Chapter 43: Hunting the Pirate King

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Roger's ascension to the title of Pirate King sent shockwaves worldwide, rippling far and wide. 

Even Arashi, who was far from the epicentre of these events, soon felt their impact. 

The first indication came from a direct order from Marine Headquarters.

"Be on high alert. We must prevent any potential pirate uprisings inspired by Roger's recent actions." 

"Rear Admiral Arashi, you are authorized to take harsher, more ruthless measures if necessary!"

This order was unlike anything Arashi had seen before, causing him to narrow his eyes in contemplation. 

Typically, the Marines focused on capturing pirates, reserving lethal force for extreme cases. 

Only a few, like him and Sakazuki, were known for their brutal methods.

"Is this meant to intimidate pirates and quickly prevent greater upheaval worldwide?" he wondered.

Additionally, in recent days, within the second half of the Grand Line, Arashi, T Bone, and the others have noticed a significant increase in pirate activity. 

In just half a month, they had encountered and fought ten powerful pirate crews. 

Roger's achievement ignited the passion of countless pirates, inspiring them to push their limits.

Around the world, countless pirates, and even those who had yet to become pirates, looked up to Roger as a role model.

While Arashi was busy suppressing pirate activity across the seas, two figures sat facing each other on an unnamed island beneath a large cherry blossom tree in full bloom.

"Gurararara!" laughed a towering man with blonde hair and a crescent-shaped moustache above his lip. 

"Roger, you dared to come find me alone."

"Hahahaha!" Roger laughed back. "Newgate, we've clashed countless times. Although we're rivals, I consider you one of my few friends."

The man sitting opposite Roger was Edward Newgate, known as Whitebeard, one of the three legendary pirates of the current era.

"Tell me, what brings you here?" Newgate asked, taking a swig of his drink. "A guy like you, who's just become the Pirate King, wouldn't come to me without a reason."

Roger's expression turned serious as he met Newgate's gaze. Suddenly, he spoke in a low voice.

"I've reached the final island and found the great treasure, the One Piece!" Roger paused, then, with a grin, continued, "I came here to ask you one thing."

Newgate raised an eyebrow, curious about what Roger would say next.

"Newgate!" Roger said with a smirk. "Do you want to know the location of the final island?"

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed at the unexpected offer. 

As Roger's longtime rival, he knew better than anyone how difficult it was to find the final island. Yet here was Roger, offering the information freely?

But after a brief moment of consideration, Newgate burst into laughter and shook his head. "Not interested!"

Roger looked surprised but soon joined in the laughter. "That's just like you, Newgate."

The two raised their cups again and clinked them together with a hearty crash.

"I'm about to retire," Roger said suddenly, his tone light but with a hint of gravity. "But before I go, there's one more thing I need to warn you about."

"Oh?" Newgate listened, smiling as Roger continued.

"There's a young Marine named Arashi," Roger said, his expression turning serious. "If you ever find yourself ruling over these seas, be wary of him."

"Arashi?" Newgate repeated, puzzled. He racked his brain but couldn't recall any Marine by that name. 

Then he scoffed. "Just a kid! Not worth your concern!" Roger shook his head with a wry smile and said nothing more. 

Only Whitebeard remained in the forest while the newly crowned Pirate King, Roger, vanished to an unknown location. 

Whitebeard silently finished the drink in his cup, his expression a complex mix of emotions.

"The number of old friends on this sea is dwindling," he sighed, feeling a sense of melancholy. From Roger's visit, he had sensed something was off. 

Roger, who had spent decades climbing to the pinnacle, reaching heights few could imagine, had chosen to turn away just as he reached the summit.

"Farewell, Gol D. Roger," he muttered quietly. 

As the wind swept through, cherry blossoms swirled and fell into the sake jug, and Whitebeard's figure faded into the forest.

At the same time, in the waters of the Atwar Sea, Arashi met up with Kuzan on their Marine ship and received a new mission from headquarters.

"What's the matter, Arashi? Is this guy giving you trouble?" Kuzan asked with a smile, glancing at the wanted poster in Arashi's hand. 

The poster depicted a young man with slicked-back hair and a cigar clamped in his mouth. 

Beneath the image were his name and bounty amount: Crocodile.

"Not really, just reminded me of something," Arashi replied with a slight smile. 

He was surprised to receive news of Crocodile here, especially since the mission indicated that three Marines had already failed in their encounters with him. 

And now, Arashi was positioned near where Crocodile was last spotted.

"It's been over two years, and you've moved up in rank, too," Arashi remarked, noticing the Major rank on Kuzan's shoulder.

"Hahaha, Arashi, the three of us have made quite a bit of progress in these two years," Kuzan replied with a grin. 

"I might not lose to you this time!"

"Is that so?" Arashi chuckled softly. 

"But I don't have time for a sparring match," he said, raising the bounty notice. "I'm in a hurry to catch this newcomer!"

Kuzan nodded in understanding. "Then, I'll see you back at headquarters!"

The two ships passed each other, and Arashi watched Kuzan's departing figure, feeling a sense of nostalgia. 

Time was passing, and everything was changing. Not only had he grown, but others were also advancing rapidly. 

From their brief encounter today, Arashi could sense the formidable power radiating from Kuzan. 

It was evident that in the past two years, Kuzan's strength had grown immensely, especially with the mastery of his Ice-Ice Fruit.

Arashi then looked down at the wanted poster in his hand. "A newcomer, Crocodile?" 

A faint smile tugged at his lips as new thoughts began to form in his mind.

Arashi recalled that Crocodile was not just powerful; besides his defeat at the hands of the protagonist Luffy, he was known as a formidable opponent regardless of who he faced. 

He was also sharp-minded and skilled in strategy, later playing the role of a tactician and steward in the Baroque Works organization. 

He was an excellent support figure who, with some guidance, could develop into someone with power rivalling that of Yonko's right-hand man.

"Sir, we've received word from headquarters. Crocodile and his crew are currently on Rean Island, ten nautical miles to our northwest," 

Mina reported after contacting the headquarters. Arashi nodded. "Set course for Rean Island!"

<End Chapter>

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