Rolan kept his gaze lowered as the page of the newspaper revealed an illustration of a man covered in a metallic golden sheen. The artwork gleamed under the sunlight, and the moment Rolan saw it, recognition struck him instantly. The man was one of his former disciples, Ace.
The headlin beneath the illustration read:
(Ace, Captain of the Spade Pirates, now the second richest man in the world, reveals the power of the Gold Gold Fruit.)
(What is the connection between Gold Emperor Ace and the infamous Gold Emperor Tesoro? Could they be related?)
(The World Government has extended an invitation. Will the Gold Emperor join the Seven Warlords of the Sea?)
Rolan's lips curved slightly, forming the faintest sign of approval. Ace had developed the Gold Gold Fruit far beyond what most could manage. The title "Gold Emperor" alone proved it.
He remembered the future Ace was heading toward. He would refuse becoming a Warlord. He would fight Jinbe, though not for seven days like rumors exaggerated. Ace would simply overpower him. After that, Ace would move toward the New World, seeking Whitebeard, the strongest man alive.
Rolan just didn't know yet if things would unfold the same way, whether Ace would become Whitebeard's second division commander, or if the Marineford War would still occur.
"What's wrong?" Nami leaned over, noticing the subtle expression that had crossed his face. "Who's this Gold Emperor? Do you know him?"
Rolan nodded calmly. "Yes. Very well."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he recalled Ace and Luffy, he had trained.
"He's one of my apprentices."
"Apprentice?" Nami repeated, eyes wide.
Rolan simply nodded again. "Mm. One of my apprentices."
His eyes returned to the paper.
(Iceburg elected Mayor of Water Seven.)
Upon reading that, Rolan remembered CP9's infiltration of Water Seven. They had sought the Pluton blueprints with ruthless precision. But things were different now. Robin was part of his crew. She wouldn't be captured this time, and the events that originally happened with the Straw Hats wouldn't repeat themselves.
I should still visit Water Seven when I have the chance, he thought. Even if he couldn't wield the ancient weapon, he refused to let the World Government obtain something so destructive.
"We have guests," Enel's cool voice echoed from nearby.
Rolan looked up. A squad of Marines was charging toward them. His eyes narrowed for a moment, then he identified the person leading the group.
She had long black hair with a soft pink tint, crimson Marine attire that emphasized her figure, a cigarette hanging loosely from her lips, and sunglasses pushed up onto her forehead.
Hina.
"Is she pretty? Are they big?" Nami suddenly whispered into Rolan's ear, followed by a sharp twist to it.
"Hiss…"
He turned, finding Nami pouting and glaring at him. "What's wrong with you?"
She glanced from Hina's chest to her own. "Is that really so nice to look at? I'll be even bigger than her someday!"
Rolan massaged his temple. What is this woman talking about…?
"I'm only looking because I'm wondering why a Marine who knows what I can do would still rush in without thinking."
"Rolan, you dare appear in my territory? Are you planning something? Hina is very angry!"
Hina snapped her fingers, and Marines quickly surrounded Rolan and the three others.
"I say, Hina San, which eye of yours saw me doing something bad?" Rolan raised his hands lazily.
"Regardless of what you've done, pirates must be apprehended." She gestured firmly, and the Marines raised their rifles.
"Hey, hey, hey," Crocodile muttered, removing his cigar, "don't point those toys at us. Someone might actually end up doing something bad."
At the sound of his voice, Hina blinked, finally noting who stood among them. Her cigarette fell from her lips.
"You… Crocodile? Aren't you one of the Seven Warlords? Did you join Rolan's crew?"
He raised his hook. "Seven Warlords? Whoever wants that title can have it."
Hina trembled with anger. "So it's true. You really joined him."
Crocodile shrugged. "You can see the truth right here."
"Hina is furious. None of you will escape!"
She pointed her finger dramatically at Rolan.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Gunfire erupted. Bullets filled the air, streaking toward them in waves.
But what followed shocked every Marine.
Bullets tore through Nami's cloud-like body and dispersed harmlessly.
They passed through Crocodile, exploding into streams of sand.
They struck Enel, but lightning rippled across his form and melted the metal into tiny droplets.
The bullets that passed through them struck the Marines standing behind them, knocking them to the ground in chaos.
Rolan didn't even move. Every bullet that neared him stopped in midair as if trapped in thick mud.
In a single instant, he appeared beside Hina, speaking quietly into her ear. "Don't the Marines have our information? And yet you attack with so few?"
Feeling his breath brushing against her skin, Hina's face turned red. She stepped back instinctively, trying to hide her fluster.
"No matter how strong you are, Hina will capture you." She ignored the fallen Marines and ordered the rest to continue firing.
Rolan sighed. "Unbelievable. Didn't Smoker warn you to know your limits?"
His pupils flashed crimson as an overwhelming wave of Haoshoku Haki burst outward. Marines collapsed instantly, foam bubbling from their mouths. Even Hina couldn't withstand it and dropped to her knees before collapsing entirely.
"Ha… Haoshoku Haki…" she muttered weakly before losing consciousness.
"Let's go," Rolan said simply.
Nami rushed to his side with a bright smile.
Rolan felt a faint chill at her expression. "What…?"
"Aren't you taking that Marine with us?" Nami asked mischievously, hugging his arm and nodding toward the unconscious Hina.
Rolan stared at her. Why are women here as troublesome as the ones on Earth?
He patted her head, expression dead serious. "Don't think about things like that. You're too young."
Nami puffed up indignantly. "I'm not little! And I'll definitely be bigger than her someday!"
"Mm. I look forward to it," Rolan replied smoothly.
Then, before she could react, he teleported back to the ship.
Nami's body turned into a cloud as she chased after him. Rolan grinned faintly. Nami, you're too small. When you grow up, I'll show you what real cruelty is.
After a short moment, the others boarded the ship as well.
"This is the strongest Marine force in the Grand Line?" Enel scoffed. "Not very impressive."
A sudden burst of bright light appeared at the bow of the ship.
"Kowai ire, Rolan, we meet again."
The air grew tense.
________
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