The next morning, inside the onsen inn—
Rogan lay sprawled on a sofa, his whole body wrapped in bandages, resting with his eyes closed. Surrounding him were over a dozen kneeling attendants, eagerly massaging his shoulders and feet.
Their hands caressed his firm muscles, their bodies growing hot with desire. The passion in their gazes seemed to drip like water.
"Danna-sama, is this pressure okay?"
"Let me work your legs~"
"Danna-sama, I'll peel some grapes for you~"
The girls clung to him, giggling and touching him more than they should—some already had their hands sliding up his thighs.
Last night's battle had completely captivated them.
All of Wano probably couldn't produce another real man like Rogan. Just the masculine scent coming off him made them weak.
They were soaked.
"Quit licking your lips! Be more reserved!"
Rogan scowled, barking at them. If he weren't aching all over and too lazy to move, he would've slapped these flirty foxes away.
Getting chickens to turn modest? Damn hard!
Before long—
The four rookies—Seichū and company—rushed in with excitement, eyes full of admiration.
"Good news, Rogan-aniki! You've been promoted to a Tobi Roppō!"
"Mm. I figured."
Rogan waved calmly.
He'd gone all in to prove himself—if Kaidou didn't at least give him a reward, that would've been nonsense.
Unlike Yamato, he had long decided to stay in the Beasts Pirates.
The boss valued talent, management was relaxed, the benefits were excellent—and those with ability could rise. Where else could he find such a great platform?
With the Beasts as his backers, he could cut ten years off his struggles!
As for starting his own crew? The outside world was in flames. The risk-to-reward ratio was garbage.
He didn't care about the One Piece. Especially since Nika won the game 800 years ago and even Roger cried his way home.
Better to manage his own turf first.
"Rogan-aniki! There's more good news!"
The rookies chimed in, reporting that Boss Kaidou had sent gold, and that Rogan would be in charge of receiving one of the Shichibukai.
10,000 gold = 1 billion Berries.
Even half the Yonkō couldn't casually cough up that much.
Thank you, Boss Kaidou.jpg
And another task—
"Doflamingo?"
Rogan raised an eyebrow, quickly connecting the dots.
If you wanted to thrive in the New World, you had two options:
Either become a niche king like the shipping mogul or news tycoon—doing just well enough to survive between the Yonkō…
Or you had to kiss the ring.
Just like Crocodile and Moria—both tried challenging Yonkō and failed, forced to retreat to the first half of the Grand Line.
Not because they wanted to—because they had no choice.
Stay in the New World? They'd die.
Same for Doflamingo. His World Government ties let him run wild, but to go further, he needed Yonkō protection.
"I got it."
Rogan nodded.
It was just a reception gig. No big deal. No matter how crazy Doflamingo acted, he wouldn't dare strut around Kaido's HQ.
"Rogan-aniki, there's an even bigger announcement!"
Seichū and the others clenched their fists in excitement.
"Boss Kaidou just declared a full-scale expedition a month from now! And he'll be selecting the six strongest Tobi Roppō to form a new group—one ranked just below the Lead Performers!"
"An expedition, huh…"
Rogan narrowed his eyes.
Finally.
He wasn't all that interested in the expedition itself.
Just killing and conquering territory. Tons of time spent for less profit than his inn made in a day.
What he really cared about—was Wano after the war.
Rogan stood, slipping on his coat. The massage girls gazed at him longingly as he made his way to the garden out back, where a white-haired girl sat gloomily in a pavilion.
As Rogan approached, Yamato turned her head away.
"Hmph!"
She was clearly upset.
Watching so many Kozuki samurai die at Rogan's hands… if this was the price of endurance, then it was far too cruel.
"Come with me."
Rogan didn't comfort her.
Yamato hesitated but followed, quietly stewing. Deep down, she knew she could only trust him.
Heading south from the Flower Capital, they soon reached the outskirts of Fortune Town.
From a distance, the ruined village had not a single intact house.
"All the farmland's abandoned…"
Rogan's eyes scanned the desolate fields surrounding the town.
He was pissed.
If people had once built a town here, the area had to be suitable for life. Barring some industrial or trade hub, any decent village had clean water and fertile land.
But now, the water was polluted, and the fields lay barren. The locals had no food.
Not that he was sympathizing with them—what ticked him off was seeing prime farmland go to waste.
After all—he was from Zhongguo.
"These fields are my father's fault…"
Yamato muttered bitterly.
When she first escaped the island, she was elated—like a husky off its leash. But cruel reality quickly wiped that smile away.
Everywhere she looked—ruin and sorrow.
SMACK!
Rogan slapped her butt hard and sneered, "It's not your fault, so why beat yourself up?"
"YOU—!!"
Yamato yelped, clutching her stinging butt, glaring fiercely.
Was she not allowed to be sad!?
"Oh, right… you're Kozuki Oden!"
Rogan's tone shifted in mock realization. "Then this IS your fault. By all means, keep blaming yourself."
"..."
Yamato grew even more furious.
"How the hell is it Oden's fault?!"
"Because Kozuki Oden carried the hopes of Wano's people," Rogan said calmly. "And he failed to protect his country and his people. Isn't that enough reason?"
In this cruel world, no one sympathizes with losers. Especially losers who squandered every advantage.
An incompetent general dooms his whole army.
Even if you're the strongest warrior alive—you're not worth praising if you fail as a leader.
Oden was such a man. And Yamato could be too.
The only difference—Yamato still had a chance. And with Rogan by her side, she might just turn things around.
Yamato opened her mouth—but couldn't respond.
Rogan simply shook his head and walked toward the village.
"Let's grab some tea."
—
Fortune Town was dirt-poor. The residents lived off scraps from the Flower Capital. The whole place didn't even have a proper teahouse.
"Pirates! Pirates are coming!!"
Children's shouts echoed through the village.
The streets fell into chaos. Villagers scrambled for home. Those who couldn't make it ducked into alleys, watching the two outsiders with fearful eyes.
Rogan and Yamato strolled casually through the town.
Scene after scene of poverty… and the villagers' terrified stares, made Yamato deeply uncomfortable.
Rogan noticed.
"Wanna help them?"
"Eh? Can we?"
Yamato's eyes went wide.
After last night's carnage, Rogan had seemed colder than ever. She never thought he'd spare a thought for the poor.
Rogan nodded slightly. "I told you—I'll help you save this country. But don't get me wrong—I'm also doing it for myself."
"Mhm!!"
Yamato nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling.
"What should we do first?"
"Simple."
Rogan looked at the village.
"We buy the whole damn place."
(End of Chapter)
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