The ship sailed steadily across the sea. After acquiring the coordinates for the Tribaka Kingdom, Rolan had set the course in that direction.
The news stated that the World Nobles would arrive at the kingdom in roughly half a month. Rolan was in no rush. He merely applied a subtle electromagnetic push to the ship, allowing it to glide forward at a leisurely pace.
[Ding ding]
[Dang dang]
Rolan lounged comfortably on a chair on the deck, sipping banana juice prepared by Lina. His eyes followed Zoro as he swung a massive barbell, each motion sending gusts of wind that tousled Rolan's hair.
Watching Zoro train so diligently stirred a faint sense of admiration in Rolan. He had read about Zoro in the manga before; even aboard the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, Zoro never ceased striving to strengthen himself. While he might not have the plot armor of Luffy, he was undeniably a prodigy in the world of Pirates.
Rolan himself trained constantly, stimulating every cell of his body with electromagnetic force to enhance his abilities far beyond ordinary methods.
Lina, ever intelligent, spent most of her time in the training or gravity room, honing her skills so she could assist her Captain whenever necessary.
Finishing his drink, Rolan rose and approached Zoro.
"Green Alga... bah! Your training is far too slow," he said.
Zoro glanced toward Rolan, his barbell still swinging.
"You were about to call me Green Algae Head, weren't you? Who's Green Algae Head?" Zoro taunted, swinging the barbell toward him like a weapon.
Rolan's fist darkened instantly as he intercepted the barbell.
[Clang]
The steel barbell met Rolan's lightly clenched fist, yet a clear imprint of his hand appeared on the metal. Zoro's eyes widened in shock.
"What is this?" he muttered, suspicion and awe mixing on his face.
"This isn't a Devil Fruit ability," Rolan said, rolling his eyes. "It's Haki—a power anyone can develop."
Zoro's jaw dropped. "You're telling me everyone can do this?" He glanced at Lina, incredulous.
Lina, watering flowers nearby, transformed into a ball of flame beside Zoro. "Of course. Not as strong as Captain, but yes," she said, her fist also darkening with Haki.
"Lina is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user," Rolan explained. "Watch this."
He reached out and grabbed a wisp of Lina's flame, which solidified in his hand. "This is another function of Armament Haki: it can touch and even restrain Logia-type Devil Fruit users."
Zoro's mind raced. "So all the top fighters use this... even Hawkeye?"
"Exactly. Anyone aiming to be truly strong must master Haki. Hawkeye wouldn't be the World's Greatest Swordsman otherwise."
Zoro gripped his sword hilt, eyes ablaze. "Rolan, teach me this!"
Rolan smirked. "You should trust your own Captain first, Green Algae Head."
"Who's Green Algae Head!" Zoro snapped, his temper flaring.
---
A month later, the ship approached the Tribaka Kingdom.
"Captain, a ship ahead!" Zoro called from the crow's nest.
Rolan had converted the crow's nest into a gravity room so Zoro could train and scout simultaneously. With a slight adjustment, he increased gravity twentyfold in that small space.
Rolan examined the approaching vessel and recognized the flag of the World Government on its mast. This had to be the ship carrying the World Nobles returning from Tribaka Kingdom.
[Ding. Trigger choice:
A: Kill the Celestial Dragons. Reward: Supreme Grade Swords 'Ryugu', Devil Fruit Side Effect Removal Card *1, Logia-type Cloud-Cloud Fruit, 200 million Berries.
B: Escape before the Celestial Dragons notice. Reward: Speedy Escape Shoes pair.
C: Kneel before the Celestial Dragons and become their mount. Reward: Title 'Shame of the Transmigrator'.]
A laugh escaped Rolan. As a transmigrator, nothing in this World scared him. I choose A!
"My companions, the target has appeared," Rolan announced, activating Observation Haki to detect several powerful electromagnetic readings on the enemy ship. He frowned slightly.
Zoro and Lina arrived at the bow.
"Captain, is that the World Nobles' ship?" Lina asked casually, brushing her red hair behind her ear, clearly unbothered by the imposing vessel.
"Observation Haki shows two surprisingly weak individuals surrounded by far stronger bodyguards. Those must be the Celestial Dragons," Rolan said.
"Can you sense the location of the slaves?" Lina asked urgently, recalling her own near-capture.
"Let's take a look," Rolan said, placing a hand on Zoro's shoulder.
[Electromagnetic Ejection]
Zoro shot forward in a streak of light, nearly invisible. His voice faintly echoed, "Rolan, I~ will~ definitely~ cut~ you~ down~!"
"Let's go!" Rolan called to Lina and vanished in an instant.
"Stop immediately! Who are you?" a suited man shouted from the ship.
Ignoring him, Zoro placed the Wado Ichimonji to the man's neck. "You bastard, I'm cutting you down!"
"Let's focus on the situation first," Rolan said calmly, raising his hands. He recalled reading how Luffy often tricked his crew, and Zoro's misery mirrored that of the manga, even with a different Captain.
"You dare defy a World Government ship?" the man bellowed again.
Rolan's eyes glowed red as an invisible force radiated outward. The Marine fell to the ground as though cut by a scythe.
"Kowai! As expected of the Celestial Pig's ship," Zoro muttered, wide-eyed. He sensed the terrifying Conqueror's Haki.
Lina remained calm. "Hey Rolan, leave a few for us to practice on."
"Don't worry, each of you gets one," Rolan replied with a grin.
---