To make ends meet, the Roger Pirates had to scour the seas for notorious pirates who had no ships and stayed put in one place, capturing them and selling them to bounty hunters.
Gradually, most pirates avoided the seas where the Roger Pirates operated, unwilling to risk confrontation. But this also meant that the number of pirates they could capture dwindled, and their income dropped sharply. Life was becoming increasingly tight.
Yet no matter how difficult things became, the crew never let the children go hungry. Everyone cut unnecessary expenses wherever possible. The most reluctant was Captain Roger himself.
This future Pirate King, known for his love of alcohol and grandiose parties, had to face the harsh reality of their finances. With a heavy heart, he finally announced:
"From now on, the frequency of our feasts will be cut in half!"
Even so, the Roger Pirates never compromised their principle—they would not steal from ordinary civilians.
Amidst the rolling waves of this grand era, the deck of the Oro Jackson witnessed the unique lives of the "Three Little Ones."
By now, Shiro had grown into a ten-year-old boy. His features had shed some of their childish innocence, revealing a resolute determination. Shanks and Buggy were six, lively and mischievous as ever.
Where once Shiro wielded a broom taller than himself, humming tuneless little songs as he swept every corner of the deck, that chore now quietly fell to Shanks and Buggy.
Shanks, naturally optimistic and diligent, took to the task with no complaints. In the early morning light, he could be seen sweeping in earnest, leaving no dust untouched, performing the task with surprising seriousness.
Buggy, on the other hand, was a bundle of mischievous energy. His scheming nature showed in every little trick he attempted during chores. Sometimes he would hide the broom and pretend to search for it; other times, he would sweet-talk Shanks into doing the work for him.
All these antics were quietly observed by Shiro, whose careful eyes missed nothing.
As the eldest of the three, Shiro understood that discipline was essential. On one scorching day, while the crew was moving heavy cargo, he seized the perfect opportunity. Pretending to slip, he lightly waved his palm, sending Buggy flying to a small, deserted island nearby.
Buggy landed on the sandy beach, surrounded by silent trees and the howling sea wind. Terror washed over him instantly, and he burst into tears, the sound echoing across the island.
From that day on, Buggy never dared to slack off again. Every task was done diligently, for fear of another "banishment" to the dreaded deserted island.
Buggy was the youngest and weakest of the trio. Most of the crew, including Shiro, treated him as a mischievous little child, teasing him occasionally. But Shanks, only five months older, had always been Buggy's rival.
Since their first meeting, the two had been competing in everything—climbing the mast, catching the largest fish, even wrestling. But Buggy's talent never matched Shanks. Every contest left him staring at Shanks' triumphant figure, forever living in his shadow.
Seeing Buggy's frustration, Shiro would sometimes lend a helping hand with his Paw-Paw Fruit powers. A well-timed push or a clever distraction of Shanks allowed Buggy to gain some ground.
Under Shiro's strict yet caring guidance, Buggy idolized him completely, calling him "Big brother Shiro" with unreserved admiration.
As for Shanks, constant rivalry with Buggy and the challenge of Shiro fueled his competitive spirit. The four-year age gap between Shiro and Shanks, coupled with Shiro's far superior strength, naturally made Shiro Shanks' ultimate target.
It wasn't uncommon for Shanks to approach Shiro, eyes bright with determination:
"Brother Shiro! I want to challenge you!"
Alas, each challenge ended with Shanks utterly defeated.
One sunny day, Shanks once again summoned the courage to challenge Shiro. On the deck, they assumed their stances, surrounded by the amused crew. Shanks charged with a wooden sword, but Shiro dispatched him in two effortless moves.
Shanks lay on the deck, embarrassed but unwilling to surrender, struggling to rise for another bout.
Shiro, half exasperated and half amused, decided to teach the stubborn little one a lesson, feigning a swat toward Shanks' rear.
"Brother Shiro! Give me some face! Don't hit me in front of everyone!"
Shanks' panicked protest sent the surrounding crew into peals of laughter.
Shiro grinned, teasing:
"Shanks, you've always cared about face. Maybe one day you'll get a Face-Face Fruit—wherever you go, everyone will respect you!"
Shanks blinked, eyes wide with innocent curiosity:
"Brother Shiro, is there really a Face-Face Fruit? Don't trick me!"
Shiro patted his head, smiling knowingly:
"There will be, Shanks. And your face will be very useful on the seas!"
The crew laughed even harder, the deck filled with joyous energy.
Another day, as the warm sea breeze brushed the sails, the Three Little Ones sat side by side on the deck, basking in rare moments of leisure.
Shanks, scratching his chin thoughtfully, suddenly exclaimed:
"Brother Shiro! Buggy! I just realized something amazing!"
Buggy, initially bored, perked up instantly, leaning toward Shanks eagerly:
"What is it?"
Shanks stood, eyes sparkling, and announced seriously:
"I realized that even if we say the crew members' names backward, they sound great!
Captain Roger becomes Regor, Vice-Captain Rayleigh becomes Eilyar, Uncle Gaban becomes Nabag…"
Shiro: "…"
Buggy rolled his eyes, utterly unimpressed, and walked off without a word.