Rolan spat a mouthful of blood as soon as he returned to the Ship. The scene made Lina and the others freeze.
"Rolan, are you… alright?" Lina asked, concern etched on her face.
Hancock hurried forward to support him, "Husband, are you alright?"
Vivi approached with a worried expression, "Rolan."
Rolan waved a hand dismissively. "Let's get back to Peach Garden first."
Enel raised his hand, guiding the Ship to move swiftly toward Peach Garden.
Kuro frowned slightly, sensing that things might be more complicated than they seemed.
Rolan snapped his fingers, and an Electromagnetic Barrier immediately enveloped the Ship. He slowly sat down, looking around. "Things are more complicated than we imagined."
"What do you mean?" Robin asked, sensing something unusual.
Rolan sighed. "I couldn't maintain that state for long. Even a senzu bean wouldn't restore me instantly. Defeating two Yonko together isn't easy. Even for me."
Kuro and the others nodded, understanding the truth of Rolan's words. Everyone knew that overcoming two ceiling-level opponents at once was no small feat.
"Then why did you spit blood?" Hancock asked, concern and curiosity mixing in her tone.
Rolan pointed toward the sky. "I did it on purpose. I sensed someone watching us."
Kuro nodded. "I felt it too, as if eyes were on us."
Zoro added, "Same here."
"Ah? Why didn't I sense it?" Lina tilted her head, scanning the sky, but found nothing unusual.
Robin crossed her arms. "Could it be… the World King?"
Rolan didn't deny it. "It should be him."
"So you spat blood just to show him?"
Snap! Rolan snapped his fingers. "Bingo. Robin, you're sharp."
Nami lightly punched him on the head. "Why didn't you say so earlier? You worried us sick."
Rolan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. It was just a spur-of-the-moment plan. If I'd told everyone, it wouldn't have had any effect."
Enel muttered from the side, "I said we don't need to fear the World Government anymore. Let's just move forward."
Crocodile smirked. "You didn't even sense them. What gives you the right to say that?"
Enel scowled. "What? You want me to hit you, you stinky Sand Crocodile?"
Everyone on the Ship could argue, but no one dared touch Crocodile.
Kuro spoke calmly. "Rolan had reasons. With our current strength, we've already drawn attention from the World Government. We can't confront them head-on, so Rolan's actions were meant to confuse them and relax their guard. Since Big Mom and Kaido failed to ally with the World Government this time, they likely won't cooperate again. There may even be lingering resentment. For now, Kaido and Big Mom remain on the Pirate side. That balance keeps the New World stable and prevents other crews from seeing us as an immediate threat."
Enel scratched his head. "I don't get it… more words, I'll listen."
Lina tilted her head toward Rolan. "Is that true?"
Rolan nodded. "Basically what Kuro said. Right now, we're not strong enough to take on the World Government. There are at least a dozen Admiral-level combatants on the surface, with more hidden."
"Are they that powerful?" Lina asked, skeptical.
Robin added, "The World Government's strength far exceeds what Rolan said. Their rule has never wavered in hundreds of years."
"Oh, so annoying, you guys talk too much. I'm going to sleep." Enel shrugged, uninterested in strategy. Fighting was all he cared about, and in this group, brains often went to waste.
"The most important thing now is improving everyone's strength," Rolan said, waving his hand. "Let's return first."
Peach Garden
Life continued as usual, unaware of the recent dangers the Ion Tempest had faced.
"Rolan, I was so scared… not of dying, but of not seeing you again," Vivi whispered, leaning on his shoulder.
Rolan flicked his nose lightly. "Silly girl, you scared me too."
When Vivi had been taken by Qimo Ji, Rolan had feared for her safety, restrained by Kaido and Big Mom. He had nearly been crushed by Kaido in the process. Relief washed over him when Issho had rescued her.
Now, seeing Vivi safe and leaning against him, he tightened his embrace. "I will never let you fall into danger again."
Vivi looked up at him, eyes full of tenderness. Despite knowing Rolan had many women, she loved him without hesitation. Perhaps it was his maturity, the strength he displayed in Sand Country, or the miracles he had wrought in Alabasta. Many reasons had made her heart his.
"I love you, Rolan," she whispered.
Rolan's pupils widened, "I love you too, Darling."
Vivi turned, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. Rolan paused for a brief moment before returning the embrace, holding her delicate body close. He raised an Electromagnetic Barrier around them.
After a while, the overwhelming closeness made Vivi gently push him away. Her cheeks flushed, brows soft, and eyes glimmering like autumn water. Even in the original records, Vivi was beautiful, but up close, Rolan realized she was breathtaking.
He was momentarily dazed. "Vivi, you're so beautiful."
Blushing, Vivi murmured, "I…"
Rolan lifted her in a bridal carry, vanishing from the spot to his palace.
"I… boohoo…" Vivi began, but Rolan gently pressed his lips to hers again.
"Gently," he murmured.
===
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