Two days later.
East Blue, Loguetown.
This island, known as the " Land of the Beginning and the End," remains bustling and vibrant.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.
Roy landed in a secluded spot outside town, straightened his tattered clothes, and then walked into town.
Although his clothes were tattered and he was covered in wounds, his eyes remained sharp as knives.
He found a hotel and went inside.
"Boss, I'd like a room."
"Also, bring up all the best food in your shop."
The boss was startled by his appearance, but dared not ask any further questions and quickly nodded.
"Yes, yes, yes! Arrange it immediately!"
Roy walked into the room, collapsed onto the bed, and gasped for breath.
Although his injuries have healed considerably thanks to the power of his bloodline, they were still too severe and he needs more time.
The mental energy, in particular, is depleted and won't recover in a short time.
He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
He was awakened by the ringing of a Den Den Mushi a type of Den Den Mushi) after an unknown amount of time.
Blub Blub... Blub Blub...
Roy opened his eyes and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"Hello?"
Tesoro's anxious voice came from the other end.
"Boss! Are you alright?!"
Luo frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Tesoro took a deep breath.
"Boss, have you read the newspaper?"
newspaper?
Roy shook his head.
"I didn't see it."
What happened?
Tesoro paused for two seconds, then said,
"Boss, your fight with Garp has become a worldwide sensation!"
Roy was stunned.
Spread throughout the world?
How is that possible?
He looked out the window and gestured for the shopkeeper to bring in a newspaper.
A moment later, the boss nervously brought over a copy of the latest newspaper.
Roy took the newspaper, unfolded it, and read it—
Front page headline, huge headline:
[A spectacular battle erupts Heavenly Dao Emperor Roy and Garp the Marine Hero! The deserted island is razed to the ground!]
Below are lines of detailed reports:
"It is reported that Heavenly Dao Emperor Roy and Garp the Marine Hero engaged in a fierce battle on a deserted island in the East Blue, a battle that lasted for three days and three nights!"
"The entire deserted island was razed to the ground, and towering waves surged in the surrounding sea!"
"Ultimately, Vice Admiral Garp retreated, and Roy appears to Awakening his Devil Fruit power!"
Continue down--
A huge photo took up half the page.
In the photo, Roy is suspended in mid-air, surrounded by distorted light and shadow, like a god descending.
Garp, meanwhile, was being blasted away by an invisible force, his body flying backward, his face filled with shock.
The shooting angle was just right.
Roy's lips twitched.
When was this photo taken?!
He examined the photo closely and discovered that the photographer appeared to have taken it from a great distance using some kind of special equipment.
That angle, that distance...
Could they be journalists who specialize in reporting Big News Morgans?
Those guys, known as the largest intelligence organization in the pirate world, are omnipresent and infiltrate everywhere.
They even managed to film his fight with Garp?!
Roy took a deep breath and continued reading.
The report concludes with a comment:
" Heavenly Dao Emperor Roy has seemingly completed the Devil Fruit Awakening, further enhancing his strength!"
" Garp the Marine Hero suffers a regrettable defeat!"
"This battle signifies that the new generation of the Emperor of the Sea has truly grown to the point where they can rival the older generation of powerful figures!"
"The structure of the world may change because of this!"
Roy put down his newspaper and remained silent for a long time.
Then he smiled.
That smile carried a hint of helplessness, and also a touch of melancholy.
These reporters are really something...
He picked up the Den Den Mushi.
" Tesoro, I'm alright."
"This battle did indeed take place."
" The Devil Fruit Awakening successfully."
On the other end of the phone, Tesoro gasped.
"Boss! You really Awakening?!"
"Um."
Roy said calmly,
"We'll discuss this in more detail when we get back."
Is everything alright on Hachinosu?
Tesoro quickly said,
"No problem! With Mr. Red and his men around, who would dare cause trouble?"
"But boss, your battle has shaken the whole world!"
"All the major powers are watching us now!"
Roy nodded.
"Knew."
Let them pay attention.
"I still have some things to take care of here. I'll go back as soon as I'm done."
"Yes!"
