Inside the cabin, Roy finished the meal Stella had carefully prepared, and the nourishment from the food slowly brought some color back into his previously pale face, as though life itself was returning in measured waves.
He stretched his body slowly; although the injured area still carried a dull, lingering pain, the wound had already begun to form a firm scab, and by his own estimation it would likely close completely within a few days if no complications arose.
“Where are we now?” Roy pushed aside his empty plate and turned his gaze toward Rayleigh.
Rayleigh was leaning casually against the doorframe, arms folded, watching Tesoro train with quiet interest.
“In half a day, the ship will pass by a small island known as Maple Leaf Island.
There’s a supply town there.
If you want to leave, you can disembark there and take time to rest and recover.”
To be honest, Rayleigh had originally considered inviting Roy to join the Roger Pirates outright, yet after observing him more closely, he reconsidered.
After all, judging from Roy’s temperament and the direction of his resolve, the boy likely already carried a defined goal that even the sea would struggle to redirect.
“Understood.
Thank you, Mr.
Rayleigh, for your care these past few days,” Roy said sincerely.
Without Rayleigh’s intervention, it was very likely they would not have escaped the pursuit of Sengoku and Kizaru of the Marine Headquarters.
Rayleigh waved a hand lightly, his expression calm but meaningful as he looked at Roy.
“It was nothing worth mentioning.
However, kid, your name is already beginning to echo across the seas.
A bounty of 200 million Berries is like a lighthouse suspended in darkness, drawing in pirates and bounty hunters who hunger for fame.
From here on, you’ll need to stay sharp.”
Roy’s lips curved slightly upward, his eyes showing no trace of fear, only a flicker of anticipation and excitement that seemed almost sharpened by danger itself.
“That’s exactly what I want.
I just happen to be short on whetstones to test out my new strength.”
Soon, the ship gradually approached a rather bustling and prosperous-looking island.
The port was filled with a dense arrangement of ships, among them several flying the fierce and unmistakable flags of pirates.
It was a typical lawless supply island where merchants and pirates coexisted uneasily, each watching the other like predators sharing the same hunting ground.
The ship docked.
“Alright, this is where you get off.” Rayleigh finished the last sip of wine from his bottle, then casually tossed the empty container into the sea.
“I should go find Roger and the others.
They must be getting restless after I’ve been away this long.”
Roy, accompanied by Tesoro and Stella, walked down the gangplank and once again bowed his head slightly in gratitude toward Rayleigh.
“Mr.
Rayleigh, I am deeply grateful.
I will remember your kindness.”
“Hahaha, kid, live and grow stronger, and I believe we will meet again on the Grand Line someday!” Rayleigh laughed heartily, raising a hand in farewell.
“Well then, goodbye, interesting kids!
I wish you a smooth voyage ahead!”
Without waiting for a response, he untied the ropes and guided the sailboat away from the port with practiced ease, the vessel gradually shrinking into the horizon until it vanished into the open sea.
Watching Rayleigh depart, Tesoro let out a low breath and remarked with genuine emotion, “He’s truly a powerful and charismatic uncle.”
Stella also nodded quietly, her eyes still filled with lingering gratitude.
Roy slowly withdrew his gaze, taking a deep breath of the island air mixed with salt, smoke, and human noise.
“Let’s go.
We’ll find a place to stay first, resupply, and gather information.”
The trio stepped onto the island together.
Although Roy was still young, his nearly 1.8-meter frame and the faint but undeniable presence of an awakened Haoshoku Haki made those around him instinctively avoid underestimating him.
Tesoro still bore injuries across his face, yet after everything they had experienced over the past few days, his gaze had become noticeably firmer than before, as though something inside him had been tempered.
Stella quietly followed beside Roy, observing this unfamiliar world with cautious curiosity.
They walked along the noisy streets, passing inns, stalls, and weapon shops.
Roy’s Observation Haki spread subtly outward, gathering fragments of voices and intent from the surrounding crowd.
Most of it was meaningless chatter, drunken boasting, and pirates loudly recounting their so-called great achievements.
However, just as they passed a particularly noisy tavern…
“Clang!”
