The evening sun bathed the courtyard in a golden glow. Little Ann gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her eyes fixed on the ornate flintlock pistol before her. Suddenly, she began shaking her head furiously, retreating two steps until she hid behind Ritter. He could feel her entire body trembling with resistance.
(Readers, imagine that classic "no-no-no" anime head shake yeah, that one.)
Ritter blinked in surprise. "Ann? You don't like the gun?"
Ace glanced at Ann, then at the flintlock pistol, and immediately straightened his back. "Then... then give it to me!" he declared proudly, thumping his chest. "I'm going to be the Pirate King! I'll carry Father's will on my shoulders. Two weapons? No problem!"
BANG!
"Damn it, Ritter! Why'd you hit me?!" Ace shouted, rubbing the bump on his head.
Ritter lazily flicked his finger after cleaning his nose. "Are you Ace or Roger? Your old man's will was just to guide you, not to shackle you. Live your own life, kid. You're still a brat don't go talking about bearing expectations. You'll wear yourself out. Nobody said you have to become someone else. Use that head of yours for once!"
"You disgusting old man! Let's duel! And stop picking your nose right after smacking me, that's gross!"
"You should be thankful I picked it after hitting you."
"You're the worst!"
Rouge chuckled softly at the noisy pair and knelt beside Ann, gently brushing her hair. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Tell Mama."
Ann bit her lip and whispered after a long pause. "...I don't want a gun." She pointed to Ritter's waist, where the Black Tide Greatsword hung. "I want to learn that."
Ritter kicked the still-grumbling Ace aside and suddenly understood. "Ah, so that's it!" He crouched down to meet Ann's eyes. "But, Ann, guns are pretty cool too, you know? Your uncle's a master marksman "
BANG!
A gunshot cracked the air. Everyone jumped. Ace stood there proudly, holding the smoking flintlock, grinning as an apple from a distant tree dropped to the ground.
"See? Easy! Nothing to it!"
Ann, however, shook her head even harder and clutched Ritter's finger tightly.
Ritter smiled faintly. "Alright, alright. Tomorrow we'll go to Goa Kingdom and find you a proper longsword. When you're strong enough to wield it like a true swordswoman, I'll take you to Swordsmith Island. That's where my Black Tide was reforged, you know?"
Ace's jaw dropped. "Hey! That's not fair!"
"Shut it, brat. The sword Ace is a named blade. There aren't many like it in the world." Ritter flicked the boy's forehead. "Your father used a sword too. That one you're holding 'Ace' was his."
He handed the blade solemnly to Ace. "So hold it with pride."
Ace took the weapon reverently, then positioned Ann behind him, clutching the sword's hilt with both hands as he tried to lift it. "I... I'll definitely..."
Under the setting sun, the two children stood side by side one staggering beneath a sword taller than himself, the other carefully cradling a miniature version of the Black Tide. Rouge watched them from the doorway, eyes glimmering with gentle warmth.
"Don't worry, Sis," Ritter said, joining her side. "I'll teach them well."
Rouge nodded but suddenly reached over and twisted his ear. "How could you hand a loaded gun to a child?! You didn't even check the safety, you idiot!"
"Ow, ow, ow! That was an accident! An accident, I swear!"
Morning mist lingered over the hills as Ritter strolled toward the Goa Kingdom's city gates, one hand holding Ann's and the other dragging a yawning Ace.
Ace grumbled sleepily, "Why're we going so early..."
Ritter smirked. "Oh? Didn't someone say they wanted to learn cool new moves at dawn? What happened to that enthusiasm?"
"Stop right there!" a gate guard barked, leveling his spear. He sneered, looking the trio up and down. "Trash from the Gray Terminal thinks they can use the main gate? Get lost "
Before he could finish, the guard captain spun and kicked him clear across the road.
"You fool!" the captain snapped, then dropped to one knee, forehead pressed to the dirt. "Welcome, Lord of the Mist! It is an honor beyond words to receive you!"
He trembled as he spoke, voice laced with both reverence and fear. "Our glorious King Omar II is already on his way he has long wished to meet you, my lord!"
Ritter raised an eyebrow. "You know who I am?"
Still kneeling, the captain's sweat poured freely. "Of course! The Lord of the Mist, emperor of the seas, the terror and legend of the ocean..." His eyes darted nervously to the Black Tide Greatsword, its blade faintly wreathed in swirling crimson mist. "It is our country's highest honor to receive you, my lord..."
BANG!
Another gunshot split the air. Ritter turned, exasperated, only to find Ace holding the flintlock again, barrel smoking.
"Too cool! Too cool!" Ace shouted, eyes shining. "Last time we came here, they called us filthy beggars and chased us off! Hah! Not so tough now!"
The captain blanched, his face turning ghostly pale.
Ann calmly released Ritter's hand, walked up to Ace, and smacked his forehead with a tiny palm. Then she pointed to the gun, to the ground, and made a firm "no" gesture.
Ace wilted instantly, mumbling, "...Fine," as he tucked the gun away.
Just then, King Omar II arrived with a procession of richly dressed nobles, his round face slick with sweat. He had caught only the last part of Ace's outburst.
"We were chased away... called beggars..."
The king's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. "I-I didn't know it was the young prince and princess! Had I known the Lord of the Mist's family graced our humble kingdom, I I would never have "
Behind him, the nobles dropped to their knees as well, a few trembling uncontrollably. Ritter's gaze swept over them, his expression calm but cold. Wisps of blood-red mist coiled faintly around him like silent fire.
"Get up," Ritter said flatly. "I'm just here to shop for the kids."
"Y-yes! Of course!" the king stammered, hastily scrambling to his feet, though his legs still wobbled. "We shall open every store in the kingdom for your family! You there! Clear out the best weapon shops immediately!"
Ritter watched their frantic obedience, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He knew exactly what these nobles were like oppressing the poor while flattering the powerful. Their sudden humility almost made him laugh.
Then his gaze fell on a young blond boy among the nobles. The child's eyes burned with defiance and confusion as he glared up at Ritter.
That look... Ritter recognized it instantly. So this is young Sabo.
He smiled faintly. "Hey, kid. Were you just glaring at me?"
Sabo stiffened and quickly looked down.
"Looking down won't hide it," Ritter said, his voice soft but edged with amusement as crimson mist curled lazily around his fingers.