บท 74: Chapter 74: Roman Gets Beaten, Luffy Faces the Enemy.
So cold,
So dark,
So quiet.
'Here...'
'His stomach was pierced, there's a faint pulse—'
'Doctor! Where's the doctor?... Ah, I am the doctor...'
?
Such a familiar voice...
'Chopper, how...?'
'Adrenaline, maximum dose injection... prepare for a blood transfusion... Who has type X blood?'
'Me!'
An even more familiar voice.
'...It's incredible, the body functions are slowly recovering, we can save him...'
——————
Bumpy,
In the darkness, the familiar anxious voices slowly brought Roman back to his senses.
He opened his eyes to see a circle of familiar faces and hear joyful cheers!
"Roman!"
"Thank goodness,"
"He's out of danger..."
"Waaah, you scared us to death—"
"..."
"...Where am I..."
Roman blinked, and the images and sounds before him became completely clear.
"I didn't die?"
That's impossible!
"It's a miracle, Roman."
Chopper wiped the sweat from his forehead. In the Straw Hat crew, only this little reindeer would address Roman with such respect.
"Your stomach was completely pierced, but most of your vital organs weren't severely damaged. The damaged areas have been stitched up..."
"...I really didn't die?"
The newly awakened Roman was in a daze, almost thinking he had already reached the afterlife. Because:
This doesn't make any sense!
What does it mean that most of the vital organs weren't severely damaged? Roman was fighting Crocodile, not some lenient opponent like Mihawk!
And who is Crocodile now?
Cold and ruthless, merciless! If his subordinates fail, he would immediately kill them.
Before being rescued from prison by Marianne, also known as Miss Goldenweek, and her team, making him remember the word 'comrade' after a long time, Crocodile would never show mercy!
With his advanced Observation Haki, Roman had no way to fake his death in front of Crocodile...
?
Roman tilted his head to look at the tattered clothes beside him—his own jacket, covered in blood and holes, with a faintly recognizable white '@' graffiti.
'White of Mercy'
Miss Goldenweek's color ability, which can interfere with others' killing intent towards the holder.
That little girl's ability can directly affect the soul! In the 'future', she would use a move called 'Dream Rainbow' to make all Baroque Works officers face their true selves, even making Crocodile in prison recall his dream of becoming the 'Pirate King'!
So it was her,
'We're even now.'
Recalling the little girl's words when she left, Roman smirked.
Heh, what is this? Good deeds get rewarded...
"Alright, alright, Roman is awake, everyone disperse."
As Chopper shooed people away, Roman looked around. Besides the relieved Zoro and Sanji, the tear-streaked Vivi and Usopp, Nami smiling at him with an IV in her arm, and—
Luffy sitting in front, with his back to everyone.
Ah, Luffy must be furious...
I might get—
Bang!
Roman's cheek went numb, and his 'world' shook violently, mixed with urgent noise.
"Luffy, what are you doing—"
"Hold him down!"
"The wound, the wound is opening up~~"
...
"You—"
"What do you take companions for, Roman!!"
A roar drowned out all other sounds. Roman, lying down after being punched, turned his head to see Luffy's bloodshot eyes.
"Roman, you're smarter than me, you know things I don't! But—"
"You don't understand what companions are!"
"You think facing a strong enemy and risking your life alone makes you a companion?"
"Even if you die, you can just say: Look, I tried my best, you guys can run away"
"Bastard!"
"You never considered us as your companions!"
If it weren't for the furious Luffy being held back by Zoro and Sanji, he would have charged at Roman to throw a few punches.
"Do you think it's great to risk your life alone? You're wrong—"
"You should take our lives and fight together!"
"That's what being companions means!!"
—Silence.
...
Luffy,
You're right.
The one at fault is me, the 'transmigrator'.
Even without any cheats or golden fingers, Roman's heart still harbored the pride... or rather, the arrogance of a 'transmigrator'!