After hanging up the phone, Roy leaned against the headboard, staring at the ceiling.
The Devil Fruit Awakening successfully.
The next step is to solidify this ability and master it completely.
as well as--
Continue to grow stronger.
A glint flashed in his eyes.
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku was furious.
" Garp!!!"
He roared and slammed a newspaper onto the table.
Look! Look!
"Your fight with Roy was filmed very clearly!"
"Now the whole world knows that the naval hero has been defeated by the Emperor of the Sea!"
Garp sat on the sofa, legs crossed, leisurely sipping his tea.
"Hahaha!"
He laughed loudly,
" Sengoku, I've become nothing more than a background figure!"
The Sengoku was so angry that he trembled all over.
" Garp! How can you still laugh!"
"Do you know how much this battle has damaged the Navy's prestige?!"
Garp put down his teacup, his expression turning serious.
" The Sengoku, I know about it."
"But I had no choice but to fight that battle."
"That brat ran all the way to the East Blue to see my grandson."
"Tell me, how can I possibly ignore this?"
Sengoku was taken aback.
Your grandson? In the East Blue?
Garp nodded.
"Yes, the son of a dragon."
"Leave it in the Foosha Village and let this old man take care of it."
Sengoku was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath.
"What about Roy? What's he doing in the East Blue?"
Garp shook his head.
He said he was going to visit a friend and also to see my grandson.
"Although I don't believe it, I have no evidence."
"But--"
He paused,
" Sengoku, I have something to tell you."
Sengoku frowned.
"What's up?"
Garp looked at him and said slowly,
" Roy has indeed Awakening."
"His Telekinesis Fruit, once Awakening, makes him extremely difficult to deal with."
"I was almost powerless against him."
"It's not a difference in strength, but a suppression of ability."
"As long as he is in his domain, he is a god."
The Sengoku fell silent.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke.
"You mean..."
Garp sighed.
" The Sengoku, what I mean is—"
"From now on, capturing Roy will be virtually impossible."
"Unless we can find a way to counter his abilities, or... crush him with absolute power."
"But with his current strength, there are very few in the entire ocean who could do that."
Sengoku's face was ashen, his hands pressed firmly on the table, his knuckles turning white.
"Are we just going to let him continue to act so arrogantly?"
Garp shook his head.
"It's not arrogance, it's the truth."
" The Sengoku, we have to admit it—"
"That kid has grown to the point where we have to take him seriously."
The Sengoku fell silent.
Sunlight streamed in through the window.
But the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters was like a dead of winter.
Hotel room in Loguetown.
Roy put down the newspaper, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
He paid no attention to the praise in the newspapers.
The titles of "new generation Emperor of the Sea " and "powerful enough to rival the older generation of strongmen" are meaningless to him.
What he cares about is strength itself.
The Devil Fruit Awakening is just the beginning.
Next, he needs to fully master this ability, integrate it into his combat system, and make it his true trump card.
Roy opened his eyes and looked out at the street.
Loguetown remains bustling and vibrant.
But he knew he couldn't stay there any longer.
Now that we're out here, let's take this opportunity to bring all those guys we've had our eye on under our command.
Roy took out a black notebook from his pocket, opened it, and found that page.
Above, three names are recorded:
Jesus Burgess – A fighting champion from an island in the Grand Line famous for its martial arts.
Lafitte – Sheriff of Teapot Island in the West Blue.
Van Augur – A renowned Pirate Hunter and long-range sniper from the West Blue.
These three individuals are all members of the Blackbeard Pirates in the original manga.
In the original work, someone with the potential to become a division commander under Blackbeard should have been quite good.
If we could absorb them into Hachinosu, it would be a huge help.
Roy closed his notebook, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
Where to go first?
West Blue.
Lafitte and Van Augur both lived in the West Blue.
Go and take these two first, then head to the Grand Line to find Jesus Burgess.
Roy stood up and walked to the window.
I opened the window, and the sea breeze blew in, carrying a salty, damp scent.
He took a deep breath, activated his Telekinesis, and soared into the air, flying towards the West Blue.