The Country of Endless War.
As one of the more powerful regions in the first half of the Grand Line, this island was once a unified nation.
However, for reasons long buried by time and conflict, it split into three independent kingdoms centuries ago.
Each kingdom sought recognition from the World Government, attempting to establish itself as the rightful ruler of the original nation.
Because of this, endless war broke out between them, lasting for hundreds of years without resolution.
Over time, people stopped referring to the individual kingdoms and instead called the entire island the Country of Endless War.
The Bullet Roy was searching for was currently within one of those kingdoms, the Jarzburg Kingdom.
After five days of sailing, a massive island slowly appeared on the horizon.
Roy paused his polishing and lifted his gaze toward the distant land.
The island was covered in gray dust and drifting smoke.
From afar, faint flashes of fire erupted across different regions, followed by the distant rumble of artillery.
Even before reaching the shore, the air already carried the sharp scent of gunpowder and rusted iron.
“Roy, is that the Country of Endless War?”
Stella descended from the sky, folding her wings as she landed lightly on the deck.
She brushed the dust from her clothes, her expression uneasy.
“This place does not look welcoming at all.”
Roy’s gaze remained fixed ahead.
“The Country of Endless War is a land consumed by conflict.
It has long since become a tool manipulated by the World Government.
Different forces compete here, and underworld arms dealers profit immensely from the constant fighting.
The man we are looking for is also on this island.”
Tesoro stopped his training, stretching his limbs before walking over.
“Boss, should we head straight to find Bullet?”
Roy shook his head slightly.
“No need to rush.
We land first, gather information, and secure a place to stay.
We will need time.”
He still did not know Bullet’s current state of mind.
After being betrayed, whether the man still trusted others was uncertain.
The ship gradually approached the island.
“Tesoro, Stella, put on simple disguises,” Roy instructed calmly.
“We may be staying here for a while.
Drawing attention from the Marines or the World Government too early will only complicate things.”
“Yes, Boss!”
Under Stella’s control, the White Dove quietly sailed into a concealed natural harbor at the edge of the island.
The ship was carefully hidden among the rocks.
After securing everything, the three stepped onto the war-torn land.
They headed toward Jarzburg.
Along the way, the ground appeared dark red, as if soaked in blood over countless years.
Ruined houses lined the path, and broken weapons, shattered armor, and empty shell casings were scattered everywhere, silent remnants of past battles.
At the same time, within Jarzburg Kingdom, a man known as Bullet was training relentlessly.
Having already earned the title of a hero within the army, he pushed his body to the limit again and again.
In the previous battle, he had been betrayed by his comrades.
He returned to the barracks heavily wounded, unable to understand why those who once fought beside him had turned against him.
With no answers, anger continued to build inside him, and the only way he could release it was through brutal training.
At this moment, he did not know that someone had already arrived on this island with the intention of changing his fate.
“Stay close, Tesoro, Stella.”
Roy led the way as the three passed through ruined areas and finally entered the outskirts of Jarzburg town.
The streets were filled with scars of war.
Buildings were riddled with bullet holes, many half-collapsed, and the atmosphere carried a constant tension.
“Boss, the people here are completely unrestrained,” Tesoro muttered.
“There is fighting everywhere.
We have already been attacked several times on the way here.”
Bang
Before his words fully settled, a gunshot rang out from a dark alley.
A bullet shot directly toward Roy.
“Tch, again.”
The projectile halted abruptly in front of Roy, suspended in midair.
Tesoro’s irritation instantly turned into anger.
Being attacked repeatedly without reason would test anyone’s patience.
“Calm down, Tesoro.”
As Roy spoke, a figure slowly lifted from the shadows of the alley, pulled forward by an invisible force.
A thin boy in ragged clothes appeared, clutching a rifle, his expression tense but defiant.
“How did you do that?
Put me down and hand over your money.”
Despite the nervousness in his voice, his eyes were sharp and fierce.
Tesoro and Stella were momentarily stunned.
They had not expected their attacker to be a child, nor that he would continue threatening them even after being restrained.
“Kid, we do have money,” Roy said lightly.
“But why should I give it to you?”
“Hey, I am pointing a gun at you.
I do not know what trick you used, but at this distance I will not miss.
Hand it over or I will shoot.”
“Is that so?”
Before the boy could react, the rifle slipped from his hands and floated into Roy’s grasp.
“Now the gun is with me.”
The boy froze for a moment, staring at his empty hands, then suddenly turned to run.
However, within the range of Roy’s Observation Haki, escape was impossible.
The moment the boy moved, his body locked in place.
“Brat, tell me your name.
Why did you attack us?”
The boy struggled briefly before giving up.
“My name is Savi.
As for why I attacked you, there is no reason.
I was hungry, so I picked a target.”
“You attack people because you are hungry?
That is insane,” Stella said, frowning.
“I am not insane.
I am just used to it.”
Roy’s eyes remained calm as he looked at the boy.
“In this place, killing is normal.”
He paused slightly.
“Answer a few questions, and I will let you go.
If I am satisfied, I will even give you money.”
“Really?
You will give me money?”
Tesoro’s patience snapped at the doubt in the boy’s voice.
He stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves.
“Brat, just answer properly.
Keep talking nonsense and I will deal with you myself.”
Savi showed no fear, only a hint of disdain.
This only irritated Tesoro further as he grabbed the boy’s collar, his fist ready to strike.
Before it could fall, Roy stopped him.
“Enough.”
Tesoro clicked his tongue but stepped back.
“Tch.
Ask your questions.”
Savi adjusted his collar, still stubborn.
“Savi, is there any place nearby where we can stay?
Somewhere relatively quiet.”
The boy pointed toward the center of town.
“You can go there.
General Douglas Gray’s army is stationed in that area, so it is safer.
There are inns and taverns, but civilians usually avoid them.”
He hesitated slightly before adding,
“The prices are high.
If you do not have money, the army will arrest you.”
“Hah, money is not a problem,” Tesoro said with a grin.
“Finally, a decent place.”
He pushed Savi forward.
“Lead the way, kid.”
As they walked toward the town center, Roy remained thoughtful.
He did not care much about the lodging conditions.
But the name Douglas had caught his attention.
After all, Bullet’s full name was Douglas Bullet.