One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Lafayette quickly packed his simple belongings and returned to the tavern.

It was called a baggage bag, but it was really just a small suitcase, plus the walking stick sword that he never parted with.

Roy stood up and casually tossed a stack of pebies onto the table as payment for the drinks and "ground maintenance."

The two left the tavern and walked along the narrow streets of Teapot Island toward the harbor.

"captain."

Lafayette, walking beside Roy, finally couldn't help but ask.

"Should we head straight back to the New World?"

Roy shook his head.

"No rush."

"Besides seeing you, there are a few other people I'd like to meet this time."

Lafayette's eyes flashed.

"Oh? Someone the captain would personally send to win over must be no ordinary person, right?"

Roy glanced at him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"You're quite the smooth talker."

"That's right, they're all guys with potential."

Roy paused, as if he had thought of something.

"oh!"

"Oh, right!"

"Lafayette, you're the sheriff of the West Sea, you should be quite well-informed."

"Do you know a pirate hunter named 'Sound Over Van Augur'?"

Lafayette paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Van Auker?"

Roy raised an eyebrow.

"Do you know him?"

Raphael nodded, then shook his head.

"I wouldn't say I know them, but I've heard of them."

"That guy has quite a reputation among pirate hunters in the West Blue."

"It is said that his marksmanship is extremely accurate, and he can hit the target's forehead with a single shot from a very long distance."

"Moreover, he is low-key and never ostentatious. Once he takes on a task, he does it and leaves immediately afterward, without any lingering."

"Even the Navy is very interested in him and wants to recruit him into the Navy Headquarters sniper unit."

"But he refused."

A glint of light flashed in Roy's eyes.

"They rejected the Navy?"

Raphael nodded.

"Hmm. That guy doesn't seem to like being constrained."

"but--"

"Some time ago, someone did see him near Kamei Island."

"Kamei Island?"

"What place is that?"

Lafayette explained,

"A transit island in the western sea. It's not big, but it's in a good location. Many pirates and merchants resupply there."

"Van Augur's presence there indicates he either accepted a mission or was simply passing by."

"I don't know exactly what they do."

Roy was silent for two seconds, then nodded.

"Then let's go check out Kamei Island."

"I hope he hasn't left yet."

Lafayette smiled slightly.

"Yes, Captain."

The two arrived at the port.

On the shore, there was a small sailboat. It was not big, but it was well maintained, with a white sail hanging on its mast.

Lafayette pointed to the ship,

"Captain, this is my ship."

"While it may not be as good as your Ark Proverb, it is lightweight and agile, which is sufficient for traversing the Western Sea."

Roy nodded.

"Good."

The two boarded the boat, and Lafayette untied the ropes and skillfully maneuvered the sails.

The small sailboat slowly sailed out of the harbor and headed towards the vast sea.

A gentle sea breeze blew, and waves lapped against the hull of the boat.

Roy stood at the bow of the ship, watching Teapot Island gradually disappear into the distance, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

This trip was very rewarding.

Laffitte, the division commander of the Blackbeard Pirates in the original work, possesses considerable strength and promising potential.

Moreover, this guy is quick-witted and knows how to assess situations; he's a rare talent.

Roy turned to look at Lafayette, who was at the helm.

In the sunlight, his pale face stood out starkly, and his bright red lips looked as if they had been smeared with blood.

"Lafayette".

"Um?"

"Besides swordsmanship and hypnosis, you also know navigation?"

Lafayette smiled slightly.

"The captain has a good eye."

"How can you survive on this vast ocean if you don't know how to sail?"

"I don't want to entrust my life to an unreliable navigator."

Roy nodded.

"really."

"With you here, this journey will be much easier."

Lafayette bowed slightly.

"It is my honor to serve the captain."

Roy looked at him and suddenly asked,

"Lafayette, your abilities should be more than this, shouldn't they?"

Lafayette's eyes flashed, then he smiled.

"The captain is indeed astute."

"Besides swordsmanship, hypnosis, and navigation, I am indeed good at some... infiltration and intelligence gathering."

"After all, in a place like the West Sea, you can't get by just fighting and killing."

Sometimes, brains are more effective than fists.

Roy nodded to himself.

Sure enough, this guy's abilities are very comprehensive.

Swordsman, hypnotist, navigator, intelligence agent, infiltration expert...

Almost one person can handle multiple positions.

This is extremely rare in the world of pirates.

"very good."

Roy said calmly,

"These abilities of yours will all come in handy on Beehive Island."

"but--"

Roy's gaze fell on Lafayette.

"Your physique is too weak."

Lafayette's expression stiffened slightly.

He knew Roy was telling the truth.

His physique is indeed his biggest weakness.

Although he is good at swordsmanship and hypnosis, he will be at a great disadvantage if he is engaged in close combat with an enemy or encounters a powerful opponent.

"The captain is right."

Lafayette gave a wry smile.

"I know I have problems, but physical strength isn't something you can improve just by wanting to."

"I've been trying my best to train, but..."

Roy waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Lafayette, do you know what 'dominance' means?"

Lafayette was taken aback.

"Domineering?"

"Of course I know, that's standard equipment for the strong in the new world."

"It is said that mastering Haki can greatly enhance combat power."

"But that's a thing of the new world, and very few people in the world know how to do it."

Roy nodded.

"That's right."

"Domineering aura is one of the most fundamental combat systems in this world."

"Observation Haki allows one to predict an opponent's attacks and sense the surrounding atmosphere."

"Armament Haki can harden the body, enhance attack and defense, and even grasp the physical form of Logia-type Devil Fruit users."

"Conqueror's Haki is a kingly quality that is one in ten thousand, capable of intimidating the weak and suppressing opponents."

"If you master domineering aura, your physical weaknesses can be greatly compensated for."

"With your swordsmanship and hypnosis combined, your strength can be elevated to several levels."

A burning light flashed in Lafayette's eyes.

"Captain, would you... be willing to teach me?"

Roy nodded.

"certainly."

"Now that you've joined the Roy Pirates, you're one of us."

"It's also good for Beehive Island if our own people become stronger."

"Furthermore, Beehive Island also possesses a technology called bloodline transplantation."

"It allows ordinary people to possess the physique and talents of those special races."

"If you perform well, you'll have opportunities to try in the future."

Lafayette's breathing quickened instantly.

Bloodline transplant?!

To give ordinary people the physique of a special race?!

What incredible technology!

He looked at Roy, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Captain...is this...is it real?"

Roy said calmly,

"You think I'm lying to you?"

Lafayette quickly shook his head.

"No, no, no! I believe the captain!"

"But... this is just too shocking!"

"Bloodline transplantation... if word got out, the entire ocean would go crazy!"

Roy nodded.

"So, you're keeping this to yourself."

"You'll see it when you get to Beehive Island."

Lafayette took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, Captain, I understand the importance of this."

Roy looked at him and nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, calm down."

"Let me give you a taste of the sweetness first."