A Year! The Freest in the World

Abel had met Caesar Courant.

Back when he was working in the Marine Science Unit, Caesar and Vegapunk came to study him.

So at that moment, upon seeing Caesar for the first time, he knew that the second task the Boss had given him was also complete.

Why is this guy here?!

Caesar's features contorted in horror, his fear becoming uncontrollable.

Bloody Hand Dylan is one thing, but why is this Lunarian here too?!

Now there's nowhere to escape!

Etc!

Could they be after this genius?

Did Bloody Hand Dylan sabotage the base, forcing himself to flee?

How despicable! Pirates these days are just too despicable!

Instinctively, Caesar's body transformed into gas and he floated backward in an attempt to escape, all the while screaming, "Navy, what are you all standing there for! Stop this guy and protect this genius!"

The naval soldiers, who were also terrified by Abel's sudden appearance, hesitated upon hearing this, after all, he was a high-ranking officer under the command of the Calamity Roa!

But how could the righteous navy back down!

"Dr. Caesar, run! Let's attack together!"

The naval captain in charge of the ship roared and led his men to charge at Abel.

"Then it's up to you!"

Without any hesitation, Caesar flew directly off the deck of the warship.

He is a Logia Gas-Gas Devil Fruit User, capable of transforming into gas to fly.

As the naval soldiers, having mustered their last bit of courage, charged toward him, Abel showed no reaction on his face, but a flame suddenly burst forth from his body.

In an instant, the flame expanded into a Flame Dragon tens of meters long. The deep red flames were so viscous that they resembled magma, and they rushed directly towards the soldiers in their terrified gazes.

"No!!"

The naval captain only had time to scream before he was engulfed by the Flame Dragon. Not only him, but all the naval soldiers were wiped out in an instant, and even the ship was instantly set ablaze, even though the flames had not yet touched it, only the high temperature was spreading.

Caesar, who was fleeing at breakneck speed, only glanced back once and was already terrified out of his wits.

Monster!

Monster!

Vegapunk, it's all your fault!

If you hadn't pushed this genius into this situation, how would I have encountered these monsters!

"So, are you planning to compete with the Lunarian in speed?"

A faint voice came from beside my ear.

Caesar instinctively looked up, only to see his long, dark legs lashing out like steel whips.

"Ugh!"

With a muffled groan, Caesar was blasted out of his elemental state, his nose collapsed, his features distorted, and he was sent flying backward like a cannonball.

Abel flapped his wings and gave chase again, catching up with Caesar before he could catch up. He grabbed the man's head and slammed him onto the burning deck of the ship.

This time, Caesar was not seriously injured. After all, he was Logia, and his body exploded into gas the moment he hit the ground.

But the next second, boots covered in jet-black Armament Haki descended from the sky, stepping directly onto the cloud of gas.

"Ughhhh!"

Screams echoed across the sea.

What a waste of that fruit.

Abel thought to himself, "To casually transform into elemental form in front of a master of Haki power is simply courting death."

Caesar was once again stomped out of his true form by Abel, his chest caved in, and he let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

Abel shook his head at the sight.

Such a fragile guy can't even vent the anger he suffered at the research institute back then.

Bending down, Abel grabbed Caesar by the neck and lifted him up. "Welcome to the Calamity Company."

Shortly thereafter, the Neo Marine Headquarters.

"What?"

Sengoku, who was busy and overwhelmed with work, looked up in astonishment, "Caesar has been kidnapped?"

"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

The communications soldier was sweating profusely. "It's not just Bloody Hand Dylan! The demon descendant Abel is here too! He hid and was killed by Bloody Hand Dylan in Vice Admiral Nadley. He suddenly appeared during Dr. Caesar's emergency retreat and kidnapped Dr. Caesar!"

"So, Caesar was the target from the very beginning?"

The Sengoku was marked by a furrowed brow.

This is bad!

Roa already possessed a lot of ancient technological data that he had stolen from Ohara, and also the blueprints he had taken from Water 7 7 that even the government was evasive about!

Judge was already a problem for him, and now Caesar has also been kidnapped.

If he really revived some terrifying ancient technology--

"Of all times!"

Sengoku, he slammed his fist on the table.

The main force of the Navy is currently searching for the Roger Pirates, leaving no other force to pursue Dylan and Abel in an attempt to reclaim Caesar.

