Ice-Fire Island: A Man Roman Loathed

Punk Hazard, an island belonging to the World Government.

The mad scientist... or rather, the facial expression scientist Caesar, is conducting weapons research here.

Four years after Caesar was arrested for causing a scientific weapon explosion, he escaped from the prison ship and returned to Punk Hazard to continue his secret research on SAD, the raw material for the Artificial Devil Fruit SMILE. He also kidnapped children for Giantification experiments and collaborated with Donquixote Doflamingo. He is Logia Gas-Gas Devil Fruit user with a bounty of 300 million Beli.

Two years ago, Aokiji and Akainu fought a duel on Punk Hazard for the position of Fleet Admiral (the duel lasted for ten days and ten nights, and Akainu was the one who won), which caused a drastic change in the island's climate, turning it into Ice-Fire Island of ice and fire, half of it covered in ice and snow and half of it burning with flames.

Now, this place welcomes new visitors.

"The lottery has been drawn! The lottery has been drawn!"

There's no doubt Luffy will be going to the island for an adventure, and the others will draw lots to decide which three people will accompany Luffy. —After all, given Luffy, he can create trouble even when there's none...

"Who will replace me?"

Nami nodded as she watched Usopp tremble with excitement, holding the lottery ticket as if he had won.

"With Zoro and Robin around, it should be fine."

"—Am I just an afterthought?!"

·······

"By the way, what was the 'samurai' mentioned in that 'emergency signal' earlier?"

Faced with Nami's question, Roman, now wearing the 'White Knight' armor, thought for a moment and explained it to everyone.

"The so-called 'samurai' is a specific title for the swordsman profession in a country called 'Wano Country' —a country that once boasted the second strongest military in the world (second only to the Giant Kingdom). Although Affiliated Nation of the World Government, it can maintain its independence on the high seas. Unfortunately..."

"What's a pity?"

Such a powerful country instantly captured the interest of the rest of the Straw Hat crew.

"Unfortunately, their general... that is, 'King,' is an idiot."

?!

Why are you all looking at me?

Faced with the Straw Hat crew's subconscious stares, Luffy looked completely bewildered, while the White Knight waved his hand dismissively.

"If that guy had half of Luffy's emotional intelligence and IQ, Wano Country wouldn't have fallen to this state."

"The current 'Wano Country' is the territory of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors!"

The Four Emperors!!

The moment that word was uttered, everyone was taken aback.

Since a country has fallen into the territory of 'pirates,' one cannot expect anything good to come of it.

"Twenty years ago, Kaido, intimidated by Wano Country's military might, colluded with local forces to threaten that 'idiot general' with hostages, forcing him to back down step by step, ultimately causing that 'idiot general' to be deserted by everyone."

"He clearly possessed strength comparable to Whitebeard, yet he died a pathetic death in a cauldron of boiling oil. He was simply the most disgraceful death of any master in the world."

Knox harbored ambitions to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, Roger ushered in the Great Pirate Era, Whitebeard fought to the very end for his sons...

It can be said that their lives were worthy of the titles of heroes and villains!

And that timid, hesitant, and stubborn Oden, who caused Wano Country twenty years of suffering, how could he possibly be ranked alongside these masters?!

Hmph, Wano Country.

Roman, clad in White Knight armor, lowered his eyes. He had his own plans for Wano Country. —Even if it meant sulking with Luffy!

"Roman, it seems you have a lot of opinions about that country's 'king'?"

Roman let out a long sigh of relief upon hearing Luffy's words.

"Those in positions of authority should fulfill their responsibilities!"

For example:

"I am the strategist of the Straw Hat crew. Even if it affects your 'adventures,' I will do whatever it takes for the sake of our group."

"That's why I really hate that 'idiot general,' who, as a 'king,' abandoned his country to risk his life alone. This led to the country being taken advantage of, and my father being murdered and replaced..."

"After returning, he hesitated and timid because of the hundreds of hostages, and failed to see the crisis facing millions of citizens. In the end, he was abandoned by his people, his family was destroyed, and he died. It can be said that he failed in his duties as a 'king,' as a 'son,' as a 'father,' and as a 'husband'!"

Unlike Vivi's father Cobra, the "god" Gan Fall of Sky Island, Neptune of Fish-Man Island, and even King Riku whom they will encounter later, these "kings" fought with all their might for their people and families even when their strength and power were far inferior to their enemies.

Despite their lack of strength, they are worthy of the title of 'King'.

Kozuki Oden... a world-class fighter with nine top-tier members at the executive level under his command, Wano Country is known for its abundance of samurai, a country that neither the World Government nor the Navy dared to provoke. Yet, he managed to squander such a huge advantage, turning it into the destruction of his country and his home. What else could he be but an idiot?

"Even if someone is incredibly strong, they're still trash in my eyes!"

--Quiet,

"Oh, sorry, I think I said something nonsensical."

Luffy grinned at Roman, who was apologizing.

"I understand!"

"It's like Nami is leading us into a storm;"

"Hey, how is that possible?"

"Sanji always makes incredibly awful dishes."

"I'd rather kill myself."

Usopp dropped the cannonball at his own feet;

"Who are you underestimating!"

"Chopper can't even cure the most minor illness;"

"Then I'll leave?"

·······

"It's normal for someone like that to be complained about, scolded, and abandoned. Weakness in ability isn't scary; what's scary is a weak heart. So—"

Luffy adjusted his Straw Hat and looked at Roman, the White Knight, with a serious smile.

