The year was 1517 in the Marine Calendar, early in the year.
Far away in East Blue, in the Goa Kingdom, on the coast of Mount Colubo...
Dadan's rough-and-tumble mountain bandits, the kind-hearted Windmill Village chief, Makino, and a boisterous, fourteen-year-old Luffy all stood on the shore, waving goodbye to Ace.
"Ace, give it your all!" Luffy yelled, his voice full of youthful enthusiasm.
Ace grinned, his teeth flashing in the sunlight. "Just wait and see! I'll be famous all over the sea before you know it!" He gave one last wave to his makeshift family. "Tell Dadan thanks for putting up with me all these years!"
"Okay, we will!" Makino called back, her voice warm and reassuring.
The small boat carrying Ace slowly drifted out into the vast, sparkling sea.
Luffy, bubbling with excitement, pumped his fist in the air. "I can set sail in three more years! And before that happens, I'm gonna get even stronger!" With a burst of energy, he wound up his arm. "Rubber... PISTOL!"
BOOM!
His stretched rubber fist shot out, easily smashing a nearby rock into rubble.
---
Meanwhile, at the Marine G-1 Branch, the air crackled with tension.
Inside the colossal fortress, marines pushed themselves to their limits, sweat pouring down their faces. Even the lowest-ranking soldiers endured training ten times harder than anything seen in the Four Seas branches.
During a brief break, many of the marines huddled together, gossiping about the one and only Roya.
"I heard 'Black Hair' is coming to G-1," one marine whispered, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Today, right?" another replied, leaning in closer.
"I really want to see that infuriating, arrogant guy," a third chimed in, a mix of curiosity and irritation in his voice.
"I heard Vice Admiral Momonga locked himself in his office for days after coming back, all because of 'Black Hair'!"
The nickname "Black Hair" had spread like wildfire through all the Marine G-Series Fortresses. However, the most talked-about topic wasn't his incredible first-place score, but the scandalous rumors of an affair with Headquarters Vice Admiral Doll.
Even in this strictly regimented fortress, gossip thrived. It was a favorite pastime for the marines, especially since their own Vice Admiral seemed to be desperately chasing after Vice Admiral Doll as well.
Of course, it was all just hearsay... or was it?
---
At the fortress entrance, a warship from Logue Town slowly approached and docked.
"So... BIG!!!"
The marines stared in stunned silence at the gigantic G-1 Fortress, their jaws practically hitting the ground.
It was more spectacular than anything they could have imagined!
Compared to the massive fortress towering before them, the Logue Town Branch didn't even qualify as a chicken coop. It was pathetic, almost bringing tears to their eyes.
Even Roya was visibly impressed.
Although he possessed memories of the G-1 Branch, experiencing it firsthand was a completely different experience.
A fortress as massive as a mountain!
Compared to this behemoth, the skyscrapers of his previous life seemed like mere toothpicks. He couldn't even begin to fathom what kind of construction crew could have built such a magnificent miracle.
The reception personnel were already waiting.
After the warship's number was reported and Roya's identity confirmed, the small door of the fortress port creaked open. Even this "small" door was over a hundred meters tall.
Surrounded by a fleet of large warships, the Logue Town warship looked like a peanut. Even the usually cocky Bartolomeo was as quiet as a well-behaved baby at this moment.
He was absolutely terrified!
Following the marine's instructions, the warship docked at the designated berth. An officer with the rank of Colonel, a cigarette dangling from her lips, approached Roya.
"I am Headquarters Colonel Hina. Welcome to the G-1 Branch."
"Hello, I am Roya!"
Roya took a good look at the woman.
As expected of the G-1 Branch, even a random Colonel is someone famous.
"Black Cage" Hina, a super cool pink-haired lady, had been in the same class as Smoker and was considered a childhood friend.
Roya glanced around, a puzzled look on his face.
"Isn't Vice Admiral Momonga here?"
Hina's expression hardened slightly. "Vice Admiral Momonga is busy."
She was completely speechless. Did this guy really think he was such a big shot? Vice Admiral Momonga was the Base Chief; he didn't have time to entertain a small fry like him.
