The North Blue had always been considered the strongest of the Four Seas—not solely because of its powerful pirates, but more so because of how frequently true powerhouses emerged from it.
Much like the modern-day Grand Line, where the Three Great Powers—the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Navy, and the Four Emperors—maintained a delicate balance, the North Blue at this time also housed three dominant factions: the Navy, the pirates, and the royal nations.
Among them, four major kingdoms were locked in a constant state of war and power struggle, resembling the Three Kingdoms era from Roy's previous life. A seemingly endless cycle of conflict and fragile equilibrium.
Currently, the most intense standoff was between two of these nations: the Kingdom of Minas and the Kingdom of Alansha.
Minas had the upper hand in both strength and momentum. Their interest? A rare plant native to Alansha known as Bluegold Vine—a brilliant blue, crystalline vine that sparkled like crystal under sunlight.
Of course, mere beauty wouldn't justify a war. The real value of Bluegold Vine lay in its sap, which could be infused into weapons and armor, greatly enhancing their durability and lethality. It was an invaluable material for military equipment.
After half a year of continuous assault, Minas was on the brink of total victory… until a man named Kayla Garrot emerged on Alansha's side.
A Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, Garrot had eaten the Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Leopard, granting him immense speed and strength. Donning armor crafted from Bluegold Vine and wielding two sapphire-colored, two-meter-long greatswords, he tore through the battlefield like a ghost, slaughtering Minas soldiers without restraint.
King Minas Worf had tried to bribe Garrot with gold to fight for his side. But the leopard warrior turned out to be, in Worf's words, "as stubborn and foul as a frozen turd." Not only did he refuse, he even executed the diplomatic envoy and sent his head back as a message.
Now, Worf was livid, storming around his chamber smashing priceless vases as he cursed aloud:
"Damn that accursed Devil Fruit user! When I conquer Alansha, I'm going to throw him into the ocean and leave him there for a year!"
"Your Majesty," a minister entered mid-rampage. "There's an urgent matter that requires your attention."
"Speak!" Worf growled, still fuming over Garrot's defiance. He knew full well that until this beast of a swordsman was dealt with, victory was off the table.
He had even gone so far as to purchase a Devil Fruit—said to be the Aqua-Aqua Fruit, a Paramecia-type with the power to control water itself—for five hundred million Berries from the Donquixote underworld market.
A power, they claimed, so deadly it was considered the natural enemy of all Devil Fruit users.
Then the minister who consumed it reported his new ability…
"I can drink water… through any part of my body."
Yes, any part.
It wasn't the Aqua-Aqua Fruit—it was the Straw-Straw Fruit. The man could now suck up water with his... you get the idea.
Worf nearly exploded with rage. "How the hell am I supposed to beat Garrot now!?"
The minister quickly switched topics.
"The pirate hunters known as [Judicator: Tirion D. Roy] and [Scourge of the Sea: Gangplank] have landed on our southwestern coast. Shall we engage them… or leave them be?"
"Tirion…"
The name gave Worf pause. Not because of the man himself—but because of his surname.
After a brief moment of reflection, he recalled: three years ago, the once-noble Tirion clan had been wiped out by the Vinsmoke family, one of the most dominant royal clans in the North Blue.
And this Roy… bore the mark of the D. Clan.
Noticing the king's silence, the minister assumed he was unfamiliar with the names and continued:
"They're a famous bounty hunting duo. In just a few months, they've taken down nearly ten pirates, each with bounties over thirty million. People now call them the Brutal Bounty Hunter Duo."
Bounty hunters, in general, had a sketchy reputation. Some were mercenaries who'd kill anyone for money—pirate or Marine—and often ended up becoming pirates themselves.
The World Government typically turned a blind eye—until bounty hunters so much as brushed against government interests. Then, they were immediately branded criminals.
It was no surprise the profession was rare.
Worf thought for a moment.
"Summon all ministers. We need a roundtable discussion. Also, bring Roy and that… what was it… 'Sea Scourge' fellow. I have a business proposition for them."
He stopped the minister before he left.
"Wait—invite them. Make sure they know they're guests."
"You're planning to hire them to deal with Garrot?" the minister asked.
"Most bounty hunters are in it for coin. And he's a Tirion… I doubt he's a brute."
---
A Tavern in the Kingdom of Minas
Although the mainland had been spared the war's destruction, the economy was in ruins. Nearly all able-bodied men had been conscripted.
Roy and Gangplank entered a shabby tavern full of rough-looking pirates and bandits, their presence not uncommon in war-torn lands. Since the Navy refused to interfere in inter-kingdom conflict, such places were often unpoliced havens for low-bounty thugs.
Roy ordered a tankard of beer and a few snacks, sitting casually at the bar.
Gangplank crossed his legs and barked, "One of everything on the menu—and bring me ten bottles of your finest rum."
The barkeep, polishing a glass, said cautiously, "This is wartime, sir… you'll need to pay upfront."
Gangplank slammed his hand on the counter.
"What, didn't you see those walking bags of gold behind me? That's my payment!"
Roy raised an eyebrow. "They're pirates?"
He hadn't realized the group trailing them were all wanted criminals.
Gangplank shrugged. "I've seen their bounties. Not worth much, but hey—gold is gold, and I fucking love gold."
The pirates behind them, overhearing this, stood up with dark expressions.
A 2.5-meter-tall brute carrying a massive greatsword stormed forward and, without a word, drew his blade to strike Gangplank.
BANG!
Before the blade came down, the man's upper body exploded, his head rolling across the tavern floor. His legs staggered a few steps before collapsing.
"Too slow, you oversized piece of meat," Gangplank sneered.
Gasps and shrieks filled the room. The rest of the pirates froze, too shocked to move.
"Don't be nervous, trash. There's enough for everyone."
Gunfire and sword flashes followed. Bullets tore bodies apart, and heads were sent soaring into the air in a shower of gore.
When the last shot faded, the tavern fell into eerie silence.
The bartender peeked from behind the bar, trembling.
Gangplank sat down like nothing happened.
"Those wastes had bounties, right? That should cover the drinks and property damage. Now where's my food?"
Roy took a sip of beer.
"Gangplank, we need to talk."
"Hm? What is it, boss?" Gangplank said as he cracked open a bottle of rum, letting it dribble through his scraggly beard.
"You stole my thunder. Again."
Roy looked annoyed.
"The readers came here to see me aura farming, not you. Next time, tell me first, alright? Let me do the showboating. Deal?"
"…Boss, what's 'showboating'? Is that a verb?"