Mere natives... mere characters in a story... mere...
I know your abilities, I know your weaknesses, I know your past, present, and future...
So, no matter what happens, I can always come up with a solution! As for Luffy, Zoro, Nami... you just need to cheer from the sidelines and watch me beautifully solve all the bosses.
Even if I lose, even if I die, it's all part of my 'plan'.
I, a dignified transmigrator, am just so...
Arrogant,
Foolish.
"That's right,"
Roman sighed, inexplicably reminded of the old ship doctor at Twin Capes who, upon learning that he was secretly studying Haki, looked at him deeply and said, 'You are truly arrogant.'
Now it seems...
"I was too arrogant."
Thinking I could solve everything on my own, never considering Luffy and the others' feelings. Saying it was for my companions, but it was just self-gratification.
"I..."
Crackle,
"What are you doing,"
"Don't get up, you idiot!"
"The wound, the wound is opening!!"
Amidst the shocked and worried gazes of the others, Roman sat up, the bandages around his waist once again seeping with blood. But it didn't stop Roman from bowing his head and apologizing to everyone.
"I'm sorry, Luffy, everyone."
"My actions don't deserve to be called those of a companion! I—"
—!!
In that instant, Roman suddenly froze! Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji all turned to look in the direction they came from.
Roman finally noticed that he and the Straw Hat crew were sitting on top of a giant crab. They were speeding through the desert, with the silhouette of a city gradually disappearing in the distance.
"This is..."
The severely injured Roman tugged at the corner of his mouth. Even without seeing the figure, the overwhelming presence like a sandstorm sweeping the land, devouring everything in its path, was unmistakable:
"It's that 'Sand Crocodile' catching up."
Zoro and Sanji released Luffy and stood on either side.
"Let's face him here—"
Swoosh,
A figure leaped from the crab's head before the two of them, turning in mid-air to look at everyone.
"You guys go ahead!"
"Luffy—"
"That's the Sand Crocodile..."
"Chopper, keep moving!"
At Zoro's words, Chopper nodded and communicated with the giant crab carrying everyone.
"But even Roman—"
"Leave it to Luffy," Zoro held back Vivi, who was also about to jump down, "This is his fight. Our job is to get you safely to Alubarna (the capital of Alabasta)."
"Luffy is very strong!"
"Don't worry—"
...
Is this the difference between us?
Roman lay back down and closed his eyes. Luffy was facing the battle alone with everyone's blessings and trust, while he... only made everyone worry.
Tch,
To think that a transmigrator like me would end up like this, it's really pathetic. I'll probably be kicked out of the 'Transmigrator Alliance', right? But:
Rustle,
In Roman's outstretched hand, a piece of white paper quickly formed into the shape of a paper crane, then glided down from the giant crab.
---
"Boss, Princess Vivi has escaped."
Robin, wearing a white coat, watched the Straw Hat crew disappear into the desert, a smile on her face that hid her true thoughts.
"All the officers are gathering in Alubarna. Notify them to intercept!"
"As for you—"
Crocodile, dressed in a black fur coat, looked at the boy with the straw hat standing in front of him with undisguised disdain.
"Straw Hat kid, you are testing my patience..."
"That girl Vivi,"
"She can't even protect herself but still wants to help others. It makes me very angry—"
?
"That idiot Roman,"
"Always trying to shoulder everything by himself, it makes me very angry too—"
??
"Oh? So you're not that stupid after all."
Crocodile looked at Luffy, who had stood up, and arrogantly raised his chin.
"So, a smart person shouldn't deal with these sentimental fools. You think so too—"
"No!"
Luffy took a stance, one fist in front, the other at his waist.
"I'm going to beat you up!!"
"So they don't have to worry about these messy problems anymore!"
!!
"Bring it on—"
Whoosh—
A fist rapidly enlarged in Crocodile's pupils, interrupting his next words.
Splat,
Yellow sand splattered, the head exploded.
---
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