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The newspaper wasn't large, but the bold crimson headlines screamed across the front page, demanding attention at a single glance.
It was these very headlines that left Rojen shaken to his core.
"Marines issue emergency summons! All Vice Admiral–class and above to assemble at Headquarters in response to imminent upheaval!"
"Golden Lion pirates rally en masse, their blades turned toward Marineford!"
"Chaos ignites across the New World, since the fall of Pirate King Roger, the first great reshuffling has begun!"
Each scarlet line made Rojen's pupils contract. He quickly skimmed further down, his eyes darting over the images printed alongside.
The first photo showed Marine Headquarters, its forces mustered in full might. Dozens of Vice Admirals stood cloaked in justice-capes, their silhouettes imposing. In front of them, partially obscured by mosaics, other high-ranking officers loomed. And behind them, row upon row of elite marines stood at rigid attention, eyes stern, every soul braced for war.
The second photo nearly stole the breath from his lungs. Golden Lion Shiki, hovering arrogantly in the void, eyes blazing with tyrannical light as he swept his gaze across the seas below. Beneath him, pirate ships stretched out in a vast, unending armada, the horizon swallowed by their black sails.
The third photo burned with the fever of rebellion: fires of war igniting, countless pirates brandishing their flags high, their eyes burning with hunger, as if awaiting destiny's call.
Three simple pictures, and yet the entire state of the world was painted vividly, without embellishment.
The first and third… were expected enough. Roger's death had plunged the world into chaos, no surprise there. But the second, that was what truly rattled Rojen.
"Golden Lion… hasn't been captured?! He hasn't even launched his attack on Marineford yet… he's still rallying his forces!"
"What the hell is going on here?"
Ever since arriving in this world, Rojen had noticed subtle but undeniable deviations from the original timeline. The broad strokes of history remained, but the details… were shifting.
Like Admiral Kizaru's promotion.
Like Golden Lion's current movements.
And perhaps, in other corners of this world, countless other unseen changes lurked, changes Rojen had yet to discover.
His gaze sharpened. Brow furrowed, he sank deep into thought.
Jason waved a hand in front of his face, snapping him back.
"Could this… be the butterfly effect? The ripples of crossing time and space?"
Rojen wasn't sure. But it was the only explanation that fit.
It made sense, after all. To throw a foreign soul into a complete world, could it truly remain untouched? If there had been no changes at all, that would've been an unbelievable thing.
And he had spoken carelessly before.
Hints dropped here and there, about Roger's ultimate fate, about the Golden Lion's downfall, about Whitebeard's might.
Even those stray words could have nudged events, altering the course of history. The story itself was unraveling into something new.
"…But that isn't necessarily bad."
After the initial shock, a faint smile curved Rojen's lips.
"Golden Lion Shiki…"
His eyes flickered as he stared at the domineering figure in the photograph.
If he were to face the entire world, or Marineford alone, he could not yet guarantee escape. But with another peerless monster like Shiki sharing the battlefield, the risks would no longer fall squarely on him. They would divide… and perhaps, even lessen.
Compared to Golden Lion, Rojen knew his own worth. Right now, he wasn't even fit to polish Shiki's boots.
But that was exactly why Shiki's shadow worked in his favor. With the world's eyes locked on the Golden Lion, he could move in silence. He could seize the chance to pursue his true goal.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed Iceburg approaching.
"Tom-sensei is waiting," Iceburg said cautiously. "Follow me."
Rojen lifted his head, nodded once, and rose. With a gesture, he beckoned his crew to move.
Minutes later, they followed Iceburg deep into the shipyard, until at last they stopped before a solitary house nestled at its heart.
"Sensei is inside. You may enter." He paused, his expression tightening as he added in a guarded tone: "But remember, this is a shipyard. I suggest you don't cause trouble."
They were pirates after all. Who knew when their bloodlust might flare?
"Heh, Iceburg, you can rest easy. We didn't come here to stir up chaos." Rojen smiled as he spoke.
Behind him, Crocodile and the others remained silent, their expressions calm, leaving everything to their captain's lead.
Iceburg studied them for a moment longer, then gave a small nod and gestured toward the door.
They approached, knocked twice, and when a deep voice from inside called,
"Come in,"
Rojen pushed the door open.
The room beyond was a spacious office, simply furnished yet serene. Seated within was Tom himself, half-reclined in his chair, looking weary.
At the sight of unexpected visitors, Tom straightened his posture slightly, summoning what spirit he could, and let his sharp eyes sweep across them. After a few moments, when he recognized no familiar faces, his voice came low and steady.
"Who are you people? And what business do you have with me?"
Rojen didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on the tranquil room, appreciating its simple elegance. Only then did he step forward, stopping directly across from Tom, and finally let a warm smile touch his lips.
"Master Tom, I have long admired your name, even from afar. I've come here today for one reason, to pay my respects to the legendary shipwright whose fame travels the seas."
Tom's brows drew together. His heart was heavy with pressing matters, the World Government could arrive at any time, and he had little patience for needless chatter.
"Enough flattery. If you have something to say, speak it plainly."
"Well then," Rojen shrugged with a helpless grin. "Since Master Tom is in such a hurry, I'll keep this short."
"My request is simple: I want you to build me a ship."
At those words, Tom didn't even bother lifting an eyelid. He merely raised a thick finger and pointed toward the door.
"My apprentices can handle something like that. They're more than capable. As for me, I have no time to spare. Forgive me for being a poor host."
Rojen shook his head, his tone suddenly grave.
"No… they won't be able to handle it."
"Because the ship I seek… is Pluton."
The weight of the word dropped like an anchor, and at once the atmosphere in the room grew heavy, oppressive.
Tom's head snapped up, his eyes boring into Rojen like steel.
"…Who are you?"
But before Rojen could answer, Tom's fury burst forth. He jabbed a finger at the door, his voice a roar.
"There is nothing like that here! Get out! You bastard!"
His anger instantly set the dragon-elephant crew bristling, their faces twisting with rage.
But Rojen simply raised a hand, halting them before a word could slip.
Crocodile and Jason remained calm as well, their eyes steady. They understood their captain, Rojen never spoke or acted without reason.
"Master Tom," Rojen said gently, stepping closer to the desk. His voice carried both respect and a quiet persistence.
"You once built a ship unlike any other in the world for my elder brother. You gave him the vessel that carried his dream across the seas."
"So why not help me… just once more?"
A faint smile, tinged with reverence, curved Rojen's lips.
"Truth is, I didn't come here solely to ask you for a ship."
"I also came to thank you, for helping that man fulfill his dream. Even though… he is long gone."
(End Of This Chapter)