Chapter 228: Cross This Line, and You Die Today!
"Hey! Did you read this morning's newspaper?"
"I did!"
"Blue Demon and the Beast King reappeared, right?"
"Exactly. The same Blue Demon and Beast King who, four years ago, carried out that insane attack on Mary Geoise from above this very island—they've shown up again."
"So scary! They've already subjugated two major pirates in the New World, and one of their subordinates now has a bounty of fifty billion Berries—the Red King!"
...
10,000 meters above the Sabaody Archipelago, the Penguin hovered silently. Luo Han swept the island below with his spiritual perception.
Nothing unusual. But he did catch wind of the locals discussing yesterday's Warship Island incident.
"Akatsuki has a fifty billion Berries bounty? What's going on?"
That seemed a bit excessive. Luo Han shook his head—some of the World Government's decisions were simply incomprehensible.
"Well? No traps or anything?" Sister Shao asked.
"Nothing," Luo Han replied.
"Told you!" Sister Shao laughed. "No need to be so paranoid. The World Government doesn't watch Sabaody 24/7!"
"Better safe than sorry."
Luo Han smiled at her. "Guess this is where we part ways."
"Mm."
She smiled too, then gently held Aishi 's hand. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Big Sis…"
Tears welled in Aishi 's eyes as she gripped Sister Shao's hand tightly.
"Send me down."
Sister Shao gently broke free and walked to the edge of the ship. She smiled at Luo Han, Ellis, and Aishi . "Farewell, everyone. My journey ends here."
She gave Luo Han a look.
"Goodbye!" the three waved.
Luo Han activated his powers, gently lowering Sister Shao from the sky.
"Big Sis!" Aishi ran to the edge, watching the black dot shrink from view.
Tears streamed down her face. She turned and hugged Luo Han, sobbing. "Waaah! Big Sis is gone…!"
"It's okay. We can visit her when we have time," Luo Han said, patting her… waist. Her shoulder was out of reach—after four years of talent-enhancing transformation, Aishi was now as tall as Ellis, both towering at four meters.
Luo Han was now the "tiny one."
"Sigh! Guess I'll need to grow taller too, or I won't be able to keep up…" he thought.
He gently guided Sister Shao down.
Soon, he placed her in front of the bar he'd personally built for her.
"If you're ever in danger, break the ring I gave you!" he whispered in her ear using Kyoka suigetsu .
He then retracted his senses and directed the Penguin toward Skypiea.
Below—
Sister Shao smiled warmly at the sky, then stepped into her home—returning after four years.
...
Fishman Island
Two days later, news of the Warship Island battle and Akatsuki's bounty reached this deep-sea kingdom.
Fishman District—the island's lawless zone—was filled with Akatsuki supporters.
In a certain hall, the five most powerful underground groups had put aside their differences to meet.
At the center of the round table lay a newspaper and a wanted poster. Five fishman bosses surrounded it, their underlings standing behind them.
"Princess Akatsuki has gone to sea to chase her dream. We can't just sit here!"
A tiger shark fishman declared excitedly, "I'm going out to follow her. Only she can lead our people to glory—to lands with endless sunlight!"
"You're right, Fat Tiger," said an octopus fishman across from him. "Though we've clashed before, once we join her pirate crew, we'll be brothers."
"Hahaha! Sword Eight," Fat Tiger laughed. "Exactly! We won't embarrass Princess Akatsuki!"
He turned to the other three. "What about you guys?"
The swordfish fishman among them grinned. "We Swordfish Gang are definitely joining her! Fat Tiger, Sword Eight—let's work together!"
"You two…" Fat Tiger frowned at the remaining men. "Don't tell me you've forgotten what Princess Akatsuki did for us?"
"We haven't."
"If not for her aid, at least half of us in Fishman District would be dead. But…"
The other shark-type fishman scoffed, "She's under a human now. Even if that human is the Blue Demon who saved Fishman Island four years ago, I won't serve under a human."
"Go if you want, but I won't bow to humans!"
Smack! Fat Tiger slammed the table. "Idiot! Didn't you read the report? She defeated the infamous Ochoku (Wang Zhi)—equal to that bastard Captain John—in a single blow! She even shattered an entire island!"
"She achieved that in just four years. Give her more time, and claiming an island will be easy!"
