Starting as a Roger Pirates Apprentice

As if to validate Orin's words, the very next second, a storm that could shake the heavens and the earth began brewing on the horizon!

"Nani!?"

Before the might of nature, even a so-called New World overlord with the power to destroy the world had to yield.

Countless ships manipulated by the Float-Float Fruit were swept away by the storm and the tsunami, and the one who had control of the skies—Golden Lion himself—was no exception.

Swept into the waves, his body powerless, a ship's helm came flying toward him at that very moment...

"We're setting sail, everyone!!!"

Thanks to being made from the Treasure Tree Adam, the Oro Jackson remained incredibly sturdy. Combined with a group of non-fruit users clearing the way, not even a tsunami could halt the Roger Pirates' advance!

Buggy and Shanks watched the scene in stunned silence.

"Oi—"

The kitchen door was suddenly slammed open by Buggy. Already battered from frequent collisions, it now looked on the verge of collapse.

"Orin!"

Buggy rushed in with an excited look, his voice filled with disbelief and excitement. His face was even slightly red.

"Is it true, Orin? That storm that saved us—was it really because of my luck?"

Orin was hiding in the kitchen, sneaking some food—meat in one hand, a milk jug in the other—devouring calories like a beast. Even after consuming a mountain of food, his belly showed no signs of bulging.

He had already sensed Buggy's presence with Observation Haki, so he wasn't surprised. Instead, he found it a little amusing. Buggy actually believed it.

Maybe Buggy really did have Conqueror's-level luck.

Otherwise, how else could a weakling like him have become a Warlord, even one of the Four Emperors?

But Orin figured their safe escape from this battle had more to do with Captain Roger's destiny. Buggy's role, at best, was support.

Still, Orin had good emotional intelligence. Buggy was one of his few close buddies, after all.

"Of course it was, Buggy. I mean, how else could someone with your level of strength make it onto this ship and survive all these major battles unscathed? Isn't that proof enough?"

Orin looked at Buggy seriously as he spoke.

But Buggy was a real man—he still clearly remembered those words from before.

"Doesn't your life cry out for something more?!"

That kind of spirit... even if he was weak, he was still worthy of being called a true pirate!

Buggy went silent for a moment after hearing that.

He wasn't sure if Orin was actually complimenting him.

But after thinking it over...

He decided to believe him!

Orin might be sarcastic and annoying sometimes, but Buggy thought he understood him well.

At the very least, Orin had never lied to him. When danger arose, Orin often had his back.

Unlike Shanks, who once tricked him into hard labor with a fake treasure map—those two fought constantly about it (though Buggy never won).

Thinking about all that, Buggy felt a little happy. He grinned and simply sat down next to Orin to slack off together.

On the whole ship, he actually liked hanging out with Orin the most.

Shanks was too annoying, and the other crew members focused more on the talented Orin and Shanks. It even made Buggy want to give up on his dreams at one point.

Only Orin spoke kindly to him without pissing him off.

Sometimes he'd ask for help with work, but he always gave Buggy real treasure maps and loot in return. He never made Buggy feel useless—in fact, he praised him.

Honestly, in Buggy's eyes, Orin was his best friend.

"Come to think of it, Orin, besides juice, you really like milk too."

Buggy rubbed his red nose, picked up the milk jug, and took a sip. Other than being slightly sweet, he didn't find it very appealing. He looked curiously at Orin.

"Huh? Oh... I actually don't really like it."

"Then why do you drink so much?" Buggy looked skeptical.

"Because milk helps you grow taller!"

Orin chuckled.

"I wanna grow to be three meters tall! Otherwise, when I fight monsters on the sea, I'll have to look up at them. That's just embarrassing~"

"Seriously, that's your reason?"

"Of course! But orange juice is still my favorite." Orin clinked his cup against Buggy's, and the two continued chugging down drinks.

"Then..."

Buggy clenched his fists as if making a big decision. He suddenly stood up, fired up, and looked at the slightly confused Orin.

"Orin, when I become a great pirate, I'll treat you to the best orange juice in the world!"

As he said that, Buggy's face turned red from embarrassment, but he forced himself to stay calm, nervously watching Orin.

"Hahahahaha! Sounds good. Buggy, you're definitely gonna become someone who'll shake the seas. When I fall from grace, I'll come join your crew."

Orin laughed joyfully. Buggy clearly took it seriously and agreed without hesitation.

"Don't worry, Orin. The position of vice-captain on my ship will always be yours!"

That's what Buggy said,

But honestly, thinking about Orin and Shanks's strength, he had no real confidence. Those two were simply too amazing.

Dreams... was he even worthy of having them?

The two lay back, hands behind their heads, chatting while munching on snacks.

Before they knew it, night had fallen.

It wasn't until the ship's chef sensed something was wrong and stormed in with a mop that the two slackers were finally caught.

But seeing Orin burp with no visible change, while Buggy had unknowingly eaten himself into a round ball, the chef was speechless.

...

Orin's monster physique meant he digested food instantly, no matter how much he ate.

But Buggy? What was he even doing? He couldn't digest like that.

With no other choice, Orin personally carried him back to their quarters.

After saying goodbye to Buggy, Orin finally had time to return to his dorm, take a shower, and wash off the blood and grime from battle.

However,

Once he had some downtime, he started to feel a little restless.

He really wanted to unleash his Conqueror's Haki and have some fun.

Back when he first learned Geppo, he'd spent every day bouncing through the sky, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of flying.

That was until the constant "pop-pop" of his feet hitting the air drove Gaban-san crazy—and earned him a lump on the head.

Since it was already nighttime, releasing his Conqueror's Haki randomly might lead to a group beatdown. Orin decided to let it go.

But staring at himself in the mirror, his scarred, muscular body radiated power.

"Zheng—"

Black Armament Haki instantly coated his arms, subtly reflecting the room's light.

"Once I get to Wano, I'll train in Ryuo... then finally, advanced Conqueror's coating."

Admiring his incredible strength, Orin carefully mapped out his progression—from Vice Admiral-level power to Yonko Commander-level, then to Yonko-level, and finally...

King.

By now, due to his monstrous body, regular training no longer produced much progress. It had almost no effect.

From here on, he would need age, natural development, and advanced Haki instruction from stronger fighters to maintain his growth rate.

Although, there was still one more way to grow stronger...

Orin looked toward the little treasure chest hidden under his bed.

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo