Marine Headquarters
The 211th unit led by Roman had achieved another major victory!
"Hmm?"
However, this time, the expected swarm of reporters wasn't there, leaving Bolkin and the others disappointed. It wasn't because the fleet led by Roman hadn't impressed at Set Town; rather, it was because:
"Roman, the newspaper."
Taking the newspaper Nami handed over, Roman glanced at it and understood immediately.
"World Noble Celestial Dragon Assassinated!!"
The headline was shocking, but Roman simply shook his head.
"These idiots—can't they just stay in the Holy Land? How dare they wander out?"
Roman skimmed the article about some so-called Holy Empress, quickly losing interest. As he had said before: provoking the Celestial Dragons may attract an Admiral, but to many desperate criminals, who cares about an Admiral? They'd think, "Let me kill this pig first, then I'll worry about the Admiral!"
And this time, the one who took down the Celestial Dragon was:
"World Destroyer Strikes Again – Who Can Stop Him?"
As the great exploits of this "Celestial Dragon Slayer" surfaced, ordinary folks realized that such a dangerous person existed! Below was a wanted poster showing a bearded pirate with a horned Viking-style helmet, missing one horn, staring angrily.
Byrnndi World, the More More Fruit user.
A major pirate with a 500 million bounty!
More More Fruitt: An ability that lets the user increase the speed, power, size, and weight of anything they touch by up to 100 times.
Of course, Roman was skeptical about this "100 times" claim.
After all, in this world, people often boast. Whitebeard was once said by Sengoku to be a "man who could destroy the world," yet he couldn't even destroy Marineford. Against the Red Line, it was like a scratch.
Granted, that was Whitebeard in his old, sick state.
So, this "100 times" claim was likely exaggerated too. Otherwise, the top fighters of this world, who are already faster than sound, would reach planetary speeds at 100 times that. They'd be hopping across the cosmos with ease…
Anyway, Byrnndi World the so-called "World Destroyer," was once powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with Sengoku and Garp. After attacking the Celestial Dragons, CP0 infiltrated his ship and, with a coordinated ambush by his crew, captured him. They then locked him up in Impel Down, frozen in ice.
"Idiot,"
That was Roman's assessment of the World Destroyer.
The guy certainly has strength, but not much sense. As soon as he broke out, he rampaged like a mad dog, attacking civilians, pirates, Marines, and even nobles. This time:
Another unlucky Celestial Dragon on a pleasure cruise fell victim to him! You could practically call him a "Celestial Dragon Killer."
"Thirty years in prison didn't give this guy any sense?"
"Well, it makes sense, though. This guy was frozen for thirty years. To him, fighting Sengoku and Garp probably still feels like 'yesterday.'"
Muttering to himself, Roman handed the newspaper back to Nami and looked over at the repairs being done at Marine Headquarters. This four-limbed brute, Bundy Waldo, was just right for "boosting" Marine prestige!
Impel Down's prison meals aren't exactly good. They may not starve prisoners, but decades in there are bound to leave hidden injuries. So, the others who escaped, like:
The Red Count and Barrett, top fighters, have chosen to lay low and recover, focusing on getting their strength back first. But Bundy Waldo, blinded by hatred, did the opposite. As soon as he broke free, he caused chaos—even killed a Celestial Dragon! That immediately brought the Marines' attention to him. As for Bundy Waldo's current strength:
While his Momo Momo Fruit ability is incredible, his body just thawed out after thirty years in ice. Roman would be generous to assume he's at 30% of his old strength. After all:
This is the guy who got single-handedly defeated by Gear Second Haki Luffy in the original story... not even close to Doflamingo!
It's not that he lacks power—he just wasted himself fighting right after breaking free.
If he doesn't lose, who will?
——————
"The World Destroyer, so scary~~" Kizaru's signature voice sounded from the sofa in the Fleet Admiral's office as he held up a newspaper. Vice Admiral Tsuru also praised Bundy Waldo's strength, making Akainu, who sat at the main seat, furrow his brows.
"But right now, all our top Marines are busy suppressing unrest in the New World. Who's left to deal with the Celestial Dragons' mess?"
"Ahem,"
Roman, stepping in through the door, cleared his throat, reminding the "Fleet Admiral" to watch his words.