He looked around the room. "Don't forget—in that attack on Mary Geoise four years ago, the Blue Demon and Beast King killed countless Celestial Dragons and rescued Akatsuki, who was enslaved."
"The Blue Demon is a benefactor to all fishmen. We can't be ungrateful!"
"I…" The shark-type man was speechless, then snapped, "Say what you will. I won't go—unless she leaves the Blue Demon's crew!"
"You…" Fat Tiger was furious. "This is when she needs us most! She's out there fighting monsters in the New World to build us a safe haven!"
He pointed at a quiet whale-type fishman. "And you two are saying this nonsense? You ungrateful cowards!"
"Yeah! Traitors!" Sword Eight and the swordfish shouted.
"You go ahead," the whale-type man smiled calmly. "There are still kids to care for here. If we all leave, who will protect them?"
Fat Tiger paused—he hadn't considered that.
"Fine!"
He finally said, "Then stay here and watch as we and Princess Akatsuki carve out a home for our people!"
And so, Fishman District parted ways. Fat Tiger, Sword Eight, and the swordfish took their men to the New World to find Akatsuki.
The others stayed behind to guard the island.
...
Skypiea
After four years, the place had changed. The Kingdom of the Gods was now fully under Monk Sanlong's rule.
But Sanlong did little—he merely forbade anyone from entering Upper Yard and guarded the Golden City.
Today, however, despite his ban, a pirate crew was making its way through the forest toward the giant vine that led to the shrine.
At the front of the group walked the future God of Skypiea—Gan Fall!
"Don't worry, Gan Fall. I'll defeat that guy and get your throne back!" a large, nose-haired man laughed, patting his shoulder.
"Roger!"
Gan Fall wasn't reassured. "Sanlong once traveled your Blue Sea. He's strong—none of my forces could survive even a single blow."
He warned, "Don't underestimate him, friends of the Roger Pirates."
"Hahaha!"
"Relax, Gan Fall. We're no pushovers."
Rayleigh and the others laughed. In today's world, only the Blue Demon worried them. Everyone else? They should worry about them.
After four years traveling the East and West Blues, they'd gathered much info. Roger now knew that the most Poneglyphs were in the Grand Line.
So they'd returned. Passing Jaya Island, they learned from a large man that the Golden City had been blasted to Skypiea.
Roger remembered a friend here—perhaps he could help locate the Poneglyph.
After some digging, he found out the Golden City did hold one.
They hadn't found it last time, but now they knew Upper Yard was the same Golden City that had been blasted skyward.
Even though Gan Fall couldn't confirm the Poneglyph's location, Roger wouldn't let a friend's stolen throne go unchallenged.
So, the group headed for Upper Yard.
...
Soon—
They reached the Golden City's outer perimeter, near the giant vine.
Boom! A loud crash. Sanlong appeared ahead of them, blocking the way.
"Roger!!!"
He was shocked. "Why are you here?!"
"Oh, you know me?"
"Then you must know the difference between us. You're strong, but you can't win!"
Roger stepped forward, his aura pressing down on Sanlong.
Sanlong's face darkened, but he ignored Roger and turned to Gan Fall.
"This is our kingdom's matter. You dare bring outsiders?!"
"Sanlong!"
Gan Fall retorted, "The throne is chosen by the people, not seized by force! You're wrong!"
"Besides, Roger and his crew are my friends—and friends of this kingdom. Helping friends is only right!"
He declared, "If Roger is ever in danger, I'll fight for him without hesitation!"
"Well said!" Roger laughed. "That deserves a feast, Gan Fall! Hahaha!"
"Exactly, Gan Fall!"
"Leave it to us!"
"We'll get your throne back!"
Rayleigh and the others laughed with him.
"Ahahahaha!"
Sanlong's sudden laugh made them frown.
He glared at Gan Fall. "I once thought you truly cared for the people. That's why I spared you all—didn't kill a single one."
"But now…" His eyes turned hateful as he looked at Roger. "You brought them here for the throne?"
He turned back to Gan Fall. "Did you forget what I told you?"
"This island has been claimed by a great lord. If even one piece of gold is stolen, the whole nation will be destroyed. I was left behind to guard it!"
