"No bounty? Boring. I thought a bigshot pirate had wandered in to stir trouble. Kid, you're lucky today. Once you get a price on your head, I'll be the one to claim it!"
The brute holstered his gun with a scoff. Killing a pirate without a bounty wasn't just pointless—it was a waste of bullets.
As soon as Rogers admitted he had no bounty, the onlookers lost all interest. Their eyes shifted away, conversation resumed. That's when Rogers realized—this wasn't just a bar. Everyone here… they were bounty hunters. He'd walked straight into their den.
The brute turned to leave, but Rogers called after him:
"Hey, old man. What is this place? It's not just a bar, right?"
The man barked a laugh, contempt heavy in his tone.
"Ha! Knew it—you really are a clueless brat. A pirate this dumb? You'll be dead the moment you set sail. Hilarious!"
Rogers' gaze darkened. Think I'm easy prey, do you? A flicker of killing intent surged inside him.
The man sneered on, delighted by his own voice:
"This is the bounty hunters' guild. We buy and sell pirate intel. But scum like you? Worthless. Your head's probably worth zero, kid. Zero! Hahaha!"
Rogers didn't bite back. He memorized the man's face instead. Someday, he swore, he'd force him to eat those words on his knees. For now, he picked at his food, the taste ruined by humiliation.
The encounter only hardened his resolve. He needed strength. With power, he could snatch Robin away from this den of snakes. With power, he could crush pests like this brute who thought pirates were jokes.
"Pathetic coward," the man spat, seeing Rogers return to eating. "No fun at all." He lumbered off, never realizing he'd just made himself an enemy who should never be underestimated.
Rogers finished his ten-odd plates, stomach only half full. He frowned. Weird. Did my appetite… increase after eating the Devil Fruit?
He paid his bill and left the Bounty Bar. So this is what it is… a bounty hunters' guild. Damn. I almost walked straight into a pit.
The humiliation still gnawed at him. A pirate who lets insults slide isn't fit to be one. He wasn't Shanks, the kind of man who could laugh off slights. He wasn't going to smile and nod unless his crew was insulted. No—Rogers would pay his debts in blood.
He had almost fought the brute on the spot. But this was their turf. If it came to a fight, every bounty hunter here would've turned their guns on him. He wasn't strong enough—yet. Better to retreat now and grow.
First, he'd test his new powers. Then, he'd speak with old John. If Aiqi wanted to sail with him, he wouldn't refuse. She was a navigator—a precious partner.
And besides… she was adorable.
Rogers retraced his steps back to the passenger ship. Definitely not because he was scared of getting lost. Absolutely not.
The vessel was still lit bright. He crept below deck, toward the crew quarters.
"Rogers-nii! You're back?"
Aiqi's delighted voice rang out. She was seated at a shabby little table, a few books spread in front of her. Her smile was radiant.
The anger that had been boiling in Rogers' chest melted away in an instant. So this is the healing power of a girl, huh… His gaze softened, lingering a bit too long.
Aiqi shifted under his stare, flustered.
"S-so… did it work? Did your plan succeed? Or did you not start yet? Ah… Rogers-nii, don't stare at me like that…"
She'd begun serious, but by the end her cheeks were pink, voice shrinking.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry. You're just too cute, Aiqi." Rogers scratched his head, embarrassed. He would never admit he'd just been daydreaming.
"Geez…" Aiqi puffed her cheeks, pretending to be mad.
Rogers coughed twice to hide his awkwardness. "You haven't been waiting for me this whole time, have you?"
"N-no… not long," she said quickly, turning her head. She flipped a page for cover, adding, "I was reading anyway! Navigation books are really interesting."
Rogers smirked. He could tell she was lying, but didn't call her out. "Of course the mission was a success. Zehahaha! I got what I wanted."
"Really? Then… then tomorrow we can sail?" Aiqi's shyness evaporated, her eyes sparkling with little stars.
"You're not even curious what I got?" Rogers asked, sweatdropping.
"No need. If it's from you, it's enough," she said with a trusting smile that made his heart ache.
"…You're right." Rogers chuckled softly. He wasn't going to dodge this. He had chosen to bring her along. That meant taking on responsibility—no excuses. "Old man John isn't asleep yet, is he?"
Aiqi's eyes lit up. "Not yet! Go talk to him now! He's easygoing about everything else, but when it comes to me going to sea, he's so stubborn."
Rogers ruffled her hair with a grin and turned toward John's cabin. "A promise is a promise. Even if it breaks my legs, I'll see it done."
Aiqi blinked, whispering to herself as he left:
"You always say things I don't quite understand… but…" Her eyes shone with hope.
Rogers stopped at the farthest door below deck. He raised his fist and knocked.
"Old man John, you in there?"
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