Chapter 74 - CHAPTER 74 - Something Feels Off

Dressed in monk's robes, with a large red prayer bead necklace around his neck and wings on his back, the towering and muscular figure wore a smile—until he saw Rosen. The moment their eyes met, his expression froze. "Shichibukai?!" The Shichibukai... Crocodile?! How unlucky could one be to randomly approach someone and end up encountering a world-renowned pirate? Pirates crossing paths usually led to conflict, and Urouge knew he wasn't strong enough to go up against a veteran powerhouse like a Shichibukai. The situation had just become awkward. Two of the three pirate ships belonging to Urouge's Fallen Monk Pirates had sunk in the storm, leaving only a battered main ship that barely managed to reach shore. His crew had come ashore to assess their surroundings and secure food and shelter. The ship had suffered extensive damage—though the keel remained intact, repairs would take a considerable amount of time. Beyond their immediate survival needs, Urouge was also here to search for something. According to the map he had obtained, a treasure was hidden on this island. Unfortunately, the map lacked detailed markings, but it was said to have been passed down on Skypiea for nearly a thousand years. There was no way he would give up easily. Upon landing, he had not noticed the Dawn. The storm had obscured visibility, and the two ships were docked some distance apart. He had been startled by the strange environment of the island but soon spotted the faint glow of firelight in the distance. Deciding to investigate, he made his way over. Despite his bounty being only 54 million Berries, Urouge was confident in his strength and had little fear of ordinary pirates. More importantly, he assumed the structures he saw—rudimentary shelters built from sand and stone—belonged to locals. That was why he had greeted them from afar, never expecting that he had just walked straight into a Shichibukai's camp. This was going to be a problem. Rosen was equally surprised to see Urouge—the lowest-ranked of the Supernovas during the Sabaody Archipelago incident. Yet, just two years later, he had gained the strength to defeat one of Big Mom's Sweet Commanders. His growth rate and combat ability were remarkable. Though the commander he had defeated was the lowest-ranked among them—Snack, who had been stripped of his title after losing—he was still a top-tier fighter among Big Mom's subordinates, with a bounty of 600 million Berries. That meant that by then, Urouge had likely reached a level comparable to the Shichibukai. The title "Worst Generation" itself was proof that these individuals would become key figures in future battles, standing at the forefront of the new era. Despite eventually being defeated by Cracker, Urouge had survived and even encountered Kaido attempting to take his own life on a Sky Island in the New World. Rosen had always speculated that Urouge might be a native of the Sky Islands, but considering he had traveled through Sabaody Archipelago, it seemed unlikely. If he had been born in the New World, there would have been no reason for him to pass through Sabaody to enter it. According to intelligence at the time, all the Supernovas had traveled through the first half of the Grand Line before reaching Sabaody. In that case, Urouge's presence here in the first half of the Grand Line made perfect sense. Although his bounty was low compared to the other Supernovas, that might have been due to his background as a monk. Judging by his demeanor, he did not seem particularly ruthless, which could have contributed to his lower perceived threat level. However, looking at the other Supernovas two years later—whether it was Kid or Hawkins—none had accomplished anything as impressive as defeating a Sweet Commander. Aside from Luffy and Law teaming up to take down Doflamingo, Urouge was one of the few who had actually made a name for himself. That piqued Rosen's interest. "We'll take our leave," Urouge said cautiously. He felt uneasy under Crocodile's intense gaze. At his current strength, he was no match for a Shichibukai. Even if he reached his peak two years later, he would still be far from Rosen's level. Urouge knew better than to provoke him. "Since you're already here, stay and talk. I have some questions for you," Rosen said, genuinely wanting to learn more. Urouge hesitated before forcing a smile. Did Crocodile intend to keep them here? But from his tone, it didn't seem like he was trying to force them to stay. While wary of Crocodile, Urouge was not one to back down if conflict became inevitable. "Put your weapons down. Since they are here, they are guests. Treat them well," Rosen ordered. At his command, the crew lowered their weapons, and some even set out extra bowls and chopsticks. Urouge's group consisted of only seven or eight people—not many at all. "Captain, should we really...?" One of Urouge's men was visibly concerned. After all, a Shichibukai was not to be underestimated. "If they are willing to host us, we'll accept their hospitality," Urouge said, observing the crew drinking stew. Seeing that no one had been poisoned, he felt reassured. Still, he couldn't shake the suspicion that Crocodile might have ulterior motives. Was he also after the treasure? But aside from one slip-up by a crew member on another island, no one should have known about it. "Before that, though... would you mind showing me the strength of a Shichibukai?" Urouge, though not bloodthirsty, was a warrior at heart. Facing a renowned figure of the sea, he couldn't resist the urge to test himself. He was eager to know if his current strength could compare to such a legendary pirate. He hadn't suggested a fight earlier because he didn't want to turn the encounter into a life-or-death battle. Now, however, his request carried more of a sparring intent. "Oh?" Rosen raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the challenge. Even Robin and the others turned their heads, their eyes filled with amusement. Did this guy really think he could challenge the Boss? He must be joking. "Hmph! Don't underestimate him! Our captain is incredibly strong!" one of Urouge's men protested, noticing the skeptical looks from Rosen's crew. "Fine. Go ahead. I have things to discuss with you afterward." For a fair challenge like this, Rosen accepted purely based on his mood. Besides, demonstrating his strength now would save time later. A show of power often made future negotiations easier. "Here?" Urouge hesitated. "There's enough space. It's raining outside—just start." Rosen didn't even put down his bowl. It wasn't arrogance. He simply didn't think Urouge—at his current level—was stronger than Daz Bones. His Observation Haki's feedback confirmed as much. "Very well, I won't hold back!" Though uncomfortable with Crocodile's casual attitude, Urouge did not argue. He would let his fists do the talking. He stood, and the crew on both sides instinctively cleared an open space. Urouge clenched his fists. He was a pure brawler, a powerhouse of raw physical strength. "Ha!" With a mighty roar, he launched a punch straight at Rosen's face. His strike carried the weight of crashing mountains, and the air rippled from the force. Rosen was not surprised. He had expected this much from Urouge. The punch was powerful. The raw force alone was quite impressive. Holding his bowl in one hand, Rosen extended his left hand—formed entirely of sand—into a solid, compressed sand-fist. Boom! Fist met fist. A shockwave erupted from the impact. Urouge staggered back several steps. Rosen, however, remained seated, unmoved. "You should use your weapon. Otherwise, you won't withstand the next punch," Rosen said, setting down his bowl and rising to his feet. "Weapon? What weapon?" Urouge was stunned. He had never used a weapon. He had always fought with his bare fists. Rosen paused. Something felt off. (End of Chapter) ========================================================= DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).