Raising Legends in Roger’s Shadow

Chapter 313 313: The Blank Century

A few days later, Witt and the others found Lord Reid. Roger was also present; he knew that forging a sword could not be rushed and that the Master Hammer Smith needed complete focus. He said to Lord Reid:

"Lord Reid, you should take care of your own matters first. Ann will stay here. With me around, you have nothing to worry about. Since the Master Hammer Smith has agreed to help, he surely won't do a sloppy job."

Lord Reid nodded. Indeed, he had other matters to attend to. He wanted to uncover the secrets hidden in the Blank Century and understand Im's true strength. Many mysteries and unfulfilled promises from Witt's era still lingered.

He turned and boarded the Blumarine Jackson. The sails rose once more, letting the salty sea breeze and the taste of freedom brush against his face.

"Our destination this time… is Wano Country," Lord Reid announced, standing at the bow.

Witt stepped forward, her voice quiet but concerned. "Are you really ready? How long do you plan to stay this time…"

Lord Reid glanced back at her.

"What is there to fear? Neither time nor fate can stop me from going wherever I want."

He stared out toward the distant horizon.

The Blumarine Jackson slowly sailed into Wano Country's inland seas. The familiar roar of waterfalls echoed in the distance. As the ship docked, a boisterous figure leapt onto the deck, laughing heartily.

"Lord Reid! Meeting again so soon!" Yuta practically jumped onto the deck, wrapping an arm around Lord Reid's shoulder. "It's been a while! Oh, wait… hasn't it only been less than a month?"

Lord Reid staggered under the enthusiastic pat and couldn't help but smile. "Don't be like that, Yuta! I've only held a half-month banquet." He paused and raised an eyebrow. "I do need to trouble Kozuki Ishi again, but this time she doesn't need to come with me. I can directly channel life energy to her. I'm looking for the smith who forged me a sword before, to craft another one."

"That must be the creator of the Black Tide!" Yuta gestured excitedly. "That little girl Ann is going to be extraordinary! Come on, come on! Kozuki Ishi has been waiting for you!"

He pulled Lord Reid along as villagers bowed respectfully along the way, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe. Clearly, Lord Reid's reputation had become comparable to Yuta's truly the mark of a great man.

Soon, they arrived at Kozuki Ishi's tranquil courtyard. Kozuki Koyuki was already kneeling in the tea room, waiting. Seeing Lord Reid, she smiled gently. "Lord Reid, welcome back."

"Kozuki Ishi," Lord Reid nodded in greeting, cutting straight to the point. "I still need your help, so let's not waste time on pleasantries. This time, I can already concentrate life energy."

Blood mist swirled around him once again, thicker and more potent than before, refined by years of experience into a warm, pure current of life. A nearly solid, dazzling orb of life slowly appeared in his palm, floating lightly toward Koyuki.

The tea room soon filled with bottles and jars. This time, Lord Reid had accumulated over seventy percent of his life energy from the past decades, nearly filling the room.

Each vessel could extend life. Their value, if made public, would rival that of the ONE PIECE, for even the Gorosei still believed they could outlive Lord Reid. To them, time was both the least and most precious commodity.

This idea originated when Lord Reid, creating chaos at Marine Headquarters, placed Kozuki Ishi on an island and directly injected her with life energy. By solidifying it, she no longer needed to remain by his side at all times.

Koyuki received the crystal orb with reverence, her eyes flickering with awe. She nodded. "I understand. Then, tell me the coordinates of the era you wish to traverse. Which point in history do you wish to return to?"

Lord Reid shook his head. "It's not from my memory, but from my first mate's memory. I want to return to the era of Joyboy."

Hearing the words "Joyboy era," Koyuki's hands trembled violently as she held the orb. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Even the usually carefree Yuta gasped, instinctively loosening his grip on Lord Reid's shoulder.

"Lord Reid! You… you're not mistaken, are you?" Yuta's voice rose half a pitch. "The beginning of the Blank Century! That's far beyond anything we've attempted before! This is insane!"

Koyuki said, "Lord Reid, are you certain? Even with such thorough preparation, crossing such a vast span of time requires an astronomical amount of life energy…"

She glanced around at the tea room, packed with life energy vessels. "I… I don't know if this will be enough. The risks could exceed our imagination."

Lord Reid smiled at their worried faces.

"Don't worry, Yuta, Kozuki Ishi." His voice was calm and confident, carrying a reassuring weight. "I never go into battle recklessly. This life energy is my confidence for what lies ahead."

He gestured at the room filled with life energy. "All of this exists for this moment. Time is indeed fearsome, but remember…" He paused, a crimson light flashing in his eyes. "What about before the Blank Century? If Joyboy could leave a legend in that era, why can't I go see it for myself?"

He looked at Koyuki, voice firm. "Begin, Kozuki. Use this life energy to open the gateway to that era. Whatever awaits on the other side, I can handle it. Don't be so tense. Call me back when it's nearly spent, no need to wait until it's completely gone."

Lord Reid turned to Witt. She closed her eyes, recalling a vague memory of her homeland, pinpointing a specific year and location. The orb in Koyuki's hand pulsed, resonating with that memory, forming a beacon through time.

Everything was ready. Ripples of spacetime began to spread through the room.

Witt stepped forward, concern in her eyes. "Captain, should I go with you? That era… it is my home. I know it better."

Lord Reid turned, grinning with confidence and excitement.

"No need," he waved his hand, calm but determined. "Unknown adventures are the most thrilling. You stay here and wait to hear the stories I bring back from the past."

With his words, the power of the Time Fruit fully activated.

A blinding light engulfed Lord Reid. The intense temporal waves froze the wind in the courtyard. At the heart of the light, the last thing he saw was Yuta giving a thumbs-up, Koyuki's focused profile, and Witt's eyes filled with complex anticipation.

In the next moment, the world spun. The river of time roared open before him.

A brand-new adventure had officially begun, at the other end of the past.