Strongest Possessor of One Piece

Under Rojen's helpless gaze, The Logan welcomed a new crew member— a man who could eat enough for ten people in a single sitting. 

This newcomer was a towering, bald man with a simple, honest smile permanently etched on his face. He had the kind of build that made him look strong, yet oddly easy to push around. 

However, Rojen knew better. The fact that this man had survived an entire month tied up in the basement without food or water and still emerged unscathed was proof enough— this guy was an absolute monster. 

His massive arms, powerful thighs, and well-defined muscles made him resemble a walking fortress. Standing next to him, Rojen's own lean frame looked almost fragile. 

Of course, this contrast was exactly why Rojen held a grudge against Jason. 

"Heh heh, Captain, where are we headed?" Jason asked with a chuckle after hauling the supplies from the previous pirate crew onto The Logan. 

He was obedient, following Rojen's orders without question. 

"Baterilla Island," Rojen responded. "Raise the sails, we're setting off." 

Jason grinned and eagerly ran to hoist the sails. Soon, The Logan's canvas swelled with the wind, and the ship glided forward across the waves. 

With two extra hands on board, all the heavy lifting naturally fell to Jason. 

"Do you know how to sail?" Rojen asked once the ship was moving. 

"Uh… no." Jason scratched his bald head sheepishly. 

"You'll learn." 

"Okay!" 

"Can you cook?" 

"No." 

"You'll learn." 

"Ugh…" 

"Can you clean?" 

Jason's eyes brightened. "That I can do!" 

"Then what are you waiting for?" Rojen snapped. 

Without another word, Jason scurried off to clean. 

Watching him work, Rojen's lips curled into a satisfied smile. Maybe having an extra crewmate wasn't so bad after all— at least he no longer had to do all the chores himself. 

Jason was astonishingly fast, and within half an hour, the entire ship was spotless. His efficiency left Rojen thoroughly impressed. 

The two of them then established a watch schedule, taking turns to keep guard at night. The open sea was unpredictable, and danger could strike at any moment. 

Before, Rojen had always slept lightly, ready to react at a moment's notice. But now, with Jason on board, things were different. 

That night, for the first time in a long while, Rojen slept soundly. 

…

As the sun rose the next day, Rojen stretched and found Jason outside, already warming up. 

"Hey, Jason." 

"Heh heh, Captain, you're up." Jason greeted him cheerfully. 

"Not bad. You stayed up all night and still have energy." 

"It's my duty, my duty." Jason laughed heartily. 

Rojen glanced at the map. "We should reach the next island in about two days." 

The journey to Baterilla would take roughly five months, and he had been doing everything possible to cut down on travel time. Aside from necessary battles with pirates, he rarely stopped. Even resupplying had been a rare occurrence. 

But this time, they had no choice. According to the sea charts, Alster Island was the only resupply point in this stretch of the South Blue. And considering this leg of the journey made up a third of the overall trip, they would be at sea for at least a month afterward. 

"Jason, wake me when we arrive." 

"Aye, Captain!" Jason responded as Rojen disappeared into the cabin— to play with the cat. 

Lately, the little creature had seemed down, its usual energy missing. 

…

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The sea remained calm, and they encountered no pirates, which left Rojen feeling a bit disappointed. He had been hoping to take down some pirates to replenish his funds, but no such luck. 

Then, Jason's excited voice rang out. 

"Captain! We're here! That's Alster Island ahead!" 

Since Rojen had ordered him to learn how to sail, Jason had been diligently studying. Now, he stood at the helm, confidently steering The Logan while humming a tune. It was such a comical sight that for a moment, Rojen felt like the entire aesthetic of piracy had been turned on its head. 

He sighed and walked to the bow, gazing toward the island. 

Alster Island was much larger than most he had seen so far— easily twice the size. Bustling with activity, it rivaled even Loguetown in terms of liveliness and prosperity. 

"We'll restock, sleep on the ship tonight, and set sail at first light," Rojen said. 

Jason looked puzzled. "Huh? Aren't we staying for a little fun, Captain?" 

"No time for that. We have important business." 

Jason pouted but didn't argue further. 

The Logan glided into the harbor, and Jason quickly dropped the anchor, securing the ship at the dock. 

"All set, Captain!" he called out. 

Rojen nodded and leaped down, the cat perched quietly on his shoulder. 

As the two of them stepped onto solid ground, they took in the sights of the busy port. People bustled about, moving in every direction, creating an endless stream of activity. At a glance, Rojen counted at least four other ships docked nearby. 

"What a lively little town," he mused with a smirk. 

Jason grinned. "Of course! Alster Island is probably one of the most prosperous islands in the South Blue." 

Rojen nodded as they made their way toward the market, searching for supplies. 

Suddenly, the cat on his shoulder stirred. 

"What's wrong, cat?" 

"Meow." 

The little creature stretched out a paw, pointing toward a pastry shop on the side of the street, its golden eyes filled with anticipation. 

Rojen chuckled. "I don't even know who the real captain is anymore. Maybe I should start calling you 'Lordling.'" 

"Meow." 

(End of Chapter)

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