"You want to ask me about Sky Island information?"
The recovered diamond-faced uncle nodded at Luffy and the others' request.
"Alright, I can tell you everything I know. But whether you believe it or not—"
"I believe."
---
Thud,
Facing the unwavering Luffy, Usopp punched him on the head.
"The old man hasn't even spoken yet!"
"This sea area..." As the old man began to explain the unique 'Accumulated Emperor Cloud' and 'Knock Up Stream' and his theories about Sky Island, Roman's eyes started to glaze over.
On the other side,
Rustle~~
In an empty alley in Mock Town, amidst flying papers, a white figure slowly stood up. It was Roman's 'White Knight'. Then:
"Do you want to get rich? Yiya!"
A boy with fins on his back, a duckbill cap with white horns on both sides, wearing a long-sleeved giraffe-patterned shirt, hot pants, white stockings, and ten-centimeter deep red high heels... or rather, a pervert walked out of the alley.
Dellinger.
A cadre of the Donquixote Family, a half-fishman fighting fish. Of course—
It was Roman in disguise.
Seeing the green Beli in 'Dellinger's' hand, the idle pirates outside the alley's eyes lit up! Then:
"If we kill you, we'll get rich right away!"
A circle of swords and guns pointed at 'Dellinger'.
---
"You guys..." Can't you come up with something new? Oh well, most pirates are just a bunch of scum who deserve to die anyway...
————————
"What's this?"
A group of timid pirates followed 'Dellinger' to the seaside, looking puzzled at the huge raft ship in front of them.
"This is your target, Yiya!"
'Dellinger', with blood-stained red high heels, turned around, revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth gleaming white!
"Go ahead, destroy! Plunder! Do what you do best—"
Rustle,
The Berry in his hand fell, exuding the scent of money. —Although Berry in this world is paper currency, the World Government's anti-counterfeiting technology is quite advanced. Roman hadn't cracked this technology yet, nor did he have the time to waste! The money in his hand was the reward from Alabasta, enough to hire a bunch of pirates to risk their lives.
"This is the deposit, and there's ten times the reward after the job is done!"
If you're smart, you should know...
"Alright, brothers, let's do it!"
A group of pirates, eyes red with greed, charged towards the huge raft ship docked in the deserted bay! They weren't stupid; they could guess that this 'Dellinger' had a grudge against the ship's owner and hired them for this job.
But now, it was an empty ship! Just a simple smash and grab would earn them a fortune, so why not?
...
"As expected," Roman thought, watching the huge raft ship start to smoke amidst the chaos and noise, without a single pirate coming out. —It wasn't that they were particularly dedicated, but that they were already controlled by greed. Blackbeard's ship had quite a few plundered treasures! For example:
The treasury of Drum Kingdom.
"Greed is your epitaph."
"Now, Blackbeard's side should be arriving soon—"
"Looking for death!!!"
From the distant town came a roar, accompanied by a visible black killing intent!
This intense murderous aura materialized into a visible black mist filled with domineering, ferocious, and greedy negative emotions. It shot out like lightning from afar, rolling like black waves, devouring everything in its path as it surged forward.
Crack, crack, crack!
After this period of training and hard work, Roman's strength had significantly improved. The 'White Knight' was now on par with a typical 50 million bounty 'expert'. But under this overwhelming pressure, 'Dellinger' began to show cracks, with the edges curling up as if about to turn into real paper.
"So strong."
Muttering to himself, 'Dellinger' stared intently at the figure leaping from afar. The three-meter-tall, fat body soared hundreds of meters into the air with a single step! A few jumps brought him quickly closer. But:
"Not using techniques like Geppo?"
Is it because he can't, or...
No, the leaping Blackbeard was shrouded in an ominous black wave, like a demon god descending. His sharp gaze swept over 'Dellinger' standing by the sea.
?
In an instant, Blackbeard's pupils contracted.
As a man determined to stand at the pinnacle of the world, he naturally had some understanding of his potential 'opponents'. And he recognized this officer from the Donquixote family!
Could it be that Doflamingo, the 'Flamingo', had noticed...
Almost there.
The 'White Knight', disguised as 'Dellinger', leaped back lightly. In mid-air, he bared his teeth and gave Blackbeard an international gesture before plunging into the sea behind him with a splash!
Slap!
Blackbeard landed heavily, glaring at the churning sea with a grim face, unable to vent his anger! This 'Dellinger' was a half-fishman, and as a Devil Fruit user, Blackbeard couldn't fight him in the water.
Damn it! To be mocked by a junior...
"Hahahaha~~What a great harvest!!"
"Who would have thought this broken ship had so much money—"
?!
A group of cheerful pirates emerged from the cabin, carrying various treasures, only to run into the grim-faced Blackbeard.
"Who's this guy? Could it be..."
"Who cares, just cut him down!"
!!
"Very well, very well!"
Blackbeard, shrouded in black smoke, spread his arms and slowly approached the unlucky pirates.
"Looks like I've been underestimated."
————————
"Roman, Roman!"
"Hmm?" As 'Dellinger' escaped into the water, Roman lost control of the 'White Knight'. The voice calling him brought him back to reality, and he saw:
Nami wiping his face with a towel, and Luffy and Usopp with their heads buried in the grass, their butts in the air.
Uh...
Did I miss something?
"Although I said not to spill 'information' recklessly, you just..." Nami took a mirror and placed it in front of Roman, "Here, look for yourself."
...
In the mirror, Roman's handsome face had black eyeshadow on one side, with impressive cloud patterns on his cheeks... but on the other side, there were squiggly mustaches and huge dark circles...
"Usopp's craftsmanship is not bad,"
Roman calmly nodded. Needless to say, one side of his face was Usopp's work, and the other side was Luffy's doodling... these two troublemakers who get itchy if they don't get beaten for a day were at it again.
"Hey, you're so calm—this is an oil-based pen, it won't come off."
"No problem,"
Roman waved his hand, reached up to his face, and peeled off a 'mask'.
"Done."
Roman, now back to his clean and handsome self, was fine, but Luffy and Usopp, who had just pulled their heads out of the ground...
"How about this,"
Looking at the two bruised and swollen guys, Roman spread his hands, and two mask-like pieces of paper appeared in his hands.
"Put these on."
"Is it different now?" Luffy, with lips swollen like bananas, thanked him while taking the mask, "Thank you..."
"Ah, it's nothing."
Roman waved his hand,
"It's just to cover your disfigured ugly faces to avoid polluting the environment!"
...
"Roman, I'll fight you!"
Watching Roman and Luffy brawl, Nico Robin, elegantly sitting with her chin resting on her hand, smiled. Her eyes were full of,
Envy.
Whether it was Crocodile or Sky Island, these were targets that required caution for ordinary people... no, even for the strong, but just because of Luffy's words, the entire Straw Hat crew charged ahead without hesitation.
Such companions... so enviable!
Unfortunately.
The intellectual beauty lowered her eyes. The reason she stayed on this ship was just a deal with Roman. Once she saw the next Poneglyph, the deal would be over!
At that time, what reason would she have to stay...
The dazzling camaraderie among these people in front of her pierced Nico Robin's heart like sunlight, making her both long for and fear it.
---
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