"So, basically—"
Standing in the middle of the battlefield in front of the archway, Roman looked at the defeated "delinquents" lying around, some kneeling, others flat on the ground. He scratched his head in frustration.
All that talk about "Heaven Frost Fist" and "Wind God Kick"! In the end, it was just ice powers making frozen chunks and wind control reducing air resistance. And that so-called "Three Forces Reunite Qi"…
"Isn't that just the laser beam from the Glint-Glint Fruit?!"
"I won't even comment on your organization's name, but these fighting techniques… don't you think they feel completely out of place in this world?"
"What can we do? It's our tradition."
The archer girl, Melody, simply admitted it. Now that she could tell Roman wasn't actually their enemy, she didn't mind complaining about it herself.
"I don't even know how many centuries old this rule is. We're not just forced to inherit these weird names—we even have to use the same move names…"
"Melody!"
The silver-armored general, who had just fired a laser blast from his spear, got up and stopped his comrade from revealing any more information.
"You're strong, no doubt about that, but you're no match for our deputy commander!"
Even after being defeated in a one-against-five battle, the general remained calm.
"I don't know how you're so familiar with our abilities, but in front of the deputy commander, your powers won't mean a thing. Because he's more well-rounded than you… and stronger!"
Of course, I know your skills. I can use all of them myself! Roman rolled his eyes internally.
Each of these fighters was strong enough to be a high-ranking officer in an Emperor's crew or a Marine Vice Admiral. They could all partially cover themselves with Armament Haki and had an extra ability to support them. But…
The problem was, all their skills were ones Roman had already mastered and moved past. How could he possibly lose to them?
Even while being outnumbered!
"So, let me say this again—I'm not here to be your enemy. I have nothing to do with Kurozumi Orochi or the Beasts Pirates. This place is just a stop on our journey. If it weren't for a certain incident… we wouldn't have even crossed paths."
After the fight, Roman had more or less figured things out.
These people weren't "outsiders"—they were definitely from this world. But…
An organization that doesn't fit the world's style, strange century-old traditions, and moves that feel oddly familiar… Could it be…?
"I've already told you, we won't—"
"Wait a moment, Zou."
A figure in a black-and-white robe, with both hands hidden in long sleeves and a matching black-and-white mask, floated over gracefully.
"Sir,"
After bowing slightly, the masked figure stepped aside and gestured for Roman to follow.
"Please come with me. The deputy commander wants to see you."
…Alright, let's see what's really behind this mysterious "delinquent" group.
I only wanted to fight Kaido, but now all these strange things are popping up.
Kaido: Are you looking down on me?
With the masked figure leading the way, Roman was flanked by a silver-armored general, a fan-wielding scholar, a cloth-robed martial artist, a black-clad giant, and a bow-carrying girl as they marched through the streets like a grand parade.
"General Zou,"
"Lehou,"
"Melody~~"
"You all seem quite popular,"
Roman commented.
The bow-wielding girl proudly flipped her ponytail.
"Of course! If it weren't for us 'Unruly Ones,' this place would've been wrecked by Kurozumi and Kaido ages ago. We're the protectors of this land~~"
"Melody."
The silver-armored general glanced at the girl. "Have you forgotten our rules? Whether these people live or die has nothing to do with us."
"Hmph! No way! Why should we follow some rule made up by who-knows-who hundreds of years ago? Haven't you noticed that people laugh at us because our names and moves sound so outdated?"
No, no, that's not even what I'm complaining about.
Being 'escorted' by a group of people, Roman rolled his eyes. He was just feeling uncomfortable after suddenly hearing something familiar from his past life in this world. Now that he thought about it, if their organization changed its name to something like "Unruly Ones" and rebranded themselves as the "Thirty-Six Outlaws," with moves named "One Heart's Edge," "Soul Reaper's Grip," or "Twin Heaven Sword Style," the whole thing would instantly feel a lot less weird…
"We're here."