Brother Kong, are you really not going to come back to life?

The current situation at sea is really giving me a huge headache!

The Roger Pirates and the Calamity Company —both are more troublesome than the last!

They're really starting to drive the world into chaos!

Night, Sabaody Archipelago, on a deserted coastline.

A pirate ship silently emerged from the seabed and docked there unnoticed.

"Nobody noticed this place,"

Roger stood at the bow of the ship, his Observation Haki already covering the entire island. He turned around and said with a smile, "If you want to leave, now's the time, Rayleigh."

"Has the time finally come to say goodbye?"

Rayleigh, carrying a bundle on his back, walked to the ship's side and looked up at the enormous mangrove tree, which resembled a giant in the darkness.

"How come it's so fast? I remember it took a long time to get from the Sabaody Archipelago to the Laugh Tale not long ago."

He sighed, "I remember it being a very long journey."

It took them decades to finally reach their destination, so how could they return to the starting point so quickly?

"Enjoy your retirement, brother!"

Roger walked up to Rayleigh with a smile and gave him a farewell hug. He whispered in Rayleigh's ear, "I won't die!"

Rayleigh paused, then wrapped his arms around Roger as well. "I know."

Just like Joy Boy eight hundred years ago, Roger's will will surely be passed down.

"Alright,"

Roger released Rayleigh and looked behind him, where another child was carrying two small bundles on his back.

"Shanks and Buggy, you can disembark here too. Rayleigh will take good care of you from now on."

"Captain--"

Buggy, who was already teary-eyed, burst into tears upon hearing these words, instinctively rushing towards Roger, crying, "I don't want to leave you!"

He had lived on this ship and in this pirate crew for as long as he could remember, and now the thought of leaving was something he found hard to accept.

"Okay, Buggy."

Rayleigh grabbed the boy by the collar and lifted him up, saying, "A man doesn't need tears to say goodbye."

"Whoa! Uncle Rayleigh, you're so cold-blooded!"

Buggy burst into tears.

Meanwhile.

"Captain--"

Shanks' eyes were also a little red.

Not only because of the impending separation, but also because of what the captain told him yesterday, about his background.

"Go do what you want, Shanks."

Roger simply smiled and said to the boy who had inherited his Straw Hat, "Don't be bound by status or lineage; first and foremost, you must be yourself."

"Um!"

The Shanks boy nodded emphatically, his hand pressing tightly against the Straw Hat on his head. "I will cherish the captain's hat!"

"That's good, but don't give it away carelessly."

Roger chuckled and patted his head. "But if you don't want it anymore someday, that's fine with you too."

Then he took another step forward, raised his hand, and wiped the tears from Buggy's face.

"Buggy, you too. This ocean is vast, so just go for it. Being happy is the most important thing."

"Yes, Captain!"

Buggy burst into tears.

"Well then, we'll be going now."

Rayleigh grabbed Shanks with his other hand and then jumped directly off the deck of the large ship.

After landing on the ground, he didn't look back, but just walked straight ahead.

"Goodbye, Roger."

Goodbye, brother.

Roger leaned against the ship's railing, quietly watching the figure of his first companion gradually disappear into the darkness.

The members of Roger Pirates, who had not yet left the deck, remained silent.

After Mr. Gaban, Mr. Rayleigh also left, and the crew was now half gone. This pirate crew was finally heading towards its final destination.

Haha, why are you all making such a long face?

Roger laughed heartily, "Rayleigh has gone to find Shakky!"

Shakky!

Mentioning this name caused the older pirates on deck to exchange subtle glances.

Yes!

Mr. Rayleigh is going to retire and live a life of two with Shakky!

Thinking about it this way, there's really no reason to be sad. Shakky was the dream goddess of so many people back then! Even Captain Roger was completely infatuated with her!

"Hahaha! I just didn't want him to have it too easy, so I dumped Shanks and Buggy on him!"

Roger laughed heartily, a smug look on his face.

"How despicable, Captain!"

The pirates immediately joined in the laughter.

"So, Captain, are you still hung up on Shakky?"

Then.

"So, Roger,"

A soft voice came from behind, "Who is Shakky?"

"Forehead--"

Roger turned around with some difficulty, and there stood Olvia with a calm expression.

I said something I shouldn't have!

Caesar had forgotten how long he had been left in that dark room.

