"Ro... Roger, a member of the Roger Pirates?!"
The exclamation immediately drew everyone's attention.
The ones who reacted the most were the gangster's friends.
"Huh? What?"
They were momentarily taken aback before turning toward their companion, who suddenly panicked.
They had only stopped him because they saw him running around frantically, but none of them expected to stumble upon members of the legendary Roger Pirates.
This kind of luck was truly one of a kind.
"He... They... They belong to the Roger Pirates!"
The small-time thug, who had recognized Kozuki Oden and the others, pointed at the group in front of him with a trembling finger, his voice stammering in sheer disbelief.
"What?!"
Upon hearing those words, the gangsters were instantly thrown into a state of shock.
Naturally, they had heard of Gol D. Roger's name. It was precisely because of his infamy that an overwhelming sense of dread now gripped their hearts.
As they checked again, the once-confident gangsters turned pale. Their expressions twisted with horror as cold sweat dripped from their foreheads.
They finally recognized the familiar faces among the group.
Wasn't that the infamous swordsman, Kozuki Oden? And next to him—Scopper Gaban, one of Roger's most trusted officers. Alongside them stood two young but unmistakable figures—Shanks and Buggy, the apprentices of the legendary crew.
Of course, they were able to recognize them, all thanks to television.
The emergence and popularization of television had made certain infamous pirates even more recognizable. Once just names on wanted posters, these figures now appeared in vivid broadcasts, making their presence feel all the more real.
Nowadays, wanted posters weren't the only source of pirate information—some news outlets even broadcast clips of pirate battles. These occasional glimpses had deepened the world's awareness of the most dangerous individuals sailing the Grand Line.
And among them, Roger's crew was a legend.
The members of his crew were renowned powerhouses, and the moment people laid eyes on them, fear inevitably followed.
But who would have thought they'd encounter them in person?
"We're so... so sorry!"
"Please forgive us!"
The gangsters wasted no time, immediately dropping to their knees in submission, pressing their heads to the ground in the most servile fashion possible.
They understood that they had no right to challenge such a force.
No, it wasn't even a matter of rights—they simply didn't want to die.
Through television and word-of-mouth, the world had already memorized the names of the strongest. And with that knowledge, they also understood where these people stood in the hierarchy of power.
Now that they had identified their opponents, they knew they wouldn't dare to lift a finger.
Seeing their pitiful state, Kozuki Oden sighed in disappointment. He sheathed his two swords, completely losing interest in the situation.
At this moment, he couldn't help but complain about the existence of television.
Because of it, many now knew about his strength. More often than not, conflicts ended before they even started.
For someone like Oden—who thrived on adventure and battle—this was truly frustrating.
With television broadcasts, his abilities had been exposed. Many who once dared to challenge him now simply backed down the moment they realized who he was.
As someone who had joined the crew of the world's strongest pirates, he was naturally a figure of great interest. And because of that, true battles were becoming rarer and rarer.
Despite his grievances, however, Oden was ironically a loyal television fan. Every day, he and his wife made sure to watch their favorite dramas on the Middle Kingdom channel.
And so, this little encounter came to an end.
The thugs, after begging for mercy, were spared. As they fled, the ground where they knelt was left stained with a suspicious puddle.
Oden had no interest in cutting down spineless men who lacked both courage and strength.
Back aboard the Oro Jackson, Kozuki Oden prepared a large pot of oden.
The crew marveled at the flavor, savoring the delicacy of Wano Country as they ate heartily.
---
The next day, Roger, having learned about the rumors surrounding Sky Island, made a decision.
They would ride the Knock Up Stream and reach the floating land above.
Unlike pirates like Golden Lion, who had the ability to fly using his Devil Fruit, Roger had to rely on this unpredictable natural phenomenon.
However, not everyone was on board with the idea.
"What?! You've got to be kidding, Captain! The ship will break apart, and we'll all sink to the bottom of the sea!"
Buggy immediately panicked upon hearing Roger's decision.
"Buggy, you're such a coward. If the Captain says it's fine, then it's fine!"
Shanks, leaning against the railing, smirked with playful contempt.
"This isn't about courage, you damn redhead! If we get launched into the sky by that current, we'll be shattered into pieces!"
"Aren't you already in pieces?" Shanks shot back dryly.
"SHANKS! You bastard! Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?!"
"I have a Devil Fruit power, you idiot! If I fall into the ocean, I'm dead!"
"If the fall doesn't kill you, the sea will," Shanks added with a grin, clearly enjoying Buggy's frustration.
Buggy's face twisted in rage, but deep down, he knew the Captain's decision was final.
Still, he couldn't shake off his fear.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew had an entirely different reaction.
They were exhilarated. Adventurers at heart, this was exactly the kind of thrill they lived for.
After a few days of preparation, the sea itself seemed to come alive.
A monstrous column of water erupted toward the sky, creating a breathtaking and terrifying sight.
Amidst this awe-inspiring phenomenon, no one noticed that a ship had been carried along with the current, soaring toward the heavens.
---
Chapter 289: Roger Arrives at Sky Island – Caesar's Mark on the Poneglyph
The Roger Pirates had been on Sky Island for several days now, celebrating their arrival with a grand feast on the Island of Gods.
Among them sat a man who did not belong to their crew.
An elderly figure with a long white beard, clad in flowing white robes—Gan Fall, the former "God" of Skypiea, who once had dealings with another notorious pirate crew.
As he conversed with Roger and his crew, he mentioned a familiar name.
"The last time I encountered a pirate was nearly a decade ago."
"I don't know if you've heard of him."
"A young man, going by the name Caesar. An incredibly powerful individual."
At the mention of that name, several crew members perked up in surprise.
"Caesar, huh? Never expected him to have been here," Buggy muttered, eyes wide.
"Well, that makes sense," Shanks mused. "That guy has a way of showing up in the most unexpected places."
"I remember he returned to the New World from the East Blue... He must have passed through here during that time."
Recalling the past, Shanks couldn't help but admire Caesar's exploits.
The man had fought admirals, disappeared, and reemerged stronger than before. He had established a kingdom, faced down legends, and even executed Golden Lion himself.
A man of mystery and power—Caesar had certainly left his mark on history.
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