The sky was calm that morning — unnervingly calm, like even the sea itself knew what was coming.
The Oro Jackson drifted through a field of golden light, its sails catching the soft wind, the deck quieter than it had ever been.
No shouting, no laughter, no fighting — only the gentle creak of wood and the steady rhythm of the waves.
And standing at the bow, coat fluttering, was the man who had seen everything.
Gol D. Roger.
He stared out at the horizon, where the morning sun touched the edge of the world. Behind him, his crew watched in silence — men and women who had crossed every sea, faced gods, kings, and storms… and had come back laughing every time.
But today, no one was laughing.
Roger turned slowly, his familiar grin still there, but softer, tired. "Everyone," he began, voice deep but warm, "thank you. For everything."
Rayleigh's jaw clenched. "Don't start with that tone, Roger. Sounds like a farewell."
Roger chuckled. "It is one."
That single line hit like cannon fire.
Gaban's brow furrowed. "You're serious… you're really leaving?"
Roger nodded once. "The ship's reached its end. We've seen the world's truth — and laughed together at it. There's nothing left for us to chase."
Oden crossed his arms, face unreadable. "And what will you do now?"
Roger smiled faintly. "There's one last thing I have to take care of. Alone."
Ada stood slightly apart from the others, leaning against the railing. Her eyes studied Roger, unreadable as ever. "You've been saying that since Laugh Tale," she said quietly.
Roger turned to her with that same reckless grin. "You've always known when my time was coming, Ada. Guess you were right again."
She looked away, the wind catching her hair. "Being right doesn't make it any easier."
Roger laughed softly. "Heh. Don't look so grim. This was always my choice."
Rayleigh took a deep breath, voice thick. "You damn fool… we could've kept sailing. Even if the world came after us, we'd have faced it together."
Roger shook his head gently. "No. I won't let my death drag the crew down. We've done enough, Ray. We've lit the fire — someone else will carry it now."
Roger then stood at the center of the deck — coat swaying in the wind, his presence as steady and bright as ever. His crew formed a wide circle around him — Rayleigh, Gaban, Crocus, Oden, Ada, and every soul who had followed him to the ends of the world.
He smiled at them — the same reckless, boyish grin that had carried them through countless storms.
Then, with a voice clear and sure, he said,
"I'll say it again—"
The air seemed to still. Even the waves quieted.
"As of today, the Roger Pirates are disbanded."
A ripple of disbelief, then silence.
No one moved.
Rayleigh's jaw tightened. Gaban's fist clenched. Oden's expression froze somewhere between sorrow and pride.
Roger looked at each of them in turn — his family, his brothers and sisters of the sea — his smile unwavering but his eyes full of warmth.
"You've all done enough," he said softly. "We've reached the end of the world together… and laughed when we found its truth. There's no crew greater than this one — and no dream brighter than what we've shared."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Ada stood near the railing, watching quietly, her golden eyes sharp but unreadable.
Roger's gaze met hers for a heartbeat — and for once, no words passed between them. They didn't need to.
Rayleigh turned away, eyes glistening, and muttered, "Damn you, Roger…"
Roger just laughed — loud, free, and full of life. "GAHAHAHAHA! Don't make that face! This isn't goodbye — it's the start of something new. The sea's waiting for all of us."
—————
They reached the South Blue that afternoon — a quiet island surrounded by clear, blue water.
It looked ordinary, peaceful. And maybe that was what Roger wanted.
The ship slowed. The anchor dropped.
Rayleigh turned to Roger, eyes glistening. "So this is where we part ways."
Roger nodded. "Aye."
Rayleigh stepped forward, his usual composure cracking as his voice broke. "You idiot… I'm supposed to be your right hand. How am I supposed to—"
Roger smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've always been my right hand, Rayleigh. You kept me alive long enough to finish what I started. I couldn't have done it without you."
Rayleigh's vision blurred. For the first time, the Dark King cried — tears rolling down the face of the man who had laughed through every battle.
"Damn it, Roger…" he whispered. "You're the only captain I ever wanted."
Roger's hand squeezed his shoulder once more. "Then promise me something — live free. The sea's big enough for that."
Rayleigh nodded silently, shoulders trembling.
Roger turned next to Oden. "Oden! Take what you've learned — and what we found — back to Wano. Someday, your country will open its borders. Be ready for that day."
Oden bowed deeply. "I swear it, Roger. You've shown me the world — now I'll make sure my people can see it too."
Roger grinned. "That's the spirit!"
He turned to Ada next.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The wind whistled softly through the rigging as their eyes met — two people who had once stood against each other, now having seen the end of the world together.
Ada stood beside Oden, watching quietly. Her eyes never left Roger's face. "So this is it," she said, voice steady.
Roger looked at her, smiling gently. "You always knew it'd end like this."
She exhaled slowly, turning her gaze toward the sea. "Yeah. But knowing doesn't make it easier."
He laughed — that same booming, warm sound that carried across the deck. "You'll keep sailing, won't you, Ada? You were never one to sit still."
Ada's lips curved faintly. "And you're not the type to rest, even in death."
He laughed. "Hah! Guess we both have our flaws."
She looked out toward the sea, her tone steady but low. "What you found — what we saw — you really think the world's ready for it?"
Roger's grin softened. "No. But it will be."
He turned to his crew — his family — one last time. "Thank you, everyone. For giving this fool the greatest adventure the sea's ever seen."
