Rolan arrived at Durutol Island, the royal capital of the Saint Car Kingdom.
"Lord Rolan," King Umon Belu said cautiously, disbelief clear in his eyes, "you said you could move Durutol Island?"
He had never heard of such a thing.
At first, Umon Belu believed Rolan's method of protection would be simple, raising the Ion Tempest flag and stationing pirates to deter enemies. That alone would already be enough to provoke the World Government.
But moving an entire island?
That was beyond imagination.
Rolan nodded calmly. "Yes. I will relocate Durutol Island directly to Peach Garden."
Umon Belu fell silent. Standing before him was God Slayer Rolan, a man feared across the world. Judging him by common sense was meaningless.
"Will there be any danger?" the king asked carefully.
Rolan smiled faintly and shook his head, already understanding the concern. "The whole island will be lifted as it is. Daily life will not change. You can continue living normally."
Hearing this, Umon Belu nodded slowly. "Then… when do you plan to move it?"
If it were possible, he hoped it would happen immediately.
An Admiral was surely already on the way.
Rolan was powerful, but the Marines and the World Government would never send insufficient force. If the battlefield was chosen here, Saint car Kingdom would be erased from the map.
The neighboring island had already proven that lesson.
"The sooner, the better," the king added quietly.
Rolan glanced at him. "On that note, I owe you an apology. If I had not killed the Celestial Dragons, your kingdom would not be facing this danger."
Umon Belu shook his head firmly. "This is not your fault. We already carried deep resentment toward the World Government. You saved us."
Rolan studied the king's weathered face and spoke in a low, serious tone. "Are you truly prepared to stand under my banner? Saint Car is a member nation of the World Government. You would be giving up their so called protection."
Umon Belu smiled bitterly. "Protection?"
He let out a quiet breath.
"Every year, we pay a massive Heavenly Tribute in berries. Whenever Celestial Dragons descend, we must act as guards, hosts, and entertainers."
His fists tightened.
"We must offer women. Food. Anything they desire."
"When Saint Zelensky came last time, not only my daughter, but nearly every young and beautiful woman in the kingdom was taken."
His voice trembled.
"No one dared to resist. Fathers watched their daughters taken. Husbands watched their wives dragged away."
"There were those who resisted in the past," he continued softly. "None of them survived."
Silence spread around them.
"Hatred has piled up for years," Umon Belu said. "Everyone dreams of escaping the World Government's chains."
"I have already ordered the news spread. The people will welcome this decision."
Rolan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then I will wait for the final response."
Umon Belu looked at him. "Do we need to prepare anything, Lord Rolan?"
Rolan shook his head, exchanged a brief glance with Nami, then replied evenly. "No preparation needed. Once you agree, we move immediately."
The king exhaled in relief. He had expected rituals, evacuations, or complicated requirements. Instead, Rolan treated the impossible as routine.
Then Rolan's expression changed.
His Observation Haki expanded outward, layered with his Super Heart Net, covering the entire island and surrounding sea. Ten kilometers east, a Marine warship cut through the waves.
A familiar presence stood aboard it.
Akainu.
Since killing the Celestial Dragons, Rolan had maintained constant vigilance. He never assumed the World Government would be slow.
He stood up slowly.
"Lord Rolan?" Umon Belu asked, confused by the sudden shift.
"We cannot wait for the public response," Rolan said flatly. "We lift the island now."
Nami immediately stood, gripping his left hand. "The Marines?"
"Yes," Rolan replied. "Akainu. About ten kilometers out. We still have time."
Umon Belu's face drained of color.
"Admiral Akainu?"
His body trembled. An Admiral was the pinnacle of Marine combat power. Akainu, the Magma Magma Fruit user, was infamous for overwhelming destruction.
Durutol Island would not survive a direct confrontation.
"Lord Rolan," the king said hoarsely, "please… save Durutol."
Rolan placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "I will take responsibility."
He turned to Nami. "Let's move the island first."
The two vanished from the palace in an instant.
Umon Belu stared, stunned beyond words.
Above Durutol Island, Rolan appeared, still holding Nami's hand.
"Citizens of Saint Car Kingdom," his voice echoed across the island. "I am Rolan. There is no time for explanations. We are lifting the entire island. Expect minor tremors."
His electromagnetic power surged outward.
The ground shook violently.
A deep裂 formed where the island met the seabed. Stone groaned. The sea churned.
Slowly, impossibly, Durutol Island began to rise.
"It's real… the ground is rising!"
Umon Belu stood frozen in the palace plaza, awe washing over him.
The island continued ascending, breaking free of the sea.
"How incredible…"
"We are really approaching the clouds!"
"This is the power of the world's strongest man…"
"We're flying!"
"Sugoi!"
"Oi, why did you come out without pants?!"
"I thought it was an earthquake!"
Voices erupted everywhere, shock and disbelief blending into chaos.
Nami waved her hand beneath the island. Layers of island clouds formed, cushioning and supporting the landmass as it rose higher.
The sea vanished below them.
Only the thickening white clouds above told the people they were ascending.
On the palace plaza, a beautiful woman in a golden phoenix robe leaned into Umon Belu's arms.
"Does this mean we are free now?" she asked softly. "Free from the World Government, free from the Celestial Dragons?"
Umon Belu nodded. "Yes."
"No more Heavenly Tribute?"
"No more offerings?"
He looked up at the sky. "Yes. No more."
Her next words made him pause.
"Then… will Lord Rolan be any better than the World Government?"
Silence followed.
There was no turning back now.
---
On a Marine warship approaching the former location of Durutol Island, a navigator colonel stared at his compass in panic.
"Admiral, the compass is malfunctioning!"
Akainu glanced at it. "Distance to target?"
"Ten kilometers!"
"Ignore it," Akainu ordered. "Proceed."
"Yes, sir!"
At that moment, a figure appeared calmly at the bow of the warship.
Akainu's eyes narrowed.
"God Slayer Rolan."
---