The Paper Fruit Among the Pirates

"Cauliflower..."

How should people complain about this name?

Roman looked at the port city that appeared on the sea level, trying to divert his attention by complaining in his mind. He had already released a large group of scouting paper cranes, and everything was under his control. But before that:

"Roman, don't you need to tie it?"

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji—and everyone in the Straw Hats: including Weiwei and Lu Xingya ran fast, and tied a few circles around their left arms with paper.

The paper tape was provided by Roman and is absolutely unique! after all:

Paper that can be used as armor to block damage, at least only Roman has it in this sea area.

Facing Nami's question, Roman waved his hand.

"The paper is all made by me with my ability, I can--"

"Fool!"

Roman, who was knocked on the chest by Nami, faced the paper tape and stretched out his left hand helplessly.

Use your own ability to create creations tied to your own hands? What kind of strange behavior is this, as long as he thinks, a single thought can...

"Okay, it's tied."

While Roman was thinking wildly, Nami had already tied a paper tape on his arm and tied a beautiful bow for him.

this--

"Okay, no matter what happens in the future."

As Luffy stretched out his left hand, Roman, Nami, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Vivi, and Lu Xingya all stretched out their left hands and formed a circle at a fast pace.

"From now on, this will be the symbol of our partners!"

Ahhh, I feel so stupid.

But forget it, anyway, it is very likely that it will be the last time to accompany them to be silly...

—————

Rapeseed flower market, west coast.

"Be careful when you go ashore," Zoro warned everyone, "There are many ships with the flag of the Baroque Studio, and the navy..."

"restaurant!!"

However, before he finished speaking, Luffy, who flew off the boat, disappeared in a flash.

"I--"

Sauron sighed and turned his head to look at Roman. The other party's eyes were empty and he didn't know what he was thinking. ——It’s not the feeling of the soul leaving the body when the so-called ‘developing fruit ability’, but simply:

daze.

"Roman, I leave the tracking of Luffy to you."

"what?"

"Ah, no problem."

Facing Roman who nodded after a moment of shock, Zoro rubbed his short green hair.

"Roman, you..."

"Forget it, you're a smart guy."

Sauron held on to the three-handled knife at his waist while jumping off the Golden Merry, talking with his head and not looking back.

"Knows more, knows more than all of us. But—"

"If you have any difficulties, you should tell everyone. Even... at least you trust Luffy, don't you?"

··········

"OK,"

Roman, who rubbed his face, pulled out a stiff smile and exhaled.

"Let's go, when Luffy eats, let's replenish some supplies for the desert environment. And before that:"

Roman looked at Marianu, who always had a calm face, that is, Miss. Golden Week of Baroque Studio. Now that you have set foot on the soil of Alabasta, then:

"The transaction is officially closed,"

Roman lifted his chin in the other direction.

"you're free."

Facing Roman's words, Marianu, wearing a hat and carrying various painting tools, food and water, took a few steps forward, then turned around and looked at Roman calmly.

"Aren't you going to shoot?"

"Ha," Roman scratched his hair, "If it was me in the past, I would definitely not let such a powerful enemy like you go away. It is normal for you to collapse with one shot, but now..."

Roman waved his hand impatiently and turned around decisively.

"Let's go."

I have been with Luffy and the others for a long time, and I almost forgot that I am a "pirate" character.

"That,"

A little girl's calm voice came from behind.

"We're even."

—————

"Nami, you have such a good figure~"

The shops on the outskirts of the city... well, it's just a blanket spread out in the sand with various goods. And... the ancient trading scene where even the countryside in Roman's previous life has disappeared.

Nami walked out of the "Paper Dance - Fitting Room" created by Roman with her ability, wearing a dancer's dress full of desert style, breathable, less fabric, plus various metal ornaments... She and Weiwei stood Together, they can attract as many men as they come and go over and over again from this street.

"Huh? It's okay--"

Facing Weiwei's compliment, Nami was obviously absent-minded. But she was not the only one who was absent-minded, such as Roman, who was frequently touching his chin and distracted, or Sauron, who was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

"Where do we go next?"

Facing Sauron's question, Weiwei explained, "We are going to the base camp of the rebels, a place called 'Juba'."

"Only by exposing Crocodile's conspiracy to the rebels first can-"

"Hide!"

In the middle of speaking, Weiwei was dragged down by Sauron, because in the city center:

"Don't let him escape!"

A group of navy soldiers with guns and knives ran over chasing a figure.

"There are pirates?"

"That unlucky guy is so..."

Just when the Straw Hats watched the show calmly.

"Hi Zoro!!"

? ? ? ?

Luffy who was being chased ran towards the crowd without hesitation, followed by a string of pursuers:

"Don't come here!"

"It was you who brought the navy here?"

In this situation, the speechless crowd had only one last option left.

"run!"

coming.

Roman's eyelids drooped, and he ran to the side as if suddenly returning to his soul.

"All follow me!"

"But····"

"I've got the 'White Knight' to steer the boat aside and be able to avoid the Navy ships."

