The first half of the Grand Line.
On a certain uninhabited island.
The island was beautiful, its scenery pleasant.
But the Log Pose was taking an unusually long time to set.
Before they knew it, the Roger Pirates had stayed there for over a month.
One day.
A News Coo suddenly flew over the island.
In the center of the island, everyone eating roast meat looked excited.
Roger grinned broadly and put down his meat.
A red gleam flashed in his eyes.
His Conqueror's Haki shot into the sky and knocked the News Coo down.
Roger chuckled.
Rayleigh pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed deeply, then vanished in a flash.
He leaped out of the dense jungle.
And appeared in midair.
He took out a hundred Beli and tucked it into the unconscious News Coo's pocket.
Then he placed the unconscious News Coo on the tip of a branch.
He took a newspaper and jumped back down.
Rayleigh said helplessly:
"Don't unleash your Conqueror's Haki at random, Roger."
Roger laughed:
"It won't happen again. It won't happen again."
As he spoke, he took the newspaper and flipped through it.
Rustle~ Rustle~
Suddenly, Roger's gaze sharpened, and he shouted excitedly:
"Hey! Rayleigh!"
"Look!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"This is so interesting."
"A samurai."
"Let's make him our crewmate."
Rayleigh took the newspaper.
On the front page was a Two-Sword Style swordsman holding two blades.
Behind him lay a pile of slain pirates.
His clothes were different from those worn out at sea, and their ancient style was clear.
The front-page headline read:
"A wandering swordsman! A samurai from the legendary Golden Country!"
Rayleigh looked thoughtful:
"The Golden Country... Wano Country, huh."
Roger laughed heartily:
"Right? Isn't it interesting?"
"Let's find him and make him my crewmate."
"Hahahahaha, cough, cough..."
Rayleigh suddenly frowned: