It had been a full year since Ronan began his intensive training under his father's watchful eye. Now fourteen, he had grown both in body and spirit. The once-naive child who sought strength had been replaced by a determined young warrior. His body bore the marks of countless hours of training—scars that told the story of his journey so far.
As he stood before the large window in his chamber, overlooking the grandeur of Mary Geoise, Ronan couldn't help but feel the weight of what was to come. His exam—the one that would decide whether he was ready to take the next step in his journey—was looming ahead. For the first time, he would leave the sheltered walls of Mary Geoise and face the world beyond.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. It was Garling Figarland, his father. The elder Figarland stepped into the room, his presence commanding yet calm.
"You're ready," Garling said simply, his eyes scanning Ronan from head to toe. "A year of relentless training, of mastering the Rokushiki techniques, Life Return, and our family's sword style. But now, it's time to see if all that training has forged something worthy."
Ronan nodded, the gravity of his father's words sinking in. This mission wasn't just about hunting down a pirate crew—it was about proving his worth, both as a Figarland and as someone capable of wielding the power he had sought.
"Father," Ronan began, his voice steady, though a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes, "do you believe I'm ready? Truly?"
Garling's stern gaze softened for just a moment, a rare show of emotion. "Readiness is not just about skill, Ronan. It's about understanding the world you are about to step into. A world far different from this paradise we live in. Garling's expression hardened, his usual arrogance seeping into his tone. "There is one thing you do not have to forget and that is who you are, Ronan. You are a Celestial Dragon—a god among men. The world beneath us is filled with filth and lesser beings who serve only to maintain the order we've created. These pirates, the common people, are pathetic. Weak. They don't deserve your pity or understanding." His eyes flickered with disdain as he spoke, his voice laced with a cold indifference. "Your task is not to feel compassion for them. Your task is to enforce the strength of our bloodline, to remind them of their place beneath us."
The words hung in the air, filling the room with a quiet tension. Ronan understood what his father meant—this task was not merely a physical test but a mental and emotional one. He was about to confront the reality of the world, a world shaped by power, authority, and fear.
"I've chosen the team that will accompany you," Garling continued, walking over to the large table in the center of the room. On it lay a map of the Grand Line, with several markers detailing the mission's location. "Cipher Pol agents and Marines. Some of them you might know."
Ronan stepped closer, looking at the map. His father's finger pointed to a small island on the outskirts of the Grand Line—a notorious hideout for the pirate crew he was tasked to eliminate.
"Your mission is to hunt down a pirate captain with a 3 million berry bounty. A small-time crew by Yonko standards, but a dangerous foe nonetheless. You'll take a team, but understand this—they are there to observe, not to interfere. You must handle this on your own unless things take a deadly turn."
Ronan nodded, his mind already racing through strategies and possibilities. He would have to rely on everything he had learned—the combat techniques, the mental discipline, and the swordsmanship passed down by his father. But more than that, he would have to rely on his own will to overcome the challenges that awaited him.
Garling handed him a list of the team members. Among the names, Ronan recognized a few prominent figures—Rob Lucci, the infamous Cipher Pol agent known for his ruthlessness, and Kaku, another skilled assassin. From the Marine side, there was Marine Captain Smoker, a no-nonsense officer with a reputation for dealing with pirates, and Tashigi, a skilled swordswoman.
"Lucci and his team are the best the World Government has," Garling said, his tone matter-of-fact. "They won't go easy on you just because you're a Celestial Dragon. In fact, they might be even harsher in their judgment."
Ronan smirked slightly. He didn't want special treatment. If anything, he welcomed the challenge.
"You leave at dawn," Garling added, his voice hardening. "Make no mistake, Ronan—this is not just about passing an exam. It's about stepping into the real world. You'll see things that will challenge your view of justice. Do not falter."
Ronan took a deep breath, his hands gripping the table's edge. The reality of his mission was sinking in, and with it came a wave of doubt. Could he really live up to his father's expectations? Could he prove himself worthy of the Figarland name?
"I won't fail," Ronan said, his voice low but filled with resolve.
Garling placed a hand on his son's shoulder, a rare gesture of support. "Remember who you are, Ronan. A Figarland. You carry not just our family's honor but the responsibility of the world we've built."
With those words, Garling turned and left the room, leaving Ronan alone with his thoughts. The silence that followed was heavy, but it gave Ronan a moment to reflect. His heart pounded in his chest, but beneath the nerves was a burning desire—to succeed, to surpass the expectations placed on him, and to carve his own path in the world.
As the first light of dawn crept through the window, Ronan made his final preparations. His sword, a standard Marine blade for now, lay on the table, along with his mission gear. He looked at the sword, knowing that someday, he would wield one that truly represented his strength. But for now, this would do.
Standing in front of the mirror, Ronan saw the boy he once was, now transformed into a warrior ready to face the unknown. This was the beginning of something greater. The journey that would take him far from the sheltered life of Mary Geoise and into the heart of the Grand Line.
