The New World didn't slow for anyone.
Since joining the Whitebeard Pirates, 'Black Rose, Lupin' had fought for every ounce of ground he stood on. Earning the respect of Izo and Fosha hadn't come easy, but the real war was still ahead.
And Lupin didn't care about winning.
Victory was meaningless here. He wasn't trying to prove he was stronger. He wanted them to know he'd fight them, stare them down, bleed if he had to — just to earn their respect. Not through talk, not through titles, but through action.
He glanced at the system window lingering at the edge of his vision.
---
[Monthly Quest Progress: 2/16]
Time Remaining: 27 Days
---
"Fourteen left," he muttered, smirking.
His next target made itself obvious.
Speed Jiru, the commander of the 14th division, was a living blur. A swordsman whose strikes came so fast that most never even saw the blade before it was too late. If Lupin wanted to test his nerve, this was the man to face.
He found Jiru in the late afternoon, moving through the training grounds like a streak of lightning, leaving sparring partners dazed in his wake.
Lupin called out without hesitation. "Speed Jiru!"
The swordsman turned, long mustache twitching at the sound of his name.
"Yo, rookie," he grinned. "What's up?"
"I'm here for a duel. You, me — no Devil Fruit powers. You with your sword, me with my pistol."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers. Challenging Speed Jiru was a death sentence for most rookies.
But Lupin didn't care.
"I don't care if I lose," Lupin said flatly. "I'm not here to show I'm stronger. I'm here to earn your respect."
That, more than his challenge, earned Speed Jiru's grin. "Heh… you've got fire, kid. I like that."
The Duel
They cleared the deck. Lupin steadied his breathing as Speed Jiru readied his sword.
"I won't hold back," the commander warned.
"Wouldn't want you to," Lupin smirked.
And then he moved.
Faster than Lupin could fully track, Jiru closed the distance. Lupin ducked instinctively, a blade slicing the air above his head. His pistol came up, firing a shot — not to hit, but to make the commander adjust.
Jiru twisted aside, smirking.
"You're not bad," he said.
Lupin grinned. "Didn't say I was good."
The duel went on — Lupin dodging, taking shallow cuts, shots grazing Jiru's coat but never landing a real hit. He wasn't trying to win. He was trying to stay standing.
Minutes later, Lupin was panting, a small gash on his arm bleeding freely. His pistol was nearly empty. Speed Jiru halted, lowering his sword.
"That's enough," the commander declared. "You've got guts, rookie. I respect that more than any win."
He clapped a hand on Lupin's shoulder.
---
[Commander Bond Formed: Speed Jiru]
Progress: 3/16
---
Lupin allowed himself a tired grin. Three down.
Atmos, the Mountain
The very next evening, Lupin sought out Atmos — the 13th division commander. The man was a walking fortress of muscle and might, wielding twin broadswords that could cleave a mast in half with a single swing.
Atmos was nursing a barrel of sake when Lupin approached.
"Atmos," Lupin called, voice steady despite the ache in his limbs.
The giant grinned. "Black Rose! What can I do for you, lad?"
"I want a match."
Atmos blinked, then burst out laughing. "After fighting Speed Jiru? You're either the bravest bastard I've met or the dumbest."
"Probably both."
More laughter.
But Lupin's expression was serious. "I don't care if I lose. I just want you to see me. Fight me. That's all."
Atmos's grin faded into a look of solid respect. "That's the kind of spirit this crew values."
The Clash
The crew circled around as the two men faced off under the orange glow of sunset. Atmos hefted his enormous swords. Lupin checked his pistol's chamber.
"Whenever you're ready, kid," Atmos called.
Lupin fired the first shot — aimed at Atmos's chest, knowing full well the big man could block it. The bullet pinged harmlessly off Atmos's sword as he charged.
The deck shook with every step.
Lupin dodged, rolling to the side, firing again. He caught Atmos's gauntlet, sending sparks into the air.
Atmos grinned. "Not bad!"
The giant's sword came down like a hammer. Lupin barely rolled clear, the blade splintering the planks.
He kept moving, firing, dodging, always a step away from defeat. His shots weren't aimed to kill — just to show he wouldn't back down.
Eventually, he was breathing hard, his coat torn, blood trickling from a cut on his brow.
Atmos halted, resting his swords on his shoulders.
"That's enough," he called, his voice like rolling thunder. "You fought well, kid."
He extended a massive hand.
Lupin took it without hesitation.
"You've earned my respect."
---
[Commander Bond Formed: Atmos]
Progress: 4/16
---
The crew cheered as Atmos clapped Lupin on the back with enough force to nearly knock him over.
Lupin grinned, exhaustion in his bones but fire in his chest.
It didn't matter if he lost every fight ahead. It wasn't about victory. It was about standing his ground, showing them what kind of man he was.
Tomorrow, he'd pick the next name on his list.
One commander at a time.