The sky was clear, the waves glimmering beneath the morning sun.
Aboard the Ship, the Ion Tempest crew prepared to depart.
After four days of rest in Water 7, Rolan and his crew bid farewell to Iceburg and set their sights on Sabaody Archipelago.
During these past few days, Rolan had enjoyed relative comfort.
Robin's complexion had improved significantly, and the atmosphere on the ship was calm yet charged with the unspoken tension of the New World.
Rolan intended first to establish a foothold in the New World before relocating Sky Island there.
After all, staying in Paradise meant constant surveillance by the World Government, which was far from convenient.
He had no intention of flying directly; traveling by sea carried risks, but encountering the Marine or other pirates for now was trivial.
"Rolan, do you think this one looks better on me, or that one?"
On the deck, Nami, dressed in a bikini, held up two halter tops, striking a pose.
Rolan's stoic gaze flickered with mild irritation and restraint.
Nami's increasingly brazen behavior had been testing him all week, yet he maintained his composure.
As a former shut-in, he had no experience responding to such provocations, so he could only chuckle dryly.
"You look good in anything."
Nami leaned closer, a playful glint in her eyes.
"What about nothing?"
Rolan slammed a hand on his chest in frustration.
"I… I… Nami, look! The newsbird!"
He pointed toward the sky, interrupting the rising tension.
The crew gathered on deck as the latest newspaper was delivered.
As expected, the headlines highlighted Rolan and the Ion Tempest.
Unlike previous reports, this one described their raid on Enies Lobby, emphasizing that even the combined efforts of the three Admirals could not stop them.
Rolan could imagine the shock this news would cause worldwide.
Such coverage naturally led to bounty posters being issued.
Several fell from the paper, landing before the crew.
Rolan spread them across the deck:
———————— Rolan ONLY DEAD 3,000,000,000 Berries
Kuro DEAD OR ALIVE 1,070,000,000 Berries
Desert Crocodile DEAD OR ALIVE 845,000,000 Berries
God of Thunder Enel DEAD OR ALIVE 840,000,000 Berries
Roronoa Zoro DEAD OR ALIVE 760,000,000 Berries
White Fist Nami DEAD OR ALIVE 670,000,000 Berries
Fire Fist Imella Lina DEAD OR ALIVE 625,000,000 Berries
Pervert Franky ONLY DEAD 600,000,000 Berries
Devil Child Nico Robin DEAD OR ALIVE 200,000,000 Berries ————————
"Look at this!"
Franky held up his poster proudly.
Lina shook her head.
"What's special about it? Your bounty isn't even higher than mine. What's the big deal?"
"Tsk tsk tsk!"
Franky wagged a finger at her, grinning.
"Didn't you see the prefix? It says 'Pervert!' Now the whole world knows I'm a pervert. Isn't that amazing?"
Lina pouted but said nothing.
Enel, frustrated, ran to Crocodile.
"Why is your bounty higher than mine? You're just a stinky desert Crocodile! How are you as handsome as me?"
Crocodile tilted his head.
"Want to spar over it?"
Kuro intervened.
"Enough, both of you. Bounties aren't purely a measure of strength; there are many factors. The World Government doesn't know our true power, so consider these only a reference."
Although Enel and Kuro disagreed, Kuro's judgment was trusted.
His intelligence and strength were second only to Rolan in the crew.
Looking at Rolan's poster, Kuro said, "Our crew's combat power rivals, or may even surpass, the Four Emperors of the New World. But our influence and reputation—our soft power—still need work."
Robin added, "We can only gauge the strength of the Emperors through newspapers for now. Reality will reveal itself once we enter the New World."
Rolan nodded, his expression calm yet sharp.
"The Four Emperors are not our goal. As long as they do not block our path, we need not consider them enemies."
His gaze darkened.
"But if they do, then we will sink anyone who stands in our way."
New World — Moby Dick
"Pops! That Rolan boy is in the news again!"
Pineapple Head shouted, running across the deck to Whitebeard with a newspaper.
A voice called from the side.
"What? Marco, is it that Rolan boy from the East Blue? Let me see!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurarararara! Give it to Ace first. Haven't you noticed the pile of newspapers by his bed?"
Ace eagerly grabbed the paper and scanned it.
His expression shifted from curiosity to astonishment.
"Kakui na… Rolan is already that powerful?"
Marco observed silently.
Ace, almost the same age as Rolan, seemed driven to obsession by the boy's achievements.
Marco reminded him, "Ace, you're already one of the strongest of your age. You're the Gold Emperor—don't let this dishearten you."
But Ace ignored him, comparing Rolan's bounty to Whitebeard's.
"Who is stronger… Rolan boy or Whitebeard?"
Finally, Ace handed the newspaper to Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's booming laughter filled the deck.
"Gurararara! Quite capable, Rolan boy!"
New World — Red Force
Shanks placed a newspaper on the table and walked slowly to the rail.
"Rolan boy… I hope you don't cause chaos, or this world will descend into madness," he muttered, a rare trace of concern in his voice.