"Rolan, what did you do to Laboon? Why did it suddenly calm down?" On the deck, Nami gently held Rolan's hand and asked in a soft voice.
Rolan glanced at the crew and noticed their curious expressions.
He smiled faintly. "It's just a memory. Years from now, a group will come to Twin Cape, and among them will be the last surviving member of the Rumbar Pirates still at sea."
"How do you know that?" Lina poked her cheek, eyes wide with curiosity.
The others had always wondered why Rolan, despite his young age, seemed to know so much—as if he were a prophet.
Rolan stroked his chin smugly. "Because I'm the savior chosen by the will of the world!"
Kuro and Zoro exchanged glances and pouted. He can't fool anyone like that. Since Rolan wouldn't elaborate, they silently turned back to their training.
Lina ran up and hugged Rolan's arm. "You must have your difficulties, right? I'll support you. I'll train, too."
Rolan gently rubbed Nami's small hand. "Nami, why does no one believe me when I tell the truth?"
Nami looked up at him, eyes shining. "Rolan, I believe you no matter what."
---
Marineford
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Good morning, Vice Admiral Garp!"
Wearing his iconic dog-head hat, Garp disembarked from the warship, receiving respectful salutes from soldiers in the harbor. Young recruits' eyes glimmered with admiration.
Garp removed his hat, acknowledging each soldier.
At that moment, a soldier ran over to help him put on his cloak. "Vice Admiral Garp, the Fleet Admiral requested you report to the Marshal's office immediately."
Garp nodded. "Good, I was just about to find him."
---
[Marshal's Office]
Sengoku paced, looking tense, while Staff Officer Tsuru sipped tea quietly on a side stool.
Bang!
The office door burst open as Garp's booming voice filled the room. "Sengoku, I'm back!"
Sengoku halted pacing. "Garp! How many doors have you kicked down now?"
Garp settled on a sofa. "Sengoku, don't be petty. It's just a door, isn't it?"
Sengoku shook his head. "Forget it. Let's discuss Rolan first."
Tsuru placed her teacup down, concerned. The battle between Garp and Rolan in East Blue had already reached Marineford through reports and Transponder Snail footage.
According to those reports, Rolan had held Garp at a standstill—a feat unimaginable for a teenage boy.
Garp poured himself a cup of tea. "It's as the reports say. That kid has real strength. Even I might not take him down quickly."
Sengoku's expression darkened. He was nearing retirement, yet this Rolan had already caused a stir.
Tsuru asked cautiously, "He seems to be a Devil Fruit user?"
Garp took a sip, glancing at her. "He seems to be, yes. He can fly, he wasn't using Geppo, neither was it a tool. But when I smashed him into the sea, he returned to the air completely unharmed."
"What?" Sengoku slammed his hands on the table. The impossible combination of Devil Fruit ability and seawater immunity defied explanation.
Tsuru frowned. "Are you certain he flew and that you really threw him into the sea?"
Garp chuckled. "Tsuru, though I'm old, my eyes aren't blind. Both are true."
Sengoku and Tsuru could only classify it as a mysterious Devil Fruit phenomenon.
Sengoku continued, "His crew shouldn't be underestimated either, especially Kuro and Roronoa Zoro."
Tsuru added, astonished, "I didn't expect the two girls to also be Logia-type Devil Fruit users. If they grow stronger, it'll be unimaginable."
She sighed. "Their current strength is beyond what a branch can handle. Issue their bounties immediately."
---
Nami held a rolled-up newspaper, tapping the front page. "Why has the price gone up again? Aren't you overcharging? If this happens next time, I won't buy it."
The news coo scratched its head helplessly.
"Any news?"
At that moment, Lina brought over two cups of pear juice. Nami took one and flipped through the paper.
"Oh, another country is in rebellion. Peace is rare these days."
Several bounty posters fell out. Lina picked one up, gasping. "Ro… Ro… Rolan!"
"What? Rolan's bounty?" Nami leaned in.
"Ah! His bounty has increased so much!"
Rolan and the crew joined them on deck.
Kuro adjusted his glasses. "What's the matter?"
Zoro picked up the bounty posters. "Aren't these ours?"
The five posters were laid out:
Rolan – WANTED DEAD – 1,200,000,000 berries
Kuro – DEAD OR ALIVE – 150,000,000 berries
Roronoa Zoro – DEAD OR ALIVE – 134,000,000 berries
Nami – DEAD OR ALIVE – 80,000,000 berries
Lina – DEAD OR ALIVE – 72,000,000 berries
"Eh?! We're all wanted criminals?" Lina's hands trembled slightly as she held her poster. She had always lived lawfully, but staying by Rolan's side made her willing to accept anything.
Zoro smirked. "Not bad, over 130 million for my second bounty. But it's not enough."
He peeked at Kuro's poster, eyes nearly popping. "Why is yours higher than mine?"
Kuro placed his poster on the table calmly. "Bounties don't represent anything. Focus on training. We're not in the East Blue anymore."
Zoro pouted. "Don't act like you've seen through everything."