Led in front of a massive military building, Roman looked up at the large sign with three bold characters on it. He had to cover his face with several layers of paper—otherwise, he wasn't sure he could keep a straight expression.
"Are you guys really okay with hanging up a sign like this…?"
The moment he stepped inside, he was met with a bunch of muscular men swinging stone weights and iron chains while laughing loudly!
Roman didn't even know where to begin.
What kind of 'Red Blossom Pavilion' is this supposed to be?!
"Don't ask. It's a tradition that's been around for hundreds of years."
The archer girl waved her hand grandly, cutting off Roman's urge to complain.
This outsider seemed to know something about them, yet at the same time, he seemed to have some strange misunderstandings? Whatever. None of that was her problem. Let someone else deal with it.
"Big bro, we're back!"
She pushed open the main doors boldly.
With the silver-armored general reminding her to call him "Deputy Commander" instead, Roman finally understood why this archer girl was so… energetic.
…Empty?
Inside the hall, two rows of elite warriors stood—clearly a cut above the average grunts! Their outfits and weapons were full of Eastern style, but…
A long-haired monk in a kasaya, a white-robed swordswoman with heavy makeup, a kid draped in a bagua-patterned coat…
Altogether, they looked less like actual warriors and more like a group of amateur cosplayers who had completely missed the mark!
Roman's brow twitched.
If you guys showed up to a convention dressed like this, you'd get kicked out!
"Don't be surprised. These outfits are also part of a centuries-old tradition…"
The archer girl patted Roman on the shoulder, prompting the person in the main seat to clear his throat heavily.
"What business do you have with us 'Unruly Ones'?"
The one speaking was a man clad in light armor—a mix between a wandering swordsman and a military general. His exposed hands, neck, and face revealed layers of bandages beneath his armor.
Another unfamiliar face. Oh well—
At this point, sticking to the original story didn't matter anymore.
"My so-called reason for coming here is to convince you all to join forces against Kaido of the Beasts Pirates,"
Since that was only the 'official' reason, there was obviously a real reason behind it.
"Out of respect for… well, let's just get straight to the point—"
With a fight against Kaido and even BIG MOM looming ahead, Roman had no time to slowly investigate the strange existence of these 'Delinquents.'
And besides, even though their style was bizarre, they clearly had some deeper connection to all this.
So, he decided to cut straight to the chase.
"I want to know the origins of your 'Unruly Ones' organization!"
Alright, bring it on.
Whether it was another time traveler or some kind of 'Multiverse Projection Fruit' messing with things, Roman was ready!
…However, instead of answering, the ten or so cosplayers exchanged strange looks with each other.
Then, the bandaged man in the main seat slowly got up and walked toward Roman.
The others remained still, but their bodies began to glow with Armament Haki—an obvious bad sign.
Hmm?
Looks like I hit a nerve… Is this about to turn into a fight?
Roman tensed up, ready for battle.
But then, as the bandaged man stood before him, he suddenly spoke:
"The sky king covers the land tiger!"
?!
"You fool—!"
Are you kidding me?!
Lightning and wind surged around Roman as a sword emerged from his palm, coated in Haki!
To hell with time travelers! To hell with this 'Demon Tower Suppresses the River Spirit' nonsense—!
Faced with Roman, whose body was now radiating the powers of multiple Devil Fruits, the bandaged vice commander took a step back.
Then—
He dropped to one knee.
"Welcome back, Unruly Commander!"
?
"Welcome, Unrighteous Commander!!"
Surrounded by a group of warriors in traditional Eastern-style clothing, all kneeling on one knee, Roman found himself seriously contemplating the three big philosophical questions:
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
———
In a military building with a sign that read Red Blossom Pavilion,
Seated on the grand throne of the Brotherhood Hall,
"So... can someone explain what the hell is going on?"
As Roman was forcibly placed onto the main seat, he rubbed his temples. This world was insane! Compared to this, the Straw Hat Crew felt much more welcoming. I just want to go back to the Going Merry!
