The sky was clear and boundless, with not a cloud in sight. Golden sunlight bathed the shimmering sea, casting a fine layer of silver gauze over its surface.
The early morning sun was somewhat cold, and the salty sea breeze added a touch of desolation. However, the bustling crowd on the shore felt no chill, their eyes blazing as they looked at the sea.
The crowd was diverse, ranging from snot-nosed children around four or five to teenagers wielding iron swords at sixteen or seventeen. Such a mix would usually result in a noisy scene, but now there was only silence. The trembling bodies and chaotic breaths revealed their inner turmoil.
Suddenly, the sea turned red with blood, waves surged, and it seemed as if a monster from the depths of hell was about to emerge. Yet, this group of “young soldiers” was not afraid but delighted, their cheers filling the coastline.
A moment later, a handsome boy, shirtless, emerged from the sea, holding a massive Sea King creature over ten meters long. Each step he took caused the ground to tremble and the sea to roar.
“Wow! He defeated a Sea King with his bare hands in the sea. Brother Rougishu is incredible!”
“Idiot, this isn’t the first time. What’s so surprising? You should focus on the fact that Brother Rougishu broke his record again, capturing a Sea King in just three minutes!”
“I wonder when I’ll be as strong as Brother Rougishu?”
“Dream on! When you can dive into the deep sea every day to train like Brother Rougishu, then talk!”
Even the teenagers were in awe of the twelve-year-old Rougishu, calling him “Brother” without any embarrassment.
The boy in question, Rougishu, had a gentle smile, exuding a trustworthy aura.
“Bachi, distribute the meat of these Sea Kings to everyone!” Rougishu leaped high, landing like a meteor, and with a single punch, he split the Sea King into equal halves.
The boy named Bachi sprang up as if injected with adrenaline, walking proudly to the front. Being assigned a task by Rougishu was a great honor, and the surrounding “young soldiers” looked at him with envy.
“Brother Rougishu, I promise to complete the task!” Bachi said, then proficiently hooked the Sea King’s flesh with an iron hook and, along with the other “young soldiers,” began pulling the ropes.
“Oh, Brother Rougishu, here’s today’s newspaper. I almost forgot to give it to you.” Bachi awkwardly scratched the back of his head, pulling out a carefully preserved newspaper and handing it to Rougishu.
“Thank you.” Rougishu smiled.
“It’s no… no trouble at all!” Bachi stammered, his face red, before returning to the group to help move the Sea King.
…
Smoke wafted from the seaside, and the enticing aroma made everyone hungry. But Rougishu remained focused, finishing his last physical training before dragging his leaden body to a rock. Grabbing a massive piece of roasted meat with one hand for breakfast, he read the newspaper with the other, absorbing information.
At that moment, Rougishu’s face was indifferent. If Bachi and the others saw him, they would be shocked. The always-smiling Brother Rougishu had such a serious side.
Rougishu closed the newspaper gently, a faint smile appearing on his expressionless face. “I’ve been in this world for three years, and I’ve finally figured out the era we’re in.”
Looking at the headlines, the newspaper’s front page was dominated by two huge titles.
“Pirate King Roger Executed, The Pirate Era Ends!” “World Recruitment”
“They say the Pirate Era has ended, but it’s just the Navy and the Government’s last fig leaf. They know better than anyone that a rampant Pirate Era is about to begin. Otherwise, they wouldn’t start global recruitment in such ‘promising times’!”
Rougishu continued eating his roast meat calmly, pondering, “Based on my guess, the island I’m on should be in the initial part of the Grand Line. Though I’m not sure which of the seven routes it is, with the Pirate Era beginning, this place will soon become the center of the storm. The pirates to come won’t be like the small fries with bounties of ten or twenty million.”
“Staying here means possibly encountering pirates I can’t handle and with the Sea Kings almost depleted. It’s time to leave!”
“Becoming a pirate or a marine isn’t a difficult choice for me.”
“With this body’s talent and the strength my soul brings, all I lack is systematic guidance. Not everyone can have someone like Garp laying their foundation or someone like Rayleigh teaching Haki. Joining the Navy will maximize my potential, that’s one reason.”
“To make a name for myself on these seas, I need the help that certain things can provide. Since I can’t avoid killing, I might as well join the Navy where I can kill pirates openly and have backing, that’s the second reason.”
“To unravel my past life’s mysteries, the Navy and Government’s intelligence systems are essential, that’s the third reason.”
“Moreover, to me, factions are just a pursuit of interests. If necessary, I could always become a dark figure. After all, in this world, one needs multiple identities to survive.”
“Rougishu! Rougishu! Something’s wrong!” A blue-haired boy ran over, out of breath.
Rougishu’s cold expression softened immediately, shifting personas in an instant. “Fizz, calm down and explain.”
Finding his anchor, Fizz calmed down, though his trembling legs still showed his fear. “It’s the Giant Rhino Pirates! The pirate with a 37 million Belly bounty, Giant Rhino Alex!”
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