Ginn had just finished stowing away the treasure and was now on the deck, practicing his newfound Devil Fruit powers.
Togi glanced at him and said calmly, "Devil Fruits are powerful, but don't neglect your own strength. If you ever want to last in a long fight, stamina is everything."
Ginn, only eighteen but forced into early maturity by the destruction of his hometown, nodded earnestly. "Understood, Captain."
Togi had never truly used a Devil Fruit himself, but he knew enough to assume that large-scale attacks must drain both energy and spirit.
Aiden sheathed his sword and came over, his expression bright with interest. "Captain, how about we head to a bigger city? Maybe I can find a better blade."
Togi rubbed his chin in thought. "Not a bad idea. Let's head for the Sabaody Archipelago."
Just as Aiden turned to check their heading in the navigation room, he suddenly froze, staring toward the horizon. "Captain, there's a ship out there!"
Togi narrowed his eyes. With his keen vision, he immediately spotted it. "Ignore them. Keep adjusting our course. Head straight once you've got the direction."
Aiden hurried off to handle it, while Togi thought back, trying to recall which pirate crews were active in this part of the Grand Line around this time.
Twenty years was a long stretch; many of his memories from his past life were fading—and this was forty years before the era he knew. Many names and faces from this age had never appeared in the story he remembered.
Before long, Aiden had the course set. But by coincidence—or fate—the other ship seemed to be sailing along the exact same route, drawing closer and closer.
Aiden climbed up the lookout post, raised his spyglass, and shouted, "Captain! It's the Roger Pirates! Their ship—the Oro Jackson!"
Togi leapt lightly onto the railing, grabbed the spyglass, and took a look himself. He muttered, "Didn't expect to run into them here."
Aiden, who knew a bit about the Roger Pirates, looked uneasy. "They're really strong, right? Should we… fight them?"
Ginn, floating pieces of metal around him with his powers, grinned. "Why not? People say they're strong, but so are we."
Togi's grin widened. "Well, since both of my dear crewmates agree… majority rules. Let's do it."
It wasn't arrogance—it was confidence born from strength.
Meanwhile, aboard the Oro Jackson, Gaban approached Gol D. Roger. "Captain, the ship up ahead hasn't moved. Looks like they're waiting for us."
Roger stepped out onto the deck. "Which crew?"
Gaban unfolded three bounty posters. "The Infinite Pirates. Captain: Togi Fushiguro. No Devil Fruit ability. Bounty—250 million."
"Crewman: Aiden Sigma. No Devil Fruit ability. Bounty—120 million."
"Crewman: Ginn Zoan. No Devil Fruit ability. Bounty—80 million."
"This crew's a strange one," Gaban continued. "They don't rob the poor or attack civilians. They only target nobles and crime syndicates."
Roger scratched his head, intrigued. "Not bad bounties. And an odd code of conduct for pirates. Interesting."
Silvers Rayleigh smirked. "Sounds like a fun bunch."
Roger's grin broadened. "Let's pull up alongside them. If they're decent people, maybe we'll make some friends."
Rayleigh sighed, rubbing his forehead. That was his captain all right—unpredictable as always. Still, better to gain an ally than another enemy.
The Oro Jackson drew close to the smaller ship of the Infinite Pirates. Togi steadied his breath, masking his excitement. "Stay here," he told Aiden and Ginn. "I'll go over."
Before they could respond, his figure blurred and vanished—reappearing an instant later on the deck of the Oro Jackson, hands in his pockets, posture exuding effortless dominance.
The Roger Pirates immediately tensed, weapons half-drawn. Even without moving, the man radiated power.
Roger himself was in his prime—his very presence carried the weight of a king. Togi felt a faint pressure, his instincts warning him that this man was dangerous.
At the same time, Roger studied the young stranger who had appeared uninvited on his ship. That aura… a quiet, confident intensity that only those with the spirit of a ruler possessed.
Togi spoke first. "Find an island. Let's have a duel."
Roger threw his head back and laughed. "Deal."
Rayleigh and the others exchanged looks. Over the years, plenty of people had challenged Roger—but no one had ever appeared on his deck alone to do it.
Togi smirked. "Our ship's slower. We'll follow you."
As he vanished back to his ship, Roger glanced at Rayleigh. "What do you think of him?"
Rayleigh shrugged. "Cocky. Brave, maybe reckless. Not sure if it's confidence or youthful ignorance."
Roger grinned. "We'll know soon enough once we fight."
Back aboard the Infinite Pirates' ship, Togi said, "Follow the Oro Jackson. We'll meet them on the next island."
"Got it," Aiden replied, immediately taking the helm.
Ginn pointed at himself nervously. "Uh, Captain… are we joining the fight too?"
Togi grinned wickedly. "Of course. I lined up ten sparring partners just for you."
Ginn's expression turned pale. "You're such a great captain. Truly, I'm blessed."
…
Before long, both ships anchored by a nearby island. Aiden slid his polished sword into its sheath, and Ginn's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
"Let's go," Togi commanded.
Stepping onto the island, they saw Roger, Rayleigh, and Jaba already waiting. The rest of the Roger Pirates stayed aboard.
Aiden's gaze locked on Roger's sword, nearly drooling. "That's a fine blade."
Togi, noticing it too, muttered under his breath, "This world really doesn't distinguish between swords and sabers properly. Drives me crazy."
Roger didn't catch the comment and called out, "So, how do you want to do this?"
Togi felt a rush of exhilaration. Typical Roger—direct and unpretentious. If this had been anyone from the Rocks Pirates, the fight would've already started on the ship.
"One-on-one," Togi said, rolling his shoulders.
Rayleigh stepped forward. "You don't have the right to face our captain."
Roger held up a hand, smiling. "He's a captain too, Rayleigh. That's enough."
Gaban and the others exchanged knowing looks. They could tell Roger simply wanted a good fight.
Roger eyed the blade on Togi's back. "You a swordsman too?"
Togi had originally wanted to test Roger's raw combat skills, but hearing that question, he reached for his weapon, giving it a few casual swings. "You could say that."
The blade was long—about seventy centimeters—wide for its type, with white animal fur wrapped around the guard and a dull gray sheen across the steel.
Roger's eyes lit with curiosity. "A named blade?"
Togi tilted his head and cracked his neck. "It's called Soulrender. Not famous yet… but it will be."
Then, with a sharp grin, he warned, "Here I come!"