"Why would you..."
Picking up the warden's weapon from the ground, Roman examined it for a moment, then made a disgusted face before pointing it at the elephant man on the ground.
"A virus weapon? Only good for bullying the weak."
Bang!
"You... why... how could you..."
As expected of 'Plague' Queen's bioweapon.
With a single shot, Babanuki—the quarry warden with a bounty of over 200 million—began shriveling up, his body smoking as unbearable pain left him unable to finish his sentence.
"You're surprised I knew about your trump card?"
"Or are you shocked that I'd use such a cruel weapon without hesitation?"
Roman finished the sentence for him, then shook his head.
"You people use every dirty trick imaginable against others. But the moment someone turns the same methods on you, you act all shocked and outraged?"
"Is it because you've had it too easy under the protection of the Four Emperors?"
"Or did you really think I was some naïve fool who would show mercy to my enemies?"
But the elephant warden, already gravely wounded, was now lifeless.
Roman didn't feel like wasting any more words.
After testing the weapon's power, his next step was obvious—take a sample back to Chopper so he could develop a cure.
Unlike some doctors, Roman wasn't going to let his crew's doctor waste time making a cure in the middle of battle.
Although...
This one seemed to be the heat-based 'Mummy' virus. Queen also had a cold-based one... What was it called again? Whatever.
Either way, these things were only effective against small fry.
Might as well bring it back for Chopper to study.
"Excuse me,"
"Thank you for your help,"
"But... what's the price?"
After Roman took down most of the elite guards, the prisoners in the quarry immediately started a riot, finishing off the remaining ones. Thousands of eyes turned to Roman, who was completely absorbed in studying the virus bullet, as if no one else was there.
Various murmurs rose among the crowd.
He actually used that brutal warden as a test subject, flipping him over and inspecting him seriously? And yet, he showed no signs of being infected by the virus…
This outsider—
Was both terrifying and incredibly strong!
"Hm? So, you've all gathered? Good—"
Facing thousands of prisoners, Roman spread his hands wide. One after another, samurai swords emerged from his palms like a magic trick! In no time, they piled up into a small hill of weapons on the ground.
"I am the strategist of the Straw Hat Pirates—'The White Knight.' The reason I'm here is simple: my captain wants to beat the crap out of Kaido, but we're a little short on manpower.
To put it bluntly—we need cannon fodder."
?! Wait, is he seriously saying it that bluntly?
But Roman didn't give them time to react. He simply looked around and continued.
"You have two choices:"
"First, pick up a sword and fight the Beasts Pirates."
"Don't worry, you'll only need to deal with the small fry. Kaido, the Calamities, and the Flying Six are our problem."
"Second choice—I kill you right here with these weapons."
"You're already here, breaking your backs until you drop dead. Might as well just die early and get reincarnated as a pig in your next life—it'd be easier."
As soon as Roman finished speaking, the weapons on the ground suddenly floated into the air, forming a dense wall behind him, all pointed at the dumbfounded prisoners.
The message was clear: say the wrong thing, and he'd turn this into a "King's Treasury" massacre.
"Well? Will you grab a weapon and fight like a samurai, cutting your way to freedom over your enemies' corpses?
Or will you die here like a worthless slave?"
"Make your choice."
Roman wasn't like Luffy—he didn't have the ability to turn enemies into friends.
But when it came to life and death, the choice was clear for these prisoners—
"Do you understand what you're doing?"
An old man, now revitalized after eating one of Kid's dumplings, stepped forward first. He looked up into Roman's eyes, searching for arrogance or overconfidence…
But all he saw was complete control—an unshakable belief in victory!
This man… wasn't just full of himself.
"Of course."
"I know what you want to say."
Roman spread his hand, and his signature longsword emerged from the gaping mouth in his palm. The blade, constantly reinforced with Armament Haki, was covered in intricate black lightning patterns, making it both dazzling and deadly.
"Without real strength, facing Kaido is just suicide.
But the Straw Hat Crew… is different."
Freeing the prisoners was an act of kindness.
Now, it was time to show them power!
Armament Haki—coating the sword.
Conqueror's Haki—bursting outward.
More More's 70x enhancement, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the support of the Op-Op Fruit—
And then—
"Slash!!"
With a sharp glint in his eyes, Roman swung his sword skyward!
A massive golden slash tore through the air, cutting through the thick, factory-polluted clouds overhead.
The sword's light surged endlessly, stretching far and wide. In mere moments, the sky itself was split in two!
A straight, golden path of sunlight poured down through the sundered clouds, illuminating the entire quarry.
The light bathed Roman, making him seem like a god… or a demon!!
The entire place fell silent.
Even the old man—Hyogoro the Flower—stood there, stunned.
He had expected Roman to show off his strength to rally the prisoners… but this slash was beyond anything he could've imagined.
It was almost like—
The legendary sword saint Tatsuma, splitting the sky with a single strike!
Even in Wano, the land of samurai, where master swordsmen were everywhere, and even great swordmasters were not uncommon—
But a slash that could cleave the heavens—
"No… Your sword isn't pure."
Recovering from his shock, the old man spoke again.
Roman's devastating strike was terrifying, but his sword technique contained too many elements—Ryuo, Devil Fruit powers, sheer force of will…
"But my sword is strong enough."
"And that's all that matters."
Roman was never someone who pursued pure strength alone. Whether it was mastering all forms of combat or breaking through all techniques with a single sword, in the end, it all came down to how strong the user was. And in this world, Roman firmly believed that if he kept moving forward, his path would lead him to stand above the seas!
