On the deck of the Ark Maxim.
Luo Lan stood at the bow of the ship, letting the sea breeze wash over him.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in his coat began to ring.
Buru buru buru...
"This is Luo Lan," he answered calmly.
But on the other end, there was only silence.
"…Hello? Why aren't you saying anything?" he asked again.
The voice that finally responded made Luo Lan's expression shift.
"It's me."
That voice—he knew it all too well.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
And more than that, in this life, he was Luo Lan's adoptive father.
"Fleet Admiral, what can I do for you?" Luo Lan asked, his tone formal and devoid of emotion.
"Luo Lan… must you really speak to me this way?"
"You are the Fleet Admiral. I believe this is the appropriate way to address you."
That cold, indifferent tone stung Sengoku. His fists clenched tightly.
"…Fine. If that's how you want it, let's get to the point."
"By the authority of the Fleet Admiral, I am formally questioning you. Are you—"
"—the leader of Jun Lin?"
Silence hung heavy for a moment.
Then, Luo Lan sighed.
"Aunt Tsuru must've figured it out, huh… I knew that after what happened on Volcano Island, it was only a matter of time."
"Yes. I am the founder of Jun Lin."
"Is that the answer you wanted, Fleet Admiral?"
…
Sengoku was silent.
Though Tsuru had already told him with 99% certainty that Luo Lan was Jun Lin's leader, hearing it from Luo Lan himself still hit like a hammer.
"Why did you create Jun Lin, Luo Lan? What is your purpose?"
"Do you remember the calligraphy that used to hang in your office?" Luo Lan asked.
"The calligraphy? You mean...?"
"Yes. That one. It now hangs in my office."
He didn't answer directly, but Sengoku immediately understood.
The calligraphy read: 'Justice Reigns Supreme'.
That was the justice Luo Lan believed in.
"…Luo Lan. This is impossible. The World Government is far more powerful than you can imagine."
"What you've seen on the surface is just a small part of it. Their true strength—if fully unleashed—couldn't be opposed even by a united force of the Navy and all pirates combined."
As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku didn't know everything, but he knew far more than most.
Even uniting the Navy and pirates wouldn't be enough?
Had he underestimated the Celestial Dragons that much?
…It made sense. After all, in his previous life, the original manga hadn't even finished.
Who knew what insane power the World Government or the Celestial Dragons would reveal later?
From a certain perspective, Sengoku wasn't wrong.
If this world had no protagonist—no Monkey D. Luffy—and no transmigrator like Luo Lan…
Then yes, the Celestial Dragons would indeed be untouchable, even if the world rose against them.
"I understand what you're saying. But it won't be long before I gain the power to stand against them."
"That's impossible!!" Sengoku snapped.
"I'm stating a fact," Luo Lan replied. "Whether you believe it or not… doesn't matter to me."
"Luo Lan, stop this now. If you do, I can still clean things up for you. But if you continue down this path…"
"That's enough, Fleet Admiral. We've spoken too much already. Let's leave it at that."
"Luo Lan, wait—!"
Sengoku tried to stop him.
But before he could say anything more, the call was cut off.
Luo Lan stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, lost in thought.
Sengoku found out earlier than I expected. That means…
I'll need to move faster.
Buru buru buru…
The Den Den Mushi rang again.
Luo Lan blinked.
Again? Is Sengoku calling back?
He picked it up quickly.
"I thought I said we were done talking today. Why are you—"
"It's me."
"…Aunt Tsuru? I thought it was…"
"You thought it was Sengoku again?"
"…Yeah."
Luo Lan admitted honestly.
"Don't keep pushing him like that. He really is doing it for your sake. Even back then, with what happened..."
"Forget it. That's not something you need to know just yet."
"I called you this time to give you some news."
"We've found Doflamingo's trail."
Luo Lan's expression darkened.
Doflamingo.
The mere mention of that name released an overwhelming killing intent from him, making the Den Den Mushi tremble slightly.
"Where is he?" Luo Lan's voice turned icy.
"We can't pinpoint the exact location yet, but we've identified who rescued him."
"Who?"
That question had haunted Luo Lan. Aside from Sugar, he had captured every one of Doflamingo's officers.
So—who had intervened?
"A pirate named Blackbeard."
"…Him?"
"You know this guy?"
Now Tsuru was sure of it—Luo Lan must've been the one who leaked information to Morgans about Blackbeard.
"Yes, I know him. He's the most vile, ruthless, cunning, and dangerously patient pirate you'll ever meet."
"…Sounds like trouble."
"More than just trouble. If you want my advice—mobilize absolute force and wipe him out immediately."
Tsuru was taken aback.
Was Blackbeard really that dangerous?
She had questions, but decided to quietly write it all down in her notebook.
"You're hiding more information from me, aren't you, Aunt Tsuru?"
"…I'm still considering whether to tell you or not."
"You know me. Even if you don't tell me, I'll find out myself."
She sighed.
Of course, she knew. With his capabilities, Luo Lan would find Doflamingo eventually. It would only take more time.
"…Alright. But I have one condition."
"Name it."
"Keep me informed when you act. I'll send Gion to assist you."
"Aunt Tsuru…"
"Don't interrupt. If Blackbeard is as dangerous as you say, having Gion with you will help avoid unexpected risks. If you don't agree, then go find Doflamingo on your own."
She cut him off, her tone stern.
Of course, Tsuru had her own reasons too.
And Luo Lan understood that clearly.
"…Fine. Three days from now. Mock Town on Jaya Island. Gion can come from HQ—she should make it in time."
"Good. I'll have her head there immediately. She'll also bring the intel you need."
"Understood."
Luo Lan nodded reluctantly.
He knew Tsuru was afraid that if she gave him the information now, he'd act alone and avoid linking up with Gion.
Fine. Let her have her way this time.
"Hina."
He turned around to face the woman standing behind him.
"You heard all of that. Head back to Rhodes Island with the Ark Maxim. I'll be going to Jaya."
"And let the Danaan's crew know—they need to reroute to Jaya Island to pick me up."
---
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27