One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

"Hody Jones… Hody Jones was actually one-shotted by Lord Roman?!"

"That strength… Is this the true power of a Marine Admiral?!"

"Can humans really… become this strong?!"

"If only… If only I could reach that level one day…"

Whispers and astonished murmurs spread like wildfire across the crowd.

Behind Roman, Ain and Stella stood silently, their eyes shining with admiration, their hearts racing in awe.

'As expected of Lord Roman… too strong…'

'We have to train even harder! We must never bring disgrace to his name!'

But none of them could take their eyes off the man standing ahead.

Unlike the crowd frozen in disbelief, King Neptune had fallen into a stunned silence. He, more than anyone, understood the terrifying potency of those Energy Steroids.

One pill could turn an average fishman into an elite warrior.

And Hody Jones had swallowed hundreds.

Yet in the face of Roman… he was crushed in a single strike.

Not a scratch on Roman.

Not even a crease in his coat.

He stood there calmly, like he'd simply flicked away a mosquito.

"Unbelievable…"

Even though Neptune had long known that Admiral White Dove was terrifying, this... exceeded imagination.

"Neptune," Roman finally spoke, voice steady and commanding. "Free all the slaves. Transport them to the nearest Marine base. I trust that won't be a problem?"

Neptune nodded immediately. "Of course, don't worry. I swear on my title as King of the Ryugu Kingdom—it shall be done!"

Roman gave a small nod of approval. "Good. What about Fisher Tiger, and Jinbei? Have they been treated?"

"They've begun emergency treatment," Neptune replied, but his voice was heavy. "However, Fisher Tiger's condition… doesn't look too good."

"I'll take a look. I'm confident in my medical skills."

…

Soon, Roman and the others arrived at Fisher Tiger's side.

The massive fishman hero lay unconscious, his breath shallow, a gaping wound still open on his chest. Around them, the fishmen and humans who had collapsed during the earlier chaos were slowly regaining consciousness.

Roman knelt beside him, frowning as he examined the wound.

Neptune leaned in anxiously. "Admiral White Dove… is there hope?"

"There is," Roman said. "But he needs a blood transfusion. Immediately."

"Then I'll have the soldiers donate—"

"No," Roman interrupted, shaking his head. "He's in critical condition. Your blood; fishman blood won't work. It'll kill him faster. The only viable option… is human blood."

A deadly silence followed.

And then—outrage.

"Human blood?!"

"That's absurd! You want us to use human blood to save a fishman hero?!"

"He's trying to harm him and cause sabotage!"

The same fishmen who had just cheered for Jinbei and Fisher Tiger moments ago… now pointed fingers and spat venom at Roman.

Double standards. Plain and simple.

But Neptune's expression remained calm, though grave.

"Do you believe it will work?" he asked.

Roman looked him in the eye. "I do."

Then, he turned toward the crowd of freed slaves; the humans who had only recently been living in chains, tortured, humiliated, and treated like animals.

"Who among you," Roman asked, his voice clear and calm, "is willing to donate blood… to save this fishman's life?"

The island fell silent.

These people had lived through hell. Beaten. Starved. Enslaved.

And now… he was asking them to offer their blood to save a fishman?

Even Neptune's heart began to sink.

But then—

"I'll do it."

A single voice broke the silence.

"I support peace," the voice continued. "If this act can help bring us closer, then I'm willing!"

Everyone turned.

A dark-skinned young man stood tall, his eyes shining with unshakable resolve, like stars in the darkness.

His words ignited something.

One after another, hands were raised.

"I'll do it."

"If it's for peace, count me in."

"My wish… is world peace."

Tears welled up in the corners of Neptune's eyes. Even the stoic fishmen were struck speechless.

They hadn't expected this.

They hadn't believed it possible.

But these humans… truly chose to put aside their hatred.

Roman smiled faintly.

"Line up. One person's blood won't be enough. Fortunately, for Fisher Tiger's condition, any blood type will work—there won't be any rejection."

Under Roman's leadership, the freed humans lined up in an orderly fashion, offering their arms without hesitation.

The dark-skinned boy smiled softly.

And just as no one was looking… he faded, like mist vanishing into the breeze.

That's right.

He wasn't real.

He was an illusion, a subtle push crafted by Roman.

But the change he sparked… was very real.

…

Time passed quickly.

An hour later, Fisher Tiger's breathing began to stabilize.

He was no longer teetering on the edge of death.

But—he was still gravely wounded.

Without full recovery, especially in lieu of that massive chest wound, he could still die.

To fully heal, it would require top-level medical attention… constantly.

And Roman didn't have that kind of time.

So he made a decision.

"System," Roman said in his mind. "Give me the side-effect-free Energy Steroid."

A gentle blue light shimmered.

Roman, careful not to be seen, slipped the capsule into Fisher Tiger's mouth.

Gulp.

The effect was immediate.

Fisher Tiger's aura surged.

But thanks to the lack of side effects, it didn't drain his life.

Instead, it stimulated regeneration.

The gaping wound on his chest began to close.

Little by little, flesh started to sprout, grow, and knit together like a miracle unfolding before their eyes.

"Is this… really happening?!"

"This is a miracle!"

"Maybe… just maybe… humans, fishmen, and merfolk really can live in peace!"

"Human blood… can do this?"

The crowd buzzed with disbelief.

Roman chuckled and said lightly,

"Only the blood of humans who give it willingly… can create such a miracle."

Neptune froze.

And in that moment—

He understood.