Rolan gazed at the horizon as Nami adjusted the ship's course. The Sea of One Piece was unpredictable, and even the world's greatest weather predictions couldn't fully prepare you for the New World.
Nami frowned, "What's a Tea Party, Rolan? I've never heard of it before," she asked, brow furrowed.
Robin glanced up from her book, thoughtful. "It sounds like a banquet with hidden danger. Whoever invited us may want us to join them, or worse, use us," she explained.
Rolan weighed his options. It was clearly a setup, but avoiding it might cause more trouble. He reached into his system space and withdrew a white card. The card pointed steadily in one direction.
"Let's go," he said, directing the ship toward the Tea Party's location.
Wind and rain battered the vessel. Huge droplets slammed against the ship, and chunks of ice fell like hailstones larger than barrels. Hina shouted over the chaos, "This weather in the New World is ridiculous! It's like rocks falling from the sky!"
Even Nami looked exasperated. One moment they flew under clear skies, and the next the atmosphere shifted, threatening to tear the ship apart.
Robin, perched under a parasol, muttered, "I almost thought we were done for."
Rolan offered a rare smirk. "The weather changes like this near strange islands. It'll calm down once we reach temperate territory."
Suddenly, Hina's voice called from the bow, "Rolan, look! A pirate ship ahead!"
Rolan, Nami, and Robin rushed forward. On the open sea appeared a massive pirate ship with a giant mammoth figurehead and a flag bearing the same image.
Rolan raised an eyebrow. "That ship… that's Jack, one of Kaido's All-Stars of the Beast Pirates."
Nami and Robin exchanged shocked looks. Even before the Straw Hats had met any New World pirates, Observation Haki had already warned them that this approaching power was overwhelming.
On the Beast Pirates' deck, a subordinate peered through a telescope. "Captain Jack, we've spotted Rolan's ship ahead. Should we retreat?"
Jack the Drought snarled, massive muscles coiling beneath his clothes. "Retreat? You fool! Bring the ship closer!"
Lina burst into flame form and shot forward, voice blazing with confidence, "If your grandma doesn't get angry, you think I'm just a water baby?"
The Beast Pirates panicked at the fiery figure.
"It's Fire Fist Lina!"
"Shoot her down!"
"Don't let her board!"
But Lina didn't stop. Ten meters from the Mammoth, she crafted a gigantic fist of flames and smashed it into the ship's side. The massive vessel split in two, splintering like matchwood. Crew members plunged into the sea, and Jack himself toppled overboard, stunned.
Rolan watched, stunned by the sheer ferocity of Hina's power. In his estimation, she was stronger than Jack, but even Rolan hadn't expected a one-shot destruction of an All-Star's flagship.
Lina flew back to Rolan's side, grinning proudly, "So? I was amazing, right?"
Rolan offered a rare compliment, shrugging, "Alright, Lina, that was impressive."
Nami and Robin had recovered from their shock. They expected a battle, but Lina had ended it instantly.
Robin shook her head. "Jack didn't even get to use his strength."
Rolan checked his Vivre Card and set his course forward, leaving the scattered wreckage behind.
Below, the surviving Beast Pirates clung desperately to floating planks.
"Lord Jack is underwater! Quick, save him!" one yelled, panic in his voice.
"Save Jack-sama!" another cried. "We still have to get to Big Mom's Tea Party!"
Yet their courage faltered as they watched Rolan's ship vanish into the distance. A single woman had sunk their flagship with one attack.
"Is Rolan stronger than Kaido himself?" someone whispered in fear.
"Of course Kaido is stronger!" another shouted, trying to sound confident.
Meanwhile, following the Vivre Card's guidance, Rolan and his crew soon approached a dazzling island, an emerald jewel amid the sea.
"This must be the place Kuro mentioned," Rolan confirmed, studying the card.
The island was covered in lush greenery and vibrant flowers. Birds flitted through the trees, their songs pure against the breeze.
Rolan activated his Super Heart Net and located Kuro's group within the island's center. Then he steered the ship toward land.
But deep inside a building on the island, Enel's eyes narrowed.
"Rolan has landed."
____
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