"Hoo hoo hoo~"
"Captain, you're back! Are you hurt?" Lina rushed to Rolan as soon as he returned to the ship, inspecting him anxiously and brushing his shoulders, worried he had been injured.
"Electromagnetic Barrier!" A massive, invisible spherical shield formed around Breaking Sky, propelling it safely across the distant sea.
Having exhausted the last of his strength, Rolan collapsed onto the deck.
"Cough, cough, I'm fine… just a bit drained," he said, face pale. Yet there were no injuries, and he casually popped a senzu bean into his mouth.
Zoro stood nearby, silent, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, determination written across his face.
This won't do… I can't always let Rolan lead. I need to step up my training too.
[System Interface] **Congratulations to the Host for completing the selection. Reward: Advanced Physique Card *1, Kizaru-brand Sunglasses 1, Senzu Bean 1000.
Rolan raised an eyebrow. Something strange seemed mixed in with the rewards.
---
Marineford, Marshal's Office.
"What? Borsalino! You personally intervened, and he still got away? Are you holding back just because they're young?!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku slammed his hands onto the desk, voice booming.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's true—he really did get away," Kizaru replied, wrapped like a mummy, only his eyes visible.
"Then explain what happened, now," Sengoku demanded, furiously gulping tea.
Pfft~
He choked, spewing water onto Garp's sleeping face.
Pop~
Garp's snot bubble burst instantly, jolting the old man awake. "Ah? Did I fail the challenge again?"
"Garp!!!" Sengoku roared in exasperation.
Garp blinked, wiped his face, and glanced at the ceiling. "Is it raining?"
Then he faced Sengoku, quickly hiding a senbei behind his back, cautious and sly. "Oh, it's you, Sengoku. Planning to compete with me for the record of eating senbei continuously without sleep?"
Sengoku slammed his palm on the desk in frustration. "Garp, we are discussing Celestial Dragons being attacked in East Blue, not your ridiculous records!"
Staff Officer Tsuru, standing nearby, pinched the bridge of her nose. These two are impossible… "Enough, you two. Let's hear Kizaru's report first."
---
After Kizaru finished recounting the event, Sengoku's forehead was veined with stress. "This is… serious. Before, as bounty hunters, they never caused such chaos. But now they've demonstrated enough strength and even killed two Celestial Dragons."
Crunch~ crunch~
Garp tossed a senbei into his mouth. "Relax, Sengoku. Didn't you hear Borsalino? Rolan rescued slaves and sent them home, and conveniently killed two scumbags in the process."
He patted Sengoku on the shoulder. "Pirates like him don't harm civilians, so there's no real damage."
Sengoku rubbed his temples. Those were Celestial Dragons! "Do you even realize what you just said?"
Garp shrugged. "Then let's just pretend I didn't say that. Hahahaha."
Sengoku sighed. Some days he envied Garp's carefree nature. While the Celestial Dragons were detestable, the Marine's duty bound him.
Trying to track him now is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Let's set a bounty first. How much…
Staff Officer Tsuru interjected, "Given his strength, at least 1.5 billion Berries."
Sengoku nodded. Rolan had faced an Admiral and survived; his power could not be underestimated.
Tsuru added, "Set it at 200 million for now. He won't linger in the East Blue. Once he enters the Grand Line, others will hunt him. Setting it lower ensures Marine and pirate forces alike can chase him first."
Sengoku agreed. This was the most practical solution for now.
---
Early Next Morning.
Newspapers circulated worldwide, with Rolan as the headline.
New World, Moby Dick.
"Pops, look! Celestial Dragons were attacked in East Blue!" a pineapple-headed man shouted, rushing to Whitebeard with a stack of papers.
Whitebeard examined the news, nodding with interest. "Gurararara Bold kid, daring to attack Celestial Dragons. If I meet him, I might see if he'll become my son."
The man smiled, knowing Whitebeard's protective instincts toward promising talent. Few dared defy the World Government so directly.
New World, Totto Land, Cake Island.
"Mama Mama! Katakuri, find him in the East Blue! I want him in the Big Mom's pirate!" Big Mom drooled over the newspaper.
"It'll take time to reach the East Blue. He'll come to the New World eventually. We can capture him then."
"Good! As soon as he enters, act!"
---
New World, Red Force.
"Shanks, this kid's from the East Blue too! Could he know Luffy?" Lucky Roux held meat in one hand and the newspaper in the other.
"Let me see."
"Big news calls for a feast! Let's drink, brothers!"
No one noticed the fleeting look of concern on Shanks's face.
---
East Blue, Windmill Village, Makino's Bar.
"Rolan's first bounty really is that high? Monster!" Ace muttered, reading the bounty poster. "I'm setting sail soon… then we'll be rivals."
"Wow! Kakkoii~ Rolan is awesome! My bounty will beat his when I leave!" Luffy shouted.
"Yakamashi! Don't you know pirates are bad guys?!" the Village Chief barked.
"Village Chief, you're clearly impressed by Rolan too, right?"
"Shut up!"
---
The entire world buzzed with news. Celestial Dragons making the headlines was rare, and the fact they were attacked in East Blue shocked everyone.
Meanwhile, Rolan and his crew sailed Breaking Sky toward Syrup Village, safely enclosed within an invisible Electromagnetic Barrier.
Though time passed, Rolan remained vigilant. The Four Seas and Paradise were full of Marine spies, and danger lurked everywhere.
The sea shimmered under the rising sun, waves gently rocking Breaking Sky. Lina adjusted the sails while Zoro kept watch, each of them aware of the bounty that now painted a target on their backs.
Even with the barrier, Rolan couldn't shake the feeling that someone was observing them. Every shadow on the horizon, every ripple in the water seemed like a potential threat.
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "No matter what, we'll grow stronger and face anyone who dares challenge us."
The crew exchanged glances, silently acknowledging their captain's resolve. The adventure was only beginning, and the world had already taken notice of Rolan.
_____
Milestone
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
__
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