One Piece: I'm not Roger

A crude map was spread out before Aether. Although the lines were rough, it was still easy to understand. The entire bridge had been divided into more than ten layers on the paper, including the surface of the bridge, residential areas within it, defense zones, and even the distribution of cannons.

Based on the layout, it looked less like a bridge and more like an entire city, which made Aether deeply suspicious of the World Government's true purpose in constructing it.

In addition to the architectural layout, the map also marked the distribution of guards and slaves across the various levels of the bridge. Aether could even see notes indicating where the slaves in each settlement had originally come from.

It seemed the slaves on the bridge truly included a group of hidden talents. The Grandpa Reno that Soran had mentioned actually possessed the ability to draw a complete blueprint of the bridge.

With this blueprint, the next steps would be much easier.

It had been twelve days since Aether left Germa and Totto Land. During that time, he had been traveling alone, experiencing the local customs of various places. By the time he ascended to the Kingdom on the Bridge, he had already stayed for three days. Coincidentally, the third person he encountered had been Soran, which Aether could only interpret as fate.

Moreover, it had been just over a month since he last refreshed his emotional experience. Adhering to his habit of "since I'm already here, I might as well farm some experience," he had spent those three days quietly interacting with a few reputable slaves in secret.

Of course, very few people were contacted. Among them, nearly ninety percent were distrustful, and of the remaining ten percent, more than half remained skeptical.

Aether did not care. Given his strength, he did not need help from others. He was confident he could achieve the small goal of destroying a nation single-handedly.

If he had not encountered Robin now, he would have executed his plan within two days after obtaining a simple map. He did not have much time to waste on the Kingdom on the Bridge.

"Squeak..."

The conversation between the two gave Robin a rough idea of his intentions. Her gaze immediately turned strange as she kept staring at the man who had deceived her. Was it entertaining to trick a woman into owing him a favor?

That contemptuous yet speechless look made Aether's scalp tingle.

"Robin, why are you looking at me? Remember, you owe me a favor."

"I know. This is the great Pirate King's harvest from deceiving a poor, lonely woman."

"..."

Seeing Aether rendered speechless, Robin revealed a charming smile, hugged Soran, and whispered softly.

"Soran, it's so good that you're okay. When I left that day, I was truly afraid of involving you in my suffering."

Initially, Soran had been dressed in a way that made her unrecognizable. However, the moment she heard Robin's voice, she immediately knew who it was, the big sister who used to tell her stories.

"Sister Robin, you're back! I'm so relieved you escaped that day, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable. Many people perished in the sea of fire that day."

Thinking of the blazing flames that had swallowed the heavy snow three months ago, the vivid tragedy brought a sorrowful look to Soran's face.

Robin held her tightly and comforted her.

"Soran, I've come back this time to liberate the Kingdom on the Bridge. The Big Brother Aether you mentioned is the legendary Pirate King. With him here, success is certain."

"Pirate King?"

Soran looked at Aether with complete confusion. She had been working on the bridge for three years and knew nothing about the events following the Marineford War.

In response, Aether ruffled the girl's hair and said indifferently.

"Don't worry, with me here, success is certain."

"Mhm."

One hour later

Aether was led by Robin to a hidden corner in the inner layer of the bridge. At this moment, many Revolutionary Army members were gathered there. Various weapons were stacked against the walls, long and short rifles, portable cannons, and hundreds of crates filled with explosives and bullets. The quantity was enough to launch a high intensity war.

Good grief, Aether had to admit the Revolutionary Army's ability to smuggle so many weapons right under the World Government's nose was impressive.

As they passed through the group, many Revolutionary Army members greeted Robin. It seemed that in just three months, she had already built a considerable network within the Revolutionary Army.

Aether could not help but tease.

"As expected of Robin, your popularity in the Revolutionary Army is quite something."

"It's alright. Certainly not as good as you, Aether, building the strongest Pirate Crew in just three months."

The two entered a dimly lit room through layers of guards while chatting. Several people were already waiting around a table inside.

When Aether's figure was illuminated by the candlelight, his presence drew the attention of everyone in the room. A giant sitting on a stool spoke in a high pitched, almost gentle tone filled with surprise.

"It really is Pirate King Roger. To liberate the Kingdom on the Bridge alone for the sake of innocent slaves, what a truly charismatic man."

"..."

Facing the giant's praise, Aether stopped in his tracks and even took a few steps back, causing Robin to glance at him with feigned innocence.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just feel a bit unworthy of the Revolutionary Army West Army Commander's praise, and I also think he's quite a nice person."

Seeing Aether's reaction, Robin suppressed a smile and introduced him.

"Mori is indeed a very good person. Once you spend more time with him, you'll understand."

"..."

Aether looked at Robin's restrained smile and wondered if she had a mischievous side he had not noticed before.

This West Army Commander Mori was a user of the Push-Push Fruit and also a Newkama, the only Giant Race Okama.

Aether suppressed the twitch in his eyelids and greeted them properly.

"First time meeting everyone from the Revolutionary Army. If I'm not mistaken, the four in front of me are East Army Commander Belo Betty and Vice Commander Ashiru, as well as West Army Commander Mori and Vice Commander Ushiano."

Upon hearing this, both Ashiru and Gambo became visibly excited. After all, they had only just begun their rise during the era when Roger was active.

Mori's massive body leaned forward as he shook Aether's hand with enthusiasm.

"It is truly an honor that Lord Aether knows of me."

"Hahaha, Mori, you are a great man. Anyone who fights for ordinary people deserves my respect."

The mutual flattery made the atmosphere noticeably more relaxed. Robin smiled quietly nearby, sensing that the upcoming cooperation would proceed smoothly.

Unlike Mori's reaction, Betty found it unsurprising that Aether recognized them. Both she and Mori had become well known across the seas in recent years.

However, the fact that he could also recognize Ashiru, who had only recently joined and served as her deputy, made Betty take Aether more seriously. Even the World Government might not know Ashiru's identity so easily.

Betty studied Aether carefully. This new head of the Five Emperors was not simple. Based on his performance, either his intelligence network rivaled that of the World Government, or he had an informant planted within the Revolutionary Army.

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