One Piece Seat Void - Chapter 234

In the New World, on an island covered with cherry blossom trees, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Whitebeard himself, and two individuals, Edward Newgate and Roger sat cross-legged under a massive cherry blossom tree, sipping on their drinks.

“Hehehe, Newgate, do you know my name? It’s Gol D. Roger, not Golde Roger,” Roger said with a flushed face. Newgate, aka Whitebeard, shrugged indifferently.

“I’m not interested in your specific name. Besides, does the Pirate King care about what others call him?”

Whitebeard glanced at Roger and continued to drink from his enormous goblet. “Of course, it’s quite important. By the way, Newgate, do you know what the ‘D’ stands for? How about I tell you?” Roger suggested.

“Oh, would you tell me?” Newgate replied.

“Hehehe, ‘D,’ it’s a very ancient and significant matter…” Roger began. As they enjoyed their drinks, Whitebeard and Roger discussed the meaning of the initial ‘D.’

During their conversation, Whitebeard learned about the ‘D’ clan and the history of the missing one hundred years.

After a day of drinking, Roger prepared to take his leave. “By the way, Newgate, would you like me to tell you the location of Laftel?” ust as he was about to leave, Roger suddenly asked Whitebeard.

Whitebeard burst into laughter. “Hahaha, go away, I have no interest in whatever Pirate King stuff you’re up to.” Roger left, and as Whitebeard watched his fading figure, his eyes were filled with a sense of melancholy. “Roger, you scoundrel, farewell!”

He picked up a massive flask of alcohol and began drinking heartily. Leaving Whitebeard’s temporary residence, Roger boarded a merchant ship headed towards the Atvora Sea and the island of Grimms in the New World.

Three days later, the ship arrived at Grimms, and the crew began unloading cargo at the bustling port. Roger adjusted his hat and admired the prosperous harbor. “Ah, it’s been a few years, and that brat Locke has managed to develop this place so prosperously.”

With a light compliment, Roger made his way towards the direction of the Hundred Flowers Castle. At that moment, Locke was busy training in swordsmanship with his son, Ares.

“You’ve been there for almost a year, and you’ve learned only this much?” Locke casually deflected all of Ares’ attacks, his tone slightly teasing.

“Damn it! I haven’t even used my full strength yet!” Ares grumbled and swung his sword with all his might.

Locke complimented, “Hmm, that’s a good strike, but your opening is too obvious.” He then quickly deflected Ares’ attack with his wooden sword, sending Ares flying.

“Oh, you really went all out, Locke brat,” Locke’s father, Roger, suddenly appeared, catching the airborne Ares in his arms.

“Roger?” Ares was surprised.

“Hehehe, it’s been a while, Locke brat,” Roger cheerfully greeted Locke, reaching out to shake hands. Locke, while lifting his son off the ground, nodded. “So, after disappearing for nearly a year, you’ve finally decided to show up again?”

Locke picked up a wooden sword from the rack and tossed it to Roger, then he held one himself and approached Roger. “Hehehe, you’re as cold as ever,” Roger said, examining the wooden sword in his hand.

“Buzz!” Both of them released their overwhelming auras almost simultaneously, and their wooden swords clashed with tremendous force.

The air vibrated intensely, black and crimson lightning arced through the sky, and a thick cloud cover replaced the clear sky, splitting it in two.

A powerful shockwave sent Ares tumbling backward. He watched Locke and Roger clashing, and his eyes filled with excitement.

“Is that my old man’s true strength? And that Roger, is he really the Pirate King? Their power is… truly terrifying!”

Ares marveled at the battle, a mix of excitement and apprehension. “Haha, this kind of power is both thrilling and terrifying,” Roger remarked.

Unbeknownst to them, Vinsmoke, Smoker, Moria, and several others had gathered in the garden, watching the central confrontation between Locke and Roger.

“Hehehe, that’s the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, right? His strength is indeed formidable,” Moria commented, crossing his arms and watching with excitement.

“Hmph, no matter who it is, as long as they’re an enemy of the Locke Pirates, even the Pirate King will fail,” Vinsmoke said with determination.

“Sigh, how troublesome,” Smoker sighed as he glanced at Locke and Roger, then decided to leave. He wasn’t interested in watching the two of them spar.

As expected, after their exchange, Locke and Roger halted their clash. “It’s been several years, but you’ve become quite fearsome, Locke brat,” Roger said as he embraced Rox with a hearty laugh.

“Well, it’s true, you’re still as powerful as ever,” Locke replied.

“Alright, since it’s a rare occasion, let’s have a good drink today.” Locke released Roger and proposed. “Hehehe, that’s for sure. I’ve heard from Newgate that you have some excellent drinks. Today, I’m going to enjoy them thoroughly,” Roger said with a grin.

The two of them, laughing and chatting, walked out together, leaving the others behind. This time, it was only Rox and Roger, with no one else around.

They spent a day and a night together, and no one knew what they talked about during that time. However, after that day and night, Roger disappeared, and Locke became somewhat silent.

“Dad, who’s stronger, you or Roger?” Ares asked Locke the following afternoon as they rested in the garden. Locke glanced at his son. “Right now, I might be stronger than him. But at our peaks, maybe he’s stronger than me.”

Upon hearing Locke’s words, Ares seemed dissatisfied. Nevertheless, he had already decided that he would surpass both his father and Roger, becoming the strongest man in the world.

The next day, Locke called Vinsmoke and Smoker. “I’m going to the South Sea for a while. I’m leaving the crew in your hands,” Locke told them.

“Huh? Why are you going to the South Sea, Captain Rox?” Vinsmoke asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, just a favor I need to fulfill,” Rox replied, appearing reluctant to discuss it further. Seeing Locke’s expression, Smoker chose not to pry.

“Alright, I’ll be going alone this time, and it might take one or two months,” Rox informed them.

“During this period, the entire Locke Pirates crew will be under your command.” With that, Locke turned and left, heading toward the port. He had already arranged for an ordinary merchant ship for his trip. He didn’t want to attract too much attention during this journey to the South Sea.

Vinsmoke and Smoker watched Locke’s departure, exchanging meaningful glances.

“It looks like it’s because of Roger, huh?” they both thought simultaneously.

“Raftel Island in the South Sea? That Roger guy actually came all this way just to avoid me taking care of his wife and child. Hmph…”

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