Let us rewind time—
back to the moment the Roger Pirates charged toward the Flame Fang.
Gol D. Roger stood at the bow with his hands on his hips.
Squinting, he stared at the brightly illuminated three-masted giant ship ahead, his gaze eventually settling on the flag fluttering atop the main mast.
"Hey, Rayleigh."
He nudged the blond first mate beside him with his elbow and pointed toward the strange-looking emblem.
"That skull… whose flag was that again?"
Silvers Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, studying the flag for a moment before showing a thoughtful expression.
"If I remember correctly, that's the flag of the Jellyfish Pirates."
"Their captain's called Ribera Sami. A rookie who's become extremely famous in Paradise over the past year."
"His bounty… has already risen to three hundred million."
"Three hundred million?"
Roger raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"To hit that number in Paradise, did the kid destroy a Marine branch or rob a Celestial Dragon?"
"There are plenty of rumors."
Rayleigh smiled faintly.
"The latest one says he wiped out a Marine warship and killed everyone aboard, including a rear admiral."
"But compared to that…"
"The rumors about his origins are even more interesting."
"Oh?"
Roger instantly perked up.
"What rumors?"
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed mischievously behind his lenses.
"According to underground gossip…"
"This guy used to be a giant jellyfish from the deep sea."
"Then somehow he accidentally ate the Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit and transformed into a human."
"NANI?!"
Roger's eyes widened instantly.
Then he burst into booming laughter.
"A Human-Human Fruit?! Hahahaha!"
"That's amazing!"
"This sea really does have every bizarre thing imaginable!"
As they spoke—
the distance between the ships rapidly closed.
The Roger Pirates could now clearly see the scene aboard the Flame Fang.
Crew members drinking together.
Others singing arm-in-arm.
Some crowding around grills, devouring roasted meat.
Music, laughter, clinking cups, the smell of grilled food and rich rum—
all drifted over with the sea breeze.
"Whoa, they're really throwing a party!"
One of Roger's crew whistled, infected by the lively atmosphere.
"They sure know how to enjoy life!"
Roger scratched his head while looking at the completely carefree celebration aboard the ship.
A trace of guilty helplessness appeared on his face.
"Hahaha… dragging Garp over to them feels a little bad."
He grinned.
"At least let's warn them."
Roger inhaled deeply and shouted toward the Flame Fang:
"HEYYY—! YOU GUYS OVER THERE—! RUN—! THE MARINES ARE RIGHT BEHIND US—!!"
Rayleigh and several nearby crew members immediately understood and began waving frantically.
"TURN AROUND—!! GARP'S CHASING US—!!"
"MARINE REAR ADMIRAL—!! GET OUT OF HERE—!!"
Unfortunately—
the celebration aboard the Flame Fang was simply too loud.
The deafening festival music, singing, shouting, and laughter formed a roaring ocean of sound—
completely drowning out the Roger Pirates' warnings.
To the crew aboard the Flame Fang—
all they saw was a passing pirate ship speeding by while enthusiastically waving and shouting toward them.
"Huh? Passing friends saying hello?"
A heavily drunk crewman grinned foolishly and raised his mug.
"OHHH—! Are they celebrating New Year too?!"
"HEY—! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO——!!"
"Happy New Year——! Drink lots for us——!!"
More drunken blessings flew toward Roger's ship.
The Roger Pirates:
"..."
Listening to the booze-filled New Year greetings—
and watching the completely oblivious revelers still immersed in celebration despite imminent disaster—
Roger and Rayleigh exchanged helpless looks.
"Aww, damn it!"
Roger slapped his thigh regretfully.
"They didn't hear a word! What a waste—we couldn't warn them!"
The ships crossed paths in an instant.
Roger's vessel never slowed, continuing toward the distant sea.
After gaining some distance, Roger couldn't help looking back.
The massive three-masted ship still floated there.
But now—
Garp's dog-headed warship had already arrived.
Enormous white water columns erupted from the sea as Fist Bone: Meteor Shower pounded the waters.
Then—
the giant ship's broadside erupted with blazing fire.
It was actually returning fire at Garp.
"Woooow…"
Roger's eyes lit up.
"Not bad!"
"They didn't lose their nerve—they actually fought back?"
Turning around, he shouted excitedly to his crew:
"Boys! Garp's attention is tied up for now—perfect chance! LET'S RUN!"
Using the precious opening created by the Flame Fang distracting Garp—
Roger's ship unfurled every sail and rapidly widened the gap.
Only after that battlefield disappeared beyond the horizon—
and even the flashes of cannon fire vanished—
did the Roger Pirates finally relax.
"Phew… escaped again."
Roger wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead as his signature grin returned.
"That jellyfish kid really helped us out—even if he probably doesn't know it."
"Hahahaha!"
He clapped his hands loudly.
"But whatever! It's New Year's! Time to celebrate!"
"Bring out the booze, let's—"
His expression suddenly changed.
At almost the same instant—
Rayleigh, Gaban, and several other crew members skilled in Observation Haki all frowned sharply.
Together—
they turned toward the sea behind them.
The wind carried an unusual humming sound.
"There's something behind us."
Gaban's voice dropped low as his hand gripped his axe.
Everyone turned anxiously.
Then—
on the horizon—
a blurred silhouette appeared.
A ship.
Moving at a speed none of them had ever seen before.
Its stern trailed massive white streams of air.
It didn't look like sailing—
it looked like flying low over the sea.
"What kind of ship is that?!"
"How can it be that fast?!"
"It's the Jellyfish Pirates' ship!"
Rayleigh instantly recognized the violently flapping flag.
His pupils shrank behind his glasses.
Roger's eyes widened too.
His smile slowly disappeared.
"No…"
"No, something's wrong…"
He muttered.
"Why are they coming toward us?!"
Then—
he suddenly realized something.
Whirling toward the helmsman, he roared:
"QUICK!! CHANGE COURSE—!!!"
The wheel spun violently as the ship struggled to turn.
And in the distance—
the massive warship blasting violent streams of air from its stern—
was tearing across the ocean straight toward them.
You can read extra chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023