One Piece: The Strongest Trait System novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38 - [38] : Rowen's Fame, Luffy's Lineage!

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The Sea Restaurant, Baratie.

An ocean-going restaurant located in the Sambas Region of the East Blue.

Its exterior resembled a giant ship, with fish-shaped figureheads at both ends.

Many people journeyed here specifically to savor the delicious cuisine prepared by the owner and head chef, Zeff. Even high-ranking Marine officials were known to dine here.

After their voyage, this distinctive floating restaurant finally came into view for Rowen and the crew.

"SUGEEE! What a huge ship!" Luffy exclaimed, drooling as he stared at the unique design of the Baratie. Just looking at it whetted his appetite.

Beep! Beep! Just as they prepared to approach the Baratie, a horn blared.

"M-Marines?! A Marine warship?!" A vessel, much larger than the Merry, rapidly closed in on them, the prominent Marine insignia clearly visible on its main sail.

The moment he saw the warship, Usopp broke out in a cold sweat and cried out in alarm.

"Tch. Annoying guys showed up," Zoro muttered, sensing trouble.

"Hm?" Rowen was observing the approaching warship with interest, then noticed Nami hiding behind him, amused.

"Uh... force of habit," Nami murmured, realizing Rowen was looking at her. She blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Ever since Orange Town, whenever danger arose, Rowen had consistently protected her. Nami had unconsciously grown accustomed to seeking shelter behind him.

The moment she saw the Marine warship, her instincts kicked in, and she automatically moved behind Rowen.

But she had to admit... she felt incredibly safe behind him.

Nami watched as Rowen subtly shifted his stance, positioning himself to shield her even better, and pressed her lips together.

Safety... For Nami, who had witnessed Bell-mère's murder firsthand and whose hometown, Cocoyasi Village, was still suffering under Arlong's tyranny, that feeling was unbelievably precious.

"Never seen that Jolly Roger before," a voice called out from the deck of the Marine warship. A man wearing a white patterned suit, with pink hair, dark skin, and iron-ringed gauntlets, appeared before Rowen and the crew.

He squinted at the Straw Hat Pirates' flag.

"I am Marine Lieutenant 'Double Iron Fist' Fullbody! Who's the captain?! State your name!" Fullbody demanded, raising his fist.

"I'm Luffy!" Luffy stepped forward and yelled back.

"I'm Usopp!" Usopp chimed in, joining the commotion.

"I'm the captain! We just decided on the flag!" Luffy glanced at Usopp, then yelled again, asserting his captaincy.

"I drew the flag!" Usopp added proudly.

Rowen watched Luffy and Usopp's antics with a strange smile. He wondered if Luffy did it intentionally—when facing obviously weak opponents, Luffy simply introduced himself as 'Luffy'. But against stronger foes, his introduction became, 'I am Monkey D. Luffy'.

"Luffy? Never heard of you. Just some small-timer," Fullbody sneered dismissively.

Like Morgan before him, Fullbody was a Marine who believed titles were everything.

"A nameless pirate crew... What an eyesore. Maybe I should just sink you," Fullbody's gaze swept over the rest of the crew on the Merry. _{freёwebnovel.com}

Then, his eyes landed on Rowen, standing not far behind Luffy.

"!!!" Fullbody rubbed his eyes, then stared intently at Rowen's face, widening his eyes.

Cold sweat began to form on his brow.

"Sk- 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen?!!!" Fullbody gasped, certain his eyes weren't deceiving him.

"A small fry like you dares call himself 'Iron Fist'? Same title as the Marine Hero?" Rowen asked, looking at Fullbody with amusement.

Taking the same epithet as the Marine Hero—Monkey D. Garp, and parading it around Garp's home sea, the East Blue... This Lieutenant certainly has guts.

"SUGEEE! Your reputation is amazing, Rowen! Even Marines from Headquarters know you!" Usopp exclaimed, looking at Rowen with reverence.

As expected of a real pirate!

"..." Hearing Rowen's mockery, Fullbody's eye twitched, but he didn't dare retort.

He only dared use the 'Iron Fist' title here in the East Blue, the weakest sea, to stroke his own ego. Back at Marine Headquarters, he was just an insignificant lieutenant with no title whatsoever.

But this man before him—'Sky Sovereign' Rowen—was entirely different!

A user of Conqueror's Haki! A super rookie who had burst onto the scene!

Normally, a Lieutenant like Fullbody wouldn't know much about the power of Conqueror's Haki.

After all, since the formation of the 'Three Great Powers' balance between the Emperors, Marines, and Warlords, major clashes between Conqueror's Haki users had become rare.

But the World Economic News Agency's report on 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen had caused quite a stir even at Marine HQ.

Although Fullbody was unimportant at HQ, being stationed there had its advantages—access to far more information than available elsewhere.

The disposition of a King! Anyone who awakened it was destined to become a renowned powerhouse on the seas!

Rumor had it that even the three esteemed Marine Admirals didn't possess this power.

Rumor also had it that anyone who awakened this power was immediately marked for grooming as a future Marine Admiral.

At worst, they'd become an Admiral Candidate.

Awakening Conqueror's Haki at such a young age... Even though this man arrogantly called himself 'Sky Sovereign', no one within the Marines who understood the true value of Conqueror's Haki dismissed him as merely overconfident.

These rumors filled Fullbody with intense envy. If he could awaken Conqueror's Haki, he wouldn't need to borrow the 'Iron Fist' title just to feel important in the weakest sea!

But... if I could capture this guy... maybe I could skyrocket through the ranks?

He remembered now! Damn that World Economic News Agency!

What now?! Didn't he just... say he was going to sink the pirate ship 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen was on?!