Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

Ku! Chua! Swish!

High-end transition sound effects. Over the past ten-plus years (since I've buffed Roger's strength a bit, I've also bumped up Golden Lion and Newgate's power levels for balance but don't worry, it won't affect future developments),

Ritter's days of being chased around by Garp passed in relative happiness. Time flew by, and Ritter had grown into a fine young man. (I won't specify his age for now I couldn't find the exact year Whitebeard joined the crew.)

Here's an updated bounty list:

Roger — 1.5 billion Berries

Rayleigh — 1.2 billion

Scopper Gaban — 1.1 billion

Ritter — 900 million

These figures reflect the fact that the Roger Pirates hadn't yet made any earth-shattering moves, and in this era, bounties were generally lower.

Roger and Rayleigh were undeniably at admiral-level strength Ritter even suspected Roger far surpassed that. His captain could go toe-to-toe with Garp after all, and as both men continued to grow, their clashes became increasingly destructive.

Ritter himself had fully mastered advanced Haki: Conqueror's Coating, Internal Destruction he'd grown proficient with all three types. At this point, he had reached admiral-level strength.

Ritter sometimes felt embarrassed on behalf of the other isekai protagonists. If this were anyone else's story, the final boss would have been defeated by now. But what could he do? That damn river god hadn't given him any outrageous talents. He wasn't one of those geniuses who mastered techniques just by watching them once.

But now? Honestly, if it were a one-on-one fight with an admiral, Ritter could outlast them by sheer stamina. His monstrous endurance was basically a cheat code.

As his strength continued to grow, his body finally caught up too. He rarely even felt fatigue anymore. When he was younger, he had to worry about pulling a muscle and ruining his future foundation. Now? That concern was long gone.

The most frustrating part? After all this time, his Devil Fruit still hadn't awakened.

He twirled red mist in his hand though it could be any color, really. He just thought red looked the coolest. Beyond the mist's original capabilities corrosion, refraction, concealment, amplification he'd also developed a range of techniques in combination with Black Tide.

Ritter smiled.

"Looks like I really do have a lot to look forward to on this adventure."

He still kept his long, jet-black hair, and that gentle, jade-like smile never left his face. Black Tide was strapped across his back, blood-red mist swirling softly around him. It was all about contrast.

Over time, new crewmates had joined the Roger Pirates some of whom had even appeared in the manga. The one who left the strongest impression on Ritter was a guy named Elio. White fedora, floral shirt with mint-green patterns, and a head of bright blue hair.

Ritter couldn't help but think he looked just like the mayor of Windmill Village. The more he looked, the more uncanny the resemblance.

There was also Sambel, a fish-man, and Bulmarine, among others. While none were as strong as Roger's original trio, they were far from weak. You couldn't compare ordinary people to monsters.

One day, after a grueling training session, Ritter lay on the deck of the Oro Jackson, soaking in the sun. A News Coo delivered the latest bounty posters.

"The Madman" Rocks D. Xebec — 5.35 billion Berries.

Dead or Alive.

Ritter immediately perked up. Rocks. That man, who was already being whispered about as the future king of pirates, was finally stepping into the spotlight.

Ritter knew full well: Rocks didn't rise he exploded onto the scene. The legendary God Valley Incident wasn't far off.

He couldn't help but feel bitter. Rocks is probably the real protagonist of this world, he thought. Ritter had scraped by on the Grand Line for more than a decade to reach admiral level, and here was this guy popping up with ludicrous strength and now threatening to upend the entire world.

You call this an isekai? What kind of rigged game is this?

He lay there lazily, Black Tide resting beside him as the sea breeze rustled his hair. Suddenly, his brows twitched. His Observation Haki picked up an overwhelming presence approaching the ship.

"…Hmm?"

He sat up slightly, looking toward the bow.

BOOM!

A massive figure landed hard on the deck, making the entire Oro Jackson shudder.

Golden facial hair gleamed in the sunlight. A young Edward Newgate stood tall, Murakumogiri slung over one shoulder. His piercing gaze swept across the deck then locked onto Roger.