"I only— No way, I'm definitely not your Unrighteous Commander! You've got the wrong person!"
Having already been stunned by his so-called "Celestial Dragon" status before crossing over, Roman was now suddenly surrounded by a bunch of high-ranking officers enthusiastically welcoming the "Dragon King's return." At this point, he couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow fallen into a Genjutsu.
"This can't be a mistake! Sir, you just answered the secret phrase that has been passed down for 800 years! According to the prophecy—"
Wait, wait, wait. You're all dressed in this Eastern-style attire, yet you're talking about "prophecies" and "inheritance"? Is that really okay?
Also, judging by how excited you all look, does this Unrighteous Commander position come with some kind of risk?
"I don't care about some ancient prophecy from 800 years ago—"
Hold on… What if this group is actually connected to the Void Century, Joy Boy, or Imu...?
Roman quickly calmed down, stroked his chin, and started thinking fast. The Straw Hat Crew's final destination was Laugh Tale. If he wanted to uncover the truth buried in history, he had to understand this organization!
Otherwise—
By the time Luffy reaches Laugh Tale and finds the last Poneglyph, it'll probably be the start of the final battle!
"Alright, tell me—just what kind of organization is this Unruly Ones?"
Faced with Roman's resigned question, the bandaged deputy commander cupped his fists and bowed.
His first sentence made Roman's blood pressure spike:
"Actually... I'm not entirely sure."
?
"After all, guarding some prophecy from hundreds of years ago... our group has already gone through multiple splits and rebellions. The worst one caused over two-thirds of our members to leave. That's why, out of the original 108 Stars, only a dozen or so of us remain."
Yeah… that figures.
If it were Roman himself, he definitely wouldn't have wasted his whole life guarding an 800-year-old prophecy either!
"The ones who left supposedly established their own country in the West Blue—the Land of Flowers."
I see. Flower Town, Land of Flowers…
"So... your historical records and documents have basically been lost, but somehow, your combat techniques, ranking system, and that secret phrase have been perfectly preserved?"
Who the hell came up with that secret phrase? There's no way anyone could guess it right!
Roman couldn't help but roast this absurd situation in his mind. He really wanted to drag the guy who founded the Unrighteous People out of his grave and question him, but the guy probably didn't even have a grave left…
"So, in short, you guys don't actually know what your own organization is even for? You just sat around here for 800 years, waiting for someone to randomly say the secret phrase?"
And that "someone" just happened to be Roman, who blurted it out by pure accident—
"Hey! Even if you are the Unrighteous Commander, you can't talk about us like that!"
The archer girl Melody glared at Roman in frustration.
"What's so bad about this place? Our ancestors have lived here for 800 years! Every tree, every blade of grass here carries our mark—this is our home!"
"You must not be disrespectful before the Supreme Commander, Melody!"
After scolding his younger sister, the young bandaged deputy commander turned to Roman and solemnly cupped his fists in greeting.
"No matter what, since you have answered the secret phrase and arrived here precisely 800 years later, you are undoubtedly our Unrighteous Commander. The entire Unruly Ones will follow your orders!"
Oh, really now~~
Roman nodded calmly, but he wasn't convinced at all.
His Observation Haki wasn't as advanced as Redfield's mind-reading abilities, nor could he see into the future like Katakuri, but when he scanned the crowd just now, quite a few people's heartbeats had suddenly sped up.
There was definitely more to this than they were letting on!
Interesting.
Forget the "plot"—did they really think Roman would be afraid of them?
——————
PS: There was originally a fight scene in the middle, but since so many of you complained, I just skipped it.
Come on, I'm not crazy~~ I'm just trying to fix this massive 800-year-old plot hole (based on this novel). Blame Oda for taking a break and leaving us with no new info—any fanfic author who writes about Wano Country right now is just setting themselves up for disaster…
(End of chapter)
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