A Year Later
Bang!
Bang!
The sounds of battle echoed through the jungle, a steady rhythm of fists and determination.
Rolan sat under a tree, casually sipping wine from a gourd as he watched Luffy and Ace spar fiercely in the clearing.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Rolan said, setting the jug aside. "You two have fully grasped Observation Haki and Armament Haki. The rest will depend on your own effort."
For the first half of the year, Ace and Luffy had come to train with Rolan every day, spending hours under his merciless instruction. Eventually, they decided to build a small cabin right beside his camp.
The reasons were simple.
First, Rolan's food was far better than anything they could cook.
Second, they were too exhausted after training each day to walk back to their old house.
Over time, their daily routine became fixed — training, eating, fighting, collapsing, and repeating it all the next day.
Rolan had even used up all the senzu beans he received from the system to help them recover faster. Although the imitation beans weren't as potent as the originals, they healed wounds and restored stamina quickly, allowing the two boys to train without pause.
Their growth was remarkable. Luffy's reflexes sharpened, and Ace's control over his strength improved drastically.
And Rolan himself wasn't idle — teaching them deepened his own mastery of Haki.
During that year, Garp had returned to the East Blue several times. But thanks to Rolan's careful planning, neither Ace nor Luffy ever exposed his presence.
Knowing Luffy's inability to keep secrets, Rolan even disguised his electromagnetic waves with a barrier, making it seem like a large wild boar was nearby whenever Garp came close. Naturally, neither Luffy nor Ace dared to use Haki while their grandfather was around.
"Hey, Rolan, let's have a match!" Luffy shouted, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Rolan rose slowly, dusting off his clothes and smirking. "Alright, let's see how much you've improved."
He stretched lazily, taking a deep breath. "You going one at a time, or both together?"
"Rolan, I'll handle this myself!" Luffy said, cracking his knuckles confidently.
Rolan chuckled. "You might want to team up, or you'll lose before you blink."
"You're underestimating me!" Luffy grinned, teeth shining as he prepared his stance.
Rolan's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. "Alright then, show me what you've got."
Luffy's right arm stretched back, his hand coated with a faint layer of Armament Haki.
"Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!"
His fist shot forward like a cannonball.
But Rolan didn't dodge. He simply reached out and caught the strike with ease.
Bang!
The impact kicked up a small shockwave, but Rolan barely flinched. With a twist of his arm, he redirected Luffy's punch — and sent the boy flying.
"Wahhh!"
Luffy crashed to the ground right in front of Ace, who had been watching with folded arms.
"Luffy, you idiot!" Ace yelled. "Charging in alone like that, you really don't learn, huh?"
Luffy groaned, rubbing his head. "Ow, ow… I almost had him!"
"Sure you did," Rolan said dryly, eyes glinting with amusement.
Unable to watch Luffy's foolishness any longer, Ace clenched his fists and dashed forward. "Then I'll show you what I've learned!"
Bang!
Before Ace's punch could connect, Luffy tripped over his own foot and accidentally smacked Ace on the head.
"Luffy! Whose side are you on?!"
"I slipped!" Luffy shouted back, his face red.
What began as a sparring session quickly turned into a chaotic brawl. Luffy and Ace ended up fighting each other as much as they did Rolan — though, in truth, both were thoroughly outmatched.
By the end of it, they lay sprawled across the ground, covered in dirt and bruises.
"That all you've got?" Rolan said with a grin. "Looks like you still need more training."
"Rolan!" Luffy groaned, lying flat on his back. "You're only two years older than me! When I'm your age, I'll definitely beat you!"
"Keep dreaming," Rolan replied, shaking his head with a faint smirk.
Ace chuckled weakly. "Guess we'll have to rely on you for dinner again, huh?"
"As if either of you ever cook," Rolan muttered in mock irritation.
Ace rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. "Hehe… fair enough."
"Alright, alright," Rolan sighed, rising to his feet. "I guess I owe you both from a past life."
He disappeared into the forest, and minutes later returned carrying a massive wild boar.
Before long, the delicious smell of roasted meat filled the air.
"Rolan's barbecue is the best!" Luffy said, biting into a leg of meat with shining eyes. "Hey, Rolan! I'm gonna be the Pirate King! You should join my crew as our chef!"
Rolan chuckled. "Tempting offer, but I'm not planning on becoming a pirate… not yet anyway."
"Aww, that's a shame," Luffy said through a mouthful of food. "If you ever change your mind, I'll save a spot for you!"
"Oh? How thoughtful," Rolan said dryly, though he couldn't help smiling. Why does this sound like something Jinbe would say? he thought to himself.
"Oi, oi! I'm still here!" Ace shouted, glaring. "Are you seriously trying to steal our Master onto your ship?!"
Luffy blinked innocently. "But his cooking is so good!"
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[Ding. Congratulations to the host for completing the choice. Rewards received: Basic Conqueror's Haki Card ×1, Intermediate Marine Six Styles Card ×1, 10 million Berries, Intermediate Martial Arts Card ×1, System Space upgraded to 9×9, Basic Skybreaker Pirate Ship ×1, Super Spicy Ghost Pepper Noodles ×1 box.]
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The familiar system chime echoed in Rolan's head.
A pirate ship? He paused, smiling faintly.
Was this fate?
Every transmigrator dreamed of leaving their mark on the world. The Marines were bound by the Celestial Dragons' chains, the Revolutionary Army too naïve for his taste. That only left one path — the freedom of the seas.
He exhaled slowly, clearing his thoughts.
System, fuse all cards.
[Ding. Fusion successful!]
A surge of power exploded from within him.
The air around Rolan grew heavy, and even the trees seemed to tremble. Ace and Luffy were forced to shield their faces, their hearts pounding as an overwhelming pressure filled the clearing.
Then, as suddenly as it came, the aura faded.
Ace stared in awe. Just how strong is he? His power feels endless…
Rolan nodded in satisfaction, feeling the refined energy coursing through his body.
"Since you two called me Master," he said with a faint smile, "I'll take you out to sea tomorrow. It's time for some real experience."
"Really?!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
"Who said you're our Master?" Ace retorted, trying to look tough.
Rolan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just call me that a moment ago?"
"I—I just said it because you've been feeding us all year," Ace stammered, turning away, face slightly red.
Rolan chuckled softly. Ace was as tsundere as ever.
Still, he knew they both truly respected him.
"Alright," Rolan said, standing up. "It's getting late. Rest up — we'll set sail at sunrise."
"Yattaaa! Rolan's the best!" Luffy shouted, bouncing with excitement.
Ace couldn't hide his grin either. "Finally… the sea, huh?"
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