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Seven routes extended outward along magnetic currents, leading to seven different paths. Each route offered its own unique experiences and scenery.
In the end, Rojen decisively chose the middle route. Compared to the sights of the first half of the journey, the latter half was far more suitable for him. It was the route he knew best, and it would allow him to reach the end of the first half of the Grand Line and enter the New World as quickly as possible.
The struggle among the Four Emperors had already begun the moment Shanks stepped into the New World. Naturally, Rojen had no intention of missing such a grand spectacle.
To stand at the pinnacle of pirates and become one of the strongest among them, this was the dream of every pirate.
Three days later, The Logan followed the direction indicated by the Eternal Pose and docked at Whiskey Peak.
"We'll have to stay here for a while. The magnetic field needs time to recharge before we can head to the next island."
Rojen glanced at the Pose on his wrist.
This Pose had not been given to them by Crocus. Rather, it was one of the special Poses Trens had brought from the New World. There were three of them in total, and they possessed capabilities far superior to those of ordinary Log Poses.
Looking at this familiar place, Daz Bonez exchanged a glance with Crocodile. After receiving a nod from him, he quickly departed.
"What is he going to do?"
Chaporos asked curiously.
"This is our territory. I sent him to make some contacts."
Crocodile replied calmly.
Rojen was not surprised. Aside from being a member of his crew, Crocodile also held another identity, that of the president of Baroque Works. Whiskey Peak likewise fell within his sphere of influence. However, Rojen was not entirely sure how much of that influence Crocodile still retained at this point.
Following Daz Bonez's arrangements, the group entered a tavern.
"On the surface, this island appears peaceful, but in reality it's filled with pirate hunters. They often target newcomers who have just entered the Grand Line."
Seated around a table, Crocodile explained indifferently.
"Pirate hunters?"
Jason showed some interest.
"Of course. But here, we have absolutely nothing to worry about."
Ignoring Jason's question, Crocodile continued in a calm tone.
"Because they've already learned who we are."
The group turned and surveyed their surroundings. When their gazes met those of some of the tavern's patrons, they immediately noticed the fear in the other party's eyes.
"This place may be a graveyard for rookies, but for great pirates with bounties and reputations like ours, these people don't dare provoke us."
That was Crocodile's final assessment.
Whiskey Peak was indeed full of pirate hunters, but they were all low-level underlings with little strength. The people here probably couldn't even defeat some of the weaker pirate crews that had only recently entered these seas.
By the time evening arrived, Rojen's group followed Daz Bonez toward the accommodations that had been arranged for them.
As night fell, the streets quickly became deserted.
Occasionally, when passing certain intersections, Rojen would notice obvious rookie pirates being warmly invited by the locals to join various banquets and celebrations.
Naturally, he knew exactly what was really going on behind those invitations, and merely smiled.
"Those pirates are going to have a rough time."
Chaporos chuckled, sounding rather pleased at their misfortune.
None of them intended to warn the newcomers. They were all pirates, after all, and had no idea what kind of people those strangers were. There was no reason to recklessly come to their aid.
They continued deeper into the streets.
Just as they passed an intersection, a sharp glint suddenly flashed across Rojen's eyes, and he abruptly halted.
"What is it, Captain?"
Trens asked curiously.
His eyes swept across the surroundings, but he could not spot anything unusual.
At that moment, however, a faint conversation reached Rojen's ears.
"This is a rare specimen! To think we'd run into a human with wings on her back, and she's a woman!"
"The Nobles will definitely love this. We'll sell her to those collectors with strange hobbies. Hahaha, we're going to make a fortune this time."
"Yeah. Just look at her, doesn't she resemble one of those legendary angels?"
"I think so too."
Thanks to his keen hearing and extraordinary senses, Rojen could hear sounds that others could not.
"You all go ahead. I'll catch up later."
After saying this to the others, Rojen turned and separated from his crew.
"Captain, where are you going?"
Jason called out, but Rojen merely waved his hand and quickly disappeared from sight.
"Don't worry. With the captain's abilities, the only thing you need to worry about is whether he'll end up tearing this island apart."
Trens said with a grin.
"That's true!"
Jason came to his senses and laughed heartily.
On his shoulder, the miniature Grand Dragon snorted fiercely and spat out a tiny puff of flame.
The crew had no concerns about Rojen and continued on with Daz Bonez.
Meanwhile, after turning three corners, Rojen finally spotted four men ahead of him.
One of them, walking in the middle, carried a black bundle on his back. Something inside was struggling, and faint cries for help could occasionally be heard.
Rojen calmly watched the four from behind and quietly followed them.
Without question, this was a kidnapping. However, judging from the conversation he had overheard, the person they had abducted was anything but ordinary.
"Hey, do you feel something strange?"
Suddenly, the man in front stopped and rubbed his forehead.
"What strange feeling? Hurry up and keep moving."
One of the others urged him.
"No, something's off. I feel like someone's following us."
The man in front said cautiously.
"Following us? Didn't we just check? There wasn't even a ghost behind us!"
The tall man at the rear replied impatiently as he turned his head.
But the instant he looked back, his expression changed dramatically.
A face suddenly appeared directly before him, like a ghost materializing out of nowhere.
"Ah!"
The man at the back cried out in alarm, stumbling backward three steps before falling onto the ground.
"What happened?"
The other three immediately reacted and turned around.
"Damn it! You scared the hell out of me! Showing up out of nowhere like that, are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Only then did the man on the ground get a clear look at Rojen. Letting out a breath of relief, he began cursing angrily.
"He's just a person. Fourth Brother, you're way too timid."
The other three mocked him before turning their attention to Rojen.
"Kid, why are you following us?"
Their tone had become noticeably hostile.
After all, they couldn't allow anyone else to learn about their kidnapping of a winged human.
"What's inside that bundle?"
Rojen asked with a smile, pointing at the package slung over one man's shoulder.
At that moment, the person inside seemed to hear the commotion outside. The struggling intensified, accompanied by loud cries for help.
"Kid, mind your own business. Otherwise, you'll regret it."
The leader's expression darkened, and a trace of killing intent appeared in his eyes.
"Help... help me!"
The weak cry from inside the bundle rang out clearly.
"Oh? So you've kidnapped someone."
"You're courting death!"
Realizing that their secret had been exposed, the four men's killing intent surged as they closed in on Rojen.
Rojen remained expressionless. His lips parted slightly.
"Heed my words. You shall kneel before me, your foreheads pressed against the ground."
"Pray for my forgiveness!"
His voice carried an inexplicable divine power. With a resonant hum, the force of his words swept over the four men before him.
(End Of This Chapter)