Chapter 78: Roy vs. Sengoku
"Little brother, you're quite the comedian." Sengoku smiled stiffly, shaking his head. "Who says things like that in front of a Marine? Don't joke around."
If he hadn't already read reports on Roy, Sengoku might have taken the boy's words as sheer arrogance—and likely smacked him across the face for it.
He straightened up, voice filled with conviction. "Pirates have no future. Come with me and join the Navy!"
Roy grinned mischievously. "But I'm serious. I, Zephyr, the big bad guy~"
If the real Zephyr heard this, he'd probably blow a vein, Roy thought, amused.
Sengoku sighed. "Who even is Zephyr? You're ruining his reputation talking like that."
"No, no," Roy said, waving his hand. "I am Zephyr. A bad guy, sure—but not bad enough to ruin someone else's name."
"Then he must be a good man," Sengoku replied with a small smile. "I'll have to meet him someday."
Roy gave him a deadpan look. "You're really dull, you know that?"
Despite being about the same age, Sengoku's overly serious attitude made him seem decades older. The young Tsuru was at least cute and lively; Sengoku, on the other hand, was like a walking lecture.
"Dull? Taking down pirates is fun!" Sengoku said defensively.
"Not my idea of fun." Roy stood, pulling Amatsuki Toki up by the hand. "Goodbye. Not interested in chatting."
They had only stopped to rest and buy food—and somehow ended up running into this future Fleet Admiral in his youth.
Roy had no interest in befriending him.
Even as a kid, Sengoku was the type to scowl over calligraphy, glaring at the paper as if someone owed him a fortune. On the battlefield, he'd grit his teeth and stare into the distance, his expression screaming discipline and frustration.
As an adult, that same face would carry out the World Government's every command, no matter how inhumane.
Roy preferred teasing the innocent Tsuru over talking with this uptight Marine.
"Stop right there! What's your name? You actually want to be a pirate?!" Sengoku barked, stepping in front of him.
Roy stopped and smirked silently. So this is the part where he tries to play the righteous officer.
Was he ordered to approach him deliberately? If so, that made this even more annoying.
Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "You saw through me, didn't you?"
Roy tilted his head innocently. "What are you talking about?"
Sengoku's expression hardened. That smirk said everything.
There was no point in talking now. Only one thing could settle this.
"Do you really want to be a pirate? To go against the World Government?!" Sengoku demanded.
"Not interested." Roy shrugged, rubbing Toki's hand gently.
"Everyone has something they want," Sengoku insisted. "Ambition, power, justice—don't you have any of that?"
Roy ignored him completely, continuing to walk away with his groceries.
The mission was already a failure. Sengoku had been ordered to befriend Roy, but it was clear the boy couldn't care less.
He grit his teeth. Fine. If talking won't work, then force will.
He clenched his fists, signaling the Marines hidden nearby. Within seconds, footsteps echoed as a squad surrounded them.
"If reason doesn't work, then we'll use strength!" Sengoku shouted.
Roy glanced at the ring of Marines and smirked. "Alright then, Marine brother. Let's have a match."
He helped Toki climb onto Horus and handed her his sword before stepping forward.
Sengoku frowned, analyzing Roy's stance carefully. The boy was sharp—too calm, too confident. Sengoku instinctively took a step back.
"What are you afraid of? I'm not going to kill you," Roy teased.
He raised his fist lazily. "Since we both understand what's happening, let's make a little bet."
Sengoku crossed his arms. "Fine. What are the terms?"
"If I win, you'll owe me a favor. But if you win—"
"Then you'll join the Navy!" Sengoku interrupted instantly.
Roy chuckled. "Then I have two requests."
"Two?" Sengoku frowned. "You're pushing it."
"The Navy only accepts once, but you get two favors? That's unfair!" he grumbled.
"Then we'll fight twice," Roy said smoothly. "If you lose both, you'll follow my orders."
"Fine," Sengoku snapped. "Let's begin!"
Roy nodded, his grin widening. "Let's see how strong the future Fleet Admiral really is."
Sengoku lunged first, shouting, "Don't think I'll hold back just because you're a kid!" His punch came fast and heavy.
Roy smirked. "So we're doing this seriously, huh?"
He met the strike head-on, throwing his own punch with full force.
This should be interesting. Maybe I'll even see that golden Buddha form—
The thought cut off as a loud crack echoed through the air.
"Waaah!"
Sengoku's arm bent unnaturally, fractures spreading along the bone. He was sent flying, tumbling through the dirt before crashing down.
The young Marine gritted his teeth, sweat pouring from his forehead as he fought to stay standing.
Roy blinked in surprise. "Wait… what? You didn't eat the Devil Fruit yet?"
He groaned. Great. I assumed he already had the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Buddha. Guess history hasn't caught up yet.
Now he just looked like a bully who'd punched a normal guy way too hard.
"You're strong," Sengoku said through clenched teeth. "But someday, I'll defeat you."
Roy grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Enough talk. Try surviving my punch!"
He charged forward again, fist drawn back.
Pandora watched the scene with pity in his eyes.
When Roy drew his sword, it meant he was fighting.
But when he threw a punch… it meant he was serious.
Because Roy's fists were harder than any blade.
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