"I wanted to ask you, why isn't Smoker here? Hina is disappointed," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Smoker?"
Roya was stunned.
Why would Smoker be here with him?
"Oh, don't you know?"
Hina sighed quietly. If she hadn't wanted to see Smoker, she wouldn't have bothered coming to greet Black Hair. But this kid didn't know anything.
"Smoker ignored the orders, abandoned his duty as the Logue Town Base Chief, and is heading to the G-1 Branch. I thought he would meet up with you."
"..."
Roya was shocked.
This guy is so willful?
"Calculating the time, he should arrive in the next day or two."
Hina shook her head helplessly and turned to walk towards the interior of the Base.
"Follow me."
"Understood."
Roya glanced at Fullbody and Jango. From the moment they laid eyes on Hina, they had been in a dazed state, hearts practically popping out of their eyes.
"Don't just stand there, follow me!"
"Ah, o-okay!"
The two quickly wiped away their drool and followed behind Roya. Bartolomeo and the others also hurried to catch up.
It would be troublesome if they got lost in such a large place.
Huh, why are there so many presences?
Hina sensed something was off. She turned around to look at Roya and the marines behind him. Looking at them, there were at least two hundred people.
Even the Marine's Supreme Division only had 1000 people!
Even though she was mentally prepared, Hina was still startled. What was this commotion all about? Did they come to attack the G-1 Branch?
Hina was a little confused. It took her a while to react and remind him tactfully: "Colonel Roya, your subordinates can go back now."
"Go back? Go back where?"
Roya explained calmly: "They are all following me to take up their posts. They are all elites, and they especially admire Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"All of them?"
Hina took a deep breath, unable to keep up with Roya's train of thought.
You are just a Colonel. Bringing 10 people to take up their posts would be considered the highest level of treatment. What do you want to do with more than 200 people?
Roya chuckled and turned to face his subordinates, shouting: "Underlings, let Colonel Hina see your resolve!"
"Understood!"
Bartolomeo dramatically took off his hat and threw it hard on the ground!
Dropping the hat was the signal!
Upon receiving the signal, more than 200 underlings took off their hats in unison. Everyone had a flamboyant Mohican hairstyle, and the colors were different.
The colorful sight looked like a chicken coop.
Hina's eyes were dull.
The surrounding G-1 Branch marines were also shocked and dumbfounded.
What exactly is going on?
You guys started causing trouble as soon as you arrived?!
"Cough cough!"
Roya coughed lightly and explained with a smile: "I heard that Vice Admiral Momonga has a super stylish Mohican Head. To express our respect and admiration for him, my subordinates specially changed to super stylish Mohican Heads!"
"How is it? Super cool, right!"
"Oh, right, my nickname is Black Hair, so I didn't change my hairstyle. Actually, I also super admire Vice Admiral Momonga!"
You admire him my ass!
Hina almost exploded. If she and Roya weren't of equal rank, she would definitely lock up all these idiots.
No, she has to notify Vice Admiral Momonga.
She can't handle this guy!
"No, I can't be an exception."
Roya didn't care about Hina's reaction. He pulled out Rain Cutter and started trimming both sides of his hair.
And with that, "Mohican" Roya was born!
Roya raised a mysterious smile, lifted his hands to hold the sides of his head, and slowly pushed his hair upward!
The subordinates immediately followed his example, raising their hands to push their hair straight up, each standing upright like a cockscomb.
"Underlings!"
"Ooh!!!"
"Follow me, to take up our posts at the G-1 Branch!"
"Yes!"
Roya completely ignored Hina and led a group of Mohican underlings, running towards the Training Ground inside the Fortress, attracting the attention of countless marines.
A 200% rate of turning heads!
---
In the Base Chief's Office, Vice Admiral Momonga was enjoying a cup of tea.
"Why is it so noisy outside!"
Hearing the commotion from the Training Ground, Momonga was annoyed. He frowned and came to the window, leaning out to look down.
"Pfft～～～～"
He spat out all his tea.
What the hell was going on?!
In the center of the Training Ground, Roya led his underlings to join the training. Under the dumbfounded gaze of all the G-1 marines, they shouted loud slogans!
"Mohican is the Best!"
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 257
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]