Everyone turned at the sight of Katakuri staggering toward them, drenched in blood.
Rolan raised an eyebrow, already forming a quiet suspicion.
"What is it you wish to say?" he asked with his typical calmness.
Katakuri surveyed the devastation around Cake Island. Once a place of luxury and prosperity, it now lay in ruins. The destruction was unmistakably linked to Rolan and his crew.
The Big Mom Pirates had tyrannized others for so long, wielding their power with brutality and arrogance, believing strength granted them unquestionable rights. Many of them saw nothing wrong in their behavior. To them, this clash with the Ion Tempest was simply another assertion of dominance.
But Katakuri was different. Among the Big Mom Pirates, he was one of the few who still retained a conscience and a sense of honor. That had driven him to fight, not out of blind obedience, but out of a desire to protect his own family.
He staggered forward before collapsing to his knees in front of Rolan, his injuries overwhelming him. Struggling to raise his head, he gasped, "Rolan, can… can you spare my… siblings? They only followed… Mama's orders."
Rolan's lips curved into a faint arc, but he remained silent, his dark eyes fixed on Katakuri, waiting for him to continue.
Yellow sand gathered before Katakuri, forming into Crocodile, who crouched near him.
"It seems you forgot that you attacked us first," Crocodile said, his voice low, "and we merely fought in self-defense. Now that you have been defeated, what right do you have to request mercy?"
Katakuri glanced at Crocodile before lowering his gaze again. "I… I know. This is all our fault."
For a moment, even Crocodile was lost for words. He had prepared to argue, but he did not expect Katakuri to admit fault so openly and honestly.
At that moment Rolan spoke.
"Yes."
"Nami, he's…" Nami blinked, confused. She did not expect Rolan to agree to the request of a defeated enemy.
Rolan waved his hand lazily. "It's acceptable. I judge the situation myself. Big Mom has fallen, and those left behind will cause little trouble."
"But…" Nami began, concerned.
Rolan reached out and gently patted her head. "It's fine, do we even need to worry with our strength?"
Katakuri did not immediately thank Rolan. He struggled to lift his head, meeting Rolan's gaze. "Do… we need to do anything for you?"
Rolan considered for a moment. Katakuri's intent was sincere, as he fought not for himself but for his siblings. He recognized that sense of duty as rare in the cruel world of pirates.
"You don't have to do anything," Rolan replied, cold but fair.
"Okay, I will complete… what?" Katakuri began before realizing Rolan had not demanded anything unreasonable. "You… you don't want us to do anything?"
Rolan nodded once. "There is no obligation."
Katakuri's weary eyes, half-closed with swelling, stared at Rolan in disbelief. "Really?"
Rolan's lips curved into that faint, nearly indifferent arc. "What can a defeated opponent possibly do?"
His tone was sharp with contempt for unnecessary pride.
Yet Katakuri felt a deep relief wash over him, as though he had used his last strength to say, "Thank you." Before he could finish, his eyes closed and he fainted.
Rolan looked down at the blood-soaked man and, despite himself, felt a measure of respect. Katakuri had fought not for ego, but out of genuine concern for his family. In a world as cold as the one they lived in, such devotion was rare.
Rolan casually flicked a senzu bean into his mouth.
Surveying the battlefield, he saw that all of Cake Island had become a wasteland. Many of the Big Mom Pirates lay motionless on the ground, their will to fight gone.
Turning to his crew, Rolan said, "Everyone, let's depart. It's time to head back."
Lina looked at the ruined island. Originally she had hoped to taste Totto Land's famous sweets, but now her appetite had completely vanished. She nodded. "Right, let's return quickly."
Nami summoned the cloud they rode, and the white vapors carrying their ship slowly descended.
Once everyone was aboard, they guided the cloud toward their new territory, leaving the ruined island behind.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Gorosei Office.
"What? Why wasn't this reported earlier!" Saint Saturn barked, Den Den Mushi in hand, his voice nearly shaking the room.
News had finally reached them that Rolan had defeated Big Mom. Such monumental news had taken far too long to arrive.
His anger was palpable, beard trembling.
...
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
"This Rolan gives us no peace! Why does he cause trouble wherever he goes!" Sengoku growled, hanging up the Den Den Mushi, his brow deeply furrowed.
The Gorosei had just scolded him once again, and his eardrums still rang.
He had not expected Rolan to grow this quickly, now having defeated Big Mom.
He was uncertain what Rolan's true intentions were on his journey. Though called a pirate, Rolan did not plunder towns or harm civilians. He even struck mercilessly at rogue pirates.
From the outside, his actions looked more like a driven adventurer than a pirate. Yet his ship's flag bore a skull. Sengoku didn't understand him. Something about Rolan never seemed ordinary, as though he was plotting some move beyond their comprehension.
Garp muttered nearby, "Charlotte Linlin is gone? These young people are truly frightening."
His tone held a hint of melancholy. Since the death of Golden Lion, another familiar figure had fallen.
Despite never having much interaction with Linlin, he knew her history, including her ties to Captain Rocks.
Sengoku glanced at Garp, seeing a similar weight in his eyes.
Garp continued, "The waves behind always push the waves ahead. Perhaps it's our time to retire."
For a moment the two old marines shared a look of mutual weariness.
Then Staff Officer Tsuru's voice rang in their ears like thunder.
"Can you two stay focused? As long as we hold these positions, our duties cannot falter. Pirates or bandits, there is no simple distinction between good and bad. Their existence instills fear in civilians. As the Marines, we must act appropriately."
Garp snapped back to attention and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, little Tsuru-chan sees things clearly."
Tsuru watched the two old commanders with mild helplessness. Once, they had joined the Marines with zeal and idealism, eager to protect the innocent of this world. But now, after years of conflict and pressure from all sides, that spirit had worn thin.
She paused, then continued, "Now Rolan and his crew have effectively risen to the strength of a Four Emperors. At the same time, his animosity toward the World Government and the Marines runs even deeper than that of the known Four Emperors."