Chapter 207: The Deterrent Power of the 10-Billion-Berry Blue Demon
Luo Han, who now had the potential to become the "Ruler of the Era," returned to Ark Island a full two days ahead of schedule thanks to his ultra-fast piloting of the ship—cutting what was supposed to be a three-day journey down to one.
On the island, Luo Han lay on a tree branch, a newspaper and wanted poster floating in front of him. They detailed yesterday's attack on Mary Geoise.
On the wanted poster, Luo Han saw that long string of zeros following the number 1.
"Here we go again. The usual glorify-then-destroy tactic."
He sneered, clearly unimpressed. The World Government always used this playbook: raise the bounty, spread fear and exaggerated reports among the people, and smear the target's name.
"Although… maybe this time it's not just slander."
One photo on the paper wiped the mocking smile off Luo Han's face.
It was a picture of a little girl standing helplessly beside the corpses of her parents, the surroundings reduced to rubble. Dark red blood had soaked her once-white lotus-patterned dress.
She was an adorable girl, but her lifeless eyes and the dark tear streaks running down her cheeks made her look like a broken doll.
"No more of this... no more impulsive revenge, no matter how satisfying it feels in the moment."
Luo Han had always thought that Mary Geoise housed only Celestial Dragons and CP0 agents.
But now he realized how ignorant he had been—misled by what he remembered from the story in his previous life. He thought most people used the Fishman Island route to enter the New World.
In truth, only pirates and fugitives were forced to go through Fishman Island.
The mortality rate of the journey through the sea-floor tunnel beneath the Red Line was an astonishing 90%.
Only a fool would choose a route with a mere 10% survival rate.
Most civilians actually traveled to the New World by way of Mary Geoise.
Merchants, travelers, government delegates—all used it as a thoroughfare between the first half of the Grand Line and the New World.
That explained Mary Geoise's highly developed economy and large population. They simply lived in separate areas from the Celestial Dragons.
But Luo Han and Cole's attack had targeted all of Mary Geoise. At the time, countless merchants, tourists, and residents had been affected.
"This isn't what I wanted at all."
Luo Han made up his mind: from now on, unless provoked directly, he would never again harm civilians.
As a powerhouse, he could slaughter CP0 agents or soldiers without hesitation.
But that little girl had struck something deep in his heart. He didn't want to become a bloodthirsty monster.
"Luo Han! You're back."
Ellis dropped down from above, snapping Luo Han out of his thoughts. "Aishi and Tak have prepared a feast. We're just waiting on you."
"Then let's go."
Luo Han said nothing more and headed back with her.
…
While Luo Han enjoyed the meal, in Whitebeard's homeland—
On a grassy slope, a "ramshackle" pirate ship was docked. Its wooden boards were newly cut and lacked paint. Heavy braces held it steady due to missing sections that made the ship unbalanced.
Bang bang bang…! Crew members bustled about happily.
"Gurararara! Soon we'll set sail again."
Whitebeard sat on the slope, drinking and watching the construction with anticipation.
That was his ship—his and his family's.
He would soon set sail again. He wondered how those two brats were doing…
Just then—
"Pops! Pops!"
Marco ran up, pineapple hair bouncing, clutching a newspaper and wanted poster in both hands.
"Look! Today's paper and new bounty posters!"
"That big bastard and his big buddy actually attacked the World Government's headquarters—Mary Geoise!"
"And their bounties… they're higher than yours, Pops!"
Marco sounded a little disappointed. His most respected father had been outdone.
"Let me see."
Whitebeard was momentarily stunned. He hadn't caught who Marco was ranting about, but the words "attacked Mary Geoise" stuck.
"Who the hell did something that insane?"
"Here, Pops!"
Marco handed over the papers. "It's those two bastards!"
Whitebeard's lip twitched when he saw them.
Of course. Trouble always followed those two brothers wherever they went.
"But still…"
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't sound like something Luo Han would do lightly."
"They must have been provoked—something must've really set them off."
"Pops!" Marco grinned. "When are we setting sail? We can't let that bastard steal your spotlight!"
"Haha! As soon as the ship's ready."
"Awesome!" Marco cheered.
Whitebeard laughed, then added, "But not you. You're still too young. Stay here and live a peaceful life."
Marco's smile froze. He shot his father a wounded look.
"Haha!" Whitebeard only laughed harder.
In his heart, he thought: With a bounty of 10 billion berries, the storm Luo Han and Cole kicked off is going to sweep across the New World.
It would be too dangerous to bring kids like Marco along right now. Let them stay safe a while longer.
…
Meanwhile—
Aboard the Oro Jackson, the Roger Pirates' ship.
"Roger! Luo Han really gave the World Government a deep cut this time," Rayleigh said, holding the paper.