"You're Roger?"

Roger grinned wide, eyes glinting beneath the brim of his straw hat.

"Kuahahaha! That's me! And you are…?"

"Edward Newgate," came the deep reply. "I've heard the rumors. I'm here to test them."

Ritter blinked. He'd expected Rocks to come calling eventually but for Newgate to show up first? That was a surprise.

Before Roger could answer, Ritter rose to his feet. Black Tide landed on the deck with a metallic clang as crimson mist began curling around him.

"Hey, Newgate," he said with a smile. "You wanna challenge our captain? You'll have to go through me first."

Newgate glanced at him, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"You sure about that, brat?"

"You don't look much older than me."

Ritter grinned.

Newgate looked sharp, full of youthful vitality.

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Ritter vanished. Blood-red mist flooded the deck, blinding Newgate's vision. With a deafening whoosh, Black Tide came sweeping in for the strike!

CLANG!

Murakumogiri caught the blow cleanly. The moment the two weapons collided, a shockwave burst outwards, splintering the deck beneath their feet.

Newgate raised an eyebrow.

"Not bad."

Ritter smirked.

"Oh, I'm just getting started!"

"Fog God Style: Blood Tide!"

The blood mist on Black Tide erupted, transforming into countless needle-thin blades that shot toward Newgate like a crimson storm.

Newgate grunted and slammed his weapon down.

The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit detonated instantly.

CRACK!

The air itself shattered like glass. The blood blades were obliterated, and a violent shockwave surged forward.

Ritter's pupils shrank. He brought up Black Tide in a flash, Haki surging to its limit.

BOOM!

He was forced back several paces, gouging deep cracks into the deck with each step but he was grinning even wider now.

"Come on!"

The two clashed again, their weapons ringing like thunder across the ocean. The Oro Jackson swayed beneath them as red mist swirled and shockwaves rippled across the deck.

Gradually, the blood fog began to thin. Ritter knew that if he really wanted to hurt Newgate, he could his fog could corrode internal organs under the right conditions. But this was just a spar. No need to go that far.

Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban watched from the side, clearly entertained.

"That kid's gotten strong," Gaban muttered, stroking his chin.

Rayleigh adjusted his glasses.

"Hard to say. Both of them are holding back. Neither has shown the full extent of their Devil Fruits yet."

Sure enough, after more than ten minutes of fierce fighting, Newgate suddenly raised both arms. Tremor energy coiled tightly around Murakumogiri.

"Airquake!"

BOOM!

The tremor burst sent Black Tide flying from Ritter's hands. He himself was launched backward, flipping in mid-air before landing neatly on his feet.

He shook the numbness from his arm, still smiling.

"Damn. I lost."

Newgate lowered his weapon.

"You're not bad yourself, Crimson Fog Ritter. Though they say your mist is much more devious."

Roger laughed as he walked over.

"Kuahahaha! Newgate! How about joining my crew?"

Newgate gave him a long look, then shook his head.

"No. I've got my own goal."

"Oh?" Roger raised an eyebrow. "And what goal is that?"

"Home," Newgate said quietly. "I've been sailing a long time, but I haven't found a place that feels like home. Honestly, I'm not even sure I know what it means."

Roger was momentarily stunned then burst out laughing again.

"Kuahahaha! That's interesting! Well then, next time we meet, we'll be enemies!"

Newgate smirked.

"Just don't embarrass yourself."

With that, he leapt off the deck, landing gracefully back on his small boat and sailing away.

Gaban stepped to the edge, watching him disappear into the horizon.

"That guy… he's gonna be a monster someday."

Roger clapped him on the back.

"Kuahahaha! And that's what makes it fun, right?"

Ritter smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, Captain."

The sea breeze rustled their hair as the Oro Jackson continued its voyage.

Ritter looked out at the endless horizon, a fierce flame burning in his heart.

Rocks… Newgate… This era is getting more interesting by the day.

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