Strongest Possessor of One Piece

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The pirates' raucous laughter echoed across the waves, reaching Rojen's ears.

Rojen's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint appearing in them.

He'd distinctly heard the name, "Roger." That irresponsible older brother had caused him no end of grief, but blood was blood.

"Fooled, were you?"

"So, you didn't believe a word he said."

Rojen murmured, his eyes now blazing with killing intent.

These pirates were a scarred and savage lot. They lacked the bright, heroic spirit of decent folk. Clearly, they'd spilled plenty of blood, much of it innocent.

"Surround his ship! A little fun before the Grand Line sounds like a fine way to pass the time!"

Four pirate ships, all flying the same tattered flag, converged on [The Logan]. They were all part of the same crew.

Rojen stood on deck, his face a mask, but the murderous intent in his eyes burned hotter.

Finally, [The Logan] shuddered to a halt with the four pirate ships blocking its path.

The pirates, grinning like devils, leaped onto [The Logan]'s deck, their landings punctuated by heavy thuds.

"Well, well, look what we have here. Where do you think you're going, kid?" A hulking brute with a face like a smashed pumpkin sneered while brandishing a rusty cutlass.

Rojen stared at him, silent.

"I asked you a question, boy! Cat got your tongue? Answer me, or I'll gut you where you stand and toss you to the fishes!"

A thick-necked brute roared, his whole body radiating menace.

"Heh, Perth, don't scare the little whelp too much."

"Maybe he fell for Roger's lies and thinks he can find treasure in the Grand Line. We've seen plenty of his sort lately."

A man in a gaudy coat, sporting a captain's hat and twirling a flintlock pistol, stepped forward from the throng.

He wore a thin smile, seemingly friendly, but the pirates instantly straightened up, their expressions shifting to a mix of respect and fear.

"Uh, yes, Captain!"

Perth, the thick-necked brute, visibly flinched and shuffled back.

"So, lad, were you one of the suckers who bought Roger's spiel about treasure in the Grand Line?" The captain turned his attention to Rojen, his smile now predatory.

Rojen, who had been standing like a statue, finally spoke.

"You don't believe him?"

The captain blinked, surprised. This kid wasn't scared, he was…calm. It was unnerving.

"You've got spirit, I'll give you that." The captain's smile vanished, replaced by a hard look.

"As for Roger's words…ha! I'm not a fool. Why would I believe that drivel? It's just bait for the gullible."

"Then why are you sailing?" Rojen asked, his hands hanging loosely at his sides, his posture relaxed.

"Why am I sailing?" The captain chuckled, a harsh, grating sound.

"For riches, for wenches, for freedom, of course!" He paused, his eyes glinting. "And for fools like you. We sail, we enjoy the sea, we admire the scenery, and then we stumble across naive lambs like you, ripe for the slaughter."

"We eat our fill, sing our songs, live free and easy. Isn't that the pirate life?"

The captain's words sent the crew into another round of boisterous laughter.

"Heh, sounds delightful," Rojen murmured, nodding slowly. "I have one last question."

"Speak your mind, whelp."

"Do you have any money?"

Rojen asked, his eyes suddenly gleaming.

"Money?" The captain blinked, then roared with laughter. "I've plundered five ships and sacked a dozen towns, 'borrowing' a bit from each. Why? Are you looking for a handout?"

He found this kid amusing. It wasn't often he met someone so young who wasn't trembling in his boots.

If nothing else, the boy had guts.

He was looking forward to toying with him before sending him to the depths.

"Yes. I'm very interested. How about you give me all of yours?" Rojen's eyes shone as he spoke.

"A blind dog chasing a rolling sausage, eh? Just what I need." He needed coin, and these pirates were delivering it right to him.

As for them…he wasn't worried. There might be strong fighters in the East Blue, but these weren't them.

"What did you say?"

The captain was dumbfounded. Was this kid crazy?

"Don't want to give it up?" Rojen's tone turned icy. His right hand twitched, and with a 'shing', his sword was drawn.

In the blink of an eye, the blade was at the captain's throat.

The captain froze, terror gripping him.

"I—"

"Then die!"

Before the captain could utter another word, Rojen's sword flashed, and the captain's throat was cut.

'Swish!'

Rojen moved like a whirlwind. All the idle chatter was over. It was time for action.

His blade was a blur, each elegant stroke followed by a spray of blood.

His sword was cold and merciless. The pirates' cries of fear turned into gurgling death rattles.

Step by step, Rojen advanced, leaving a trail of corpses in his wake. The pirates barely had time to react before they were cut down.

Five minutes later, a faint, metallic scent drifted from the base of Reverse Mountain. Rojen stood on the captain's deck with a strange sense of emptiness washing over him.

"This is perfect. It's time to abandon [The Logan]."

He murmured, then began kicking the bodies overboard. He gathered torches and tossed them onto the other pirate ships. Soon, the sea was ablaze.

The captain's ship was bigger and faster than [The Logan]. Clearly, he'd spared no expense on this ship.

Rojen had also learned from the pirates that their loot was stored in the captain's cabin. He'd already checked. It was a substantial haul.

Finally, Rojen stood on [The Logan]'s deck.

"Farewell, old friend. I'm sorry, but it's time we parted ways. Thank you for the journey."

With a sigh, he tossed a torch onto [The Logan].

'Whoosh!' The flames engulfed the ship.

From the moment Dragon had set eyes on him, this ship's fate had been sealed.

Rojen turned his back on [The Logan], his silhouette etched against the fiery backdrop.

Sometimes, life was like that.

You had to do things you didn't want to do.

Only by facing them could you grow.

(End Of The Chapter)