One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Although Roman had already slain Kuro, Kaya's parents and Usopp remained lying in a pool of blood.

Kaya collapsed to the ground, tears uncontrollably rolling down her cheeks.

At that moment, Roman appeared at her side like a gust of wind, having swiftly dealt with Kuro and said firmly.

"Trust me, they'll be fine!"

As his words fell, Roman activated his ability—Fivefold Phantom Illusions.

With a shimmer, five phantom illusion clones dispersed and rushed toward the Marine warship.

He needed medicine. Not just any medicine—Wound-healing salves, coagulants, and stimulants. Everything needed for emergency treatment.

With his current mastery over medical arts, as long as there was still a single breath left, he was confident he could bring them back from the grasp of King Yama!

Kaya looked at the man before her.

She saw Roman working on her parents, quickly and precisely stopping the bleeding, dressing the wounds—each step completed with practiced ease.

His hands moved with fluidity and grace, performing techniques Kaya couldn't even begin to understand.

Moments later, her parents slowly opened their eyes.

Roman waved Kaya over.

"Go, take care of them."

Then he turned and went to Usopp's side.

Usopp's condition was far worse than her parents'. His wounds were deep, his body battered and bloodied. And yet, there was still a faint heartbeat. It was sheer willpower.

"No doubt about it... That's the beauty of Usopp in a life-or-death crisis."

Even Roman had to admit that kind of mental strength was incredible.

"Usopp, your future lies out there on the sea!"

As he spoke, the phantom clones reappeared. Under Roman's absolute control, they worked in perfect unison.

With peak-level medical skills at his fingertips, Roman snatched Usopp back from the jaws of death!

Once they were all stabilized and laid gently in bed to rest—

Kaya walked up to Roman.

A memory surfaced.

In Usopp's stories, when despair seemed absolute, a "prince" would arrive and save everyone.

Now, standing before her...Roman was that prince. Her parents had been saved. Usopp was still alive.

Everything would return to normal. Everything... because of him. In a burst of emotion, Kaya threw herself into Roman's arms.

As a young girl... she had never been so afraid.

Now that the danger was put behind them, she could no longer hold back her tears.

She cried. She cried for who knows how long.

Only when her eyes were swollen and red did she finally stop.

After some time had passed, Kaya looked at Roman seriously.

"Roman, I want to learn medicine. I want to be like you. I don't ever want to be powerless and feel helpless again... watching my loved ones bleed in front of me."

"So... Roman, will you take me as your disciple?"

Her eyes were filled with longing.

But Roman only responded calmly:

"Those prescriptions I gave you—make sure your parents take them on time.

It'll strengthen their bodies and extend their lives."

"Okay. I understand."

But he didn't answer her request to become his student.

Kaya lowered her head in disappointment.

Roman stood from his chair and walked slowly to the door.

Then he turned around.

"Kaya, when their injuries have mostly healed, contact me with the Den Den Mushi.

I'll send someone to pick you up."

Kaya's eyes lit up. She leapt to her feet and ran to him.

"Really?!"

"A gentleman never breaks his word."

"Roman... thank you. Without you, I don't know what I would've done.

You're the light that brightens my future."

With that—

Kaya stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Roman on the lips.

After making his promise to Kaya, Roman left the room.

Outside, Jango was still waiting.

"Huh? I thought you would've run off by now," Roman said casually.

Jango gave a bitter smile.

If he ran, he would've been doomed for sure.

"Admiral White Dove... I've made up my mind. I'm turning myself in. I want to atone and join the Marines."

"Oh? And your reason?"

"Because I realized—senseless killing is just sin."

"Suit yourself"

With that, Roman left Syrup Village and boarded his warship, sailing toward the nearest Marine base.

He was going to pick up Kalifa.

Of course, he didn't leave empty-handed.

He left behind a phantom illusion.

Only after confirming that Jango truly turned himself in did the phantom vanish.

But even so, the distance had made Roman dizzy.

The further a phantom clone is from the real body, the more stamina it drains.

It was a useful discovery.

Another step forward in mastering the Illusion Illusion Fruit.

After picking up Kalifa from the Marine base, the two of them sailed toward Marineford.

This trip had been extremely fruitful.

Roman's fame had spread across the seas.

He had obtained the legendary Ark, Noah, and reached the pinnacle of medical skills.

At sea, two things matter most:

Ships—and medicine.

Without treatment, wounds become deadly infections.

Every year, countless people die at sea because of that.

As Roman and Kalifa were chatting away happily—

The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.

Kalifa's expression instantly changed—cold, an ice-cold beauty.

She walked over, originally planning to hang up—

But when she saw the screen display Fleet Admiral Sengoku, her tone became serious.

"Fleet Admiral, this is Kalifa."

"Kalifa—contact Roman immediately. Tell him to prepare for battle and head to the Ronadoren Sea. Zephyr has sent out a distress call!"

"Yes, sir!"

Kalifa replied crisply, but her heart was churning.

'What kind of enemy... could make Zephyr send a distress call?!'

Without delay, Kalifa rushed to Roman and informed him.

Roman didn't hesitate.

He immediately controlled his phantom illusion clones to send it speeding toward the Ronadoren Sea.

He already knew who the opponent was.

A muscle-clad idiot with no brain cells—

But said to have power on par with a young Whitebeard!

For some reason...

Roman felt a tinge of unease rise in his chest...