Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkshield <<
---------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 40: Rocks' Instructions! Recruiting Roger
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
A month flew by.
Ever since the failed operation against Lotte and Whitebeard, Marine Headquarters had become noticeably quieter, and Rocks had unusually refrained from issuing missions.
He granted a short break to all the cadres and crew aboard the ship.
Both sides maintained an eerily peaceful period for a while.
The affiliated nations that had been clamoring to withdraw were apparently given a stern warning by the World Government.
Public opinion was tightly controlled.
Lotte also took advantage of this time
To achieve another explosive leap in strength.
[Name: Lotte]
[Age: 18]
[Bloodline Ability: Hashirama Cells (Mastery: 41%)]
[Skills: Wood Release (Current Power Limit: A rank), Three-Color Haki (Proficient 90%), Flame Dance Dual Sword Style (Proficient 70%), Sun Breathing (Mastery 30%)] [Inventory: Flame King (Supreme Grade Sword)]
[Combat Power: 8000–11000]
[Overall Evaluation: Host's strength surpasses ordinary Elite Vice Admiral level. With full Sun Breathing burst, Host can barely reach the standard of an ordinary Seven Warlord. He now holds a solid position within the Rocks Pirates.]
[Special Remark: Let the world feel pain!]
Lotte stood on his personal pirate ship, wielding Flame King and another fast sword, calmly practicing Flame Dance Dual Sword Style.
He paused and glanced at his current attribute panel.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
After a month of tempering, his combat power had risen by several thousand. Even within the Rocks Pirates, he was far from weak.
Among the cadres, he now ranked solidly in the mid-to-lower tier.
He had his own division and pirate ship.
Though the crew consisted mostly of cannon fodder, they were still useful in everyday matters.
After all, no matter how strong Lotte was, he was only one person. He couldn't control clones to sail the ship 24/7. This was where subordinates proved their worth.
A resentful gaze flashed from afar.
Lotte subtly glanced toward Silver Axe on another pirate ship.
Ever since his promotion to cadre, it seemed to have hit the man quite hard. The sheer malice in that look said it all.
If not for Rocks' favor toward him,
Silver Axe probably would have made a move long ago.
Thinking this,
A cold smile curled on Lotte's lips.
Though Silver Axe had been a renowned great pirate in the New World for years,
If they truly clashed head-on now, the outcome was anyone's guess.
It seemed he needed to find a way to deal with this guy.
Lotte pondered silently.
He sheathed his two swords and frowned slightly.
Though he now possessed Flame King, as a dual-sword style swordsman like Golden Lion, one good blade clearly wasn't enough.
But Flame King was a Supreme Grade Sword.
Finding another famous blade on its level was incredibly difficult.
Even Rocks, the hegemon of the seas, was lucky to possess just one—let alone two Supreme Grade Swords.
Never mind.
Things would work out when the time came.
Lotte didn't dwell too much on the loss of a second blade.
Even without two Supreme Grade Swords, as long as Hashirama Cells mastery continued to grow, surpassing Admiral level was only a matter of time.
Moreover, he still had the system.
Who knew—maybe a future sign-in would grant him another excellent blade.
Just as Lotte prepared to resume training,
A calm, authoritative voice suddenly rang out.
"Lotte, Whitebeard—both of you come here."
He turned his head.
Rocks had appeared on the deck at some point.
Lotte couldn't help but feel a chill at the man's strength. It seemed Rocks, as the sea hegemon, had grown even stronger.
He wondered how such a Rocks
Had ultimately been defeated by Roger and Garp at God Valley.
Lotte pondered silently.
He stepped forward and arrived before Rocks.
"Captain, what is it?"
"There's something I need you two to handle. Recently, a new pirate crew has appeared in the New World and caused quite a stir."
"You and Whitebeard—go try to recruit them."
As the words fell,
Lotte raised an eyebrow.
This was the first time he had seen Rocks take interest in another pirate crew.
Normally, wasn't he the type who considered himself unmatched?
Curiosity stirred in his heart. He asked Rocks.
"What's the name of that pirate crew?"
"The Roger Pirates."
Rocks replied calmly.
He didn't place much importance on the Roger Pirates. The only reason he wanted to recruit them was because Roger, like himself, belonged to the D clan.
For a crew that had only recently entered the New World,
Sending two cadres—Whitebeard and Lotte—to recruit them was already giving them considerable face.
When Lotte heard "Roger Pirates,"
His pupils contracted slightly.
The man who would later open the Great Pirate Era, the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, had finally arrived in the New World?!
Meeting him was truly something to look forward to!
Lotte grinned.
"Understood, Captain. Leave it to Whitebeard and me."
He could hardly wait to meet that legendary man.
The first and only person in history to complete the Grand Line voyage,
The legendary owner of the great treasure "ONE PIECE."
The man who truly opened an era!
He wondered how far behind he still was compared to the current Roger.
Whitebeard, who had just arrived, also grinned widely.
"Gurararara!"
"That guy named Roger seems to have caused quite a stir right after entering the New World. Just because someone spoke ill of his crewmate,"
"He wiped out an entire nation's military."
"Meeting him would actually be quite interesting."
Though he didn't know Roger's future feats,
The man's willingness to fight for his crewmate's honor clearly earned Whitebeard's goodwill.
If anyone harmed his friends,
Whitebeard would undoubtedly make the same choice as Roger!
He had no reason to refuse Rocks' order.
He agreed readily.
Lotte and Whitebeard made brief preparations, then led their respective divisions toward the sea region where Roger was located.
This historic meeting
Would later become a tale celebrated even in the distant future.
Far away, aboard the Roger Pirates' ship,
Roger sat at the bow, enjoying the sea breeze, when he suddenly sneezed loudly.
"Achoo!!"
Roger pinched his nose and rubbed it, looking around in confusion.
"Someone talking about me?"
Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkshield <<
---------------------------------------------------------