Chapter Twenty-Five: So It Was Someone I Knew

"So it was them." As soon as he saw the captain commanding the battle on the opposing ship, Roland instantly understood why that pirate flag had seemed so familiar—wasn’t this the very pirate crew his nominal father had infiltrated undercover ten years ago?

The Boulder Pirates, led by Jason, known as Muscle Boulder, with a bounty as high as eight million—the exact same as that East Mountain Pirate King.

"This is a bit troublesome," Roland muttered as he dodged another attack, donning an expression of exasperation.

He had never thought of solving the issue of pirates through sheer slaughter, especially not this crew, toward whom he felt a faint trace of goodwill.

If there was ever a definition for 'arriving with high spirits and leaving in disappointment,' this was it. He’d come over brimming with anticipation, hoping to vent his anger, built up thanks to those troublesome islanders, only to find himself facing old acquaintances who had shown him some kindness. How was he supposed to raise his hand against them?

Even if these people had been Buggy’s crew from the anime, Roland wouldn’t have hesitated—perhaps he would have left Buggy behind for labor reform at most.

"Uncle Jason, wait—don’t attack yet. Look at who I am first."

After leaping aboard the pirate ship and destroying all the pirates’ weapons, Roland finally approached that familiar face and dispelled his transformation.

"Jason... Uncle?" The burly, bald Jason was momentarily stunned at the address.

Wasn’t this the so-called Demon Man Gin from the Krieg Pirates? Why would he call him Uncle Jason? Sure, he’d started pirating a few years earlier, but he didn’t think he was old enough to be called ‘uncle.’

Indeed, when Jason saw Roland in his Udean form, he’d mistaken him for Krieg’s enforcer, Demon Man Gin.

Although he’d seen Gin’s picture on the wanted posters, he’d never actually fought him, so he wasn’t aware of Gin’s appearance in battle. Seeing Roland’s strange look, Jason had easily assumed he was the Demon Man.

After all, if someone didn’t look so peculiar, why would they be called the Demon Man?

Having been a pirate captain in the East Sea for over a decade, Jason knew a thing or two about Devil Fruits, so he wasn’t surprised that Gin looked different in battle from his wanted poster.

But once Roland shed his transformation, Jason realized his mistake. The handsome youth before him looked nothing like the dark-eyed, gaunt Gin.

"Do I know you?"

Jason studied Roland curiously. He felt sure he’d seen this face somewhere before, but couldn’t recall where.

As for fighting, Jason thought, we’re all adults here, aren’t we? Who just starts a fight at the drop of a hat? Fighting is pointless—why not sit down, talk things over calmly, and resolve the matter? That’s the better way, isn’t it? And he was definitely not afraid of Roland. Not at all.

"You don’t recognize me? Ten years ago, right here on Rosia Island."

Before meeting these people, Roland had only planned to use Gin as a deckhand on his ship. After all, even if he took Nami with him, her duties would be limited to navigation, and the miscellaneous tasks would fall to him.

But now, meeting Uncle Jason, Roland remembered the idea he’d just had back on the island—it seemed he could aim higher. If this plan worked out, he’d find a different role for Gin. Using him only for chores would be a waste.

"Ten years ago, Rosia Island?" Jason looked toward the distant island. Now that Roland mentioned it, he recognized the place—it was the island where he’d brought his close friend home years ago and ended up being hated by his friend’s child.

"So, you’re that little brat who tried to kill me in the middle of the night all those years ago?"

As those long-buried memories surfaced, Jason immediately recognized Roland. That kid had left quite the impression.

He still recalled, during his friend’s funeral, one night this brat had sneaked up to him, intending to stab him with a knife. Had he not happened to be up at night to relieve himself, he might have ended up in the gutter.

"..."

Roland was speechless at this revelation. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now that Jason mentioned it, he recalled the memory.

"Ahem, I was young and foolish back then..." Roland coughed a few times, embarrassed.

"Hahaha, Roland, you weren’t like this at all back then. When Captain Jason caught you, you were still yelling about killing him!" someone teased.

"Yeah, Roland, what happened? You’ve grown up and gone soft—acting like a bashful girl," another joked.

Now that Roland’s identity was clear, the pirates who had been on edge just moments before relaxed and started teasing him.

"By the way, Roland, how did you end up coming from Krieg’s pirate ship? Did you join them?"

After the laughter subsided, Jason grew serious, fixing Roland with a stern gaze.

He’d only feared Roland earlier because he hadn’t recognized him—he’d feared Roland’s overwhelming strength, which could have crushed them all.

Now, however, he questioned Roland from the standpoint of an elder who cared.

Jason knew all too well what kind of scum pirates were—he didn’t want his best friend’s son to become one of them.

"You mean them? They’re just my prisoners," Roland explained.

"Shortly after you left ten years ago, I was driven out of my village. I was saved by a great man, trained under him for ten years, and only recently returned to the East Sea. I was planning to revisit my homeland, but as soon as I set out to sea, I encountered Krieg’s crew.

"After that, I captured them. Krieg and his officer Pearl are still on their ship, and Gin has already yielded to me."

"So the rumors about the disbanding of the Krieg Pirates were your doing," Jason mused, thoroughly impressed by his old friend’s son. To think he’d grown strong enough to single-handedly wipe out a five-thousand-man pirate crew.

Suddenly, Roland said, "By the way, Uncle Jason, let’s get the ships alongside first. If I linger here too long, Gin might get impatient and order the pirates I captured to fire on you."

Jason nodded. "We’ll do as you say. Lads, set the sails and bring us alongside."

"Yes, sir!"

The pirates sprang into action, returning to their posts and maneuvering their ship toward Krieg’s vessel.

They’d heard everything Jason and Roland had said, so they didn’t suspect any trickery. Besides, given Roland’s display of strength, if he wanted to kill them, he’d have done so already—there was no need for elaborate schemes.

On Rosia Island, at the pier, Gin watched the scene unfold through his spyglass.

His loyalty to Roland was now unwavering, and Roland’s safety was his top concern.

After Roland boarded the pirate ship and the sounds of battle ceased, Gin finally relaxed.

Seeing the ship drawing closer, Gin realized that Lord Roland had captured yet another pirate crew.

He knew a bit about the Boulder Pirates. Though not as powerful as the former Krieg Pirates, their captain still had a bounty of fifteen million—a formidable force.

But Lord Roland had subdued two of the East Sea’s strongest pirate crews all by himself. Such strength was simply awe-inspiring.

"Everyone, put down your weapons and get back to your duties. It looks like Lord Roland has captured the Boulder Pirates as well."