With a few brisk strides, Rojen reached the pirate ship's mast. A swift ssh of his sword tore the tattered Jolly Roger to shreds, the pieces fluttering down like autumn leaves.

  "From this day forth, you shall be known as [The Logan]!"

  His voied across the deck, but a shadow lingered in Rojen's heart.

  Being Roger's brother was a double-edged sword. Sihe Pirate King's execution, Rojen had been hunted relentlessly. He could either rise to the challenge, growing stronger and turning the tables on his pursuers or fall prey to their relentless pursuit.

  But Rojen refused to surreo despair. He wouldn't remain weak.

  He craved strength, the kind Roger, the King of the Pirates, wielded, the kind that ahe respect of the world. Though their personalities ahods differed, they shared the same ambition: to quer the seas.

  Roger was a whirlwind of reckless abandon, while Rojen preferred a more calcuted approach, using his ing to navigate treacherous waters and avoid unnecessary flict.

  This differeemmed rgely from the vast gulf between their power.

  The loss of the inal [The Logan] weighed heavily on Rojen. That ship had been his first, a wito his maiden voyage. But to ensure no trace remained, it had to be sigo the depths.

  "My ship will always be [The Logan]." Rojen murmured and a spark of resolve returning to his eyes.

  Some things, some moments, may fade, but they live on in the hearts of those they touched. They are ruly gone.

  His future vessels might ge, but their name would forever be [The Logan], and only [The Logan].

  Quietly, Rojerieved a bottle of rum from the ship, p himself several generous measures and downing them in quick succession.

  After a few swigs, a warm glow spread through him.

  "They say rum soothes a troubled soul, and by the sea gods, it's true!"

  "Hahaha, why so glum? A voyage should be a celebration!"

  "Isn't that what he always said?"

  Suddenly energized, Rojen tossed the empty bottle overboard, his usual posure returning.

  "Now, let's see what treasures these sdrels have squirreled away."

  He'd only given the hold a cursnce earlier. It was time for a proper iory.

  Rojen nodded and headed below deck to secure the sails. There was o worry about wayward winds just yet.

  Soon, Rojen reached the ship's ste area.

  Flickering dles cast long shadows across the hold. Pirate stashes were often guarded, not out of honor, but to deter raids from rival crews. Such thefts were ohese crews were a motley bunch, bound not by lofty dreams, but by the allure of gold.

  "System, appraise the total value of the treasure in this hold." As he stepped amongst the riches, Rojen silently ahe system.

  With a chime, the system's emotionless voice responded.

  "Total treasure: 60 Million Berries. Do you want to store them as Reserve?"

  "60 Million?!"

  A wide grin stretched across Rojen's face. He'd seen the piles of gold and jewels and khey were valuable, but he hadn't expected such a fortune.

  "Blood and fire pave the road to riches! A pirate's purse grows fat in the dark of night! Plundering these sdrels is a profitable endeavor indeed!"

  Chug, Rojen instructed the system.

  "Store 50 Million as reserve, and vert 10 Million into readily spendable Berries."

  The system was undeniably ve, especially when it came to treasure. With a fsh of golden light, the heaps of riches vanished, repced by a stack of Berries in his hand and a new bance dispyed in the system interface.

  Rojen wasn't disappointed. He amassed wealth not for its own sake, but for the power it could buy. As long as he had the in his pocket, he repared for anything.

  "With 50 Million, I ensure my safety and bolster my fidence."

  Fifty Million was enough to summon a formidable Ghost.

  A Green-level Ghost would be leagues strohan the previous one!

  "Now, it's time to set sail for South Blue."

  A glint of determination in his eyes, Rojen emerged from the and unfurled the sails.

  With a mighty creak, [The Logan]'s sails filled with wind, and the ship surged forward, aiming for the t Reverse Mountain.

  Half an hour ter, the hull shuddered, and with a triumphant grin, Rojen's ship soared into the sky.

  "Like a river flowing from the heavens! I am riding the waves and pierg the clouds! Hahaha!"

  Until you experie, you 't prehend the sensation of hearing only the roar of the river and seeing nothing but the boundless blue sky as your ship glides forward.

  It's an exhirating feeling, a vasthat fills your chest. Your heart lightens, breathing in the fresh air, your spirits soar, and your horizons expand.

  "Ahhhhhhh!"

  Amidst the ing rapids, Rojen steered [The Logan], letting out joyous cries.

  S into the clouds, the Reverse Mountain river was incredibly swift, its source a mystery, providing a thrilling rush of momentum.

  After a full hour, Rojen finally felt the river's current begin to slow. Looking back, he felt as if he were perched high in the heavens, a wave of dizziness washing over him.

  "Magnifit!"

  With a long sigh, Rojen's face radiated pure joy.

  As the ship's speed gradually decreased, [The Logan] reached the summit of Reverse Mountain. Standing at the bow, Rojen clearly saw four pathways leading down.

  "The Grand Line, West Blue, North Blue, and South Blue, right?"

  Spotting his destination, Rojely turhe ship's wheel. With a groan, [The Logan] ged course, aligning with the desding river toward South Blue.

  As the ship's speed slowed to a crawl, [The Logaered the waterway leading to South Blue.

  "Creak, creak!"

  The sound of groaning wood echoed as [The Logan]'s bow tilted downwards.

  Casting o g the waterway leading to the Grand Line, Rojen's eyes sparkled, aurned away.

  "I'll be back for you, Grand Line! Just you wait!"

  "The legendary Grand Line…what wonders await?"

  (End Of The Chapter)

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