One Piece: Mandala Swordsman

Chapter 229 The Competitor Who Withdrew from Paradise

People's attention is always drawn to the successful, with little regard for the unsuccessful.

However, focusing solely on renowned pirates while ignoring future threats is extremely unwise.

Because of the harsh pirate environment in the New World, every year pirates either disappear without a trace or return defeated.

They may have lived a life of ease and success in the first half of the Grand Line, but in the face of the New World, they all became like stray dogs.

However, pirates who have been to the New World, even if they are losers, are not simple characters.

Being able to emerge unscathed from the new world is a skill in itself.

Moreover, there are some rather special cases among them.

For example, Shanks.

This man runs between the new world and the paradise.

Since his brief conflict with Whitebeard, he has been active almost throughout the entire Grand Line.

This kind of behavior is extremely rare among powerful pirate groups.

Pirates who shone as brightly as him either joined the Royal Navy after entering the New World or began to diligently cultivate and support their own forces. Few, like him, wandered around aimlessly.

However, Roman was certainly not naive enough to think that Shanks was really just wandering around aimlessly.

While he was constantly wandering around, he was also constantly recruiting his own crew.

Besides, they might also be looking for the Nika Fruit.

In short, he must have his own purpose.

Roman was still wary of such a deep-seated person.

Because Roger entrusted him with his dying wish, he knew far too much.

Whether it's Kaido or his own mother Linlin, they spent their entire lives chasing the path that Roger had already completed.

But Shanks saw a much bigger picture and kept putting it into practice.

So they both lost from the very beginning.

Even without Luffy defeating them, they could never become the Pirate King.

The real turning point in their downfall was when Shanks began his scheme.

Unfortunately, only Shanks himself knows his true value and the threat he poses.

For the behemoth that is the Navy, Shanks is nothing.

Even if given time, he'd be nothing more than the next Rocks at best.

Even if he becomes the next Roger, so what?

He was executed by the Navy.

But Roman knew that Shanks' identity was extraordinary, and there were far too many variables that he could control.

He was involved in almost every climax of the story.

"So, Roman, are you confident in taking on this mission?" Sengoku noticed that Roman seemed a bit dazed and shook her shoulder.

"Sorry, I just saw Shanks' wanted poster and thought he was a bit strange, so I was wondering why there would be such a weird pirate," Roman explained.

At this moment, Roman and Sengoku were faced with a pile of arrest warrants.

These pirates all have one thing in common: they arrive in the New World and then leave.

Although they can't be considered successful, the pirates who were toughened up by the New World environment are indeed stronger.

They just need time; they will make a comeback sooner or later.

However, the first half of the Grand Line and the four seas are within the Navy's sphere of influence. Since their whereabouts have been exposed, it is the Navy's duty to deal with them.

"That redhead? He is indeed a threat, but they are elusive and difficult to capture. Let's let them go this time!" Sengoku waved his hand dismissively.

Even for Sengoku, a naval admiral, Shanks stands out.

However, Shanks' evil deeds are not very serious, so his threat level is low, and he is not among those who must be eliminated quickly.

That's a pity.

If Sengoku is really willing to target Shanks, Shanks is in for a rough time.

After all, this isn't his peak period.

"So, is he my mission this time?" Roman reached out and picked up a wanted poster.

Snow, captain of the Giant Beast Pirates.

I am also a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.

Given his circumstances, the safest way for him to develop in the New World would be to join the Beasts Pirates.

After the fortress defense battle, the Beasts Pirates were extremely eager to recruit talent.

Moreover, after their strength was weakened, they also clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates.

Its forces have already suffered heavy losses.

Therefore, we have been recruiting staff.

For those who desire status and wealth, joining the Beasts Pirates at this moment would be a wise move.

In particular, their power structure dictates that Zoan-type Devil Fruit users can go further and achieve greater success.

However, Snow, like Lillian, did not join any faction but instead worked hard to build his business.

Perhaps, deep down, they are unwilling to be subordinate to others.

If you can be in charge, who wants to be someone else's lackey?

However, the Beast Pirates had previously suffered a major blow from the Charlotte Family.

Some time ago, Snow was seriously injured by Katakuri.

Of course, for Zoan-type Devil Fruit users, as long as they are not killed, their health regeneration is quite fast.

So under normal circumstances, he should be full of energy within three days.

Strangely enough, after this conflict, he also left the New World, along with his crew.

Snow was a seasoned veteran who had been in the New World for over a decade.

The setbacks they suffered in starting their businesses were countless.

But you could say he's an unkillable cockroach.

It truly means getting back up from where you fall.

Just because Katakuri defeated him, he gave up?

Emmm...

It just doesn't feel right no matter how you look at it.

Roman had long heard of Snow's reputation.

He is a pragmatist who is always committed to his plans.

When short of funds, they rob; when they encounter an enemy, they fight.

In the long run, his level of danger is not low, and the extent of his harm is considerable.

Therefore, it is likely that he has his own purpose in returning to Paradise from the New World.

Roman's mission was to capture him, dead or alive.

"Since it's a pursuit mission, bring your four men with you. Although this mission is quite dangerous, you should be fine, right?"

For the branches of the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, the fighting power of the New World is still too strong.

We must transfer personnel from headquarters.

The choice of Roman also reflected Sengoku's own considerations.

After all, Roman had killed Lillian of the New World not long ago.

Despite his injuries, Sengoku could sense that Roman seemed to have become stronger again.

If Roman really can't handle it, it would be much easier to ask for help at the amusement park.

"I understand, and I will do my best to complete the task."

Roman and Sengoku shared the same idea.

Since the main battlefield is not in the new world, things become much simpler.

"By the way, Snow appeared in the West Sea. If you've completed your mission, why don't you go home and visit? After all, it's your hometown, isn't it?"

Roman glanced at Sengoku in surprise, not expecting him to bring this up.

Not many people know about Roman's background.

However, the Warring States period was one of them.

Some of the higher-ups only knew that the place where Roman lived had been destroyed by pirates.

"Thank you for your concern, but it's a place that has long since changed, and there's no point in going back to see it."

The Land of Flowers, Roman's "true" homeland.