"Do you want my treasure?" croaked Gol D. Roger, the man who conquered the seas and became the legendary Pirate King. "If you want it, I can give it to you. Go and find it! I left my treasure there."
These words, spoken before his execution, spread throughout the world like a storm, marking the beginning of the turbulent era of the Great Pirates. The world was plunged into chaos, and even the formidable Marine Corps seemed barely able to cope with the flood of pirates, controlling only the first half of the Grand Line. The New World became a kingdom of piracy, and the Four Seas became a paradise for sea robbers.
East Blue, one of the four seas, was considered the weakest according to the 1517 Maritime Calendar. But behind this apparent weakness lay a power that gave birth to ruthless pirates and brave heroes. Sabo, the second commander of the Revolutionary Army, and Luffy, the future Pirate King, are names that have been heard in East Blue.
This sea, with its quiet and peaceful islands, was deceptive in its serenity. Dangerous pirates and powerful marines lurked beneath the peaceful surface. The merciless Sea King nearly took the life of the future Pirate King, forcing Shanks to give up his left arm to save Luffy.
Harp, the hero of the Marine Corps, was also born in East Blue, returning home to see his family. He ruthlessly dealt with pirates who showed him no respect, destroying the rising stars of the pirate world before they had a chance to shine.
"So, people always shoot down the stars," Rodney said quietly, looking at the man with the scar on the deck who was feasting with his crew. "The Saw Pirates, led by Locke, with a bounty of 4.5 million bellies. Is this still considered a D-level mission? But the level of the mission is assessed by the degree of danger, and this guy isn't that dangerous.
"I'm going to kill you tonight," he whispered, lifting a wine barrel half a man's height and stepping forward.
"Oh, Jack! Wine, huh?" asked Scarface Locke, leader of the Sawtooth Pirates, a cruel man known as Scarface Locke. Just two days ago, they had raided a village, looted it, and set it on fire, leaving many innocent residents homeless.
Rodney nodded, his face betraying obvious flattery: "Yes, Captain, it's your favorite rum. Let me pour it for you myself."
"Hahahaha, you are wise!" Scarface Loc chuckled, his laughter resembling the cackling of a drake.
The pirates below rolled their eyes, looking down on Rodney's flattery. Scarface Loc took the glass of wine from Rodney's hands and drank it.
"All right, all right! Don't be so stunned!" Rodney addressed the other pirates when Scarface Lock had finished drinking. "This is good wine that I bought just today!"
"Jack is right, drink up, everyone!" Scarface Lock grinned.
The pirates happily raised their glasses, laughing and drinking, enjoying the treasures they had plundered from the village. Rodney turned his head and looked at the flames in the distance, his eyes glinting coldly.
"Ah, what a beautiful night," Scarface Loc said with a satisfied expression.
"Captain, may I ask why you decided to become a pirate?" Rodney asked, looking at the leader. "You are such a talented man, if you had served in the Navy, you would already be an admiral!"
Scarface Lock laughed: "Why be an admiral? All those guys are fools. They think they're better than everyone else just because they wear a cloak. But I want freedom! I want to be the king of this world, not a dog in the Sea Patrol!
"But, Captain, don't you think the Pirate King is just a legend?" Rodney asked, frowning slightly. "Can anyone really conquer the sea?"
"A legend? Ha!" Scarface Lock sneered. "The Pirate King Gol D. Roger was a legend, and he proved that legends can become reality. One Piece, the treasure he left behind, is reality! I will find it and become the Pirate King! That is my dream!
A trace of hesitation flashed in Rodney's eyes, but he quickly hid it: "Captain, your dream is my dream! I will do everything I can to help you achieve it!"
"Good!" Scarface Loc laughed and patted Rodney on the shoulder. "That's what I want to hear! Together we will conquer the world!"
The pirates around them began to sing and dance, celebrating their victory. The flames in the distance burned brighter and brighter, casting a flickering light on Rodney's face. In his heart, he silently made a vow: "Captain, I will help you fulfill your dream, but when the time comes, I will take everything from you, including One Piece!"