The New World was thrown into chaos for several years due to the turmoil in the Totto Land, but this turmoil had no effect on Hachinosu.
Hachinosu is located in the deepest part of the New World, surrounded by several lines of defense, making it impossible for pirates to even reach its doorstep, no matter how hard they fight.
Roy used this time to sort out his personal matters as well.
After transplanting the Iron Balloon, he could feel that his strength had reached its peak.
It's not that I've gotten weaker, but rather that no matter how much I practice, I can't break through this limit.
From the successful transplant in 1508 of the Sea Circle Calendar to 1514, a full six years passed, and his strength, speed, Haki, and Telekinesis did not see any substantial improvement.
It's not that he doesn't train, it's just that his physical limits are what they are.
Roy figured it out.
What's above the Emperor level? The Pirate King?
Or is it the one on the Empty Throne?
Until Luffy sets sail, there is no answer to this question.
Since our strength has reached its peak for the time being, let's focus our energy on strategic planning.
He took Pure Gold out of the treasury.
Dr. Gracia spent months cutting and crafting dozens of rings from Pure Gold, each with Pure Gold content just right to keep the wearer in optimal physiological condition and minimize the aging process.
Roy distributed the rings to the core members; whether they wore them or not was entirely up to them.
Most people on Hachinosu wore them, except for a few younger members.
Kaido's side also received a few.
Roy specially sent someone to deliver it, along with a note.
"Don't die too soon, I still want to fight you for hundreds of years."
Kaido's reply consisted of only one word, "Hahahahahaha!"
Life on Hachinosu passed by peacefully, day after day. Outside, people fought tooth and nail, but inside, everyone went about their business as usual.
Until the spring of 1520 in the Sea Circle Calendar.
That day, Roy stood on the highest watchtower in the port of Hachinosu, staring blankly at the distant horizon.
He has lived on this island for nearly twenty years, transforming from a greenhorn into a well-known ruler in the New World, and from a lone wolf to possessing an entire force capable of changing the world order.
Pluton is here. The Iron Balloon is here.
I have a Pure Gold ring.
The Shichibukai have been planted as pawns.
The foreshadowing regarding Whitebeard's side has also been laid.
He was like a seasoned chess player who had been playing for ten years, calculating every move on the chessboard with perfect clarity.
This decade-long period of dormancy finally came to an end in the spring breeze of 1520.
Because in three months, Luffy will be setting sail from the East Blue.
That little brat wearing Straw Hat, that six-year-old who shouted "I'm going to be the Pirate King!" at the sea from the Foosha Village pier, is now seventeen.
The training insights Roy left deep within Luffy's consciousness back then should have been completely digested by him.
This Luffy will be stronger than the one in the original story.
"Captain!"
Tesoro floated up from below, holding the latest intelligence in his hand.
" The Seastone order from Beasts Pirates has arrived, and our spies in Alabasta have sent back news..."
The layout of Crocodile's Baroque Works is complete.
Roy took the intelligence report, flipped through it, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
Between Sea Circle Calendar, when the Iron Balloon was transplanted, and 1518, Roy frequently visited Whitebeard's territory.
His reasoning was sound—to exchange ideas.
Whitebeard Newgate, the World's Strongest Man, is so powerful that fighting him is equivalent to six months of hard training.
Whitebeard was quite surprised when he first went there, since the two hadn't had much interaction before. Anyone would have to think twice before someone suddenly showed up and said they wanted to fight.
"Gurarararar! You little brat, are you trying to steal my territory?"
"Fighting for territory is pointless; I just want to have a fight."
Roy drew the sword from the Shusui, pointing the tip at Whitebeard.
"Let's spar with the World's Strongest Man and see just how good we really are."
Whitebeard stared at him for a few moments, then smiled.
Standing up from the Moby Dick, he gripped the Murakumogiri in his hand, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit exploding into a white halo on the blade.
"You've got guts! Then come on!"
The first match lasted a full day.
At that time, Roy didn't have the Iron Balloon yet, and his defense relied entirely on his Telekinesis: Barrier and Armament Haki. He was indeed struggling against the unreasonable area attacks of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
However, Roy's speed and spatial abilities also gave Whitebeard a headache. This slippery guy, as slippery as an eel, could only hit three out of ten times with the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Whitebeard won by a narrow margin in the end.
Roy wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, got up from the ground, and his first words were, "I'll come again next time."
Whitebeard paused for a moment, then laughed even louder:
"Gurarararar! Come! Come anytime!"
Roy kept his word and went a total of seven times.
Starting from the third time, Roy transplanted the Iron Balloon, instantly maximizing its defensive capabilities.
Whitebeard's powerful punch used to send him flying dozens of meters, but now it only knocked him back a few steps.
It still hurts, but at least it's not breaking down anymore.
Furthermore, Roy's various Telekinesis Domain abilities became increasingly refined, and the battle gradually shifted from Whitebeard's advantage to Roy's.
But even with an advantage, they can't win.
Whitebeard's level of combat power cannot be defeated simply by piling on abilities. He is like a mountain standing there, and you would have to exert the effort of climbing a mountain to get over him.
After each fight with Roy, he would mention one thing:
" Newgate, how about considering bringing your people to Hachinosu?"
Whitebeard's reaction was different each time.
Sometimes he's furious, sometimes he's disdainful, and sometimes he'll simply slash at you with his naginata to show his refusal.
Roy wasn't annoyed; he hadn't expected Whitebeard to agree anyway. As he himself said, "I'll take it or leave it."
The last time they sparred was at the end of 1519.
After the battle, Whitebeard sat back on the deck of the Moby Dick, panting more heavily than ever before.
Marco rushed forward to check, but Whitebeard slapped him away.
I'm fine!
Roy stood on the deck watching him, fully aware of the situation.
The Whitebeard has aged.
Even if he is the World's Strongest Man, he cannot withstand the erosion of time.
His old injuries, ailments, and the strain on his body from maintaining the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power for so long were gradually eroding his peak condition.
That won't do. Roy took a small cloth bag out of his pocket and tossed it to Whitebeard.
Whitebeard caught it, opened it, and found a Pure Gold ring and a vial of medicine inside.
What is that?
Pure Gold.
Wearing it will help maintain your physical condition at its current level, preventing it from declining further.
"An improved version of the Bloodline Transplantation drug should be able to restore you to your condition ten years ago."
The Whitebeard looked up at him, his eyes full of confusion:
Why give it to me?
"If you continue to decline from your current state, in another year or two you won't even be able to use Conqueror's Haki Coating."
Roy turned around, his back to the Whitebeard, and walked towards the ship's railing.
"What's the point then? I want to play with you for a few more years."
Whitebeard was silent for a few moments, then let out a low laugh.
"Gurarararar... you little brat."