A year had passed since Ronan Figarland began his grueling training, and now at 14, he was poised to step beyond the sheltered world of Mary Geoise for the first time. His mission: to track down and eliminate a pirate crew with a 3 million berry bounty. Accompanying him were high-ranking Marines and Cipher Pol agents, tasked with observing and protecting him, though they were under strict orders not to interfere unless absolutely necessary.
As the sun began to rise over the horizon, the group gathered at the grand gates of Mary Geoise. Rob Lucci, Kaku, and Marine Captain Smoker stood at attention, awaiting Ronan's arrival. Though these men were powerful in their own right, they recognized Ronan's status as a Celestial Dragon. Behind their stoic professionalism, an undercurrent of respect—and perhaps fear—simmered beneath the surface. They knew who he was, and what could happen if they crossed the wrong line.
"Lord Ronan," Lucci said coolly as Ronan approached, his tone measured and sharp. "We are ready to depart."
Ronan nodded, his face impassive, but inside, a mixture of excitement and uncertainty churned. He had trained relentlessly for this moment, yet stepping into the unknown world below the Red Line was a different kind of test. For the first time in his life, he was leaving the safety of Mary Geoise, the highest seat of power in the world, to experience life beyond the ivory towers—a world his father spoke of with such contempt.
---
The descent from the Red Line was breathtaking. The grand city of Mary Geoise, with its pristine, glimmering architecture and elite lifestyles, slowly faded behind them, replaced by the harsh cliffs and boundless skies that overlooked the vast, untamed seas below. Standing aboard the marine vessel, Ronan found himself drawn to the edge, watching the ocean stretch out into the horizon like a vast unknown calling him forward.
He felt a strange thrill—the thrill of freedom.
The first destination was a bustling port city, renowned for its trade routes and wealth. As the ship approached the docks, Ronan observed the chaotic yet rhythmic life of the common people. Merchants shouted over each other, sailors bustled about, unloading cargo, and children ran through the streets, laughing. Everything seemed… alive.
This world was so different from the rigid order of Mary Geoise. No slaves, no stifling nobility—just people, going about their lives.
However, it wasn't long before whispers began to circulate. The Cipher Pol insignia, combined with the sheer presence of Vice Admiral Smoker, did not go unnoticed. Soon, the city's residents began piecing together the identity of the mysterious group.
"They're here because of the Celestial Dragon, aren't they?" a merchant muttered, casting wary glances at Ronan's entourage. "What's someone like him doing here?"
"Shh!" another hissed. "You know what happens to people who talk like that. Don't let them hear."
Though the words were whispered, they reached Ronan's ears. His heart tightened. Was this what it meant to have power? To be feared, hated? He clenched his fists at his sides, resisting the urge to show any outward reaction. His father had always told him that the weak feared the strong—and that was the natural order of things.
But standing here, surrounded by these ordinary people, something felt… wrong.
---
The journey stretched on, taking Ronan and his team through numerous towns and cities. Each place they visited offered a glimpse into the vast world beyond Mary Geoise—vibrant, chaotic, and complex.
In one village, they arrived during a festival. The streets were filled with laughter, joy, and the smell of roasting meat. People danced, sang, and celebrated life, oblivious to the darker forces that shaped their world. Ronan watched from the shadows, hood drawn over his head to conceal his identity. It was a strange feeling—blending into the crowd, observing without being observed.
"They seem happy," Ronan commented to Smoker, who stood beside him, arms crossed and gaze surveying the crowd.
"They're ignorant," Smoker replied gruffly. "They don't know what's really out there. Pirates, slavers, the World Government… It's easy to celebrate when you're blind."
Ronan frowned but said nothing. He wasn't so sure. The people here weren't blind. They simply lived their lives in spite of the dangers lurking around them. They found joy in the little things, something that was rare in the cold world of nobility.
---
As the weeks turned into months, Ronan's exposure to the common world began to weigh on him. Each town they passed through revealed a different aspect of life outside the sanctity of Mary Geoise. In one town, he witnessed a family of merchants thriving, their wealth built on years of honest work. In another, he saw poverty and despair—homes destroyed by pirates, families begging on the streets for scraps.
The stark contrast shook him. How could two places exist so close to one another, yet live in such opposite realities?
It was during one such stop in a particularly devastated town that Ronan's growing moral crisis reached a breaking point. The town had been attacked by pirates just days before they arrived. Buildings lay in ruins, bodies were still being recovered from the wreckage, and the air was thick with grief. Ronan's entourage moved through the destruction, assessing the situation, while Ronan remained silent, watching.
As they passed by the ruins of a house, Ronan spotted a young girl sitting alone on the ground. Her clothes were dirty, her face smudged with ash, and she clutched a small, torn doll in her arms. She couldn't have been older than seven. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that gaze, Ronan saw the emptiness. The despair.
The realization hit him hard: this was the cost of power.
"They're all dead," Kaku muttered, his voice uncharacteristically solemn. "Pirates raided the town for supplies and left no survivors."
Ronan felt a cold knot form in his stomach. He wanted to help, but what could he do? What was his role in all this? As a Celestial Dragon, his purpose had always been clear—rule, control, maintain order. But now, standing amidst the wreckage of lives destroyed by that very system, he wasn't so sure anymore.
