Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

After they'd almost completely emptied Garp's warship of food, the Roger Pirates hoisted their sails and set off. Garp, of course, noticed Roger's ship departing but he was immediately blocked by both Rayleigh and Roger himself. Sending regular marines after them would only mean sending them to their deaths.

Even Garp hadn't expected such power from a newly formed pirate crew.

Roger seized the opportunity.

Divine Departure.

The three of them broke apart in an instant. Using the force of recoil, Rayleigh and Roger leapt back onto the ship.

Naturally, Garp wasn't about to let them escape so easily.

Roger launched a second Divine Departure, slicing the sea open in a great cleave. Waves surged high, and Garp's warship rocked dangerously, nearly capsizing. Most of the crew had already been knocked out by Ritter and Jabba.

Garp rushed back to his deck and steadied the ship. As he watched Roger's vessel grow smaller on the horizon, he shouted with fury:

"I'll capture you one day, Roger Pirates!"

Roger roared with laughter. "I'll be waiting, Garp!"

After shaking Garp's pursuit and sailing for some time, the stolen ship already old and patched up began to fall apart under the pressure of sea water and battle damage. Even without taking a direct hit, it was on the verge of collapse.

"Captain, at this rate we'll be swimming to Water 7," Rayleigh said, adjusting his glasses as he inspected the leaking cracks along the deck.

Roger let out a carefree laugh. "No worries! Ritter, help us out!"

Ritter sighed, then raised both hands. "Sea Fog Floating Platform!"

His Devil Fruit powers worked like a magical glue, patching up holes and stabilizing the ship.

Dense mist rose from beneath the hull, calming the sea currents around them. The ship's speed even picked up.

Jabba let out a low whistle. "Not bad, kid!"

Ritter lifted his chin proudly. "Of course! Without me, this crew would've sunk a long time ago! I came up with this trick not long after I set out to sea turns out it's pretty useful."

Right now, Ritter was longing for the Oro Jackson.

(whispered in his heart) A sleek crimson hull… the legendary Adam Wood as its keel… understated elegance in every line… What are you waiting for? Head to Water 7 and find Master Tom! Place your order now!

Roger burst out laughing and scooped Ritter up. "Kuhahahaha! Looks like we really do need a professional. Let's try our luck in Water 7!"

When their patched-together "pirate ship" (formerly a Marine warship) limped into the port of Water 7, it caused an instant stir.

"Wait isn't that a Navy battleship?!"

"Why are they throwing a party on the deck?!"

"That guy in the straw hat… is that the pirate with the 200 million bounty, Roger?!"

Roger leapt off the ship and took a deep breath. "Ah! Smells like the city of shipwrights!"

Rayleigh, meanwhile, was already checking his wallet. "Let's hope this doesn't cost a fortune…"

"Hey, you!" Roger shouted to a dockworker. "Who's your best shipwright around here?"

The dockworker had been tense at first, but the moment Roger asked that, his face lit up with pride. "That'd be Master Tom he's the best we've got in Water 7!"

In this city, a shipwright's skills belonged to everyone. No one was judged by their past, only their respect for the craft. That's why the dockworker wasn't afraid of getting Tom into trouble. Asking a master to build your ship was the greatest honor a sailor could offer it meant entrusting your future, your very life, to their hands.

Outside Tom's workshop, the massive fish-man stood with a cigar between his teeth and thick arms folded across his chest, eyeing the ragtag crew before him.

"So you're the ones who stole a Marine ship? Got guts," Tom said, his deep, booming voice laced with scrutiny.

Roger scratched his head, unbothered. "We prefer to call it 'borrowing.' We heard you're the best in the world?"

Tom squinted and blew out a smoke ring. "The best in the world? That depends do you deserve the best?"

Before anyone could answer, Tom lunged forward with a thunderous punch, the air whistling from the force. Roger casually sidestepped, still wearing his usual carefree grin.

"Oh? Not bad," Tom grinned, baring sharp teeth before swinging again.

Roger laughed as he dodged, the two of them now dashing through the shipyard in a bizarre game of tag. Sawdust flew, and tools clattered to the ground. Workers stopped everything they were doing, gaping at the unexpected "interview."

"Hey, hey, Master Tom, we really are here in good faith!" Rayleigh adjusted his glasses again, exasperated. "We've got two hundred million berries. Will that be enough?"

"Enough talk!" Tom roared. "If you want a ship from me, prove yourselves!"

Ritter stood off to the side, twitching. "What kind of job interview is this…?"

After ten minutes of mad dashing and clashing, Tom finally came to a stop, breathing hard and wiping sweat from his brow. He let out a hearty laugh. "Not bad! I like you guys!"

Roger slowed to a stop too, smiling as he extended a hand. "So about our ship…?"

Tom snorted, still puffing his cigar, then turned and motioned toward the back of the workshop. "Follow me, brats. I'll show you my greatest design."

But just as he turned, he gave Roger a hard look. "Don't you dare waste it, brat."

Roger's expression turned serious for once. "Don't worry. I'll make sure this ship's name echoes across the seas."

Tom broke into another booming laugh. "Well, then! It won't be cheap but two hundred million should just cover it."

Inside the massive dry dock, half-finished ships rested in cradles of scaffolding. Wood planks, tools, and enormous design scrolls lay scattered everywhere.

Tom walked over to one of the largest blueprints, jabbing a finger at the inked outline. "This is the ship I've been working on lately. Name's… well, I haven't thought of one yet."

"It'll be the strongest ship in the world. Its keel will be a full-length piece of Adam Wood. That's your job to find, by the way. If you don't get the Adam, the whole design falls apart."

Ritter's eyes went wide. The Oro Jackson?! (internal screaming: Holy crap! This is the Pirate King's ship!)

Roger's eyes sparkled as he leaned in. "Incredible! How soon can you start?"

Tom gave him a sideways glance. "What's the rush? Building a ship isn't a joke. And like I said I don't have the Adam Wood. If you want this ship, bring me the materials yourself."

Ritter nearly choked. "Wait free?!"

He knew the Oro Jackson was built by Tom, but he hadn't realized… it was free. The allure of a Pirate King in the making strikes again.

Tom let out a deep belly laugh. "What's so surprising? Building that ship and seeing it sail across the Grand Line is my dream. And I know you Roger Pirates you're not murderers. You've got your own code. You don't act like ordinary pirates."

Then, as if on cue, Tom reached out and grabbed Ritter by the collar. "You listening, kid?"

Ritter swallowed hard. "Loud and clear, Uncle Tom!"