One Piece: Lord of Calamity

In the manor, the pirates Roa had brought from Hachinosu Island were packing their belongings. After all, they had lived there for six years, so they had quite a bit of luggage. Roa, meanwhile, was inspecting his legion.

"What a magnificent sight!" In the still-unrepaired courtyard, emotionless figures stood in neat rows. Roa watched, arms crossed, nodding repeatedly. "Before I knew it, I've amassed quite a fortune."

They were all Roa's 'changui' (ghosts controlled by a tiger). Their total number exceeded one hundred, every single one a pirate with a bounty over fifty million Belly. Several were Devil Fruit users, and dozens more wielded Haki. This was his greatest gain over the past six years, besides his own growth and Barrett.

Honestly, Roa hadn't expected so many. This country was quite remote, poor, and chaotic, yet it was surprisingly warlike, with few pirates bothering to visit. One could only say that pirates' curiosity was simply too strong. When many pirates went missing here, and rumors of ghosts spread, even more pirates, eager to "see what was going on," excitedly showed up at their doorstep.

Did the Rocks Pirates, even in their heyday, have this much strong mid-level power? Could Captain Rocks achieve this? Without bragging, with just these mindless individuals, Roa could easily flatten this country.

"Lord Roa, are we leaving this country now?" Barrett stood behind Roa, still ramrod straight like a spear, though he had made some progress and didn't start with "Reporting!" when speaking.

"What's wrong, Barrett?" Roa turned his head. "Don't want to leave?"

"Of course not!" Barrett shook his head decisively. "It's just, are we not doing anything?"

Are we just leaving like this?

"Do what? I can't make this country any better," Roa lamented with a sigh. "Damn it, I'm so useless!" This country was already doing very well. He couldn't exactly replicate the Celestial Dragons' antics at God Valley, could he? Ultimately, the 'dark aura' came from people. Without people, there would be no 'delicious food' (black aura).

"Lord Roa!" Dylan hurried over, his expression somewhat strange, and handed Roa a fruit. "The soldiers really found a Devil Fruit."

"Oh? They really found one?" Roa raised an eyebrow, taking the fruit. It was a very mechanical-looking fruit, with a blue skin covered in triangular, circular, or square protrusions, and of course, the indispensable spiral patterns.

"It is indeed the Clank-Clank Fruit," Roa nodded, satisfied. They actually found it?

Several years ago, he had instructed the soldiers of both factions to search for a Devil Fruit near the front lines. As for how he could command the soldiers, let's just say there were simply too many people trying to curry favor with him. The leaders of the two major factions literally knelt before him like dogs, begging for his help, which was no exaggeration. This was also why he could easily know what those two leaders were up to.

Dylan's eyes held a hint of surprise. As expected of Lord Roa!

"Want to eat it? This is a Paramecia-type Clank-Clank Fruit, with the ability to combine objects it touches." Roa offered the fruit to Dylan. It was just a fairly ordinary Paramecia Devil Fruit; giving it to Dylan wouldn't be a waste at all.

"My apologies, Lord Roa, but this Devil Fruit might not suit me," Dylan shook his head. "If I had to choose, I'd prefer a Zoan-type Devil Fruit."

"Alright," Roa didn't waste words. Dylan, a master of martial arts, was indeed better suited for a Zoan ability. He'd keep this fruit for now.

"By the way, Dylan," Roa said, "what do you think about us starting a company?"

"A company?" Dylan pondered for a moment, then asked, "What kind?"

"War!" Roa said with a smile. "A company that exists for the sake of war itself, not for conquest, not for plunder, and certainly not for profit."

"Eh?" Even the battle-hardened Dylan looked a bit bewildered now.

"It'll surely be interesting! A company that provides weapons, soldiers, war consultation, and even directly participates in wars!" Roa spread his arms, embracing the world. "Wherever there's war, there we are! Wherever we are, there's war!"

His six years in this country had taught Roa that war was a good thing! Although strictly speaking, at this stage, Roa only needed a country like the Land of Endless War to grow, since the 'dark aura' was a renewable resource—as long as people continued to suffer, the 'dark aura' would flow endlessly.

However, he couldn't stay on one island his whole life, could he? Roa also wanted to see the world properly. He really wanted to start a world-sweeping war, but before possessing power that surpassed the World Government, it was better to be more discreet.

"I understand," Dylan nodded slightly. "Then we'll need enough weapons and soldiers first. Do you have any ideas?"

Actually, this country was very good, very suitable. But Roa couldn't bring himself to disrupt their simple and kind-hearted atmosphere.

So, are there other places in the world with enough military power and strong enough soldiers? Are there?

There really was. There was a country in the world called Germa. Given the time, Judge's clone soldiers must be in production by now, right? It seems he'll have to make a trip to the North Blue first.

Before that, it was time to leave.

With their luggage packed, Roa prepared to head to the coast to board a ship. Both warring factions had complex feelings about his departure. This Lord Roa had indeed forcefully maintained the war's balance, intending to keep the country embroiled in conflict forever, but when their own side was in crisis, he genuinely would intervene to help. Eternal war was undeniably a hell for the country itself, but for the high-ranking military officials, was it truly so bad? They didn't have to go to the front lines, and they hadn't missed out on any of their usual enjoyments. Sigh, those two leaders just hadn't fully grasped this point. They always felt that Lord Roa's existence prevented them from seizing the highest authority in this country.

Regardless, they couldn't stop Roa's departure, only offer farewell gifts: some gold and jewels. Roa was quite touched by this. This country isn't entirely filled with ingrates, is it? My efforts weren't completely in vain.

Carriages rolled out from the stronghold, not pulled by animals, but by Roa's 'changui'. Why? Faster. The stronghold was still some distance from the coast where the ships were docked; they needed to pick up the pace.

Roa poked his head out of a carriage, looking back at the stronghold growing smaller in the distance. I'll be back!

Huh? Roa suddenly looked up. Something was wrong. The clouds in the sky were moving abnormally. There was no wind right now, yet the clouds were churning violently. It was as if some monster was approaching within the clouds.

"Roa!" Sure enough, the next instant, a roar like thunder came from the sky. "I knew you little brat were still alive!"

"Ah?" Roa was stunned for a moment. That voice sounds so familiar.

"That voice is...?" Dylan, also in the carriage, suddenly changed his expression. "Lord Roa, he came too fast!"

"Ohh! What a spectacle!" After a brief moment of surprise, Roa exclaimed with a sigh. In the sky, the clouds formed a giant vortex, and from within it, a colossal being slowly descended. Azure scales, flowing mane, long whiskers, sharp horns. The massive azure dragon lowered its head from the clouds. "Wororororo! Long time no see! Brat!!"

"Big Brother Kaido..."