"Commodore Roman?"
Looking up at Roman, who had developed wrinkles and a bit of stubble in just a few days, Fleet Admiral Akainu picked up a report from the desk.
"This time, the 211st unit under your command captured eight pirate crews and saved Set Town... well done."
"As for these achievements... does Commodore Roman have any requests?"
Roman shook his head at Akainu's question.
"Just promote my subordinates; I don't need anything."
"Understood."
Akainu nodded and turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Gather the Seven Warlords of the Sea and have them handle Byrnndi World!"
As a hardline military man, Akainu wasn't going to let the Warlords sit on the sidelines, but:
"Even so, it's hard to say how many will actually come."
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head. The Seven Warlords are a rebellious bunch. Whether they follow the World Government's orders entirely depends on their mood…
"Fleet Admiral Akainu, Admiral Kizaru, Vice Admiral Tsuru,"
Roman glanced at the three Marine higher-ups in the room with a confident smile.
"I'll take care of Byrnndi World's situation myself. What do you all think?"
——
Silence.
"Oh my, the younger generation these days... so scary…"
At Roman's words, Kizaru, with his gold-rimmed glasses, slowly put down his newspaper.
"Don't misunderstand, everyone. I'm not saying I'll handle the 'World Destroyer' alone; I'll go with the other Warlords. Isn't that what you just decided?"
"Roman,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head. "Even if the Warlords do show up, Donquixote Doflamingo alone…"
"I understand,"
Donquixote Doflamingo, once a Celestial Dragon.
Because his father decided to give up their Celestial Dragon status, their family nearly died at the hands of angry mobs. After killing his father in an attempt to regain his Celestial Dragon status, he accidentally learned one of the Celestial Dragons' "big secrets." As a result, CP0 pursued him relentlessly until he managed to build up his own power, and only then did the Celestial Dragons reluctantly ease up.
Of course, this was just a surface-level "truce." If Doflamingo ever got the chance to take down a few Celestial Dragons, he'd gladly do it.
"Relax, Doflamingo isn't the type to enthusiastically work for the government."
Roman spoke confidently in front of the three Marine higher-ups.
"And as for the other members of the Seven Warlords, I've had brief encounters with them, so I don't think they'll give me trouble. Besides—"
Roman's smile faded as he spread his hands.
"How should I put it… I'm sort of a 'Celestial Dragon,' right?"
Though Roman didn't actually know that idiot who got killed by Bundy Wald, using him as cover worked well enough.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu, let him take care of this."
"I don't mind."
With the two others in the room already agreeing, Fleet Admiral Akainu nodded too.
"It's in your hands then, Commodore Roman."
"Yes, sir."
…
"Is this really a good idea?"
After Roman left, Akainu looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"That Roman… he used to be mixed up with that Straw Hat Luffy who punched a Celestial Dragon," Akainu said, clearly aware of Roman and Nami's true identities as the Fleet Admiral.
"If he knows about Byrnndi World's grudge against the Celestial Dragons and decides to help him attack Mary Geoise…"
If Byrnndi World somehow had the power to take down Mary Geoise, the Celestial Dragon stronghold, maybe even the Marines would quietly support him. But that's a stretch—many top-level warriors have fallen in the Red Line.
What really concerns the Marines isn't Bundy Wald causing chaos. It's the risk of him being used to target Mary Geoise and angering "that one." That would be a real disaster for the entire world!
"Relax, Roman is sharper than you realize."
Vice Admiral Tsuru crossed her arms and sat back.
"Honestly, even I can't fully read him."
"So, using this chance to test young Roman isn't a bad idea either."
We'll see if he truly has a steady mind or if he's just a big talker with little talent.
——————
"Time to go, Lieutenant Commander Ann."
Because Roman downplayed his achievements, Nami, who shone during the mission at Sait Town, was promoted three ranks, jumping from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander. She now wore Roman's officer's coat proudly.
"We just got back, and now we're off again?"
At Nami's question, Roman snapped his fingers, creating a faint transparent shield around them to prevent eavesdropping. Then he replied:
"To Amazon Lily."
!?
"That island full of women!"
Seeing Nami's rising irritation, Roman calmly waved a hand.
"Why would we go there for the women? We're going to find…"
"Luffy."
——————
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