Gaban added, "Ten billion berries! He completely overshadowed us."
"Forget the bounties—we have more important things to do," Roger laughed. "You won't change the world by doing what Luo Han did."
"Then—" Rayleigh's eyes sparkled, "Captain Roger, what's our goal in the East Blue?"
At that moment, they were sailing through the first half of the Grand Line, heading for the Twin Capes.
"Uh…"
Roger hesitated. "Well, if we're going to tour all four seas, starting from my hometown seems fair, right?"
"Besides, none of you have been to where I was born. The liquor there's not bad either."
Thinking of that hometown brew, Roger's craving flared up. He popped open his flask and took a sip.
"Roger, what's the real reason we're going to the four seas?" Rayleigh asked again, then added regretfully, "Right now the New World is filled with rising stars. It'd be a shame not to be part of it."
"Brothers!"
Roger grew serious. "To complete a full lap of the Grand Line, we need something called the Poneglyphs."
He had learned this from a journal after the God Valley incident, though he hadn't explained the details.
"Poneglyphs? I've heard of them. Those big stone slabs that record history, right?" Gaban said, puzzled. "What are they for?"
Roger replied, "We're not sure yet. That's what we need to find out."
"That's why I want to start by investigating the four seas. Then we'll sail the Grand Line again—fully. Something no one's ever done."
They were setting sail without knowing anything. The crew exchanged glances.
But… that was just like their captain.
"If you've already decided, Roger, then we'll follow you. Let's uncover the Poneglyphs' secrets together!"
"Haha!"
Roger laughed joyfully. "Then let's go. By the time we return, the New World should be on fire. Right now, it's still warming up."
And so, the Roger Pirates temporarily left the Grand Line to explore the four seas.
When they returned… they'd find a rabid dog chasing their ship—and it wouldn't go away no matter what they did.
…
Elsewhere—
In the New World.
Waves rolled beneath a massive pirate ship, designed like a floating palace, suspended in the sky.
Inside its grand hall, a newspaper and two wanted posters lay on the floor in a central open space. The room was silent.
"Captain… are we still going to Battleship Island?" a pirate asked hesitantly.
All eyes turned to Golden Lion Shiki seated on the throne.
"That guy…"
Shiki muttered, "He's too crazy. Fighting him now might be premature."
Luo Han's top fighters were too strong—Cole, Sister Shao—Shiki had no one who could take them on.
"So… we're not going?" the pirate asked again, clearly relieved.
"No more Battleship Island."
Shiki made a quick decision. "We're heading to another island to build our ship."
"Understood!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The crew responded, their eyes flashing with quiet relief.
"Cowards…"
Shiki cursed silently. But he didn't show it—he was the one who backed down first, after all.
Sigh. If only he had stronger crewmates…
He stopped the thought there and turned the ship in a new direction.
…
Meanwhile, on Battleship Island—
Shiki didn't come, but two other pirate crews did.
In a large tavern, the same newspaper and bounty posters lay on a long table.
"Ochoku (Wang Zhi)!"
Kyo (Silver Axe) frowned. "That guy stood watch here for over six months. What if he suddenly comes back?"
The giant, obese Ochoku (Wang Zhi)trembled at the mention of it. "Blue Demon just attacked Mary Geoise. The World Government won't let him go."
"He has no safer place than the New World. We all know how important Battleship Island is. So yeah… he'll come back eventually."
"With Blue Demon and the—no, the Beast King Cole—gaining reputation, pirates will flock to them."
"Sooner or later, Battleship Island will be back under his control."
"So all our effort was for nothing?" Kyo (Silver Axe) grumbled.
"No."
Ochoku (Wang Zhi)shook his head. "Blue Demon won't return here right away."
"What do you mean?" Kyo (Silver Axe) asked.
"Right now, CP0 and the Navy are all over him. He won't take the risk."
Ochoku (Wang Zhi)looked calm, as if everything was under control. "Besides, it's just him and a few others for now. He doesn't need ships yet. By the time he does, who knows how long it'll be?"
"I get it now!" Kyo (Silver Axe) suddenly lit up. "You mean we build our ships now and leave before he comes back!"
"That way, we get our ships and avoid Blue Demon's wrath!"
He raised an eyebrow at Ochoku (Wang Zhi), feeling like he'd seen through it all.
"Uh… sure, let's go with that."
Ochoku (Wang Zhi)nodded awkwardly. He had originally planned to steal the tools and workers outright—but after hearing Kyo (Silver Axe) 's plan, he figured that was safer. If Blue Demon found out, he'd definitely come after them.
They had survived the God Valley incident. They knew all too well:
Luo Han could kill them.
(END CHAPTER)
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