"Great, Roman is still so reliable!"

With everyone making a big turn, the southward port turned into a southwestward desert. The paper cranes circling in the sky have a panoramic view of the whole city, so Roman is very clear about the direction that Luffy is coming from, most of the navy and White Hunter Smoker:

They were all blocked by a naked man covered in flames!

Portgas D. Ace!

The sworn brother of Luffy and Sabo, the captain of the Whitebeard 2nd team, the true master with a bounty of 550 million Berry! Currently on the way to hunt down Blackbeard, this time he came here specially to give Luffy a life card.

Life card!

Life card, also called life paper, is a special item in this world.

Only in the new world, people are neither afraid of water nor fire. It is made by mixing your own nails into the material. It is a kind of paper representing the vitality of the owner. Usually, people will tear him up and give them to relatives or friends who are about to separate, and the torn paper will attract each other.

At the same time, the life card can also reflect the state of the owner. If you are sick, you will wither, and if you are injured, you will burn...

Burn out and die!

There are flames beating in Roman's eyes. As long as he has a sample, he can immediately make up for his two shortcomings with the fruit ability! This kind of thing is simply the best artifact for paper fruit. So:

"Okay, let's rest here for a while."

After ditching the navy, Roman stopped behind a dune. Although everyone didn't know Roman's plan, but because of Roman's always 'reliable' expression, there was no objection, and:

"Run fast, I have something for you."

Taking the opportunity to rest, Weiwei took out a letter to her horse Duck.

"This is the result of my and... investigation. You go all the way north and return to Albana first. Give the letter to my father, and he will know everything."

The clever Lu Xingya nodded fiercely with 'running fast', and then started to gallop all the way to the north!

And not long after:

bang,

"Yo, Luffy."

A gentle voice sounded on the hill, causing everyone to raise their heads and put on a vigilant posture! Apart from:

Roman and Luffy.

"Hahaha, Ace!"

Facing the vigilant Straw Hats, Luffy introduced to everyone with a smile on his face.

"This is Ace, my brother."

"Hey?!" X4

"You bastard actually has..."

Walking down the hill was a man with black shattered hair, peaceful eyes, and freckles on his cheeks.

He wears an orange cowboy hat with "Smile" and "Sad" badges pinned to the brim. In addition, there is a skull brand tied, a red bead necklace around the neck, and the naked upper body is muscular and well-proportioned. The lower body is a pair of cropped trousers, and a dagger is pinned to the belt.

Facing the Straw Hats who were attacking, the man named Ace bowed his head politely to everyone.

"My younger brother has been taken care of by you, thank you."

"Indeed it is." X5

Recalling Lu Fei's performance all the way, the man was silent and the woman was crying.

········

"By the way, Luffy."

Ace extended an invitation to Luffy standing in front of him.

"Would you like to come to the 'Whitebeard' Pirates?"

"I can introduce you to join."

However:

"I don't want to, I want to be the Pirate King!"

One Piece, of course, cannot bear the banner of others.

"I knew it,"

Ace just smiled, he knew his younger brother, so he just asked casually:

"this is for you."

Ace threw a small piece of white paper to Luffy, and Roman, who deliberately hid behind everyone, blinked. Then the man named Ace looked at the Straw Hats behind Luffy.

"I have a younger brother who is stubborn and stupid, and the elder brother is very worried about him,"

"It's the same with you too..."

As he spoke, he bowed his head seriously again,

"Luffy, please."

After speaking, he turned around chicly.

"See you again!"

—————

"Luffy, can you show me the paper your brother gave you?"

Facing Roman's words, Luffy handed him the note in his hand without hesitation.

Clutching the square piece of paper with trembling hands, Roman closed his eyes, excitement, surprise, seriousness, silence, and... determination!

"Give it back to you, you have to keep it."

"certainly."

Everyone moved forward in silence, the joy of meeting Brother Lu Fei just now seemed to disappear instantly. And Roman also slowly changed from the front of the team to the middle, and from the middle to the back silently, until——

He stood still.

And Luffy and others have already turned over the sand dunes ahead.

Snapped,

A hand grabbed Roman's arm, and Nami's trembling came from her arm, as well as her crying with her head lowered.

"Come on, we need you to show us the way—"

"Passing ahead, it's the Golden Merry."

"Roman..."

"Feel sorry."

clatter~~~~

Nami's hands were empty, and the figures behind her turned into papers falling down one after another. Each one is just snow white with nothing on it.

why····

"Nami, are you crying?"

When Nami turned around the sand dune ahead, everyone in the Straw Hats stood there silently waiting.

"No,"

Nami, who wiped her face fiercely, raised her head and bit her lips tightly.

"It's just...just... the wind and sand blown into my eyes."

"Let's go!"

She quickly passed the crowd and walked towards the Golden Merry that appeared in sight.

"That Roman—"

"Roman has something to do, let's go first."

"But····"

Chopper wanted to say something, but was covered by Usopp next to him.

"It doesn't matter, Roman can catch up, he has always been very reliable."

Always!