Chapter 45: Destination: Water 7! And a New Warship!
Inside the 'Z' Training Camp.
"Water 7..."
In his dormitory, Roy, who had just finished a day of grueling training, muttered the intel he had recently received from 'Ryuji.'
The fruit he needed, and the unexpected discovery of Vegapunk's lab... It was enough to make him determined to visit Water 7.
But the question was: how?
"Send Yuji or Ryuji? Not a good idea. The heat from their actions hasn't died down yet."
"Create another Slice-Clone? Also not ideal. With the Tri-Force Demonstration approaching, security around Headquarters is extremely tight. Even a clone with flight capabilities would have a hard time slipping away."
"Plus, Water 7 is basically CP9's home turf. Eyes everywhere, and Enies Lobby is right next door. If something goes wrong, it goes really wrong."
Roy pondered.
In the end, he came to a conclusion.
The best option was to go himself. CP9's spies wouldn't be on guard against a Marine. He had no risk of exposure.
And once he got the fruit he wanted, everything else would be much easier.
"Roy!"
Just as he was thinking, Binz's voice made him jump.
Roy took a deep breath. "Binz, I know... time for training..."
His voice was heavy.
Yes—Roy had the determination to get stronger, but honestly... headbutting deep-sea currents every day was a bit much. Even he was starting to feel overwhelmed after a month of this.
"No, not that," Binz said, surprising Roy. "Teacher Zephyr went to the SSG today to test the 'Smasher.' He won't be back for a few days."
Roy paused.
The Smasher. He knew what that was.
Ever since Zephyr lost his arm to a pirate, the SSG had been researching ways to restore the former Admiral's combat power.
The 'Smasher'—or Battle Smasher—was the result.
A massive mechanical arm made of the special Z-Alloy, embedded with Seastone to counter ability users. According to the SSG, its unique structure and power source would give it the strength to crush anything.
They believed re-equipping Zephyr with this arm would return him to his peak.
Of course, Roy, who now fully understood Zephyr's power, knew this was a joke.
The 'Black Body Style' required control and tempering of every part of the flesh. A mechanical arm could never replace his original limb.
But he didn't say anything, just looking at Binz questioningly.
"Then why are you here?"
"Oh, it's your subordinates... Hans and Fal. They're here to see you."
Binz scratched his head. "They said their leave is over, and Vice Admiral Viroth assigned them a mission. They wanted to ask if you wanted to go with them."
Binz looked at Roy.
He still remembered Roy's declaration to Zephyr.
"I will stay in the Detention Unit... and change it. That is an indispensable part of Justice."
Those words had shaken Binz to his core.
Now, the entire Marine Headquarters knew that the legendary 'Black Arm' Zephyr had taken Roy as his official disciple.
If Roy wanted, he could join any unit under any Vice Admiral or Admiral right now, guaranteeing a bright future.
So Binz was curious.
Could Roy still hold onto his original conviction?
Then, he heard Roy's answer without a second of hesitation.
"Of course!"
His voice was clear and firm.
"Of course I'm going!"
Binz was moved. Roy Amos... what an upright and loyal man!
But clearly, Roy's inner thoughts were quite different.
"Someone pass me a pillow, I'm sleepy—Hans, Fal... and Old Man Viroth, you guys are lifesavers!"
He had just been worrying about finding a legitimate reason to leave Headquarters. This was perfect!
A short while later, Roy returned to the Detention Unit's port.
"Captain!" (x2)
He heard two excited shouts and saw two familiar figures.
"I told you the Captain would come!"
"Hey! Hans, what do you mean? Do you think I don't trust the Captain? I just said Admiral Zephyr is strict, so maybe he wouldn't let him come!"
Needless to say, it was the dynamic duo, Fal and Hans.
And behind them, the other Marines of Roy's unit were cheering.
"Long live the Captain!"
"Long live Boss Roy!"
"Life's easy without the boss around, but it just doesn't feel right without Captain Roy!"
Clearly, Binz wasn't the only one wondering if Roy would abandon them.
Seeing this, Roy couldn't help but smile.
He didn't have much loyalty to the Marines as an organization.
But these guys he'd spent eight years with... he didn't hate them.
Just then, Hans and Fal sidled up to him again.
"By the way, Captain... we have a surprise for you!"
Hans looked excited. Fal looked... complicated.
"A surprise?" Roy raised an eyebrow.
"Yup!" Hans gave a thumbs up, pointing to himself. "It was Sergeant Major Hans's idea, and everyone pitched in! We made it look like your favorite thing!"
"Oh!?"
Roy was expectant. My favorite thing? Devil Fruits?
Full of anticipation, Roy followed them to the dock.
From a distance, he saw the unique ship moored there.
"..."
Roy fell silent.
In the berth, a sleek but bizarrely shaped warship floated quietly.
It still had the outline of the old 'DT-31,' but the hull had been completely renovated.
From bow to stern, it curved... remarkably like a bottle. The hull was painted black. The bow looked like a bottle cap, and the mast looked suspiciously like a straw.
It looked like... No! It was a bottle of cola!
And the sail hanging from the main mast made Roy doubt his eyesight.
Written boldly on the canvas:
[ROY AMOS]
"How about it, Captain?"
Hans beamed. "Are you satisfied? I knew you'd like it!"
As mentioned before, upon reaching the rank of Field Officer, Roy could technically have his own named warship and the right to modify it. He was officially the 'Captain' of this vessel.
That was why Hans was so proud. Since Roy had been busy with Zephyr, he couldn't be reached. So Hans took initiative.
"You said if you had your own ship, you'd make it look like your favorite thing... Hahaha!"
THWACK!
Roy punched him in the head.
"Still laughing!?"
Roy gritted his teeth, covering his face. "Why would my favorite thing be cola... Okay, even if it is... I was obviously joking back then..."
He stopped halfway, chuckling despite himself.
"Hahahaha!" (xN)
The Detention Unit Marines roared with laughter—except for Hans, who was nursing the bump on his head.
"Fine."
After a moment, Roy let it go.
The sea was full of weird ships. One more wouldn't hurt.
Besides... he actually didn't hate it.
He strode onto the deck and looked down at his crew.
"Alright, you lot..."
"Prepare to set sail!"
His order received a resounding response.
"Aye-aye, Captain!"
☆☆☆
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