt and shorts combo. Yet, wearing it, Roa somehow looked inexplicably noble. Still, he complained, "These inferior clothes make my skin feel itchy!"
Saladin's mouth twitched. That was a designer item he bought in the Sabaody Archipelago and had been saving, planning to wear it on a beach vacation! It cost a full 100,000 Berries! How spoiled and pampered was this guy?!
Though furious inside, Saladin maintained an obsequious smile. "Apologies, Lord Roa! Those are my best clothes."
Roa turned back to Saladin, his expression one of disappointment. "It's your own fault for being so unsuccessful, Saladin. While a bounty just over 100 million is a little weak, if you were more diligent, attacked a few more towns, and looted a few more places, how could you be living so meagerly?"
Are you the living King of Hell? Saladin's mouth twitched. And why call him weak! A bounty over 100 million made him a famous pirate! He was a person of standing even in the New World!
But Saladin still dared not argue. He simply nodded repeatedly. "Lord Roa, your reprimand is well-deserved. Um, dinner is ready. Would you like to eat something first?"
"I don't eat human food," Roa smiled, then turned to look at Toki, who was standing silently beside him. "Prepare some food for Toki. Even though she's dead, she still needs food to maintain her life."
What does he mean, 'I don't eat human food?' Saladin was even more bewildered. He instinctively looked at the expressionless Toki. And what does he mean, 'she's already dead?'
Hiss! Was he into that kind of thing? Was he a pervert?
In any case, the pirate ship was indeed heading toward the Totto Land waters. Roa also briefly relived the feeling of sailing on a ship. His assessment: not even as good as a single finger of Calamity City.
Speaking of which, what happened to Roa's Calamity City? It didn't crash, did it?
A few days later, the pirate ship finally reached the outskirts of the Totto Land waters.
On the deck, Saladin cautiously looked at Roa. "Lord Roa, are we really going straight in? The Charlotte Family doesn't take kindly to intruders."
Roa looked surprised. "Are you suggesting you'd rather I be unkind to you than face the Charlotte Family?"
"Full speed ahead!" Saladin immediately bellowed, "Full speed ahead toward Whole Cake Island!"
Roa chuckled. This guy was actually quite amusing.
Still, it felt strange. Katakuri, what would your reaction be when you see me now? Only a short time has passed for me, but for you, it has been a full twenty-five years.
Wait, shouldn't he, by custom, go fight Brother Kaido in Wano Country first? He had done so for the past few years.
While thinking about miscellaneous things—
THUMP! THUMP!
His heart suddenly pounded violently. Roa's eyes trembled.
Has it come? The evolution is about to complete!
"Ugh!!"
In that instant, Saladin felt a sudden chill run up his spine, as if cold, invisible hands had gripped his breath.
He wasn't the only one. Every pirate on the ship was seized by an indescribable terror. Roa did nothing. He didn't speak, didn't move, and didn't even release his Conqueror's Haki—he simply stood still.
But it was this absolute stillness that brought a sense of oppression more suffocating than any storm. The pirates felt like tiny creatures sensing catastrophe, swallowed completely by a bone-deep dread.
"WAAAAAH—!" Someone screamed in uncontrollable terror.
Some sank to the deck, legs weak, their pants stained. Others had completely broken down, crying hysterically.
After a long time, Roa slowly let out a breath.
Then.
"Is that it?" He twitched his mouth.
Glancing at the pirates around him, who were like startled birds, Roa couldn't help but sigh. Judging by the scene, he thought he had awakened some world-shattering ability. In reality, it was just a reinforcement of his original abilities.
Roa turned his head and beckoned. "Toki, come here."
Toki, whose eyes were pitch black, quickly approached him.
It was then that Roa's eyes inverted in black and white, and his ability activated!
The beautiful Soul-Servant's body suddenly trembled. Then, the pupils that had vanished from Toki's eyes gradually reappeared, slowly turning pale. She now possessed the same eyes as Roa.
"Roa... -kun..."
The woman, who should have been completely consumed by negative emotions and lost her self, slowly spoke. Her previously expressionless face now bloomed with a brilliant smile, like a hundred flowers opening.
"Roa-kun! I thought I would never see you again."
Saying this, the woman rushed into Roa's arms like a swallow returning to its nest, even beginning to softly sob.
Roa looked down at the woman, asking with some curiosity, "Toki, is that you?"
"It's me, Roa-kun," Toki gently sniffed Roa's chest with a hint of possessiveness. "I thought I was really going to die back then, but it's okay... I've seen you again..." She murmured, her tone filled with obsession and ecstasy.
Roa smiled. Forget it. Whether it is or not doesn't matter.
Strictly speaking, Roa's evolution this time wasn't an upgrade of all his abilities. In fact, besides the strengthening of his base stats, Roa's only change was his ability to further utilize the black mist.
In the past, Roa could only absorb the black mist to restore health and stamina. But now, the black mist he absorbed into his body would be converted into a special energy. He could use this energy to enhance any of his techniques.
In short, it was like giving Garen an extra Mana Bar; by spending MP, he could unlock enhanced abilities.
He was definitely stronger, but the difference between this and the anticipated sudden, invincible leap in power was a bit disappointing. Oh well, it's only the first evolution. It's probably just the shift from the juvenile stage to the growth stage.
When the world became more delicious, he would continue to evolve.
For now, he'd go find his good brother.
Almost simultaneously, shortly after the ship broke into Totto Land's waters.
Whole Cake Island.
"Hmm? More idiots looking for trouble? Which direction are they coming from?"
"Lord Perospero, they're approaching from the front!"
"From that direction, send Oven—wait, hasn't Bonney returned?"
"Yes, Lord Perospero! Lord Bonney's ship has entered the country and is currently heading back to Whole Cake Island."
"Then let that girl handle it. Didn't her last message say she hadn't had enough fun?"
"Yes!"
So, shortly after, in another sea region of the country.
On the deck of a colorfully decorated ship that looked like a moving cake.
A woman, sitting cross-legged and happily devouring a pile of sweets, held a Den Den Mushi and said with a smile, "Big Brother Peros, you're so good to me! I'll go take care of those idiots right away!"
"Good, I'm leaving it to you, Bonney!"
The call ended.
The woman stood up from the deck. Her soft pink hair fluttered in the wind. As she stretched, her voluptuous figure was on full display. Of course, what was most striking was her height of over eight meters. Simply standing there, she was like a small mountain.
"Hehe. You foolish pirates, let Charlotte Bonney be your judge!"
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