บท 66: Chapter 66: Fire Fist Ace - Roman Goes Solo.
"Rape Blossoms..."
How should one even comment on this name?
Roman looked at the port city appearing on the horizon, trying to distract himself with sarcasm. He had already released a large number of scouting paper cranes, and everything was under his control. But before that:
"Roman, aren't you going to tie it?"
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji—along with all the Straw Hat crew: including Vivi and the running duck Karoo, had wrapped several loops of paper around their left arms.
The paper bands were provided by Roman, absolutely unique! After all:
Paper that can be used as armor to block damage, at least in this sea, only Roman has it.
Facing Nami's question, Roman waved his hand.
"The paper is made by my ability, I can always—"
"Idiot!"
Nami knocked on Roman's chest and handed him the paper band. Helplessly, he extended his left hand.
Using his own ability to create something and then tying it on himself? What a strange act, as long as he wants, a single thought can...
"Alright, it's tied."
While Roman was lost in thought, Nami had already tied the paper band on his arm and even made a beautiful bow.
This—
"Alright, no matter what happens in the future."
As Luffy extended his left hand, Roman, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Vivi, and the running duck Karoo all extended their left hands to form a circle.
"From now on, this will be our symbol of companionship!"
Ah, it feels so silly.
But whatever, it's probably the last time I'll be silly with them...
——————
Rape Blossoms City, west coast.
"Be careful after landing," Zoro reminded everyone, "There are many ships with Baroque Works flags here, and also Marine's..."
"Restaurants!!"
However, before he could finish speaking, Luffy had already jumped off the ship and disappeared in a flash.
"I—"
Zoro sighed and turned to look at Roman, who seemed lost in thought with empty eyes. It wasn't the kind of out-of-body experience when developing fruit abilities, but simply:
Spacing out.
"Roman, I'll leave tracking Luffy to you."
"Huh?"
"Oh, no problem."
After a moment of hesitation, Roman nodded, and Zoro rubbed his green short hair.
"Roman, you..."
"Never mind, you're a smart guy."
Zoro, holding his three swords at his waist, jumped off the Going Merry without looking back.
"You understand things and know more information than any of us. But—"
"If you have any difficulties, you should tell everyone. At least... you trust Luffy, don't you?"
...
"Alright,"
Roman rubbed his face, forced a stiff smile, and exhaled.
"Let's go. While Luffy is eating, let's replenish some supplies for the desert environment. And before that:"
Roman looked at the always calm Marianne, also known as Miss Valentine from Baroque Works. Now that they had set foot on Alabasta's land:
"The deal is officially over,"
Roman nodded in another direction.
"You're free."
In response to Roman's words, Marianne, carrying various painting tools, food, and water, took a few steps forward, then turned back to look at Roman calmly.
"Aren't you going to shoot?"
"Hah," Roman scratched his head, "If it were the old me, I definitely wouldn't let such a powerful enemy go. Shooting you would be normal, but now..."
Roman impatiently waved his hand and decisively turned around.
"Let's go."
After spending so much time with Luffy and the others, he almost forgot he was supposed to be a 'pirate'.
"Then,"
A calm voice came from the little girl behind him.
"We're even."
——————
"Nami, your figure is amazing~"
In a shop on the outskirts of the city... well, it was just a blanket spread on the sand with various goods on it. It was an ancient trading scene that had long disappeared even in Roman's previous rural life.
Nami walked out of the 'Paper Dance - Fitting Room' created by Roman's ability, wearing a dancer's outfit full of desert style. It was breathable, had little fabric, and was adorned with various metal accessories... Standing together with Vivi, they attracted many men to walk back and forth on this street repeatedly.
"Huh? It's alright—"
Faced with Vivi's compliment, Nami seemed a bit distracted. But she wasn't the only one; Roman, who frequently touched his chin and spaced out, and Zoro, who leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, were also distracted.
"Where are we going next?"
In response to Zoro's question, Vivi explained, "We need to go to the rebel army's base, a place called 'Yuba'."
"Only by exposing Crocodile's conspiracy to the rebels first can we—"
"Hide!"
Halfway through her sentence, Vivi was pulled down by Zoro because in the city center:
"Don't let him escape!"
A group of Marines with guns and knives were chasing a figure.
"Is there a pirate?"
"Who is that unlucky guy..."
While the Straw Hat crew watched calmly.
"Hey, Zoro!!"
????
The chased Luffy ran towards the group without hesitation, followed by a string of pursuers:
"Don't come over here!"
"Is it you who brought the Marines here?"
In this situation, the speechless group had only one option left.
"Run!"
Here they come.
Roman's eyelids drooped, as if suddenly waking up, he ran to the side.
"Follow me!"
"But..."
"I've already had the 'White Knight' steer the ship to the side, avoiding the Marine warships."