---
That night, as the group camped outside the devastated town, Ronan found himself staring into the flames of the fire, lost in thought. Across from him sat Marine Captain Smoker , puffing on his cigar, while Lucci and Kaku kept watch. Despite the camaraderie of their journey, Ronan could feel the distance between him and his companions. They respected him, certainly, but the unspoken truth of his status—his birthright as a Celestial Dragon—always lingered in the background.
"Something on your mind, Lord Ronan?" Smoker's gravelly voice broke the silence.
Ronan hesitated, then spoke. "I've seen a lot on this journey. And… the more I see, the more I wonder. Are we really doing the right thing?"
Smoker raised an eyebrow, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "What do you mean?"
"All this power we have," Ronan continued, his voice low. "Is it really worth it if it comes at the cost of innocent lives? Look at what happened today. That little girl… her entire family was wiped out. And for what?"
Smoker's expression hardened. "The world's not as simple as you think. Power doesn't just exist—it has to be enforced. Without people like us, the whole system falls apart."
Ronan clenched his fists. "But is the system even worth protecting if it allows things like this to happen?"
Before Smoker could respond, Lucci's cold voice cut through the air. "Power is everything. The weak exist to serve the strong. That is the natural order of things."
Ronan turned to look at Lucci, whose expression remained as unreadable as ever. There was no emotion in his words, only cold, calculated logic. It was the same logic Ronan had grown up hearing from his father. But now, after everything he had seen, that answer no longer satisfied him.
"Maybe," Ronan murmured, "But maybe things need to change."
As the night deepened, Ronan found himself unable to shake the image of the little girl from his mind. He made his way back to the ruins where he had first seen her, the flickering campfire casting long shadows in the darkness. She sat alone, clutching her doll, eyes wide and unblinking. With a soft breath, Ronan knelt beside her, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "Hey," he said gently. "Would you like to come with me? I could use a friend."
At first, she looked up at him with fear, her small body trembling slightly. But then, she noticed the sincerity in his eyes, the kindness beneath the weight of his status. Slowly, she nodded, and Ronan's heart swelled with relief. He took her hand, and they walked back to the camp together.
Over the next few days, the little girl—whom he learned was named Lila—began to warm up to him. One evening, as they sat by the fire, Ronan pulled out a piece of parchment and began to draw. "What do you want to see?" he asked, tilting the paper towards her. (img in comment)
Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement. "A dragon!" she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes.
With a grin, Ronan started sketching a whimsical dragon, complete with oversized wings and a playful grin. When he finished, he held it up for her to see. Lila squealed with delight, her laughter ringing through the night like music. "It's perfect!" she beamed, her little hands clapping together.
In that moment, Ronan felt a weight lift from his heart. Her joy was infectious, and he found himself laughing alongside her. "Maybe we can go on a dragon hunt tomorrow," he suggested, his own spirit lifting at the thought.
"Can we?" Lila's eyes widened in disbelief. "I want to be a dragon knight!"
"Then you'll need a sword," he replied, gesturing to a sturdy stick nearby. "This will be your sword for the quest." He handed it to her, and she brandished it like a knight ready for battle, her determination palpable.
As they traveled, they had little adventures that made Ronan's heart swell with warmth. One day, they stumbled upon a patch of wildflowers. Lila's eyes lit up as she began to pick the brightest ones, tying them into a makeshift crown. "Look! I'm a flower princess!" she declared, placing the crown atop her head and spinning around in delight.
Ronan couldn't help but laugh, the image of her twirling amidst the flowers etched in his mind. "You make a beautiful princess, Lila," he said, his voice full of genuine admiration.
With a mischievous grin, she ran over to him and plopped the crown on his head. "Now you're the king!" she giggled, and he felt a rush of warmth.
"Then I decree that we have an ice cream feast!" he declared dramatically, earning another fit of laughter from her. They spent the rest of the day imagining grand feasts and tales of heroism, their shared laughter creating a bubble of joy that seemed to push away the darker thoughts clouding Ronan's mind.
As the sun set on their journey, Ronan realized that he was becoming not just her protector but also a big brother figure, a role he had never imagined he would take on. Lila's presence became a comforting anchor, grounding him amidst the storm of his moral crisis. With every smile she offered, he felt a flicker of hope igniting within him—a reminder that perhaps there was still light to be found in the world, even when darkness threatened to overtake it.
As the journey stretched into its third month, Ronan's inner turmoil deepened. Each new city, each new encounter with ordinary people, chipped away at the certainty he had once held in his father's teachings. He found himself questioning not just his role in the world, but the very system he had been born into.
For the others, the mission continued as usual. Lucci, ever the pragmatist, rarely spoke unless necessary. Kaku remained light-hearted, though even his humor couldn't mask the underlying tension that came with their task. Smoker, the most conflicted of the group, often clashed with Lucci's cold, utilitarian views on power.
And yet, through it all, the unspoken truth remained: no matter how much they tried to act as equals, Ronan was different. He was a Celestial Dragon. And that would always set him apart.
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End of Part 1
Next Chapter:- The Crucible of Strength and Awakening Part 2