The Country of Endless War,
Once one of the more powerful nations in the first half of the Grand Line, the country had split into three smaller nations overnight, for reasons unknown, hundreds of years ago.
The leaders of the small nations all wanted recognition from the World Government, so each could establish itself as the country's legitimate successor. As a result, the nations had been at war for centuries, and people collectively called the countries on the island the Country of Endless War. Bullet, whom Roy had come to find, was in the kingdom of Galzburg.
After five days at sea, a vast island appeared on the horizon.
Roy stopped wielding his long blade and looked at the island in the distance.
The island was shrouded in gray smoke and dust. From high above, flashes of fire could be seen breaking out across it from time to time. Artillery rumbled intermittently, and even the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and rust.
"Roy, is that the Country of Endless War?" Stella folded her wings and landed back on the deck, brushing the dust off herself. "This place really doesn't look friendly."
"The Endless War Country is an island that's been at war year-round. It became a pawn in the World Government's schemes long ago. Forces from various countries compete here, and arms dealers from the Underworld have made fortunes on this island. Bullet, the man we're looking for, is here too."
Tesoro also stopped training, stretched his body, and joined the two of them.
"Boss, are we going straight to find Bullet?"
Roy looked at the island drawing closer and replied calmly, "There's no rush. We'll go ashore and find out what's going on first, then find somewhere we can rest for an extended stay."
After all, he still didn't know whether Bullet had been betrayed and had already stopped trusting others.
The ship approached the island.
"Tesoro, Stella, let's put on some simple disguises first. We'll be staying on this island for quite a while, so we need to avoid being discovered by the Navy and the World Government too early and affecting our plans."
"Yes, boss!"
Stella steered the White Dove into a secluded natural harbor at the edge of the island and hid the ship.
With the ship concealed, Roy led Stella and Tesoro onto the land known as the Endless War Country.
They headed for Galzburg. Along the way, they saw dark red ground that looked as though it had been soaked in blood. Ruined houses and weapons and shell casings discarded after battles lay everywhere.
At that moment, Bullet, who had already earned the title of hero in Galzburg's army, was training like a madman on the training ground.
Bullet, who had been betrayed by his teammates in the previous battle and returned to camp alone with grave injuries, couldn't understand why the comrades he had fought alongside in the past had betrayed him. Unable to find an answer, he grew increasingly angry and helpless, and could only vent his rage through his daily training.
He still didn't know that a young man who wanted to change his future fate had set foot on this land and was coming for him.
"Stay close, Tesoro, Stella!"
By then, Roy and his companions had passed through the chaotic ruins and reached a town in Galzburg. Looking at the streets full of shell craters, the Endless War Country certainly lived up to its name.
As they walked through the streets, signs of battle were everywhere, and the buildings lining the roads were in ruins.
"Boss, the people here are really out of control. There's fighting everywhere. We've already been attacked several times on the way here, haven't we?"
Bang!
Tesoro had barely finished speaking when a gunshot rang out from a dark corner of an alley, and a bullet flew straight at Roy, who was leading the way.
"Damn it, not again."
The bullet stopped in front of Roy, startling Tesoro in the middle of his complaint. Then he grew angry. No one could remain indifferent after being attacked repeatedly for no reason.
"Don't be angry, Tesoro!"
As Roy spoke, a figure floated out of the alley and stopped in front of the three of them. Roy released his power, revealing a small, thin boy in ragged clothes, nervously pointing a gun at him.
"How did you make me float? And hand over your money."
The boy threatening them with a gun was nervous, but the vicious look in his eyes made Tesoro and Stella pause.
Neither of them had expected the one who had ambushed them to be a child like this, much less that, after Roy caught him and brought him over, he would continue to threaten them with his gun instead of running away.
"Kid, we have plenty of money, but why should I give it to you?" Roy teased.
"Hey, I'm pointing a gun at you! I don't know how you did that, but I won't miss at this range. If you don't hand over the money, I'll shoot you dead!"
"Oh! Is that so?"
Before Roy had finished speaking, the boy's rifle flew out of his hands.
"Now the gun's in my hands, isn't it?"
The boy looked at his empty hands and froze, then turned to run. But with Roy's Observation Haki covering the area, how could he let the boy leave so easily? The moment he took a step, he was pinned in place.
"Kid, tell me your name, and why you attacked us."
Seeing that he had been restrained by an invisible force again, the boy spoke as if resigned to his fate. "My name's Savi. As for why I attacked you, there wasn't any reason. I was just hungry and picked someone at random."
"You attacked someone at random just because you were hungry? Are you crazy, kid?" Stella frowned in disbelief.
"He's not crazy. He's used to it."
Roy looked at the boy, his voice calm.
"Here, killing is part of everyday life."
"All right, kid. Answer a few questions, and I'll let you go. If I'm satisfied with your answers, I'll even give you a lot of money."
"Really? You'll give me money too?"
Hearing that the brat Savi dared to doubt his boss, Tesoro could no longer hold back. He rolled up his sleeves and moved forward to give the boy a beating.
"Kid, answer whatever my boss asks. Say another word of nonsense and I'll let you have a taste of my fists."
Savi wasn't the least bit frightened by Tesoro's threat. Instead, he curled his lip in disdain. That made Tesoro angry. He grabbed Savi by the collar, but just as his fist was about to come down, Roy reached out and stopped him.
"Tch. Ask whatever you want, but I might not answer everything."
Seeing Roy stop the punch, Savi straightened his collar and spoke defiantly.
"Savi, do you know anywhere nearby where we can rest? We need somewhere quiet."
"If you want to rest, you can go to the center of town. General Douglas Gray's troops are stationed there, so it's relatively safer. There are plenty of inns and taverns nearby too, but ordinary civilians generally don't go there."
Savi pointed in a direction, then hesitated before saying, "But things are expensive there. If you don't have money, the soldiers will arrest you."
"Haha, we have plenty of money," Tesoro said, happy that they could finally find somewhere safer to stay. He pushed Savi forward. "Come on, kid, hurry up and take us there."
On the way to the inn, Roy didn't pay much attention to its safety, but the surname Douglas had aroused his curiosity. After all, Bullet's full name was Douglas Bullet.