"Great, Roman is still so reliable!"
With a sharp turn, the group changed direction from the southern port to the southwestern desert. The paper cranes circling in the sky took in the entire city, so Roman knew that in the direction Luffy came from, most of the Marines and the White Hunter Smoker:
Were blocked by a man with a bare torso and flames all over his body!
Portgas D. Ace!
Luffy and Sabo's sworn brother, Whitebeard's second division commander, a true expert with a bounty of 550 million berries! He is currently chasing Blackbeard and came specifically to give Luffy a Vivre Card.
Vivre Card!
The Vivre Card, also known as the Life Paper, is a special item in this world.
Only found in the New World, it is neither afraid of water nor fire. Made by mixing one's fingernails into the material, it is a paper that represents the owner's life force. People usually tear it and give it to their departing loved ones or friends, and the torn pieces will attract each other.
The Vivre Card also reflects the owner's condition, wilting when sick, burning when injured...
Burning out means death!
Flames danced in Roman's eyes. With a sample, he could immediately use his fruit ability to make up for his two shortcomings! For the Paper-Paper Fruit, this thing is the best artifact worth its weight in gold. So:
"Alright, let's rest here."
After shaking off the Marines, Roman stopped behind a sand dune. Although the group didn't know Roman's plan, they had no objections because of Roman's consistently 'reliable' expression, and:
"Run Fast, I have something to give you."
Taking advantage of the break, Vivi took out a letter and gave it to her mount, the running duck.
"This is the result of my investigation. Head north to Alubarna and give the letter to my father, he will understand everything."
The smart running duck nodded vigorously, then sprinted north!
And not long after:
Thud,
"Yo, Luffy."
A gentle voice sounded on the hill, making everyone look up and take a defensive stance! Except for:
Roman and Luffy.
"Hahaha, Ace!"
Facing the wary Straw Hat crew, Luffy introduced with a big smile.
"This is Ace, my brother."
"What?!" x4
"You actually have a..."
Walking down from the hill was a man with black messy hair, calm eyes, and freckles on his cheeks.
He wore an orange cowboy hat with "smile" and "sad" badges on the brim. He also had a skull badge, a red bead necklace around his neck, and a well-toned, muscular upper body. He wore shorts and had a dagger on his belt.
Facing the Straw Hat crew who had put away their attacks, the man named Ace politely bowed to everyone.
"Thank you for taking care of my brother."
"Indeed, we did." x5
Recalling Luffy's behavior along the way, the men were speechless, and the women were moved to tears.
...
"By the way, Luffy."
Ace invited Luffy, who was standing in front.
"Do you want to join the 'Whitebeard' Pirates?"
"I can introduce you all."
However:
"No, I want to be the Pirate King!"
The Pirate King, of course, cannot bear someone else's flag.
"I knew it,"
Ace just smiled. He understood his brother, so he just asked casually:
"Here, take this."
Ace threw a small piece of white paper to Luffy, making Roman, who was hiding behind everyone, squint his eyes. Then the man named Ace looked at the Straw Hat crew behind Luffy.
"I have a stubborn and foolish brother, and as his older brother, I'm very worried about him,"
"You all feel the same, right..."
Saying this, he bowed deeply again,
"Please take care of Luffy."
After saying that, he turned around gracefully.
"See you again!"
---
"Luffy, can I see the paper your brother gave you?"
Facing Roman's question, Luffy handed him the paper without hesitation.
Grabbing the square piece of paper with trembling hands, Roman closed his eyes, and his face showed excitement, joy, seriousness, silence, and... determination!
"Here, take it back and keep it safe."
"Of course."
Everyone walked forward in silence, the joy of meeting Luffy's brother seemed to vanish instantly. Roman slowly moved from the front of the group to the middle, and then quietly to the back, until—
He stopped walking.
Luffy and the others had already turned over the sand dune ahead.
Slap,
A hand grabbed Roman's arm, and he felt Nami's trembling and her tearful voice as she lowered her head.
"Come on, we still need you to guide us—"
"Just past the front, it's the Going Merry."
"Roman..."
"Sorry."
Rustle~~~~
Nami's hand was suddenly empty, and the figure behind her turned into fluttering sheets of paper falling down. Each sheet was pure white, with nothing on it. Why…
"Nami, are you crying?" When Nami turned around the front sand dune, all the members of the Straw Hat crew were standing there silently waiting. "No,"
"It's just... just... the sand got into my eyes."
"Let's go!"
She quickly walked past everyone towards the Golden Merry that appeared in sight.
"What about Roman—"
"Roman has something to take care of, let's go first."
"But..."
Chopper wanted to say something, but Usopp covered his mouth.
"It's okay, Roman can catch up. He's always reliable."
Always has been!
----
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