Before the ship had even docked, Luffy had already jumped onto the small island, shouting nonstop, "Adventure! Adventure!"
"Hey! Luffy!" Ace called after him, concern evident in his voice.
"Let him be," Rolan said, placing a hand on Ace's shoulder. "This small island isn't dangerous enough to worry about yet."
Ace's worried expression didn't ease.
"Don't worry. My Observation Haki can cover the entire island," Rolan added.
"Alright… if you say so," Ace replied, though his tone remained hesitant.
"Forget it! You should just go with him." Knowing Ace's protective nature, Rolan simply picked him up and gently tossed him in Luffy's direction.
"Holy crap! Rolan, you maniac! Couldn't you have done that differently?!" Ace shouted, flailing in midair.
Rolan smiled calmly and jumped off the Breaking Sky himself. With a glance around confirming no one else was nearby, he stored the ship safely in his system space, then flew toward the strongest electromagnetic waves on the island.
When he arrived, he saw a street overrun with pirates looting and smashing everything in sight.
[] System: Triggered choice
A: Find and eliminate Vice-Captain Joseph. Reward: Intermediate Observation Haki *1, 100 million Berries, Senzu Bean *1000, Indestructible Underwear *1.
B: Recruit Joseph as a companion. Reward: 'You are too beautiful to strike' album *1.
C: Tell Joseph: You want him as a Cabin boy. Reward: Devil Fruit deprivation, Haki deprivation.
'No question, I choose A!' Rolan thought.
A short, rotund man pointed to a girl cowering in the corner, barking orders to his crew.
"Hehehe, Joseph, bring that beauty here. I want to relax tonight."
The fat man wore a scarlet cloak and pirate hat, his features nearly buried beneath layers of flesh, with long nose hairs poking out. He gripped a scimitar loosely in one hand. This was Fideh, captain of the Extortion Pirates, with a bounty of 11 million Berries. Known for his lechery, he was infamous across the island.
"Yes, Captain!" Joseph saluted.
"Electromagnetic Cannon."
With a single, quiet thump, Fideh collapsed to the ground, a perfect fist-sized hole in his forehead. Even in death, his lewd grin remained.
"Who's there?!" Joseph froze, dropping the basketball he held.
"What? Don't recognize me? That'll hurt my feelings, you know." Rolan stepped forward slowly, an almost harmless smile on his face.
"Huh, you?…" Joseph struggled to recall, the image of a young cabin boy surfacing in his mind.
"You remember now?" Rolan asked, his smile faint. All the terrifying aura he normally exuded was contained, making him seem just a young man.
Joseph trembled violently, pointing at Rolan with a pale finger. "You… you're the cabin boy Rolan? How are you still alive?"
"I hate people pointing fingers at me," Rolan said, delivering a precise strike with an Electromagnetic Blade!
"Ah!" Joseph screamed, clutching his severed wrist.
Rolan casually flipped a Berries coin between his fingers. "What? Not trying with your lover this time?"
Joseph's shrieks filled the street as he collapsed, unable to speak.
"I… I… I…" Joseph couldn't respond, a puddle forming beneath him. Rolan's expression twisted slightly in disgust.
"Forget it. You're done." Rolan flicked the Berries coin toward him.
Boom!
Joseph hit the ground, his expression a mix of fear and reluctant acceptance. Several more coins flew from Rolan's fingertips, striking every pirate on the street like guided bullets.
[] *System: Congratulations! Rewards received: Intermediate Observation Haki 1, 100 million Berries, Senzu Bean 1000, Indestructible Underwear 1.
Before Rolan could check, a melodious female voice rang out: "Grandpa! Grandpa! Wake up!"
He looked up and saw the girl Fideh had been targeting. She froze at Rolan's approach, her face pale with fear.
"Don't kill me…" she whispered.
"I'm not a pirate. All the others are gone," Rolan said gently.
"Really? You're not with them?" she asked, eyes wide.
"Have you ever seen people from the same group fight each other like this?" Rolan chuckled.
"Benefactor, please save my Grandpa!" she clung to his arm desperately, ignoring any distinction between friend or foe.
Rolan said nothing. He knelt, placing a hand on the old man's forehead, activating his electromagnetic powers. The man's brainwaves, long faded, were temporarily restored.
Slowly, the old man opened his eyes.
"Grandpa, you're awake!" the girl cried, hugging him tightly.
As she turned to thank Rolan, he shook his head. "Your grandfather is still gone. I only revived him briefly so you could say your farewell."
"Ah?" Tears welled in her eyes again.
"Time is short. Listen to him carefully," Rolan advised, moving aside.
Moments later, he heard the old man speak. "Young man, thank you for this gift. Although you are as young as Lina Er, your strength is extraordinary. I have one request—please take care of Lina Er when I'm gone."
Rolan raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to. But again, how do you know I'm trustworthy?"
"I have lived long enough to meet many. I know you are good," the old man replied.
Rolan nodded reluctantly. "Alright, fine."
The old man closed his eyes, finally at peace.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" the girl sobbed uncontrollably, clutching him. Eventually, her crying subsided.
"Benefactor, thank you for saving me," she whispered, wiping her tears. Rolan activated his electromagnetic power, lifting her to her feet.
She appeared around fourteen or fifteen, about 1.5 meters tall, with red hair, a round face, and large, tear-stained eyes. Despite her worn dress, it was clear she was a beauty in the making.
"You don't need to kneel. I only acted in revenge for myself," Rolan said, waving off her gratitude.
"No! Benefactor, without you, I don't know what would have happened!" she exclaimed. She tried to kneel again, only to find herself gently held upright.
"Rolan! You're here!" Luffy's voice called from nearby.
Ace and Luffy soon arrived, seeing the scene.
"Ah? Is everything settled?" Ace asked.
"Yes. Did you find the pirates too?" Rolan responded, though he already knew the outcome.
"Yes, but I sent them flying," Luffy said proudly, flexing his arm.
"Here, 30 million Berries," Rolan said, tossing a heavy bag to Ace. "Deliver it to the townspeople. We'll stay here a day or two."
Ace's eyes lit up. "Thanks!"
"Benefactor, I don't know how to thank you. Can I cook you a meal?" the girl asked.
Rolan was about to refuse, but seeing the hope in her eyes, he finally nodded.
"But first, you need to bury your grandfather."
"Of course," she replied.