After the Meeting: The Pursuit in East Blue
After the meeting, we were given specific orders to monitor the pirates we discussed and strike when necessary. With this in mind, I made my way back to the East Blue, a sea that was, ironically, known for being the weakest in the world. However, in the present, it's anything but weak. Many powerful pirates, with bounties exceeding 100 million berries, roamed the seas, making it one of the most dangerous areas.
The East Blue was in its prime now, though its decline in future years was inevitable. Garp's constant interventions, hunting down the big pirates, would soon diminish the East Blue's pirate presence. But for now, it was a hunting ground for me.
It had been two days since our meeting, and I had already eliminated five pirate groups in these waters. I was directing my fleet toward the Town of Beginning and End when I encountered something unexpected—an infamous ship. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the Oro Jackson, the ship of the Roger Pirates.
A Dangerous Encounter
Knowing who I was dealing with, I immediately ordered my soldiers to adjust our course to intercept them. I was prepared to meet the future Pirate King, the man who had single-handedly started the Great Pirate Era—Gol D. Roger.
As we approached the ship, I gave the command to fire a warning cannon shot toward the Oro Jackson. The response was swift. Roger himself emerged on the hull of the ship, looking toward us with an intense gaze.
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Roger: "I don't think I've done anything to deserve a visit from the strongest admiral in the world. What brings Admiral Gojo here?"
Gojo: "It seems you've forgotten your place, Roger. You're a pirate, and I'm a Marine. I don't need any more reason than that to hunt you down."
Roger: "Well, it seems I'm in for a difficult chase. You know that, don't you?"
Gojo: "If you manage to escape, you'll be the first to do so. No one has ever escaped me, Roger."
Roger: "Then it will be my honor, Admiral Gojo."
Gojo: "You're overconfident, Roger. I'm not my brother who lets you escape every time."
Roger: "Brother?"
Gojo: "Oh, didn't Garp tell you? I'm his older brother. But never mind that, let's get this started. I don't have time to waste on just one pirate. You better call Rayleigh if you want any hope of escaping."
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The Battle Begins
The moment the battle started, I felt the power of their crew. Rayleigh and Gaban quickly joined the fray to protect their captain. What followed was a brutal battle that stretched on for three days and nights, with neither side giving up an inch.
The Roger Pirates were shocked to see that even when they cut me in half, I didn't die. That was when they truly understood why I was known as Undead Gojo—my regeneration and immortality made me an almost unkillable foe.
Throughout the battle, I felt the weight of their attacks, but I didn't falter. They grew increasingly exhausted, their stamina draining as the days passed. I knew the battle was nearing its end, and I could capture them at any time. But I had another plan.
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Letting Them Go
At the peak of their fatigue, I made a strategic decision. I acted as though I was on the brink of defeat, allowing them to believe they were winning. They quickly took the opportunity to use their strongest moves in a desperate bid to escape.
I knew the timeline was fragile, and if I captured them, I could risk altering the course of history. Letting them go was the best move, allowing the future to unfold as it was meant to.
As they executed their final tricks to distract me, they managed to escape—barely. I watched them flee, knowing that this encounter, though a close call, would have little consequence in the long run. I had the advantage of knowledge, and this battle was nothing more than a lesson in control.
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Aftermath
As the Roger Pirates disappeared into the horizon, I turned to my soldiers and gave the order to return to our mission. We couldn't waste time on the pirates anymore. There were other threats on the horizon, and my ultimate goal still remained: securing the position of Marshal and ensuring the future of the Marines.
But for now, I knew that history would continue to unfold, and my role was simply to watch and guide it—unseen and undeterred by the fleeting battles that raged around me.