"Right! Rolan, no... don't kill me, I have a message! Please don't kill me!"
"Oh? What message?" Rolan said expressionlessly, standing before the pirate, "If this message is worthless..."
"Yes, yes, yes. Rolan, we received news that someone called a World Noble is coming to the East Blue in the next few days."
Rolan's eyes flashed. Most people in the East Blue might not know the so-called World Nobles, but he knew very well. These World Nobles were Celestial Dragons, emperors of the world who traveled with heavily armed guards, collecting tributes and buying slaves. Why they were coming to East Blue this time, Rolan did not know, but he sensed that the situation was more complicated than it seemed.
He leaned slightly forward, the corner of his mouth twitching, not in amusement but in a predator's calculation. Every detail mattered. Every lie could be fatal.
"What valuable message is this?" Rolan asked, watching the electromagnetic sphere in his hand grow brighter.
The pirate immediately fell to his knees. "Sir, listen to me. To welcome the World Nobles, the Tribaka Kingdom has offered 20 beautiful girls as tribute. And..."
"And what?" Rolan prompted.
"And they're all lolis!" The pirate lowered his head deeply, not daring to look at Rolan. Legend had it that Rolan, the bounty hunter, was a loli-lover. This pirate hoped the rumor was true and that it would save him.
Rolan inwardly spat blood at the ridiculous assumption but remained expressionless. "Is this the valuable message you spoke of?"
"Ah! Don't kill me, I have another message! This tribute includes something that will make people all over the world flock to it."
Rolan's gaze swept over the pirate. He suspected exaggeration, a lifeline for survival.
"I don't know the specifics, but it's said this item would cause a sensation even if brought to the Grand Line."
Gulp. The pirate's face was pale. That was all the information he had.
Rolan shrugged. "Forget it, I'm not bloodthirsty. You may go." The electromagnetic sphere in his hand gradually extinguished.
"Thank you, Sir, for sparing my life!" The pirate kowtowed, snot and tears streaming, before fleeing frantically.
"Fire Fist!"
The punch was far stronger than before, though not intended to kill. The pirate's last thought: 'Didn't you say you wouldn't kill me?'
"I didn't intend to kill you, but I have no right to interfere with my chef's actions."
Lina had already been enraged at these pirates, and hearing about lolis only made her more furious.
Rolan's eyes flickered toward the horizon. The seas were calm for now, but tension hung thick in the air. News of the World Nobles' arrival could attract trouble, and he knew he had to be ready.
"Let's go, Lina. We need to resupply before we set off."
"Alright, Captain."
A figure suddenly darted from the nearby jungle.
"Where did that group of pirates go?"
Sensing the aura, Rolan turned. The person had a familiar green head and three swords at his waist. "Roronoa Zoro?"
"Hey, you know me? Have you seen a group of pirates?" Zoro was slightly startled.
"As Zoro the Three-Sword Style, a renowned pirate hunter in the East Blue, you must have many acquaintances."
Rolan saw opportunity. Zoro had been on his recruitment list. Fate had brought them together sooner than planned.
"Those pirates just now? We've already dealt with them."
Zoro now examined Rolan and Lina. Both were extraordinarily powerful, especially Rolan.
"Are you Rolan?"
"Oh? You know me?" Rolan asked with interest.
"Of course. As the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue, I certainly know you."
Rolan considered how to recruit him. "Um... you have a ship, right?"
Zoro blushed. "Um... could you give me a ride?"
Rolan nodded, expression calm but inwardly thrilled. "Sure, let's go. We're just about to resupply in town, want to come along?"
Zoro, embarrassed, nodded. "O-okay."
They started walking. Zoro immediately turned left.
Lina was speechless. "Hey! Are you directionally challenged? You can even go wrong when following us?"
Rolan laughed. Zoro's navigational incompetence matched his reputation. Zoro flushed, turned back, and argued with Lina all the way.
Finally, they reached the seaside. "You didn't lose your ship and now you want a ride on ours, right?"
Zoro nodded. "My ship was ruined by that group of pirates, and I cut theirs."
"Alright, get on board." Rolan jumped onto the ship, Lina transformed into flame, and Zoro leaped aboard.
Zoro was stunned by the luxurious ship. "I'll just ride a bit, drop me off at the next island."
Rolan sat on the deck, sipping goji berry water. "My ship is luxurious, but are you sure you can afford the fare?"
Zoro's face fell. He was broke. "Then how much?"
Rolan extended one finger. Zoro's eyes widened. "What! One million berries for one leg?"
Rolan shook his head. "Too little."
Zoro tried again. "Ten million?"
"One hundred million berries," Rolan said faintly.
Zoro wanted to spit blood. "Then I'll get off now."
Rolan activated his electromagnetic power, making the ship dart forward. "Once you're on the ship, it's one hundred million berries!"
Zoro was flustered. "You scammer!"
"If you say so. What will you do?" Rolan swirled his goblet.
A flame appeared before Zoro, transforming into a red-haired Lina. She sized him up. "Hey! Captain, our next crewmate isn't going to be this guy, is he?"
"I was thinking of recruiting him," Rolan nodded.
"Him? A directionally challenged person?" Lina laughed.
"Don't underestimate him. Despite his quirks, his potential is good," Rolan explained.
Zoro protested. "I don't want to be your crewmate!"
Rolan approached. "Zoro, our meeting is destiny's arrangement. How about it, come be my partner?"
For a moment, Zoro's eyes met Rolan's, a spark of challenge and curiosity dancing within them. The sea wind tousled their hair as if urging him to make a decision that could change the course of his journey forever.
The waves lapped gently against the hull, carrying with them a sense of adventure that neither could ignore.
---
I apologize if the recruitment of 'Zoro' is something you dislike....