Rolan let out a quiet chuckle. "Your people can join my crew as well. If there are missions in the future, you can all move together."
Law fell into silence.
The power of the Donquixote Family was no secret. Their underground dealings stretched across the world of one piece, and their influence reached far beyond ordinary pirate crews.
There were also constant rumors that Doflamingo maintained secret ties with Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.
Law knew his own Heart Pirates were nowhere near strong enough to face the Donquixote Family on their own.
If Kaido truly stood behind them, then a direct confrontation would be no different from suicide.
His reason for setting out to sea had never been the same as most pirates.
Many sailed in search of the great treasure left behind by the Pirate King.
Others plundered purely for greed.
Law's only purpose was revenge.
Doflamingo had to die.
Corazon had to be avenged.
As that hatred surged through his chest, his fists clenched tightly.
And now, at this very moment, Rolan had extended a hand toward him.
Law did not understand how Rolan knew his past.
He did not understand why Rolan was confident he could give him the power to kill Doflamingo.
But none of that mattered.
As long as he could achieve his revenge, he was willing to pay any price, even his own life.
Yet one question still lingered in his heart.
Why would an Emperor of the sea personally travel all the way to the West Blue just to look for him?
What value did he truly hold?
Rolan naturally saw the doubt in Law's eyes.
"I know you are confused about why I would come all this way from the Grand Line just to find you," Rolan said calmly.
Law nodded silently.
"You are not thinking that I came for your Ope Ope no Mi, are you?" Rolan asked.
Law lowered his head without answering, but that concern had indeed crossed his mind. To someone like Rolan, that Devil Fruit was the only thing Law believed he had that might be worth chasing.
Rolan shook his head slowly. "If I truly wanted that fruit, you would already be obediently using it for me. I do not need such a thing."
Then he continued, "I came for you. I want you to become the doctor of my ship. What do you say?"
Law clearly understood that a man like Rolan would never bother deceiving someone insignificant.
After a brief moment of thought, he nodded firmly.
"Alright. I will join."
[Ding. Congratulations, Host. Partner search mission progress +1. Reward: Senzu Bean x2000, Beauty Pill x5, ship affiliated pirate ship x5, 1,000,000,000 berries.]
The familiar mechanical sound echoed within Rolan's mind.
He glanced briefly at the five new ships stored in the system space and felt a rare flicker of satisfaction.
"Do you have anything else to take care of in the West Blue?" Rolan asked.
Law shook his head. "We were orphans to begin with. There is nothing left here."
Rolan stood up and glanced around the now empty tavern. "Then we eat somewhere else."
---
At the port, Lina pointed at a small yellow submarine floating quietly on the water.
"Is that your ship?" she asked.
Law nodded with clear pride in his eyes. "Yes. It was built by my benefactor."
The submarine had originally been constructed by the scientist who once took him in, and Law had inherited it afterward. More importantly, it was capable of submerging deep beneath the sea, making it highly practical for both combat and escape.
He looked around but did not see Rolan's ship.
Turning to Rolan, he asked, "Captain, where is your ship?"
Only then did he realize that Rolan had traveled here with just three companions.
Rolan replied calmly, "Kuro and the others went ahead to the New World. I only came here after seeing your news."
With a casual wave of his hand, a luxurious warship appeared at the harbor as if it had been pulled out from thin air.
Nami, Lina, and Robin all froze in place.
"We have a ship like this?" Nami blurted out. "How did I not know?"
Rolan responded indifferently, "I forgot how many I have."
Nami instantly leaped into action and circled the warship carefully. The vessel resembled a simplified version of their main ship, yet none of its luxury was lacking in the slightest.
All four of them were still stunned by the sudden appearance of such a warship.
Rolan turned to Law. "Are you staying with your submarine, or coming aboard my ship?"
Law looked at the Polar Tang with a gentle gaze. "This was passed down to me. It is my companion."
Rolan nodded. "Then we sail together. Next stop, the New World."
Nami raised both hands, summoning massive island clouds beneath both ships. The vessels lifted smoothly into the air and surged toward the Grand Line.
The scene left countless bystanders at the port in shock.
"Quick, big news. The Surgeon of Death has joined Rolan's crew."
"Hurry and take pictures. Our news agency will dominate tomorrow's sales."
"You idiot, ours will be first."
Rolan heard their chaos clearly, but he did not care in the slightest.
Bepo, Penguin, and the others experienced flight for the first time in their lives aboard the flying Polar Tang. Bepo clung tightly to the railing, his tongue flapping wildly in the raging wind.
With their target secured, Nami pushed the altitude to two thousand meters and propelled the ships forward at extreme speed.
After a full day of travel, they finally returned to the skies above the Grand Line.
"This is the Grand Line?" Bepo said, looking around curiously. "It does not seem that different. It is not as scary as people said."
Law shot him a helpless look but said nothing.
Down below, however, the world had already descended into chaos.
News of Law joining Rolan spread explosively.
"What? Who is that Law to earn the favor of an Emperor?"
"You do not know him? He has the Ope Ope no Mi. He must be the doctor Rolan recruited."
"So he really is a doctor?"
"Of course. That Devil Fruit is not for show."
---
Inside a clothing store, Nami held up a cloak against her body.
"Rolan, do you think this one looks good?"
Rolan barely glanced at it. "It suits you."
After two days of unchanging scenery in the skies, Nami, Lina, and Robin had finally grown bored. As they neared the Sabaody Archipelago, Nami spotted a prosperous island below and immediately convinced Rolan to stop for shopping.
The ship descended smoothly into the port.
Lina and Robin soon stepped out as well, both having changed into new outfits.
For a brief moment, even Rolan was caught off guard.
Nami clapped her hands. "Boss, wrap all of these up."
The shop owner wiped sweat from his forehead and nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, right away."
Nami leaned closer with a smile. "And the price?"
"They are all on promotion today," the boss replied shakily. "Three women and one man shopping together gets everything for free."
Nami raised an eyebrow. "Then I want everything in your store."
The boss quickly ordered all the staff into motion.
Nami understood perfectly well that fear was the real reason behind his generosity. Still, she tossed over a bag containing 2,000,000 berries.
"We are pirates," she said, "but we are a little different."
The boss trembled as he clutched the money, watching them leave with visible relief.
"Wait, how is it already dark?" Lina asked in confusion. "It was clearly noon when we entered."
Rolan slowly raised his head.
High above the sea, an enormous shadow descended.
A massive island was falling from the sky.