One Piece:Becoming the King of the World from the Rocks Era

"Zephyr, long time no see!"

Ashura Doji had come to witness the end of the legendary swordsman, Roger. After Roger's death, he intended to leave, but then he saw Zephyr pursuing Mihawk, who was fleeing with Gai Nie.

Gai Nie, being Li Yuan's child, was well known to Ashura Doji, who often guided him in swordsmanship.

Ashura Doji assumed Zephyr was targeting Gai Nie and immediately blocked his path.

"Ashura Doji, you dare come to Loguetown? Aren't you afraid the Navy will capture you here?" Zephyr was taken aback by Ashura Doji's sudden appearance.

"Hahaha, Zephyr, you overestimate the Navy. If you try to capture me, our captain might retaliate by destroying your only stronghold in the New World, or even Marineford itself!"

"Besides, do you really think you can capture me? That's wishful thinking!"

Ashura Doji retorted confidently. Over the years, his strength had grown considerably. If not for the unsuitable location, he would have challenged Zephyr to a rematch to see if he could defeat him.

"Today, I will capture you and send you to Impel Down!" Zephyr, provoked by Ashura Doji's arrogance, coated his fists in Haki and charged.

"Hahaha, Zephyr, your punches are weaker than they were three years ago. You're unfit to be an admiral now!" Ashura Doji drew his Earth-Slaying Sword, transforming into his hybrid form, easily blocking Zephyr's attack and taunting him.

"The Crocodile Swordsman of the Infinite Pirates, Ashura Doji?"

Mihawk glanced back, surprised to see Zephyr intercepted by someone he recognized from the swordsmanship tournament: Ashura Doji, one of his future challenges.

"With Uncle Ashura Doji holding them off, we're safe. Let's go!" Gai Nie urged, and they fled.

Mihawk, though eager to challenge Ashura Doji, knew it wasn't the right time and followed Gai Nie.

As the Navy engaged, weaker and slower pirates fell quickly. Only the stronger ones evaded capture, throwing Loguetown into chaos.

"Return to Mariejois immediately! It's under unprecedented attack!" World Government agents, initially poised to intervene against the Roger Pirates, received urgent calls from the Celestial Dragons.

Having just survived an aerial assault, the Celestial Dragons were desperate for protection, summoning their forces back to Mariejois. The agents left without hesitation, frustrating Vice Admiral Tsuru.

She had ordered the pirate roundup, relying on these hidden agents for support. Now, with their sudden departure, the Navy couldn't capture all the pirates. Many escaped, including Ashura Doji and the Roger Pirates, leaving only minor criminals for capture.

Holy Land Mariejois:

In a small office, the Five Elders convened, their luxurious headquarters reduced to rubble.

"The casualties are tallied: 3,365 dead, five Celestial Dragon families wiped out, leaving fourteen. Countless treasures, Devil Fruits, and Berries are lost. Rebuilding Mariejois will be costly," reported Financial God Nasjurou.

"The destruction of rare Devil Fruits is concerning. They'll reincarnate globally, creating new threats," he added.

"We can't reverse the deaths. Encourage survivors to increase their numbers. For funds, levy Red Line nobles and non-government-affiliated nations. Rebuild Mariejois swiftly using slaves and commoners," Environment God Mars suggested.

"Have we identified the assailants behind the Mariejois attack? Pangaea Castle's destruction has enraged the Master for the first time in centuries. Failure to find the culprits could spell disaster for us," Legal God Vochuli pressed.

"The explosive rocks used were stolen by the World Pirates, led by World with his Moa Moa Fruit powers. The aerial escapee was likely World himself," Science Defense God Saturn confirmed.

"That damned pirate! We should have eliminated him when he stole the explosives. Now look at the mess!" Agricultural God Peter lamented.

"We were cautious of a New World alliance, hence sparing World. Now, we must act, ignoring potential pirate backlash. Targeting World alone should prevent alliances," Nasjurou strategized.

"Send CP0 infiltrators to track World. Capture him alive; we can't let the Moa Moa Fruit reincarnate. Prepare for pirate retaliation," Vochuli instructed.

"The Celestial Dragons' losses are severe, with five top warriors dead. If we wage war, they might withdraw support," Mars added.

"Regardless, we must capture World. If needed, sacrifice the New World stronghold. I doubt they'd dare attack the Red Line," Vochuli asserted.

"Agreed, World must be captured to appease the Celestial Dragons and our own anger," Nasjurou concluded, with unanimous support from the Five Elders.

Sabaody Archipelago:

Li Yuan, after leaving Mariejois, headed in the opposite direction from World, arriving at Sabaody Archipelago.

Scanning the area with his Observation Haki and ultrasonic powers, he sensed no top-tier threats and relaxed.

"Imu might have tracked World, but not me. Otherwise, I'd be pursued by now," Li Yuan mused, avoiding a direct return to the Infinite Pirates to evade potential pursuit by Imu.

Sabaody Archipelago housed a branch of Li Yuan's intelligence network and Shakky's mirrors, offering a simple return to the Infinite Sea.

"Since I'm here, let's see if Roger's execution is over," Li Yuan decided, recalling the execution hadn't started when he left.

"Hohoho, I'm off to find the treasure!"

"Roger's treasure is mine!"

"I'm the next Pirate King!"

On the bustling streets of Sabaody, Li Yuan overheard people discussing Roger's final words. The excitement and fervor were palpable. In this era, few with ambition could resist Roger's promise of treasure, despite the slim odds.

"Roger, your death was meaningful," Li Yuan smiled, pleased with the outcome. Though he missed witnessing the iconic moment, the result sufficed. He sought results, not the process.

"Kid, if you can't pay, get lost!"

Outside an auction house, a young man was blocked by armed guards. They intended to sell the girl in the cage.

"Please, give me time. I'll earn enough to buy her back!"

"I'll make money, lots of it. Whatever you demand, I'll earn it for you!" Gild Tesoro, knocked down, pleaded, knowing he couldn't let them sell Stella. If they did, they'd be separated forever.

Once, Tesoro lived in darkness, hopeless and aimless. But one day, Stella's gentle, luminous songs touched his life, bringing light to his world. Her voice gave him hope, inspiring him to earn money to buy her freedom.

She gave him hope, and he vowed to free her, the only motivation driving him. But without capital, connections, or strength, progress was slow, and he faced frequent thefts.

Despite setbacks, Tesoro persisted, believing he'd eventually free Stella, letting her sing freely. But disaster struck before he could amass the ransom; they aimed to auction Stella.

"I'm not waiting for you to earn money. I'm selling the girl now!"

"She sings well, should fetch a good price. Hahaha!"

The guards lacked foresight, seeing only immediate gain. They punched Tesoro, leaving him writhing in pain, vomiting bile. Helplessly, he watched Stella dragged into the auction house.

"Tesoro, thank you for all you've done. I'm touched, truly. Knowing you care so much means the world to me."

"But it's enough, Tesoro. It's enough. Live well for yourself. Without me, you'll do better."

"Find a girl you love, live happily, and forget me, Tesoro," Stella smiled gently, though fear and uncertainty for the future tinged her words.

"No, Stella, I won't let you go!"

"Please, someone lend me money to save Stella. I'll repay you tenfold!"

"I'll do anything for the person who helps me, no complaints," Tesoro begged, desperate as Stella was taken away.

"Kid, your life ain't worth much. Many line up for servitude. You're not special!" The crowd jeered, unmoved by Tesoro's plight. They'd seen it countless times on Sabaody, unwilling to aid a destitute stranger.