He demanded, "Do you not fear this kingdom's destruction? Is the throne that important to you?"
Gan Fall's heart sank. He'd thought it was a lie to scare him—but Sanlong's refusal to back down even now made him hesitate.
"What's going on, Gan Fall?" Roger asked.
"I'm sorry, Roger," he said. "I thought he lied. I didn't take it seriously. I never expected there really was someone backing him."
"Let's leave. If Sanlong is this strong, then his 'lord' must be terrifying. I can't let you all take that risk."
"Haha!" Roger laughed, slinging an arm over him. "No worries, Gan Fall. I just want to meet this 'lord'—and deal with him too."
He turned. "Right, guys?"
"Damn right!"
Rayleigh and the others nodded. They were the Roger Pirates—they wouldn't back down for some vague 'lord.'
"Heh! Roger!"
Sanlong scoffed. "This island belongs to the Blue Demon. And you think you can beat him? Don't make me laugh!"
Blue Demon! The name made everyone frown.
So he'd claimed this land four years ago. Trouble.
"Roger—what now?" Rayleigh asked gravely, stepping to his side.
The air grew tense.
"Roger…" Gan Fall hesitated. The entire crew clearly feared the Blue Demon. He wanted to advise retreat—but couldn't interfere. Once Roger made up his mind, no one could change it.
"Hahaha!"
"Brothers! We're here to shake the world! You're aboard the future Pirate King's ship!"
Cling! Roger drew his blade. "How could I fear the Blue Demon?!"
BOOM! His aura exploded. Rayleigh and the others' eyes lit up—this was Roger!
Clang! Suddenly, a slash carved a deep line between the two groups—half a meter wide, stretching to the horizon.
The island looked like it had been cut in half.
Everyone tensed—then a calm voice echoed:
"Roger. Cross this line, and you die today."
"Blue Demon…" Roger and crew froze. Sanlong beamed. Gan Fall frowned.
A massive shadow appeared overhead—the Penguin loomed above.
Thud thud thud! Luo Han, Ellis, and Aishi landed in front of Sanlong, separated from Roger's crew by the sword mark.
"Lord Blue Demon!" Sanlong dropped to one knee.
Luo Han waved him down, eyes on the silent Roger Pirates.
"Luo Han, kid…" Roger muttered. "This island belongs to my friend's kingdom."
Kid…? Luo Han frowned. "Do we know each other that well?"
"I…"
Before Roger could finish, Luo Han said coldly, "If you attack, you all die today."
BOOM! A frigid aura swept over the Roger Pirates.
He's serious! They trembled. Rage flared. Conqueror's Haki burst forth—dark clouds swirled.
Gan Fall collapsed, unable to withstand the pressure.
"Heh…"
Luo Han smiled faintly, letting the Haki wash over him. If Roger moved, he was ready to end the future Pirate King here and now.
As for the plot? Screw it. He could always replace Ace himself... wait, that's not the point.
Bottom line: if Roger attacked, Luo Han would kill him. Destiny be damned.
Do it. Just try it…!
Roger gripped his sword, veins bulging—but something immovable locked him in place.
"Blue Demon… go to hell!"
One-armed Swordsman, who'd lost to Luo Han years ago, charged.
Grab! A strong arm pulled him back.
"Roger… why?" the swordsman said blankly. "Are you scared?"
Smack! Rayleigh knocked him out cold.
Roger, afraid? No. But with so many comrades at risk, he endured the humiliation—for them.
Gaban and others were silent. They knew Roger's Observation Haki was fearsome. It had saved them many times.
And now… seeing him restrain himself, they understood.
One move, and they'd all die.
Roger wasn't afraid of death, nor did he bow to power—but for his friends, he could compromise.
"Blue Demon…"
Roger exhaled, calming his fury. "Take good care of this island."
"We're leaving."
He lifted Gan Fall and left with Rayleigh and the others.
On the way—
"Roger… what about the Poneglyph?" Rayleigh asked.
"That guy's killing intent is ready to erupt. One spark, and it's over. We'll come back later."
Roger muttered, "Time to fight in the New World. I'm still too weak."
They left Gan Fall on Angel Island and set sail.
The New World would soon face the wrath of the Roger Pirates.
Only true power could survive in the graveyard of legends.
(END CHAPTER)
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