Rolan raised an eyebrow.
A handsome man riding a white horse? He thought briefly, Wasn't this Kavendish in the original story? Why is he challenging me?
"Hehe, curious, aren't you? Wondering why the guards didn't stop him?" Robin's voice came from the side.
At this time, Rolan had been diligently managing the affairs of Sky Nation. All of his companions, except Robin, were busy with construction in their New World territory, which he had named Peach Garden. The state guest had also become Rolan's secretary.
Rolan turned his head toward Robin, interest flickering in his eyes, silently inviting her to continue.
"I think you'll find this man intriguing," Robin said.
"What do you mean?" Rolan asked.
"Let me share something amusing. Do you know what this man is called?"
Rolan frowned. "What?"
"The Eternal Second. Ever since you set sail, every headline you dominate has a follow-up story about Kavendish. And because of his incredibly handsome appearance, he's often hailed as the dream of thousands of maidens."
Rolan smiled slightly. "Then I'll see this Eternal Second for myself."
He activated his Super Heart Net, detecting the electromagnetic signature of a man and a horse at the main island's Gate 3. With a flash of Electromagnetic Instant Transmission, he disappeared from the palace.
…
At the main island's Gate 3, a striking young man rode a white horse. Golden curls tumbled over his shoulders beneath a cowboy hat decorated with fluffy ornaments. He wore noble attire, but in his hands he gripped a Western sword, shouting, "Quick, tell Rolan to come out!"
The guards looked at him helplessly. If Robin hadn't instructed them to hold back, they might have already engaged him.
Does this man have the courage to steal my headlines but not face me directly?
The figure continued shouting, but no one responded, as if he were invisible.
"Hmph. And he calls himself the Strongest Man in the World? That's all the magnanimity he has?"
Suddenly, a figure materialized before him. Kavendish's pupils constricted in shock. Teleportation?
But his astonishment quickly turned to anger. "Rolan! You thief of headlines, how dare you show yourself!"
Rolan studied the man with interest. Hailing from the Rommel Kingdom, Kavendish was the "Gorgeous Supernova" who had entered the New World a year before the Marineford War. Captain of the Beautiful Pirates, his obsession with attention was notorious. He delighted in being the center of fame, and only when others stole the spotlight did his resentment surface.
Rolan also knew about Kavendish's second personality—a bloodthirsty alter ego that emerged in certain circumstances. During the Dressrosa incident, both personas had briefly coexisted, with the primary personality even protecting Robin despite injury. Despite his noble background, Kavendish had no arrogance toward reason and morality.
"You are?" Rolan asked calmly.
Kavendish could no longer contain himself. "Look at you! You stole my headlines, and you don't even recognize me! Unforgivable!"
Before he could finish, he swung his sword at Rolan. Rolan disappeared ten meters away with Electromagnetic Instant Transmission, spreading his hands in mock helplessness. "Could you please introduce yourself first, so I know what mistake I've made?"
"My name is Kavendish, the man who should occupy every headline!" Kavendish roared.
Rolan smirked. Fame drove him; those surpassed by it were automatically enemies. "Fame is earned, not given," he replied with interest.
Kavendish's expression twisted further, almost frantic. "I only know that if I kill you now, no one will compete with me for the top spot!"
"Oh, that may be true for now," Rolan said, tilting his head, "but how do you know another challenger won't appear after I'm gone?"
Kavendish ignored him entirely, spurring his horse forward. "I don't care! If there's one, I'll kill one. If two, I'll kill both. I'll eliminate everyone in my way to claim the headlines!"
Rolan shook his head, silently judging him as hopeless.
"Beautiful Sword: Bluebird!"
Kavendish thrust Durandal rapidly toward Rolan, generating a powerful airflow. But Rolan stood still, calm and unflinching.
Seeing this, Kavendish angled the sword deliberately. The blade, meant to pierce Rolan's chest, instead glanced off his shoulder with a metallic ding, sparks flying. Kavendish himself was knocked back by the impact.
"Nani!" Kavendish's confident expression faltered. His move had failed to break Rolan's defense, not even tearing through his T-shirt.
Yet, considering Rolan had defeated the combined forces of two Four Emperors, this outcome no longer seemed so strange. Rolan's slight smile at the corner of his mouth suggested Kavendish still retained some decency, not entirely bloodthirsty.
Realizing his attacks were easily blocked, Kavendish launched again, this time without restraint.
"Beautiful Sword: Blue!"
He stomped, leaped, and thrust Durandal toward Rolan's forehead at a speed that could have overwhelmed a Marine Vice Admiral. But Rolan simply tilted his head, extended his right hand, and slapped Kavendish's left cheek.
Slap! Bang!
Kavendish was sent crashing into the ground, leaving a deep pit behind. Moments passed before his form was visible again.
Rolan sensed a shift in the aura emanating from the pit. "Second personality?"
---