The tavern door was suddenly kicked open with force, and a drunken, burly pirate with a deep scar across his face staggered out, nearly colliding directly with Roy, who was walking at the front.
“Hey!
Kid, don’t block the way!” the scarred pirate barked, barely steadying himself, his breath reeking strongly of alcohol.
Several of his companions followed behind him, laughing loudly as they surrounded the trio.
Their gazes swept over them with obvious ill intent, especially when they landed on Stella, whose appearance drew greedy and lecherous expressions.
Tesoro immediately tensed, instinctively stepping in front of Stella to shield her.
Roy merely glanced at the scarred pirate, his tone calm and unhurried.
“You bumped into me.
Apologize, then get lost.”
“Huh?” The scarred pirate pointed at his own nose as though he had misheard.
“Make me apologize?
Do you even know who I am?
I’m the combat captain of the Giant Axe Pirates!
A man with an 8 million Berry bounty!
How dare you talk to me like that, kid?”
The surrounding passersby quickly distanced themselves upon seeing the situation escalate, afraid of being dragged into trouble.
Murmurs spread quietly through the crowd.
“It’s the Giant Axe Pirates.
Those guys are dangerous.”
“That blond kid is in trouble.
Bringing such a pretty girl with him, he’s definitely been targeted.”
“He doesn’t look old at all.
Probably some young noble runaway who doesn’t understand the sea.”
Facing the pirate’s shouting and the cautious, almost sympathetic stares from the crowd, a faint, almost playful smile appeared on Roy’s face.
He had actually been looking for an opportunity to test his current strength, and incidentally teach Tesoro and Stella something important: in this sea, hesitation and retreat only invited deeper predation from pirates.
“Eight million Berries?” Roy chuckled softly.
“Where did this…
small fry come from?”
He lifted his head slightly, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.
An invisible pressure spread outward from his body like a tightening field.
Although he did not fully release his Conqueror’s Haki, the inherent dominance of his top-tier Haoshoku Haki still washed over the area, instantly sobering several of the drunken pirates as their expressions changed and their hearts tightened uncontrollably.
“I’m in a good mood right now.
I’ll give you one last chance.
Get out.”
The scarred pirate clearly felt the pressure as well, a trace of unease flashing through his mind, but alcohol and long-standing arrogance still held him in place.
When he heard his companions beginning to laugh behind him, his remaining restraint snapped.
“Kid!
You’re asking for death!” he roared, swinging his fist the size of a sandbag directly toward Roy’s face.
Tesoro shouted in alarm, “Boss, be careful!”
Stella instinctively covered her mouth.
Yet Roy did not move.
He simply raised his index finger lightly.
In the next instant, to everyone’s shock, the scarred pirate’s forward momentum stopped completely, as though he had struck an invisible barrier.
His massive fist froze less than ten centimeters from Roy’s nose, unable to advance even a single inch.
“Urgh?!” The scarred pirate’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He felt as if his arm had been locked in place by an unseen force.
No matter how much strength he poured into it, he could not break free.
A faint, cold smile appeared on Roy’s lips as he gently pushed his finger forward.
“Bang!”
An invisible force erupted outward.
The scarred pirate’s massive body was sent flying backward as if struck by a charging beast, crashing through the wooden wall of the tavern and collapsing inside amid shocked cries.
Silence.
A dead, suffocating silence fell instantly.
The remaining members of the Giant Axe Pirates froze mid-laugh, their expressions draining of confidence as cold sweat spread across their backs.
They looked at Roy, who stood unmoving, and fear slowly replaced their arrogance.
Roy’s gaze swept over them calmly.
“Anyone else want to try?”
The pirates staggered back in panic, shouting incoherently about monsters before fleeing down the street without looking back, abandoning even their unconscious captain inside the tavern.
Roy withdrew his gaze and turned back toward Tesoro and Stella, who were still stunned.
“Do you see?” he said lightly.
“This is power.
In this sea, it is the best pass.”
Tesoro nodded heavily, a burning determination igniting in his eyes.
Stella also looked quietly thoughtful.
“Let’s go,” Roy said, turning forward again.
“Find a place to stay.
Our journey has only just begun.”