Ever since he was captured by that monster Abel, he has been shackled with Seastone chains and has completely lost all power to resist.

Then they were taken to the Mini Sky Island of Visalia —a country that had also been conquered by those two monsters!

Here he was casually thrown into a room, and apart from the fact that a doctor from this country treated his injuries on the first day and someone brought him meals on time every day, no one cared about him at all; he seemed to have been completely forgotten.

Caesar kept cursing in his heart.

He cursed Vegapunk, cursed the World Government, and cursed the Marine Headquarters.

However, he was particularly hesitant to curse Roa and Abel, fearing that he might accidentally utter the curses aloud and be overheard.

When will this end?

Caesar lamented in his heart.

Then finally, on this day, the ground suddenly trembled slightly, and then quickly, the door to the room was pushed open.

Abel walked in and grabbed Caesar, saying, "Come on, we're here. The Boss wants to see you."

Boss?

Is Calamity Roa?

That monster wants to see me?

Caesar was so frightened that his legs were trembling.

That guy is a complete lunatic!

He even killed the Fleet Admiral!

If I accidentally anger him, how will I survive?

Can I not see it?

I have a disease that might kill me if I see Roa!

However, it's not something he can simply avoid seeing if he doesn't want to.

Abel didn't care what Caesar was thinking; he grabbed him and went out the door, then took flight.

It was only then that Caesar realized that the Mini Sky Island had landed on an island, and that he even recognized the island.

Isn't this Egghead Island?

That's right. This island is located in the sea area occupied by Roa, so it's perfectly normal to reuse it.

Dylan and Abel, along with Caesar and the meteorologists from Visalia, landed on Egghead Island, climbed onto the back of a snail that was resting on the island, and entered a magnificent palace.

"Oh! Welcome back, Dylan, Abel, you must be exhausted from this trip."

Caesar heard a cheerful, youthful voice.

He subconsciously looked up and saw the young man sitting leisurely on the throne.

Calamity Roa!!

Although he looks handsome and has a warm smile, he is a monster among monsters, one of the most terrifying pirates in the world!

The most evil person in history!

Caesar quickly looked away, not daring to glance at it again.

Then he saw Judge standing to the side.

Um?

Why does Judge look like he's half-dead? He looks so weak.

Noticing his gaze, Judge gave him a smug smile.

Damn you, Judge! What are you so smug about?

Caesar immediately glared back fiercely.

Back in Mads, the two of them were always at odds.

Looking at Caesar, who was staring at Judge with wide eyes, Roa said with interest, "So, Dr. Caesar, I'll only ask you once: are you willing to work for me?"

"Um?"

Ask only once?

At that moment, the hairs on the back of Caesar's neck stood on end!

It means, "Refuse or die," right?

"Yes, yes! This genius—no, of course I'm willing!"

Caesar nodded frantically, his back completely soaked with cold sweat.

"Very good,"

Roa nodded slightly. "From today onwards, you will be Judge's deputy, the vice minister of the research department. This position is yours."

"Judge's second-in-command?"

Caesar, who had been trembling like a quail just moments before, suddenly widened his eyes. "Lord Roa, are you saying that Judge's status is above mine?"

"That's because you don't know me at all. My research and skills are far superior to that guy Judge! He should be my deputy!"

"Hey! Caesar!"

Judge immediately became agitated, "You dare to make up stories in front of the Boss! Your pathetic skills are barely good enough to be my assistant!!"

They were vying with him for the second-in-command position in the Mads organization back then, and now they want to compete with him for the Minister of Research?

"Alright, Judge,"

Roa waved his hand, signaling Judge to be quiet.

Then he looked at Caesar, who was visibly indignant, and said, "Call me Boss, and Caesar, don't question my decision."

Caesar's eyes suddenly widened.

A chilling fear crept up his spine and eventually took over his mind.

"Waaaaaah!!"

Screams echoed through the spacious palace.

The meteorologists who had been brought with him immediately changed their expressions.

"And everyone else,"

As he put the collar on Caesar, Roa looked at the scholars and said, "I hope you'll all lend a hand from now on. I want a city that flies in the sky!"

The meteorologists swallowed hard.

It seems I can't refuse?

In any case, everything is back on track.

Meanwhile, the entire ocean is constantly changing.

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

A year later, the sea area occupied by the Calamity Company acquired a nickname.

That's what people call it.

The freest sea in the world.