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As Rojen turned his head, what greeted him were the crew's wide-eyed, stunned expressions.
"What's wrong?" Smiling, Rojen asked casually.
"C-Captain, your surname!"
"Captain's surname… it's exactly the same as that person's!"
"Oh my god, no way!"
In that instant, everyone's pupils shrank sharply.
Sanbes was especially shaken, his gaze locked tightly on Rojen. If this guy's identity was truly what he was starting to suspect, then this was beyond terrifying.
Sanbes didn't hold a high position within the Marines, so he didn't know Rojen's true identity. But there had long been a rumor circulating within Marine headquarters…
That the Pirate King Roger had a younger brother!
"You guessed right," Rojen said with a faint smile, meeting their eyes. "That man… is my older brother."
"Hiss---!!"
A chorus of sharp inhales echoed. At the same time, everyone's eyes lit up in disbelief.
"Wait, so we're part of the Pirate King's younger brother's pirate crew?!"
"Heaven help me… I'm gonna faint from happiness!"
"I can feel it, I'm going to be famous tomorrow!"
The Dragon-Elephant Six were beside themselves with excitement.
Even Crocodile's pupils contracted several times. He stared at Rojen in shock. He had long suspected Rojen's background, but he hadn't imagined that it would be this earth-shattering.
He could already envision the future, when Rojen stood at the peak, commanding his pirate crew as they entered the New World with unmatched might.
Pirates from all directions bowing in submission… thousands swearing loyalty.
This young man before him, once grown, would become the man closest to the title of Pirate King.
"Don't get too excited. We're not even pirates yet," Rojen waved off their wild imaginations with a slight shake of his head.
"Huh? Captain, then what are we?" From the Dragon-Elephant Six, the ever-curious Dragon-Elephant Six spoke up again.
This time, no one scolded him. Everyone was just as curious, staring intently at Rojen.
"What… are we?" Faced with that question, Rojen fell silent.
He genuinely didn't know how to define their current state.
Were they Pirates? Not quite.
Revolutionaries? Just look at this chaotic bunch, not even close.
Shaking his head, Rojen began to think seriously. Perhaps it really was time… to officially form a pirate crew. It wasn't just a formality. As their group grew, they would need a banner to rally behind, a flag. That flag would be their soul, their foundation!
Just like the Whitebeard Pirates, Roger Pirates, or the Flying Pirates, when they grew from rookies into legends, the banner they flew became their symbol.
No one dared to provoke those who carried such flags.
"Captain, let's start a pirate crew!" At that moment, someone blurted it out, their voice trembling with excitement.
"Yeah! Captain, let's do it, let's create our own pirate crew!" Crocodile's eyes flickered, his expression constantly shifting. He didn't speak, but it was clear his heart was just as stirred.
In this Golden Age of Pirates, becoming a pirate, becoming a great pirate, was the ultimate dream. It was what made hearts pound and blood boil.
After a long silence, with everyone watching, Rojen finally lifted his head, and smiled.
"Then first, we need… a flag."
"Wahhh!"
Everyone jumped to their feet in excitement. Some even burst into tears. Leaving behind Rojen and his crew as they took their first steps toward forming a pirate crew…
…
In Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta, a squad of Marines was moving quickly.
Civilians watched curiously as they passed through the streets.
"Vice Admiral Garp, I really think this is a bad idea…" Behind Garp, a Commodore muttered with a troubled look on his face.
"You got a better idea?" Garp raised his eyebrow indifferently. "Headquarters wasn't exactly eager to let me enter this Celestial Dragon-controlled nation in the first place."
"That's not what I meant! I mean… you're acting on your own authority, " The Commodore grew flustered, trying to explain--
"Do you really think… I, Garp, got to where I am today through conciliation?" At that moment, Garp, who had been striding ahead, suddenly halted. His voice dropped, deep and chilling.
The Commodore behind him jolted, a look of fear flickering in his eyes.
He could clearly feel it, the normally carefree, rough-edged Vice Admiral, who always acted so laid-back, was now radiating killing intent, completely enveloping him.
In an instant, the Commodore was terrified.
"Vice Admiral Garp's personal affairs, we won't tell a soul!" He lowered his head and quickly promised.
Only then did the killing aura vanish, and Garp's demeanor returned to its usual casual self.
"Heh heh… It's nothing. I'm just here to check in on an old friend. Won't interfere with the mission at all."
With that, the group of Marines resumed their pace and soon disappeared down the street.
Half an hour later, in a small town roughly five kilometers from Alubarna, "This kid really knows how to pick a hiding spot. If I didn't already know, it'd be hard to find this place at all."
Garp glanced around and muttered under his breath.
"Vice Admiral, we should act quickly. I've received intel, Lieutenant Commander Kasen from Marine Headquarters has already arrived at Nanohana Port and is headed for Alubarna."
Another officer behind him spoke quietly.
"Mm. Come with me."
Garp nodded and quickened his pace.
The Marines behind him were mostly his own men. As for the few who weren't, once his business here was done, Garp intended to personally handle them.
He'd exile them to some godforsaken corner of the world. Simple.
Whether they'd talk? He wasn't the least bit worried.
Over the years, Garp had built considerable influence within the Marines.
If any of these people dared to run their mouths…
A flash of coldness passed through Garp's eyes as he arrived in front of a small house.
"Knock knock knock."
He reached out and gently rapped on the door, doing his best to look kind and gentle, wearing a smile.
"Who is it?"
A soft female voice came from within, Rouge, with the faint cooing of a baby in the background.
"She's already given birth? That brat didn't tell me…" Garp blinked in surprise, a thought flashing through his mind.
"It's me, Garp," he said solemnly.
The movement inside paused, but after a moment, the door creaked open.
"Rouge!" Seeing the woman holding a baby in her arms, Garp called out.
"Are you here… to arrest me?" Rouge held baby Ace calmly, her expression serene.
"No. I'm here to protect you." Garp was taken aback for a moment, then smiled warmly.
"The Marines have already discovered this place. I got word from Rojen, so I rushed over as fast as I could." He quickly added that explanation.
A trace of thoughtfulness passed through Rouge's eyes. After a pause, she nodded.
"I understand. Where will you take us?"
Garp hesitated briefly, then answered decisively, "East Blue, Windmill Village."
(End Of This Chapter)