"Hancock, stop it! Don't kill my disciple!"
A commanding voice rang out, and a figure suddenly appeared beside Hancock.
At the sound, Hancock's attack faltered. Slowly, she withdrew her Haki, her foot returning to its natural state. She stumbled slightly, then fell into the arms of the newcomer.
"Husband, why are you here?" she asked, her breath brushing gently against Rolan's chest.
"If I hadn't come, wouldn't this Kid Luffy have been killed by you?" Rolan replied, his tone calm, almost teasing. He reached out and pinched Hancock's delicate nose playfully.
Hancock froze. "What? This person is your disciple?" she whispered, realization dawning.
She had only known that Gold Emperor Ace, second division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, was Rolan's disciple. How could another disciple suddenly appear?
"That's right," Rolan said, his voice measured. "I only have two disciples. One is Ace, the other is this Kid."
Everything clicked for Hancock. No wonder Luffy hadn't turned to stone under her Mero Mero no Mi. Being Rolan's disciple explained his strength and resistance. A young boy with such power made sense only if trained by someone like Rolan. She admired him more than ever.
"As expected of my husband, everything he touches becomes formidable," she thought.
Luffy, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed. "Rolan?! You're Rolan?!" He had not expected him to appear here.
Rolan gently pushed Hancock aside, then appeared before Luffy with an Instant Transmission. He flicked Luffy's forehead with a sharp tap, and a large bump swelled immediately.
"Hey! What are you doing, Rolan?" Luffy exclaimed, rubbing the spot.
"Haven't seen you in a while. Just a greeting," Rolan said, his voice calm, detached.
Luffy glared, noticing the closeness between Rolan and Hancock. He had not seen Rolan in ages, though he remembered him as strict, demanding, and unquestionably strong. Whether by name or by practice, Rolan had always been his master.
"Why are you here?" Luffy asked again.
Rolan's eyes swept the surroundings. "Where do you think this is? This is Peach Garden, my territory."
"Peach Garden? Where's that?" Luffy blinked, clueless.
Rolan sighed. "It's in the New World."
"New World? What's that?" Luffy asked, thoroughly confused.
Rolan shook his head and gave him a light punch on the head. "How can you know nothing? The Grand Line is divided into two halves. The second half is called the New World."
Luffy slapped his forehead again, a mix of awe and realization crossing his face. "Ah! So this is the second half of the Grand Line!"
Rolan nodded. "Conquer the New World and you'll become Pirate King."
Luffy's eyes sparkled with determination. But he was pragmatic. "I need to go to Sabaody Archipelago first. I have to reunite with my crew!"
Rolan's expression remained impassive, though he already understood why Luffy appeared on Nine Serpent Island. Kuma had sent him here, and Luffy's concern was solely for his scattered companions.
"Sabaody Archipelago? Do you really need to go there? This is the New World. If you reach the Final Island, you can become Pirate King without detours," Rolan said.
Luffy's gaze hardened. "A person who can't protect his friends isn't worthy of being Pirate King!"
Rolan merely nodded, acknowledging Luffy's resolve.
Luffy began recounting the chaos at Sabaody Archipelago. Rolan listened carefully. Despite Luffy's immense current strength and the aid of Rayleigh, he had still struggled against Kizaru, Sentomaru, and the Pacifista. The Straw Hats' misfortunes and the human trafficking organization's rise explained why Luffy ended up scattered.
"You don't need to rush back to Sabaody," Rolan finally said.
Luffy frowned. "Why not? I have to see my friends!"
"If you return now, you won't find them. You've been flying for three days and nights, and so have they. They're scattered across the World. Going back now will only delay your reunion," Rolan explained, calm and logical.
Luffy clenched his fists, still determined. "No! I'm going to Sabaody Archipelago. I believe my friends will come there to find me."
He pulled out his Vivre Card, spreading it in his hand to follow the movement. Ready to r
un, he lifted his foot, but Rolan caught him with a firm grip.
===
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