"Wahaha—Karl, need a hand with anything?"
Roger poked his head into the kitchen, wearing the look of a man sent on an apology mission. Sister must've said something to him.
"No. Just take care of my sister—and set the table while you're at it."
"Right, right, I'm on it."
As I cooked, my mind ran ahead. It was already June. Roger would be leaving soon. With my current strength, I still couldn't fully protect Sis and her child. Most likely, Roger would ask Garp to watch over them.
Tch. Still not strong enough. Damn World Government. Whatever happens, I'm changing my sister's fate.
Dinner came together quickly. I called Benson and Ellie down.
Rouge did the introductions. "Roger, these two are my brother's crew: Benson and Ellie." Then to the siblings: "Benson, Ellie, this is Roger—my husband."
"Hello, Uncle Roger!" the two said, popping up to bow.
"Wahaha! Hello, hello! Sit, sit—no need to be nervous."
"Ellie," Benson whispered, "doesn't he look just like that Roger in the papers?"
Ellie blinked. "Um… Uncle, are you actually the Pirate King Roger?"
"That's right," Roger grinned. "The very one. Handsome fellow, huh? Wahaha!"
Even prepared for the answer, the two were still floored. Their first time sharing a table with a living legend; their spines went stiff.
Rouge shooed the tension away. "Enough, you two. Ignore him—he's just a bearded old uncle. Let's eat."
Everyone except Rouge attacked the food with gusto.
"By the way, Karl," Sis asked between bites, "how did you make it out here?"
"I stowed away on a merchant ship's fruit hold and left Mom and Dad a letter. Told them I'd come back once I found you. After I got out, I… leaned on a few underworld outfits for information and traced how you disappeared. Followed the trail here."
(I can't exactly say I "read the manga," can I? Gotta keep the story straight.)
Rouge took a breath and told me her side. "When our fleet reached a foreign port, traffickers grabbed me and shipped me to the South Blue with other children—to be sold as a noble's slave. I panicked… then Mr. and Mrs. Carib bought me. They were kind. Treated me like a daughter. I didn't suffer under them. Two years ago, pirates killed them on a voyage. I couldn't manage the business alone—and wolves were already circling—so I liquidated what I could and moved up here to the back mountain. Later… I met Roger."
I listened, relief trickling through me. Thank heaven she met good people—if it had been those pigs, who knows what she'd have endured.
"Those slavers," I growled. "I'll kill every one I meet."
Roger chuckled, but his eyes were serious. "Wahaha. That treats the symptom, not the cause. To fix the rot, you cut at the root."
"I know—the pigs on the Red Line." In this world, the Celestial Dragons are beyond vile. To them, anyone not them isn't even human.
"Karl," Roger said, face solemn, "don't touch those taboos without the strength to survive it—and now is not the time."
"I know. I still have family to protect." I glanced at Sis.
"Enough," Rouge said softly. "Today I got my brother back. No more gloomy talk."
"Here, Sis—try this." I slid her a slice. "My best apple pie. Mom taught me; she says I'm nine-tenths of her level."
"Mmm—! I haven't tasted Mom's apple pie in so long… it's just like home."
…
After dinner, Rouge and I chatted in the courtyard while Roger regaled Benson and Ellie with old adventures—shouts and gasps drifting out now and then.
"Sis," I asked quietly, "how's Roger's health? I can feel he isn't well."
"He told me he has about four months left," Rouge said. "He'll be leaving soon. There's something he must do."
"Then… when he goes, come back with me to Tiger Roar Island. No outsiders. You can rest and keep the baby safe."
She shook her head. "I can't. If it were only me, maybe. But I'm carrying Roger's child. The World Government won't spare his bloodline. And Roger says the Marines have ships that can cross the Calm Belt now."
I fell silent. She was right. If she came home, Tiger Roar Island might not survive. Out here, people would die too—just fewer. Ace never admitting he was Roger's son… this is probably why.
I could feel it—Sis had set her heart on dying, the resolve tucked deep beneath her smile. Only the life inside her held that resolve in check. My Observation Haki leaves nowhere for feelings to hide; she couldn't fool me.
"Come on, Sis. No late nights. I want to hear the little guy call me 'Uncle' as soon as possible."
"That might be a while," she smiled, and went in to rest.
Inside, Benson and Ellie were clearing the table. Roger stepped out.
"Karl," he said, clapping my shoulder, "I leave in a few days. I'll ask an old friend to come for the child. Until then, I'm counting on you."
"Do you have to go?"
"I do. It's my mission." His gaze was steady.
"I understand." I turned in soon after.
Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling. All hope on Ellie's vitality tonic—may it come soon.
Before dawn, I trained in the sea behind the mountain. Yesterday's clash made it plain: I still had a long way to the summit. Waist-deep in water, I hammered my fists into coastal boulders for two hours, then drew Xintinghou and cut. Ten thousand swings later, I headed back.
Rouge had laid out a spread of Sea King dishes. "Eat up," she said. "Then come with me."
"Okay, Sis." I wolfed down a plate, then glanced at Roger. "Hey—Pirate King. Help me train Benson the next few days. He's built for the body-forging path."
"No problem! Leave him to me—wahaha!"
Rouge pinched my arm. "Don't call him 'Pirate King.' It's tacky. And stop pouting—he's your brother-in-law."
"Hmph. I haven't acknowledged that yet. Let's go, Sis—I'm done."
She sighed, smiling. "Can't win with you. Bring that bouquet and come."
"Got it. Benson—learn well from our 'Pirate King'! Ellie, keep researching."
"Aye, Captain."
"Don't worry, Karl-nii—I'll make it work!"
"If you need anything, buy it in town," I added. "If they don't have it, tell me."
We climbed the mountain to a quiet grave. Carib and Lillian.
When the Marines recovered their bodies, Rouge brought them home and buried them here.
"Uncle Carib, Aunt Lillian," Rouge said, voice gentle, "this is my brother. He found me and will take care of me now. Please rest easy—I won't be bullied anymore."
She placed the bouquet and bowed. I took her hand and stood with her in silence.
"Let's go," she said at last. "By the way… how are Mom and Dad? They must have been heartbroken when I vanished."
"They're good," I said. "I bring Sea King meat often. They're healthier than ever. Don't worry."
We laughed and talked all the way back. Roger was on the shore, drilling Benson; Ellie, I sensed, had gone to town for supplies.
"Oh, and Karl," Rouge teased, "you should be about eighteen now. Met any girls you like?"
"Nope. I'm still young. Marriage is miles off." I shook my head fast.
"If you do, tell me," she giggled. "I'll help you win her."
We traded childhood stories; I filled her in on years of training…
A few days later, it was time.
"Karl," Roger said, handing me a bundle, "my notes on Haki training—what I've整理ed these days. They're yours."
"Thanks, Roger… brother-in-law."
"Wahaha! Thank you for saying it." He turned to Rouge, face earnest. "I haven't been a good husband. Thank you for understanding."
"Go," Rouge said softly. "Do what you must. I'll always support you."
He nodded. "Then… farewell, everyone."
He stepped into a small boat and pushed off.
"Goodbye, Uncle Roger!"
"Thank you for everything, Mr. Roger!"
We watched until the little craft dwindled to a dot and slipped beyond the line where sea meets sky.
We would probably never see him again.
…
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