Baterilla Island lay in the mid-western part of the South Blue. From the incomplete sea chart, Rojen realized he would need to traverse at least seven islands to reach it. Judging by the scale of the map, the journey would take him roughly five more months.
"Nearly half a year." His expression darkened slightly, as Rojen was deeply concerned about whether Rouge could hold on until he arrived.
In the original tale, it took a full two years before Rouge gave birth to Ace, only to pass away shortly after.
The world remained oblivious to Rouge's existence and had no idea that the Pirate King had a surviving orphan like Ace.
Due to the forced delay in childbirth, Rouge's body endured tremendous suffering, leading to her tragic demise right after giving birth.
"But in this world, I cannot allow such a tragedy to unfold!"
Silently clenching his fist, Rojen's expression turned serious.
With Roger gone, it was only right that he take charge of these matters. Even he was unsure how that middle-aged man had become involved with Rouge.
Had he not known the original plot, Ace might have ended up with Garp, and Rouge would inevitably meet her end.
"That old man didn't trust me but chose to rely on Garp instead."
"It truly saddens me!"
A smile crept onto his face as Rojen tightened his grip on the long sword in his hand. His gaze sharpened, fierce and determined.
Half a month had passed since leaving the Island. During this time, he had decimated four ruthless pirate crews, totaling over five hundred members, leaving no survivors.
His cold and merciless slaughter, combined with his exceptional swordsmanship, earned him the title of "Battōsai (Sword-drawing Manslayer)."
In the past half month, his bounty had skyrocketed, reaching a staggering 220 Million Berries.
With more wealth came greater confidence. At this moment, Rojen feared nothing.
Ahead of him, a pirate ship was sailing straight toward him.
The dawn of the Golden Age of Pirates had led to a surge in the number of pirates. With these wicked marauders around, Rojen's wealth accumulation had accelerated dramatically.
Thirteen minutes later, [The Logan] brushed past the oncoming pirate ship.
Both sides exchanged glances at that moment. Pirates were not known for their friendliness; most would fight to the death upon meeting. In this vast sea, they were rivals.
At a glance, the opposing pirate ship appeared to have only about twenty crew members, but each of them had strikingly bright eyes, brimming with vigor and spirit, causing Rojen to narrow his eyes slightly.
It was clear that this group of pirates would not be easy to handle.
Simultaneously, the pirates on the other side sized up Rojen's ship. When they saw only one person and a cat, they raised their eyebrows and laughed.
"A ship with just one person? How amusing!"
Rojen remained silent, calmly observing them. He sensed a strong aura of bloodlust emanating from this group.
"Have you taken many lives?" He asked indifferently, his right hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Take lives? What pirate hasn't?" One of the pirates with green hair laughed with a cruel smile spreading across his lips.
"You haven't killed anyone before, have you?"
As he spoke, his expression turned menacing.
Beside him, the other pirates erupted in laughter, eager to see Rojen cower before them.
However, they were sorely disappointed. Rojen's expression remained calm.
"Then today, I'll send you all back to the depths."
He said lightly. In the next moment, Rojen bent his knees slightly and soared into the air, landing on the pirate ship in an instant.
"You're going to fight? Are you mad?"
The pirates laughed and mocked him.
"Do you know we have bounties on our heads?"
Before they could finish, Rojen unsheathed his sword, and a brilliant flash of light swept through. Two pirates fell.
Instantly, the pirates' expressions shifted.
"What the hell, what kind of swordsmanship is that!?"
Rojen advanced, his sword swinging effortlessly, his speed like a fleeting shadow.
"Dragon Head Flash!"
"Ryūshōsen!"
"Kuzuryūsen!"
In less than five breaths, half of the pirates lay dead.
"Annoying!"
"Just a bunch of nameless minions."
Indifferent words escaped Rojen's lips, and the remaining pirates were utterly terrified.
The fallen had been the strongest in their crew, including their captain.
Yet, in the hands of this man before them, they couldn't withstand a single blow!
"I remember now, he is, he is!"
At that moment, one of the terrified pirates suddenly shouted.
"Battōsai (Sword-drawing Manslayer)!!"
Recently, rumors had spread across the South Blue about a murderous specter known as Battōsai (Sword-drawing Manslayer). He was cruel by nature, leaving no survivors, and his swordsmanship was legendary, with few able to withstand a single strike from him.
More terrifyingly, he only hunted pirates. Whenever he heard of vicious pirates committing atrocities, he would pursue them until every last one was dead. They had heard these rumors before but dismissed them with laughter, not believing them.
After all, their captain was a notorious pirate with a bounty of 30 Million Berries, famous throughout the South Blue, not to mention the cadres with bounties of 20 Million.
They weren't some ragtag crew relying on numbers; they were elite!
But now, facing Rojen, they realized their proud strength was nothing but dust in his presence!
"Please, don't kill me!"
"Mom, I want to go home, I'm so scared!"
"Help, someone save me!"
These pirates, who had once wielded their swords against the innocent, now cowered before Rojen, crying and begging for mercy.
But he only coldly swung his sword. In three swift movements, he passed by the remaining pirates, and in the next moment, all of them lay on the ground.
Even in the entire South Blue, this was considered a top-tier pirate crew, with a combined bounty of 70 Million berries. Yet, they were wiped out by Rojen's hands, and he didn't even know the name of their ship.
As usual, he walked into the pirate ship's hold.
He had gone through this routine many times over the past few months, and each time, he had reaped immense rewards.
But this time, when he entered the hold, he was stunned.
Because what he saw wasn't treasure, but a...
'A rough man?!!! '
Rojen's expression twisted in confusion!
"What the hell, are these pirates sick or perverted? Instead of storing treasure, they keep a giant!"
Indeed, in the hold, a burly giant sat cross-legged with his head bowed, as if asleep.
(End Of This Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395