"Dragon!!!"
Roldy let out an infuriated roar, glaring at Monkey D. Dragon in front of him. From childhood until now, he had always been the one taking advantage of others—never once had anyone dared to scheme against him!
And now this shameless Dragon was trying to fleece him empty-handed!
He called it "cooperation," yet he needed Roldy's money and Roldy's strength—while he himself had nothing but his own two hands. He even had the audacity to suggest staying aboard for a few more days. Wasn't that just another way of saying he was penniless and afraid of starving to death outside?
Even someone as thick-skinned as Dragon felt his face heat up at that.
Roldy's guess was completely correct. Dragon truly had nothing to his name. Before finding Roldy, he hadn't eaten for two full days. But thinking of the powerful organization he intended to build—one that would shake the entire world—and the ideals he carried, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to sit there calmly.
To establish the organization of his dreams, the financial cost would be astronomical. In the future, he would have to secure investments from various forces. A face as thick as fortress walls would be absolutely necessary.
Roldy ranted helplessly for a while. Yet Dragon was one of his few genuine friends. In the end, he sighed.
He handed Dragon a full 1,000,000,000 Berries as startup capital.
Even someone like Roldy, who did not particularly value money, felt a sharp pang of pain. Of course, this was a loan—an investment. As for interest? Roldy wasn't a devil.
He would simply double it.
Yes. Double after the first year. If it wasn't repaid within a year, it would double again in the second year. And so on…
Dragon's face darkened like the bottom of a scorched pot.
But staring at the stacks of green Berries, the glittering jewels, the intoxicating scent of obscene wealth filling his nose—he finally gritted his teeth and signed what could only be described as an indenture contract.
Little did he know that many nights and days later, when he had truly built up his own foundation, he would reflect on the help Roldy had given him.
As for how he reflected on it… that's another matter entirely.
"So, now that you have money, where do you plan to develop?"
Dragon answered without hesitation.
"For now, my target is the South Blue. It's remote. Among the Four Blues, the World Government's influence there is the weakest. The sea is vast, filled with nameless uninhabited islands. There are also many small kingdoms that aren't affiliated with the World Government."
There was no doubt Dragon possessed both strength and intelligence befitting a leader.
But Roldy was no less capable. In fact, in terms of strategic foresight, he might even surpass Dragon slightly.
The South Blue was indeed a solid choice. It lacked the West Blue's entrenched underworld syndicates and the North Blue's chaotic criminal climate. It was second only to the East Blue in relative stability.
As for why not choose the East Blue…
Well. Those who knew, knew.
Dragon shamelessly remained aboard Roldy's ship for a full six days.
His appetite was astonishing—his daily consumption alone matched that of twenty men. Fortunately, Roldy was generous enough not to complain.
When the pirate ship finally reached waters relatively close to the South Blue, Dragon departed with the treasure in tow. The two exchanged Den Den Mushi contact information. As for when they would meet again—
That was anyone's guess.
Because of Dragon, Roldy's plans were delayed slightly. As a result, he could only trail behind the Roger Pirates, eating their dust.
Roger's crew was filled with brilliant minds. With the intelligence they purchased using vast sums of treasure, they easily learned of Roldy's route and skillfully avoided him.
Until—
They arrived at a place beyond anyone's imagination.
"What… is THAT?!"
It had begun as a pleasant day of sailing. The Roger Pirates continued their grand voyage as usual—
Until the object suddenly blocking their path left even the battle-hardened crew utterly stunned.
Gol D. Roger.
Silvers Rayleigh.
Scopper Gaban.
The three main pillars of the Roger Pirates stood on deck, their expressions exaggerated beyond belief—jaws nearly hitting the floor, eyes bulging from their sockets.
The ordinary crew were equally shocked. Buggy and Shanks clung to each other. The sight before them was so unbelievable that they quietly hid behind Douglas Bullet. Yet even the iron-blooded soldier was shaken to his core. In his wildest dreams, he had never imagined witnessing such a scene in his lifetime.
Four colossal pillars had risen from the sea in the distance!
They were thicker than the giant mangrove trees of the Sabaody Archipelago and towered endlessly into the clouds. The Oro Jackson, compared to them, was no more than an ant beneath a lion's paw.
Even more astonishing—
The four pillars were moving.
The clouds above were pushed aside by an unimaginable mass, revealing an ancient, weathered body.
Roger's eyes shone brilliantly.
"That's… the legendary Zunesha!!!"
He knew of its existence—the mysterious elephant carrying an island upon its back.
But he had never imagined he would truly encounter it!
Legend said Zunesha walked the seas endlessly, unseen by those without fate on their side.
Just how extraordinary was their luck to cross paths with it?
Rayleigh spoke softly beside him.
"The nation on the elephant's back… the homeland of the Mink Tribe. Zou."
Even he felt a deep yearning. Let alone Roger—whose passion for adventure burned like wildfire—or the rest of the crew.
"Men!"
Roger's voice rang across the deck.
"What stands before us is a legendary nation! Let's go! Let's add another bold stroke to our legendary journey!"
There was no question Roger would charge ahead.
No one objected.
Aside from Buggy, who trembled in fear, every face was filled with exhilaration.
Ever since learning that Roldy had been scouring the seas in search of them, they had claimed indifference—but their pace had noticeably quickened. No one wanted to run into that madman.
But Zunesha was far too tempting.
What adventurer could possibly resist setting foot upon a legendary kingdom?
And besides—Zunesha was constantly moving. Roldy might never find them. Even if he did, so what?
Compared to such an adventure, Roldy's threat seemed trivial.
35,000 meters above sea level—
That was a height worth reaching.
As if sensing the arrival of those destined to meet it, the ocean current surged violently upward, launching the Oro Jackson high into the sky.
Zunesha continued its eternal march.
Four days later—
Another pirate ship encountered the walking colossus.
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