Roger stepped onto the dock, his red coat fluttering behind him. He didn't look back — because he didn't need to.
"Until we meet again," he called, his voice echoing over the waves. "The world's waiting for the next ones to find our treasure!"
And then, he was gone.
——————-
Days later, the Oro Jackson reached the calmest sea of all — the East Blue.
Shanks and Buggy stood side by side, unusually quiet. The horizon was bright, the sky endless.
Rayleigh looked at them both. "This is it, huh? You're sure you want to stay here?"
Shanks nodded, smiling. "Yeah. I want to start my journey from here. The captain said we were too early for the world that's coming — so I'll wait for it. And when it's ready… I'll find it."
Buggy snorted. "Speak for yourself. I just want treasure and safety!"
The crew laughed — a final burst of familiar warmth.
As the ship anchored, Shanks suddenly turned toward Ada. His usual grin faltered, replaced by something raw, something real.
Before she could react, he ran up to her and hugged her tightly.
Ada froze, caught off guard. "What are you doing, Shanks?"
Shanks's voice was shaky. "Thank you… for everything Big Sis Ada. For keeping us safe. For believing in him."
For a long moment, Ada said nothing — then she slowly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You've got his spirit, Shanks. Don't waste it."
When they let go, Shanks smiled through misty eyes. "I won't. I promise."
As they disembarked, Buggy yelled back, "I'll be richer than all of you someday!"
Shanks grinned, waving. "Good luck with that, Buggy!"
The Oro Jackson pulled away as the two figures grew smaller in the distance.
——————-
The familiar roar of Wano's waterfalls filled the air as the Oro Jackson climbed once more toward the closed nation. Oden stood tall at the railing, his eyes bright.
Rayleigh smiled. "Back where you started, huh?"
Oden nodded. "But not as the man who left. I've seen the world — and I'll make sure Wano does too, one day."
Ada crossed her arms. "Then make sure it's worth seeing."
Oden turned to the rest of the crew. "Thank you… for showing me the world."
Ada simply nodded. "You were loud, reckless… but the sea will miss you."
Rayleigh smiled. "Go on, Oden. Make your country remember the freedom you found."
Oden grinned wide. "I'll carve it into its history myself!"
And with that, he leapt from the ship, back to his homeland.
———————-
When the ship neared Elbaf, towering silhouettes of giants appeared through the fog.
The massive silhouettes of Elbaf's giants rose against the clouds. Gaban stood at the railing, eyes bright with nostalgia.
He smirked. "Guess this is where I get off. Been meaning to visit again anyway."
Rayleigh clapped him on the back. "Don't drink all their ale before we come back."
Gaban grinned. "You'll have to catch up first!"
Gaban turned at Ada and grinned. "You ever visit again, I'll save a seat for you at the feast."
Ada smirked faintly. "I'll hold you to that."
With that, the Gaban disappeared into the mists of Elbaf.
————————
Bubbles shimmered in the air as the Oro Jackson approached Sabaody. The sound of the sea seemed almost mournful.
The mangroves loomed large, bubbles drifting like slow rain.
Rayleigh stood at the deck's edge, Shakky waiting for him at the port below.
He turned to Ada. "Guess it's just us now."
Ada leaned on the railing. "Not for long. You'll stay here, won't you?"
He chuckled. "Someone's gotta look after Shakky. Besides, I think I've seen enough of the world."
Ada looked at him, eyes soft. "And you'll wait here, won't you? For the next ones."
Rayleigh nodded. "Yeah. Someone will come chasing that same dream. And when they do… I'll tell them what kind of man Roger was."
Ada smirked faintly. "You're getting sentimental in your old age."
He laughed, but when he turned to her, his eyes glistened again. "Ada… thank you. For keeping him grounded when I couldn't."
She looked away. "You think I ever grounded him?"
Rayleigh chuckled. "Maybe not. But you understood him. That's rarer than gold."
He stepped onto the dock, pausing one last time. "You'll keep sailing, won't you?"
Ada nodded. "Until the sea stops calling."
Rayleigh chuckled, wiping his eyes. "You never change."
She looked at him finally, her voice softening.
"Don't let the light fade, Rayleigh. The next generation's going to need it."
He smiled — a sad, proud smile. "And you… don't lose your wind, Ada."
As he stepped off the ship, Shakky slipped her arm through his, smiling knowingly.
"Take care of yourself, Ada," she called out.
Ada nodded once. "Always."
———————
The sea was quiet now. The sun dipped low, casting orange light across the waves.
Ada stood at the helm of the Oro Jackson, now utterly alone — the last member of the Pirate King's crew.
The ship creaked softly, its sails catching the wind.
She looked up at the Jolly Roger still flying proudly above — Roger's smile painted into the fabric of the flag.
For a long moment, she just stood there. Listening to the sea. Remembering their laughter.
Then, finally, she spoke — her voice low, almost like a whisper to the ocean itself.
"So this is what freedom really feels like."
The wind carried her words away, as the Oro Jackson sailed steadily toward the horizon.
Stars began to bloom across the sky — the same stars that once guided their journey.
The waves glittered under the moonlight, and the Oro Jackson — the ship of legends — disappeared into the endless sea, carrying the final ember of the Roger Pirates into eternity.
With a wide grin and tears in his eyes, Oden jumped from the ship and disappeared into the mists of Wano.