Yonko Marines Shichibukai

East Blue, On the deck of an unnamed merchant ship.

A pure white round table was placed on the deck, with four pure white chairs. Roman, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were seated. The other three were listening intently as Roman spoke about the "strong individuals" of this world.

"This world has four sea areas, divided into East, West, South, and North by the Red Line and the Grand Line."

"The East Blue, where we are, is known as the 'Weakest Sea'..."

As Roman spoke, he glanced at Luffy. The reason for this title was mostly due to this guy, Luffy. – When his grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp, visited the East Blue, he would always take the opportunity to clear out some pirates. Over time, how could the East Blue not be weak?

"The first half of the Grand Line sea area is called 'Paradise,' where newcomers engage in fierce battles, a survival of the fittest. The latter half of the Grand Line sea area is called the 'New World,' where one of the world's three major powers, the 'Yonko,' reigns supreme, known as the 'Strongest Sea in the World.'"

"And the so-called three major powers of the Grand Line refer to the 'Marines,' the 'Yonko,' and the 'Shichibukai.'"

"As for these 'Yonko'..."

Roman glanced at Luffy again. If he were to reveal that Shanks was a Yonko with a bounty in the billions, then the 'Bandit King' Higuma and the 'Lord of the Coast' would surely protest vehemently.

Perhaps in Luffy's mind, it would become: Ah, Yonko, Shanks can be one with that strength? Then wouldn't I already be beyond Yonko level... Forget it, let's just skip it. Who knew that the big shots in this world all liked to pretend to be weak?

For example: an old man who was defeated by 'Axe-Hand'...

A blind man who was thrown out of a casino...

"Getting back to the point, the 'Yonko' are all top-tier pirates with bounties in the billions. They are too far from us, so let's not mention them."

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, who were listening attentively, had no objections. After all, pirates with bounties in the billions... the gap between them and themselves was truly terrifying, completely beyond imagination.

"If we enter the Grand Line, the ones we need to pay the most attention to are the Marines and the Shichibukai."

"Don't forget, we have a Captain who wants to be the 'King of the Pirates'," Roman said, glancing at the three of them, explaining cautiously.

"So, under normal circumstances, the Marines are our biggest enemies."

Regardless of whether the 'Straw Hat Pirates' had ever done anything a 'Pirate' should do, as long as they flew the skull flag, they were mortal enemies of the Marines!

"The Marines belong to the World Government and enforce public order in all oceans of the world in the name of Absolute Justice. They are the world's largest military organization. Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down together form the world's three major fortresses."

"The current Fleet Admiral is Sengoku the Buddha, followed by the Three Admirals as the highest combat power, then the Vice Admirals for high-level combat power, followed by Rear Admirals, Commodores, and so on, down to Captains, Vice Captains..."

"Although there are some parasites who climb the ranks through connections, most Marine officers' strength is still tied to their rank."

Seeing the nonchalant trio, Roman had to patiently explain again.

"Don't use the Marine ranks and strength in the East Blue as a reference. Let me put it this way: a Captain from the East Blue would be lucky to be an Officer in the Grand Line, and would most likely have to start over as a Third Class Private."

"Even with our current strength, we would at best be at the level of a Major in the Marines. – And people of this strength, the Marine Headquarters, if not thousands, then hundreds are definitely easy to find."

"Hundreds of Luffys..."

Nami was about to exclaim how amazing it was, but then she pictured: hundreds of monkeys wearing straw hats chattering and clowning around...

No, the scene was too beautiful to bear!

"Next are the Shichibukai."

"Their full title is 'Shichibukai,' the seven Great Pirates recognized by the World Government, possessing catastrophic destructive power and immense combat strength comparable to nations."

"I can tell you very clearly," Roman stated seriously again, "their strength is not exaggerated; they are practically one-man armies capable of fighting a nation!"

"No, it can even be said that if it were just an army composed of ordinary people. They would kill whoever came at them, no matter how many."

"Don't think about exhausting them; those monsters can fight for days and nights without even panting!"

Oh, this...

The three of them were bewildered.

It wasn't that Luffy, Zoro, and Nami couldn't imagine it. In reality, until they truly encountered those 'monsters,' they wouldn't be able to imagine that a creature called 'human' could be that powerful!

Although Zoro's master and Luffy's grandfather were truly skilled individuals, these two guys, one pretending to be weak and the other pretending to be crazy, were probably just perceived as a weak teacher and a crazy old man in Zoro and Luffy's eyes...

As for Nami, the fish-man pirate Arlong, an deserter from the Grand Line, made her believe that 'no one could defeat him.' What clear perception of 'experts' could you expect from her?

"In short, the Shichibukai are the seven famous Great Pirates recognized by the World Government."

"They are 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, 'Empress' Boa Hancock, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo, 'stepping stone' Gecko Moria, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe, 'Sand Crocodile' Crocodile. And:"

Roman glanced at the three-sword style swordsman with short green hair, Zoro.

"The World's Greatest Swordsman – 'Hawk Eyes' Dracule Mihawk!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this name, Zoro's face immediately lit up with anticipation, looking eager to try.

"I didn't expect him to have a Shichibukai title?"

"So, there are six other people as strong as him—"

"Ah, no..."

Roman waved his hand. "In my opinion, Mihawk's strength should be at the forefront among the Shichibukai. Then comes Kuma, Doflamingo, Hancock, and Jinbe. As for Moria and Crocodile, they are the weakest 'stepping stones'."

"However, even the 'stepping stones' among the Shichibukai would only need one move to instantly kill us!"

This was by no means an exaggeration. Let alone their current strength, even in the original 'plot' where the Straw Hat Pirates had grown through numerous battles, the element of luck in defeating these two Shichibukai accounted for seventy percent!

It's truly seven parts fate, three parts striving.

"Sigh,"

As Roman spoke, he sighed. Because:

"Looking at your expressions, you probably think I'm telling fairy tales or something outrageous, right? In that case, how about this—"

Roman stood up and waved his hand. The table in front of them and the chairs beneath them immediately turned into sheets of white paper that scattered away, almost causing Nami to fall on her backside.

As for Luffy and Zoro, they had enough reaction time for that.

"Paper Dance - Arena!"

Rustle rustle~~

Sheets of scattered white paper covered the deck, mast, and ship's sides, enveloping the merchant ship in pure white!

"Devil Fruits are all about personal development,"

Roman continued speaking as paper continuously flew from his hands to cover the ship.

"Take my 'Paper-Paper Fruit,' for example. If an assassin type ate it, they might develop abilities like becoming a 'paper person' that can pass through door cracks, 'paper illusion' for dodging, or 'paper demon blade' to enhance attacks."

"Someone who doesn't like fighting themselves might develop techniques like 'paper crane' for reconnaissance, 'paper clone' to confuse the enemy, or 'paper gundam' for combat..."

Roman pointed at the paper on the ground as he spoke.

"As for me, perhaps it's because I'm 'afraid of dying' that the first ability I developed was this 'paper iron'!"

"I can make the paper I create as strong as 'steel.' Of course, the farther away from my main body, the weaker the ability becomes..."

"But if it's just the size of this ship's deck, I can still maintain the ability."

Rustle rustle~~

Sheets of paper flew out again, transforming into a cutlass and a shield in Roman's hands.

"So, you don't need to hold back!"

Roman struck a stance, facing Luffy and Zoro.

"Come and fight me. If I win, you'll listen to me obediently."