Chapter 16: The Four Emperors, Marines, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

East Blue,

On the deck of an unnamed merchant ship.

A white round table was placed on the deck, with four white chairs around it, occupied by Roman, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami. The other three were listening intently as Roman explained the 'strong ones' of this world.

"This world has four seas, divided by the Red Line and the Grand Line into East, West, South, and North Blue."

"The East Blue, where we are, is known as the 'weakest sea'..."

As he spoke, Roman glanced at Luffy. The reason for this title was mostly because of Luffy. — His grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp, would come to East Blue to visit his grandson and would definitely clean up some pirates along the way. Over time, how could East Blue not be weak?

"The first half of the Grand Line is called 'Paradise', where newcomers fiercely compete, the strong prey on the weak. The second half of the Grand Line is called the 'New World', where one of the world's three great powers, the 'Four Emperors', reign supreme, known as 'the world's strongest sea'."

"And the so-called three great powers of the Grand Line are the 'Marines', the 'Four Emperors', and the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea'."

"As for the 'Four Emperors'..."

Roman glanced at Luffy again. If he mentioned that Shanks was one of the Four Emperors with a bounty of billions, the 'Mountain Bandit King' Higuma and the 'Lord of the Coast' would definitely protest.

In Luffy's mind, it might turn into: Ah, the Four Emperors, if Shanks can be one, then I must be beyond emperor level... Forget it, better skip it. After all, the big shots in this world love to play weak.

For example: an old man who was knocked down by the 'Axe-Hand'...

A blind man thrown out of a casino...

"Back to the point, the 'Four Emperors' are top pirates with bounties of billions. They're too far from us, so let's not mention them."

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, who were listening attentively, had no objections. After all, the gap between them and these pirates with bounties of billions was indeed terrifying and unimaginable.

"If we enter the Grand Line, the most important things to watch out for are the Marines and the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"Don't forget, we have a captain who wants to become the 'Pirate King,'" Roman glanced at the three of them and explained seriously.

"So, in general, the Marines are our biggest enemy."

No matter if the 'Straw Hat Pirates' have done anything a pirate should do, as long as they raise the skull flag, they are the Marines' mortal enemies!

"The Marines are under the World Government, maintaining law and order in all the world's oceans in the name of absolute justice. They are the largest military organization in the world. The Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down together form the three great fortresses of the world."

"The current Fleet Admiral is Sengoku the Buddha, followed by the three Admirals as the highest combat power, then the Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and Commodores, all the way down to Captains and Lieutenants..."

"Although there are some who rise through connections, most Marine officers' strength is still linked to their rank."

Seeing the indifferent expressions of the trio, Roman patiently explained again.

"Don't use the Marine ranks in East Blue as a reference. Let me put it this way: a Colonel from East Blue would be lucky to be an officer in the Grand Line, and most likely would have to start over as a Seaman Recruit."

"Even for us, with our current strength, we'd be at most Majors in the Marines. And there are easily hundreds, if not thousands, of people with that level of strength in Marine Headquarters."

"Hundreds of Luffys..."

Nami was about to exclaim how amazing that was, but the image that came to mind was: hundreds of monkeys with straw hats chattering and clowning around...

No, the picture is too beautiful to look at!

"Next is the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"'The Seven Warlords of the Sea,' recognized by the World Government as seven great pirates with catastrophic destructive power and strength comparable to a nation."

"I can tell you very clearly," Roman stated seriously again, "their strength is not exaggerated; they are literally one-man armies!"

"No, you could even say that if it's just an ordinary army, facing them would be a massacre."

"Don't think about wearing them down; those monsters can fight for days and nights without breaking a sweat!"

Uh...

The three were dumbfounded.

It's not surprising that Luffy, Zoro, and Nami couldn't imagine it. In fact, until they actually encountered those 'monsters,' they wouldn't be able to imagine that 'humans' could be that strong!

Although Zoro's master and Luffy's grandfather were true experts, these two guys either pretended to be weak or crazy, so in Zoro and Luffy's eyes, they were just weak teachers and crazy old men...

As for Nami, a Fishman deserter from the Grand Line like Arlong made her think 'no one could defeat him,' so how could she have a clear understanding of 'experts'?

"In short, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are seven famous great pirates recognized by the World Government,"

"They are 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, 'Empress' Boa Hancock, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo, 'Stepping Stone' Gecko Moria, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe, 'Sand Crocodile' Crocodile. And:"

Roman glanced at the green-haired three-sword style swordsman, Zoro.

"The world's greatest swordsman—'Hawk-Eye' Dracule Mihawk!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this name, Zoro immediately looked eager and excited.

"I didn't expect him to have a title among the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

"So, there are six others as strong as him—" 

 "Ah, no..."

Roman waved his hand, "In my opinion, Mihawk's strength is probably at the top among the Seven Warlords. Then there's Kuma, Doflamingo, Hancock, and Jinbe. As for Moria and Crocodile, they are the weakest 'stepping stones'."

"But even the 'stepping stones' among the Seven Warlords could defeat us with just one move!"

This was no exaggeration. Not to mention their current strength, even the Straw Hat Pirates in the original 'storyline', after many battles and improvements, relied on luck for about seventy percent of their victories against these two Warlords!

It was truly seventy percent luck, thirty percent effort.

"Sigh,"

Roman sighed as he spoke, because:

"Judging by your expressions, you probably think I'm telling fairy tales or something shocking, right? Well then—"

Roman stood up and waved his hand, and the table in front of them and the chairs they were sitting on turned into sheets of white paper, almost causing Nami to fall on her butt.

As for Luffy and Zoro, they had enough reflexes to avoid falling.

"Paper Dance - Arena!"

Whoosh~~

Sheets of white paper covered the deck, mast, and railings, wrapping the merchant ship in a blanket of white!

"Devil Fruits are all about personal development."

Roman continued as sheets of paper flew from his hands, covering the ship.

"For example, my 'Paper-Paper Fruit'. If an assassin ate it, they might develop abilities like 'Paper Person' to slip through cracks, 'Kami-e' to dodge, or 'Paper Demon Blade' to enhance attacks."

"If someone who doesn't like fighting ate it, they might develop abilities like 'Paper Crane' for scouting, 'Paper Clone' for confusion, or 'Paper Gundam' for combat..."

Roman pointed to the paper on the ground.

"As for me, maybe because I'm 'afraid of dying', the first ability I developed was 'Paper Iron'!"

"I can make the paper I create as strong as 'steel'. Of course—the farther it is from my body, the weaker the ability becomes..."

"But if it's just the size of this ship's deck, I can maintain the ability."

Whoosh~~

More sheets of paper flew out, forming a sword and a shield in Roman's hands.

"So, don't hold back!"

Roman took a stance, facing Luffy and Zoro.

"Come fight me. If I win, you have to listen to me."

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