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First mate.
Hearing Usopp's words, Nami, Zoro, and Luffy all looked at Roan.
Nami felt that Roan had indeed been consistently performing the duties of a first mate.
Zoro had no objections either. Roan had shown him exactly how to walk his future path and how to achieve his ambitions.
Zoro also greatly admired Roan's magnanimity.
If Roan became the first mate, he had no complaints.
However, the decision for the first mate's selection ultimately rested with Luffy, the captain.
Zoro and Nami looked at Luffy.
Luffy blinked.
Luffy still remembered that when Roan first became his companion, he strongly supported his dream of becoming the Pirate King.
Roan even took a title that mirrored the Pirate King's right-hand man, the Pirate King's ship's first mate, 'Dark King' Rayleigh: 'Celestial King'.
And during the subsequent journey, it was also thanks to Roan that he gained Zoro and Nami as companions.
Roan himself was also very reliable. The position of first mate was indeed very suitable for Roan.
However...
Luffy felt a bit conflicted again.
"It's too early to talk about a first mate right now."
Roan looked at Luffy, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Huh? Why? After becoming first mate, you can better command other crew members in battle, and your companions will also recognize your commands more."
Nami was a little curious.
Although Nami had only temporarily joined at this time, and the official members of the pirate crew were only Zoro, Roan, Usopp, and Captain Luffy,
In Nami's opinion, there was no one more perfect for the role of first mate than Roan.
Even Zoro, the famous 'Pirate Hunter' in East Blue, highly respected Roan and would obey Roan's commands.
Most of the battle commands along the way were also decided by Roan.
"It's not about becoming first mate to be recognized by companions, but being recognized by all companions to become first mate."
Roan's lips curled slightly.
"Hmph."
Zoro's lips curled into a smile.
As expected of Roan.
"So cool, Roan."
Usopp felt Roan was glowing at this moment.
This was a true pirate!
"Furthermore, Luffy's companions haven't all been gathered yet. Before all of them are gathered, before gaining the recognition of all companions, discussing a first mate is simply too early."
Roan looked at Luffy, a faint smile on his lips.
This was probably why in the original story, even after the Straw Hat Pirates defeated Kaido and Big Mom and became a new Four Emperors crew, they still didn't have an official first mate.
Luffy cherished and respected his companions immensely, even those who hadn't joined yet.
Before all companions were confirmed, with Luffy's personality, he wouldn't confirm the position of first mate.
"Hehehe, Roan, it's so great to have you as my companion!"
Luffy, hearing this, grinned, smiling with immense joy.
Luffy's conflict just now lay here: not having gathered all his companions and obtaining their recognition before establishing a first mate.
In Luffy's eyes, this would be disrespectful to his future companions.
If a first mate was established now, wouldn't the future companions who joined his ship just be like his subordinates?
On his ship, there were no subordinates, only companions.
What Roan said, "It's not about becoming first mate to be recognized by companions, but being recognized by all companions to become first mate," was exactly what Luffy was thinking.
Once all companions were gathered, the one recognized by all companions would be the first mate of his pirate crew!
"Obtained Monkey D. Luffy's strong approval. Bond increased, ability loading progress increased."
The loading of the Sun God (Super Gold) ability progressed further.
Roan's lips curled slightly.
"Look at Roan, you. As captain, you should be more reliable."
Nami, after hearing Roan's words, had a new understanding,
But then she looked at the grinning Luffy and immediately lectured him in a tone of exasperated disappointment.
"I'm very reliable at critical moments, okay! Roan said so himself."
Luffy proudly puffed out his chest.
"You're using Roan's words to make yourself look good. How is that like a captain?"
Zoro covered his forehead helplessly.
"Huh?! Is that so?"
Luffy's face instantly stiffened.
"Alright, everyone gathered here because they recognize you."
Roan couldn't help but chuckle at Luffy's reaction, but he still spoke up for Luffy.
Although Luffy was usually unreliable, at critical moments, he was very trustworthy.
Luffy's charisma was also outstanding. Before setting sail, all the Straw Hat Pirates had their own dreams.
But later, another goal was added to everyone's dreams: to make Luffy the Pirate King.
The reason Roan joined the Straw Hat Pirates, besides being able to load abilities from Luffy and the other Straw Hat Pirates, and smoothly pass his growth period relying on Luffy's strong connections,
Luffy's character was also one of the important reasons Roan admired him.
"Roan..."
Luffy was instantly touched.
"You shouldn't spoil Luffy too much, Roan."
Nami said helplessly.
"Then Roan, how are we going to find those pirates?"
Usopp was worried about the safety of the villagers. He looked at Roan, a little anxious.
"The current captain of the Black Cat Pirates is 'Hypnotist' Jango, Kuro's former first mate, with a bounty of 9 million Berries."
"If Kuro wants to command the Black Cat Pirates to attack here, he must go through Jango."
"They need to meet to determine the specific time of the operation."
"And Jango is a peculiar person; he unconsciously draws attention to himself. If we go to the village, we should quickly find Jango."
Roan chuckled.
Roan, knowing the plot, could easily solve the Black Cat Pirates' problem by simply reversing the known plot.
"Sugoi! As expected of a strategist!"
Usopp looked at Roan with reverence.
It was the same when they first met; Roan easily saw through his bragging.
Strong in power, possessing admirable magnanimity, and such strategic planning.
Roan was indeed a true pirate!
"Then let's quickly find that guy and take him down!"
Luffy rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge out.
"Do you know what he looks like?"
Zoro grabbed Luffy by the back of his collar and pulled him back.
"Damn it! I forgot that!"
Luffy hugged his head and shouted.
"I'll go deal with Jango. You stay here and talk to Merry about the pirate ship."
Roan stood up.
Jango, with a bounty of 9 million Berries and hypnotic abilities, should also bring him some gains.
"Don't worry, Mr. Roan, I will do my best to build a good ship for you."
Merry, standing beside them, said seriously.
Merry was Kaya's butler, but more like a mentor and a good friend.
Merry was immensely grateful to Roan and the others for defeating Kuro and saving Miss Kaya's life.
Naturally, he would spare no effort to build a good pirate ship for Roan and the others.
Of course, the Going Merry had actually been designed by Merry when he was a child, twenty-two years ago. By now, the ship was basically completed.
But some details still needed to be modified according to Roan's and the others' requirements.
"I look forward to it."
Roan chuckled.
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