One Piece: Peace Shattered By Roger (Completed)

"What's happening here?"

The pirates could hardly believe their eyes as they saw the defeated king kneeling before Kaizen. Their confusion was clear—how could Kaizen have defeated him so quickly?

"Sorry, it only took one punch. This guy wasn't much of a challenge," Kaizen said casually, scratching his head as if it was nothing.

"Ah! I'm going to tell everyone—the king has been defeated!" shouted the young islander who had led Kaizen and his crew. His excitement was evident as he dashed off, eager to share the news with everyone.

Before long, the villagers began to gather, their frail bodies and weary expressions now illuminated by newfound hope. They looked between the defeated king and Kaizen with reverence, as if he were a hero sent to rescue them.

Kaizen helped them to their feet and instructed the king, who was still kneeling before the villagers, "Repeat the promises you made to me."

The king, a man named Gal Dino—known later in the series as Mr. 3—looked disgraced as he spoke to the villagers. "I apologize to all of you. From now on, I will serve you sincerely and follow your orders."

After finishing, he turned back to Kaizen with a pleading look, as if hoping for some form of confirmation or mercy.

Kaizen gave a slight nod, reassuring him.

"I did everything you asked. Will you take off these sea stone cuffs?" Dino asked, raising his bound wrists with a desperate look in his eyes.

"No chance!" Kaizen replied with a slight smile.

The king sighed in defeat, a mixture of resentment and helplessness in his expression.

Kaizen observed Dino's face—ugly and somewhat pitiful—and felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"What's your name?" Kaizen asked.

"My name is Gal Dino, and I ate the Wax-Wax Fruit. I've been posing as a noble, deceiving people wherever I go," Dino replied, his voice subservient as he revealed his true identity.

So, he's the future Mr. 3, Kaizen thought to himself. He couldn't help but smile, imagining how Dino would one day help Luffy on Impel Down and become a reliable ally despite his rough start in life.

"The copies of yourself earlier—was that your Devil Fruit power?" Kaizen asked.

"That's right," Dino replied with a humble smile.

"Not a bad trick."

"Oh, no, it's nothing. Just a little something to fool ordinary folks. It's useless against a master like you, Kaizen-sama!" Dino added quickly, hoping to flatter him.

"Good. Now, gather all the food you've hoarded and return it to the villagers. They've suffered enough under your rule," Kaizen replied in a serious tone.

"Yes, yes, right away," Dino answered, not daring to disobey.

That evening, the villagers hosted a grand banquet for Kaizen, Moriah, and their pirate crew to celebrate. The villagers were overflowing with gratitude, and the air was filled with laughter and celebration.

"Kaizen-dono, have a drink with me!" Moriah said, raising a glass to Kaizen.

Without hesitation, Kaizen accepted and took a long sip.

"Oi oi, you're good company, Kaizen-dono!" Moriah said with a laugh, clearly drunk. "You should join me in taking down Kaidou and ruling the seas together. That's the life for someone like you!" Moriah declared, clearly disappointed that Kaizen hadn't agreed to become his crewmate.

"Kaidou will be taken down one day, but the time isn't right. We're waiting for one more piece to fall into place," Kaizen replied, gazing into his cup as if looking into the future.

"Huh? Kaizen-dono, you're speaking nonsense! Why wait when you could have everything right now?" Moriah asked, slightly frustrated.

"I'm saying that when the time comes, you'll know, Moriah-kun." Kaizen's words were thoughtful.

"Pah! I don't care about 'right timing,' I just do what I want. If I waited for the right time, I'd miss half the fun in life!" Moriah declared, throwing back another drink.

"Oh, and by the way," Kaizen asked, changing the subject, "you seemed to understand the struggles of these villagers quite well. Is there a reason for that?"

"Ah, well, isn't it obvious?" Moriah responded with a distant look. "I've been hungry myself. Growing up, I was just another street rat, scrounging and starving. I swore that one day I'd be strong enough to never have to live like that again."

"I didn't realize you'd been through so much," Kaizen replied, his tone soft, as if not wanting to reopen old wounds.

"Yeah, when you're poor, you're nothing to anyone. People step all over you, and all you can do is take it because you're weak. I hated it. So I decided I'd trample this world's rules and never be at anyone's mercy again."

Moriah's voice trembled with a mix of bitterness and determination. Kaizen could see the flames of ambition in Moriah's eyes—the same ambition that would one day drive him into the New World to challenge Kaidou.

Kaizen sighed, feeling the weight of Moriah's resolve. He, too, cursed fate. "Fate can be harsh," he muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, the old man of the village interrupted, bringing out a final dish with a flourish. "Here it is—the evening's grand finale!"

The aroma from the food wafted through the air, and the pirates couldn't contain their excitement. Everyone gathered around the table, their eyes lighting up at the sight.

"What's so special about this dish?" Kaizen asked the elder.

"This recipe has been passed down for over 800 years. It was once reserved for emperors in the palace," the elder replied proudly.

"Eight hundred years ago, in the palace…" Kaizen murmured, recalling the ancient history of the World Government and the hidden legacies tied to the D. family.

"Kaizen-sama, if you don't start eating, there won't be anything left!" the elder said, smiling.

Startled out of his thoughts, Kaizen saw that the pirates had already started devouring the food with gusto, leaving barely any for him.

"Hey! Leave some for me!" Kaizen shouted, joining the fray with an amused smile.

The elder watched them eat with satisfaction, pleased that his cooking could bring joy to so many.