Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Garp glared at Ezra, who was stuffing his cheeks with senbei like a chipmunk in winter. "Hey, brat, ever heard of respecting your elders?!"
Ezra didn't even pause his chewing. "You're the one who made the bet, old man. Don't start crying about it now. Ever heard of 'loser pays up'?"
Garp's mustache twitched. "You've got quite the mouth, kid."
Across the deck, Tsuru sighed, watching the two of them scuffle over a bag of rice crackers. They'd been at it since sunrise.
It had been several days since their fleet had turned around from Marineford, and by now, Garp and Ezra had grown surprisingly close. The old hero had even half-joked about taking Ezra in as his god-grandson though Ezra pretended not to hear him.
When he wasn't training, Ezra had introduced everyone to the fine art of "Fight the Landlord." Before long, the marines who weren't on duty were huddled together in groups of three, slapping cards onto makeshift tables and shouting like gamblers at a festival.
Even the guards who rotated shifts learned quickly, thanks to Ezra's "enthusiastic demonstrations."
As for why Garp kept losing so badly… well, Ezra had a theory.
The old man's card sense is about as sharp as a blind baboon's.
Under Garp's pitiful gaze, Ezra crunched down the final piece of senbei with a satisfied sigh. "Ahh~ perfection."
Garp huffed. "Damn brat. Next time, I'm taking back what's mine."
Ezra smirked and leaned back casually. "You? Beat me? You're a century too early, old man. You're looking at the card master himself."
"...You're really something else," Garp muttered, shaking his head. For all his years in the Navy, he'd never met a kid with such cheek. This brat's the future of the Marines? he thought. God help us all.
Just then, Bogard approached with a crisp salute. "Vice Admiral, we'll be arriving at Floral Island in thirty minutes."
Everyone straightened. Garp ordered the cards packed away, and Tsuru began issuing quiet commands to prepare for potential combat.
Ezra joined Garp at the bow, the sea breeze tugging at his coat. Far ahead, a dark speck was beginning to form on the horizon the silhouette of an island wreathed in mist and pink petals.
"That must be it," Ezra murmured, his eyes gleaming. "Floral Island…"
He could already feel the anticipation building in his chest.
"Listen, Ezra," Garp said quietly. "If things get ugly, I want you to pull out immediately. Don't try to be a hero."
Ezra gave a small nod. "Yeah, sure, old man."
Whether I actually listen or not… we'll see when we get there, he thought with a grin.
Meanwhile, on Floral Island, the sea breeze carried the scent of sake and cherry blossoms. Beneath a towering sakura tree, Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger sat cross-legged, drinking from massive wooden bowls.
"How's the brew, Newgate?" Roger grinned, raising his cup. "Not bad for something from my hometown, eh?"
Whitebeard clicked his tongue, though the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. "Tch. It's decent, I guess. Nothing special."
Roger chuckled heartily. "Ahahaha! You really can't hide your feelings, can you, Newgate?"
Whitebeard swirled his drink, watching the ripples shimmer beneath the falling petals. His voice was low when he finally spoke. "Roger… are you really going through with it?"
Roger's grin faded. He was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "I don't have much time left, Newgate."
Whitebeard froze. "What are you talking about?"
Roger waved a hand dismissively. "You've already heard, haven't you? I've disbanded my crew."
Whitebeard nodded grimly.
"I've found it, Newgate," Roger continued softly. "Laugh Tale. The end of the Grand Line. The truth of the world." He smiled faintly. "But my body can't keep up anymore. So instead of clinging to life, I'll use what's left of it to spark a new era."
He looked up, eyes burning with the same fire that had once lit the seas aflame. "A world where anyone can chase freedom. That's the era I want to see."
Whitebeard's jaw tightened. "Even if that world doesn't have you in it?"
Roger's eyes dimmed for a second but then he laughed, full and bright. "Aye. Even if I'm gone. As long as someone remembers me… I'll never truly die. After all, I am Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King!"
Whitebeard let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Hmph. You really are something else."
He set his bowl down and glanced at Roger. "So, tell me the real reason you called me here."
Roger's smile softened. "Newgate… I have a child."
Whitebeard blinked. "You what?"
Roger nodded, his eyes glimmering. "Don't know if it's a boy or girl yet. But I want you to do me a favor look after them someday, if you can."
Whitebeard stared at him for a long time, stunned. Roger's bloodline…? He hadn't seen that coming.
"You want me to raise your kid?"
Roger burst out laughing. "Hahaha! I'm not crazy enough to hand them to you, Newgate. If I did, they'd grow up to be another of your rowdy sons!"
Whitebeard smirked. "And what's wrong with that?"
Roger chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry. I already have someone in mind. Someone you'd never guess…"
"Who?"
Roger opened his mouth to answer. "Ka—"
But before he could finish, Marco came sprinting up the hill, his expression tight with urgency.
"Pops! Several Marine warships have just appeared offshore! And leading them… it's Garp!!"
The wind carried the faint echo of cannon fire from afar, mingling with the drifting sakura petals.
Roger set down his cup, his smile returning. "Looks like the Marines are here to crash our reunion."
Whitebeard rose to his full height, the ground cracking beneath his feet. "Then let them come."
The petals swirled around them like falling embers two legends beneath a tree, on the verge of changing the world.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enjoying the chaos, action, and wild adventures?
Don't stop here! You can unlock advanced chapters and exclusive content by joining my P@treon! Every powerstone counts if we reach 300 powerstones, a BONUS CHAPTER will be released! ⚡
Be the first to witness the next epic battles, shocking twists, and hidden secrets before anyone else!
Join the crew on P@treon and set sail beyond the horizon!
[email protected]/_sey
Change @ to a