… "Alright! Count me in!"
"Let's take down the Beasts Pirates!"
"What's there to fear? At worst, we'll just leave a scar the size of a bowl on our necks!"
After a brief silence, the imprisoned warriors erupted with a roar that was ten times louder than before. Seeing Roman's strength had completely fired them up!
Earlier, they had hesitated because they didn't want to throw their lives away. But if someone this strong was leading the charge, what was there to be afraid of? Maybe… just maybe…
They could really take down Kaido and bring Wano Country back to how it used to be!
"Good, that's more like it."
Roman didn't have Luffy's natural ability to inspire people in desperate situations, but that didn't matter. He never planned for these prisoners to fight a hopeless battle. All they needed to do was ride the momentum of victory!
"Everyone, head to Amigasa Village in Kuri. My crew has already prepared food and medicine for you. There are also ships ready for battle—"
Roman raised his sword to the sky, the setting sun behind him casting a golden glow over the scene.
"I'll lead the charge! Follow me to victory! This battle—"
"Will be won!"
"Will be won!!"
"Will be won!!!"
Alright then— "Captain Kidd, where exactly are you heading?"
"I'm going to find my crew." The red-haired, spiky-haired man formed a left arm out of the weapons and armor of the guards, then turned to look at Roman. "I've had enough of this alliance nonsense. I'll repay the debt to you and the Straw Hat Crew in my own way!"
"Suit yourself."
Though Kid had a violent and ruthless nature, he always repaid kindness and avenged grudges without question. Roman was sure that when the battle began, Kid would show up to help. Now, moving on:
"Old man, you should head to our base in Kuri. There, you can recover a bit—your leadership will be crucial in the coming battle."
"Hyogoro of the Flowers."
That name… It felt like something from a past life.
The old man tightened his grip on his katana. His disciples, his wife, his children—they had all died at the hands of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi. Revenge for his country and his family… Even if it meant relying on outsiders, he wouldn't hesitate!
As the others left, a towering figure was released from a prison that had supposedly "never been opened." He had webbed hands, an appearance resembling a mix between a frog and a kappa, and long orange hair flowing down his back. A straw hat sat atop his head, a red scarf wrapped around his neck, and he wore a green kimono with rope-like patterns.
"I've eaten poisoned fish for 13 years, but at least I survived."
"I will never forget your kindness!"
He walked up to Roman, picked up a katana, and weighed it in his hands.
"Unfortunately, my beloved blade, 'Soto Musou,' is nowhere to be found… This sword feels too light."
With that, he tucked the katana into his belt, pressed his palms together, and bowed deeply to Roman.
"I am Kawamatsu. If you plan to take down Kaido, please allow me to fight at the front lines!"
Tch, so this so-called "short" kappa is actually nearly three meters tall...
Roman looked up at the towering yet somewhat cute "kappa" in front of him. In reality, he was a red-finned pufferfish fish-man, one of the Nine Red Scabbards, formerly Wano Country's top sumo champion, and a powerful samurai.
"Hmm, you look pretty strong. Alright, come with me."
Even after being imprisoned for 13 years and eating poisoned fish all that time, Kawamatsu was still one of the strongest among the Nine Red Scabbards, only rivaled by Ashura Doji and the rulers of Zou, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi.
Seriously, Oden was such an idiot!
He had so many powerful allies, Wano was full of master swordsmen, yet he still managed to lose despite having such great cards in his hand. Roman didn't even know where to begin complaining.
Half of Wano's 20 years of suffering was on Oden!
"Sir, where are we going now?"
Hearing Kawamatsu's question, Roman glanced in the direction of the Flower Capital.
"We're going to meet another resistance group..."
————
"Princess, Kurozumi Orochi is preparing to leave for Onigashima soon. We..."
If there was ever a chance to assassinate him, it was now!
But—
Even with an inside ally, Hiyori's plan was way too risky. Even if she succeeded, escaping afterward would be nearly impossible.
"Uncle Denjiro, my mind is made up. As long as Orochi drinks this strong liquor that makes people lose control instantly, I will personally take his head!"
At that moment, the stunning beauty, the top courtesan of Wano, wore a cold expression full of killing intent.
Her father, her mother, her brother, and all the kind uncles and elders who treated her like family had all died because of that man...
"All these years, every time I saw his face, I had to force myself to smile... I can't stand living like this anymore!"
"...It's my failure."
Though Kyoshiro bowed his head in apology, he had wanted to rip Orochi apart just as much.
But Orochi was constantly guarded by the Oniwabanshu ninjas. There was never an opportunity to strike.
Was there really no other choice but to let the princess do it herself—?
"Your plan will never work."
?!
Clang—!
A flash of steel, the sharp clash of metal, and sparks flying everywhere!
A fierce clash of Armament Haki sent Hiyori stumbling backward with a gasp.
Kyoshiro instinctively swung his blade, but before he could react, a tall figure had already stepped forward and caught the princess.
"Princess Hiyori, are you alright?"
?
"You are...?"
Hiyori looked up at the person holding her, their body covered in filth, as if they hadn't bathed in over a decade.
"S-Sorry... Princess, I—"
"Uuuuuu~! Uncle Kawamatsu! I thought you were..."
But the beautiful woman didn't care at all. She threw her arms around the tall, dirty "kappa" and burst into tears.
So this was Kawamatsu?
"Alright, put your sword away first," Roman said, pressing his blade against Kyoshiro's weapon while motioning toward the door with a nod.
"And tell your men to calm down.
Though I don't mind shutting them up the hard way."
(End of Chapter)
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