Luluk was gone.
She left quietly, her smile frozen forever at the moment she heard Ace's name.
Garp and Vale buried her on the hillside behind Windmill Town, a place where they could see Garp's home and watch over the child as he grew.
They stood silently before the grave, a simple monument marking the rest of a great mother.
There was no name on the tombstone. Names were not permitted. Luluk's pregnancy, even Luluk herself, was something the world could not acknowledge.
After a moment of reflection, they turned away, walking in silence. Garp held the newborn in his arms, unsure how to proceed.
"Let's go see Dadan," Vale suggested.
Garp paused, then nodded.
"You said what?!"
"Garp! Are you crazy?"
"Let me raise this child?!"
Vale could only listen from outside as Dadan's shouting filled the house, nearly deafening him. He felt relieved he hadn't gone inside, or he would have been scolded as well.
After a while, Garp emerged, sporting dark circles under his eyes.
Vale couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud.
Garp's mouth twitched. "Enough, kid! I've already been punished for Ace's sake!"
"Hahaha! Well, that's dedication, Uncle Garp."
Garp ignored him. Their purpose in Windmill Town had been achieved. Since he had no missions recently, Garp planned to stay for a while. Vale shrugged, waved goodbye, and returned to the warship, setting sail toward Mariejois.
"Admiral Vale, have you finally remembered to report to Mariejois?" Kizaru teased from the side.
Vale exhaled heavily. "If I could avoid it, I would. Facing Imu's gentle gaze… I can't take it. Not even a little. Even after more than two years, I still don't understand what Imu truly wants from me."
He decided to take this opportunity to finally ask.
Two days passed swiftly. With the warship's accelerated travel, Vale arrived in Mariejois for the first time in two years.
Standing at the gates, his expression conflicted. The thought of Imu's gaze unsettled him.
"Thinking won't help…" he muttered, pushing open the grand doors.
As expected, Sora greeted him immediately.
"Well, if it isn't Admiral Vale," Sora said, smiling. Seeing how much the young man had accomplished, Sora felt a surge of pride.
"Long time no see, Uncle Sora," Vale said, waving.
Sora tilted his head. "Finally decided to report, huh?"
Vale scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "I was busy with missions before… I forgot."
Sora shook his head with a laugh. "I know you too well."
"Alright, lead the way," Vale said, relieved.
Following Sora, they arrived at the conference room. Sora knocked.
"Five Elders, Admiral Vale has arrived."
"Enter," came the response.
Sora opened the door, and Vale stepped inside, taking long strides. Sora quietly closed the door behind him.
"Young man… ah, Admiral Vale, long time no see."
The Five Elders bowed, looking obsequious. Vale couldn't help feeling a bit exasperated.
"Old men, long time no see," he said casually.
The Elders seemed delighted by his informal tone.
"I've come to report, now that I'm an Admiral," Vale added.
They nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, of course. No need to trouble yourself just a Den-den Mushi call will do next time."
Vale gestured toward the door. "So… can I leave?"
"Don't! Not yet!" they chorused. Realizing their eagerness might be excessive, one cleared his throat.
"Admiral Vale… Imu-sama requests your presence."
"Finally," Vale muttered. This was his true goal.
Following the Elders down long corridors, they arrived at the heart of Pangu City. One Elder knocked gently on the massive door.
"Imu-sama, Admiral Vale has arrived."
A voice responded. "I know. Let him in."
The Elder bowed deeply, opened the door for Vale, and stepped back.
Vale exhaled, stepping into the room.
On the throne sat Imu, and Vale's heart tightened. Their crimson eyes met. As always, there was a gentle warmth in Imu's gaze an intensity he found difficult to endure.
He cleared his throat. "Imu-sama, long time no see."
Imu smiled lightly. "You… last time, you teased me. Why so formal now?"
Vale's mind raced. Had he… perhaps complimented Imu last time?
"I… didn't know better then," Vale said, scratching his head awkwardly.
Imu laughed softly, choosing not to prod further.
"Enough. I only wanted to see you," Imu said.
Vale asked, "Why?"
Imu paused before answering. Vale wanted to know why he had drawn her attention.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied with a smile.
Vale shrugged. "I wanted to before, but never really thought about it."
"And why now?"
Vale hesitated. "Because I felt… the gentleness in your eyes."
Imu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you really want to know?"
Vale's eyes lit up. "Yes."
Her hand tapped the armrest. Her calm exterior hinted at underlying tension.
"Forget it. I'll explain next time."
Vale blinked. "Next time? You were just about to tell me!"
Imu chuckled. "I knew you were ready, but I wasn't."
Vale shrugged, conceding. "Fine. Tell me when you're ready."
A comfortable silence fell between them.
"Can you come often?" Imu asked, a trace of hope in her voice.
Vale nodded. "Once a month, then."
"Yes, yes!" Imu replied eagerly.
Vale scratched his head. "Then if there's nothing else, I'll go?"
"Next time, don't call me 'Master' anymore."
Vale froze. "Then… sister?"
Imu's expression softened into a smile. "Yes."
"Alright, I'll be off then."
"By the way, Vale, one more thing."
Vale paused, curious.
"Celestial Dragons… they're nothing but a bunch of useless brats I raised. Kill them if you must. Do not worry about punishment. If they interfere, kill them."
Her crimson eyes mirrored Vale's own, a flicker of lethal intent within them.
Vale's pulse quickened. For the first time, he fully understood that Imu trusted him absolutely.