"What do you think of me as captain?"

Quiet--

"Hmph, what a guy with no concept of money! He treated us to 100 million Beli in the Seven Seas Capital!"

Nami was the first to complain;

"I have a terrible sense of direction and I always get lost!"

Zoro, what gives you the confidence to say that?

"The food you cook is absolutely awful! Even you can't eat it yourself, and you often steal food from the refrigerator I keep."

Sanji took a drag of his cigarette and sighed.

"They don't hide their true feelings at all, they're completely naive, and their acting skills as liars are terrible!"

Usopp analyzes from a professional perspective;

"And she has a childish temper, often throws tantrums, and is easily hypnotized..."

Roman took over the conversation as a summary.

"But--"

"Your kingly demeanor as a captain, your absolute confidence, your clear sense of right and wrong, and your emphasis on your comrades are all top-notch qualities on the entire high seas. That 'idiot general' from Wano Country isn't even worthy of carrying your shoes!"

"Hehehe, I didn't even know I had so many good points!"

Luffy grinned, scratching his head.

"Roman is really something, he can say so much so easily!"

"····roll!"

"Roman, let's ignore that samurai."

As Luffy and his crew embarked on their adventure aboard the small boat aboard the Sunny Luffy Sunny Merry, following the 'ice path' Nami had created amidst the sea of fire, Nami glanced at the White Knight beside her—someone she had never encountered before who could inspire such 'dislike' in Roman.

Even against formidable enemies like Crocodile, Enel, and even the Kuma, Roman did not show such strong aversion.

"Like I said, everyone has to fulfill their responsibilities. — Just like Luffy, if he were hesitant and timid, stubborn and self-willed, and didn't know how to rely on his crew, do you think the Straw Hat crew would still exist?"

How could that be? Not to mention Roman, even Zoro would guarantee to leave immediately!

Do people like that deserve to be their 'captain'?

Joke!

And that Kozuki Oden was just such a person! Although he had virtues such as generosity and courage, his character flaws still caused the deaths of countless civilians in Wano Country, those who trusted him, and even his family.

In Roman's eyes, such a man was utter trash!

So:

The paper disguised as snowflakes floated lightly towards the other side of Punk Hazard. Roman needed to plan ahead to ensure the Straw Hat crew wouldn't run into certain people! Anyway:

Roman wouldn't stoop to killing a mere, cowardly child who knew nothing, nor would he seek to use the child's power.

As for Wano Country, it will be time for Ace to fulfill his promise.

"Punk Hazard Restricted Zone?"

The four adventurers had arrived outside the massive barbed wire fence, which bore the sign "Punk Hazard Restricted Zone," with the markings of the Navy and the World Government clearly visible.

"It's burning everywhere,"

"It doesn't look like it was formed naturally."

Stepping into this clearly marked 'military base,' flames were everywhere! It was as if all the buildings, the earth, and even the steel had become flammable. — Yet, in reality, these flames were 'burning out of thin air.'

While Zoro and Robin were looking around, Usopp chose to 'ask Roman when in doubt'.

"Roman, it's so hot here!"

Why did the previous 'emergency signal' say it was very cold?

"Hmph, you can explore it yourselves!"

The white dove perched on Usopp's head flapped its wings and flew to Robin's side. Although it could only create a chill by using the 'Frozen Page' ability, it was definitely a 'divine artifact' in this place full of flames.

"Thank you, Roman."

As layers of ice crystals and chilling air fell from her wings, Robin immediately felt refreshed and coolly comfortable. As for the others:

"It's so hot!! Roman, get some ice..."

"Sorry, I only sent this one pigeon. You'll have to figure it out yourselves."

"Ahhh, it's melting!"

"Hmph, that's because your cultivation isn't enough."

Speaking of their clothes, Zoro's are definitely the thickest! He's wearing a long coat and robe, a green belly wrap around his waist, dark green trousers, and black boots.

They were completely covered up, even in this terrain:

Sweating profusely!

"So, this is government territory?"

Usopp continued to persuade Robin as he tried to get closer to her.

"That 'emergency signal' just now must have been a government trap, what about us?!"

"Hey, hey, hey, is this fake?"

"Huh, is there really such a thing...?"

"Incredible!"

In front of them, a huge creature was coiled up, its entire body covered with crimson scales that gleamed with a solid metallic sheen, covering a massive body that was over tens of meters long!

Behind it are a pair of huge, fleshy wings, ferocious but more majestic is a crocodile-like head, with a pair of giant eyes that exude an aura of looking down on all living things.

"A dragon!?"

And it was a giant dragon in the Western style! Just as Luffy and his companions were marveling at it:

Several white doves had already carried away a person's 'lower body' from the sky and flown far away.

"Thank you so much····"

"Shut up!!"

The sound came from the beak of a disdainful white dove flying nearby. The way the other party spoke with farts was really pushing Roman's physical limits.

"Shut your... ass, and I'll help you find your body."

"If you 'say another word,' I'll throw your lower body into the sea!"

PS: I'm not writing about Momonosuke of him being just a kid, I'll have Kin'emon take him away and get lost. With the Straw Hat crew's current setup and connections, if they still don't have the strength to directly confront the Beasts Pirates by the time they reach Wano Country, then what's the point of writing fanfiction?