Sparkle Jabba: "It was Sea Round Year 1493, twenty-nine years ago. I remember that was the year Captain Roger was diagnosed with an incurable disease."
These words evoked a wave of nostalgia among countless former members of the Roger Pirates scattered across the world.
Their captain was truly a victim of envy from the heavens.
He had reached the pinnacle of his life only to be struck down by an incurable illness.
If it weren't for the captain's illness, they wouldn't have gone their separate ways in such a short span of years.
If they could, wouldn't they want to be like Whitebeard?
Sailing the seas, exploring a new sea here and there, happily spending the rest of their lives.
For a man of the sea, wouldn't spending his entire life on the sea be a truly cool thing?
In the New World, beneath the sea.
Within a submarine made of steel, resembling a whale in the depths of the ocean.
A ferocious man, his entire body bulging with muscles, surprisingly wore a wistful expression on his face.
"Captain Roger."
Barrett let out a breath, "Twenty-nine years have passed."
Barrett could never forget that day.
The day Captain Roger was diagnosed with an incurable illness was also the day he last challenged the captain before leaving the Roger Pirates.
From that day on, his world became only about strength.
It felt like he had returned to his war-torn homeland.
"I will revive you, Roger."
In the silence that followed, Barrett murmured.
No, it wasn't for some bond of comradeship. He just wanted to defeat the captain, the invincible captain in his memory. Yes, that was all.
Crocus: "It's been a long time. I had just joined the Roger Pirates back then."
Kozuki Oden: "I have a deep memory of that year. My wife, Toki, and I became husband and wife that year."
King Riku: "Kuli, I believe you achieved 100 consecutive wins at the Coliseum that year."
Kuli: "I am humbled, King Riku-sama. It was only that year that you guided me onto the right path."
Watching the movie was a novel experience for the people of the Pirate World. For those who had lived through much, it was a way to reminisce about the past.
They rekindled memories of their own eras within the movie.
Even if the story wasn't their own life story.
【A corner of the Crocobine Kingdom, near the coast, on a patch of grass】
【In front of a slightly dilapidated house, Fujitora and Roa stand facing each other, swords in hand】
【Roa holds a wooden sword, while Fujitora holds a cane sword, though the blade is not drawn】
【Roa lets out a roar, cracking the ground beneath his feet. He charges towards Fujitora with incredible speed, leaving a blur in his wake】
【The wooden sword in his hand swings with immense force, accompanied by a whistling sound】
【Fujitora remains motionless, but just as the wooden sword is about to hit him, he lightly taps the tip of the sword with his cane】
【A terrifying force explodes, sending Roa flying through the air】
【Roa crashes heavily to the ground. In an instant, Fujitora takes a step forward, like a nimble tiger, landing precisely where Roa fell】
【His cane sword extends】
【"It's over," Fujitora says calmly】
【He anticipated that the strike would land on Roa's throat】
【However, to his surprise, as he extended his cane sword, Roa seemed to anticipate his movement and reacted accordingly】
【Roa crosses his wooden sword, blocking Fujitora's cane sword point-blank】
【Despite the disparity in strength, he still tumbled backward a few times】
【"Not bad," Fujitora says with a gentle, good-natured smile, "I didn't expect you to have already mastered Observation Haki."】
Tsuru: "Observation Haki? Are you serious? A year ago, he was just a clueless kid. This growth rate…"
Rocks: "There's nothing surprising about that. Observation Haki is the easiest of the three types of Haki to learn. Even an eight-year-old, or even a newborn baby, can master it. It's not uncommon."
Katakuri: "Indeed. Learning Observation Haki isn't difficult. With a good teacher, occasionally using it once or twice isn't a challenge. What's truly difficult is advancing further, using it consistently, and ultimately achieving the ability to see into the future."
Roger: "He has talent, but he's still too young. Time is running out for him to grow in the era that awaits him."
It's not the top-tier powerhouses who are surprised by Roa's progress.
Top-tier powerhouses are calm about Roa's growth rate.
After all, they've seen people born with Observation Haki and people born with Conqueror's Haki.
Compared to mastering Haki, reaching higher levels of Haki and martial arts is the real challenge.
For example, Observation Haki reaching the level of seeing into the future, Armament Haki reaching the level of internal destruction, and Conqueror's Haki reaching the level of Conqueror's Haki Coating. These are the real challenges.
Honestly, seeing this.
They still favor Dragon over Roa and Luffy.
Roa's disadvantages in terms of age and strength are too great.
【In the past year, Roa's strength has increased significantly. After mastering Observation Haki, his strength is now comparable to a pirate with a bounty of 20 to 30 million berries】
【The reason it's only 20 to 30 million is because he's too young and his strength and speed aren't strong enough yet】
【This level of strength is enough for him to survive in the four seas, and it has given Fujitora the idea of leaving. He has his own path to take】
【He wants to experience the world's trends, the darkness. This is the ability that his Observation Haki has extended after he destroyed his own eyes】
【He can clearly sense the emotions of a country's people, the darkness they hold, and so on】
【Fujitora tells Roa his intentions】
【After a brief moment of contemplation, Roa smiles and says】
【"Fujitora-sensei, since you plan to travel the four seas, why not join me? I plan to do some research in the four seas as well."】
【"Research?"】
【"Yes. Didn't I tell you before? There's no speaking without investigation. If you want to change the world, you need to understand it better than anyone else."】
【"If Fujitora-sensei also wants to contribute to changing the world, why not investigate with me first?"】
【Roa's voice is childish, but his intentions are clear. Everything he says is surprisingly convincing】
【"That sounds like a good idea."】
【Fujitora contemplates for a moment before nodding】
【"So, we're comrades then," Roa says with a smile】
【"Comrades?" Fujitora is puzzled by the unfamiliar term, but it feels strangely familiar】
【"Yes, comrades."】
【Roa smiles brightly】