"That time with the Golden Lion, I was really scared, thinking that I was going to die, hahaha!"
Hearing Roger mention that battle, Caesar's eyes flickered with intrigue.
When they had reached the Final Island, Roger's heightened Haki perception had made it reasonable for him to detect Caesar's presence. After all, there was no one else on that uninhabited land, and every crewmember had their Kenbunshoku Haki activated, remaining on high alert.
But for Roger to have sensed him during the battle against Shiki in the Grindel Sea? That was truly unbelievable.
More than a hundred pirates had besieged them. The sheer barrage of attacks had left them overwhelmed, and throughout it all, Caesar had remained in the sky, suppressing his presence.
Roger paused for a few moments before continuing, "It's just that I didn't expect that sudden super storm to end up saving our lives."
"After that, Jabba told me that the weather in the New World is unpredictable, but with experience, you can still read the signs beforehand."
Hearing this, Caesar chuckled, his expression unreadable. "Isn't that a good thing? Even the heavens were helping you. Why think too much about it? Some things are just destined."
Despite his words, deep inside, Caesar knew Roger had already begun to suspect something.
Of course, it wasn't something crucial—nothing that could be openly admitted.
Roger shook his head and continued, "But that time, there was no indication of an oncoming storm. The climate in the surrounding sea wasn't conducive to sudden changes. The conditions in the Grindel Sea simply didn't support such rapid fluctuations."
"That's why Jabba found it so puzzling."
Roger then turned his sharp gaze toward Caesar, his eyes filled with knowing wisdom.
It was as if he were silently saying: I know it was you. Just admit it already.
At first, Roger hadn't thought much about it when Jabba brought it up. But once they reached the Final Island and he sensed Caesar's presence, he began to reconsider what had seemed so inexplicable.
At the time, though, he couldn't understand why Caesar would help him.
So, now that he had the chance, Roger decided to ask directly. And thus, this moment unfolded.
Caesar, upon hearing Roger's words, remained silent.
Seeing this, Roger pressed on, no longer holding back his thoughts. He needed answers.
"Caesar, what exactly is your Devil Fruit ability?"
"As far as I know, only the Paramecia-type Weather-Weather Fruit has the power to manipulate a region's climate directly. But that fruit supposedly disappeared nearly two hundred years ago."
"The Logia-type Cloud-Cloud Fruit could also achieve similar effects, but at the time, your wife, Lily, wasn't present."
"So… was it your ability that caused that storm?"
Roger's analysis was sharp and precise, leaving no room for loopholes. His intellect in battle was second to none.
Caesar sighed helplessly, the corner of his mouth quirking into a grin. "Heh… I didn't expect you to figure it out so quickly."
"Yes, that storm was my doing."
"My Devil Fruit is the Paramecia-type Force Field Fruit. It grants me control over gravitational fields, electromagnetic forces, and other types of force fields."
Since Roger was this insistent, Caesar saw no reason to keep hiding it.
"By combining my innate abilities and mental prowess, altering the climate and sea conditions is effortless for me."
Roger's eyes widened in realization. "So that's how it was… If not for you, we would've been finished by Shiki that day."
He hadn't expected Caesar's abilities to be so diverse and versatile, capable of synergizing to produce such unique effects.
The world hailed the Gura Gura no Mi as the strongest Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. But now, it seemed the Force Field Fruit could rival it in power and versatility.
Yet, Roger had one last lingering question. He put down his chopsticks and took a sip of sake before speaking again.
"But why?"
"Why did you help me?"
Caesar fell silent for a moment before answering, "Because of fate. Because of your mission. I couldn't let it end there."
Roger, staring into Caesar's eyes, suddenly felt as though the man could see straight through him. As if every secret he carried was laid bare.
A chilling thought crept into his mind: Could this man see the future? Has his Kenbunshoku Haki reached such a level? Or… is it something beyond even that?
But Caesar never elaborated further, and the conversation was left unresolved.
Still, Roger couldn't help but dwell on it. Something about the entire situation felt… profound.
---
After a long meal, Roger found clarity in many of his thoughts.
They talked for hours—well, more accurately, Roger talked while Caesar mostly listened. The Pirate King, already deep in his cups, spoke freely, even mentioning his recent visit to Whitebeard and revealing his terminal illness.
He also spoke fondly of the Middle Kingdom, a nation he greatly admired. It was unlike any other country in the world. Having spent time there before, he had even entertained thoughts of settling down.
What he didn't fully grasp, however, was that the kingdom's stability stemmed from its strict yet fair rule of law. Unlike most monarchies, where rulers exploited their people, the royal family here governed with a sense of duty rather than entitlement.
---
By the next morning, Roger was gone. Caesar had no idea where he had gone, but he had a hunch.
If the original timeline held true, then Roger was likely making preparations for his final departure.
His private meetings with Caesar and Whitebeard remained an absolute secret. If the World Government ever found out, they would undoubtedly take drastic action. The knowledge Roger carried was too dangerous in their eyes.
Roger had chosen not to surrender himself to the Central Navy for a few key reasons.
First, he wished to die in his homeland. The Central Navy's reach was still limited to the Middle Kingdom and its immediate surroundings. Loguetown, his birthplace, lay far beyond their jurisdiction.
Second, a direct affiliation with the Central Navy would have been too risky. The secrets Roger held were critical, and the Middle Kingdom lacked the strength to withstand a full-scale assault from the World Government.
And lastly, Roger had a role to play in history.
He was the man who would ignite the Great Pirate Era. It was better to let the World Government and the Marines take responsibility for that foolish decision.
After all, the new era that was about to unfold would not be an era of peace. It would be an era of chaos.
And before Roger's execution, Caesar had many preparations to make.
The coming age of piracy meant it was time for him to act.
One major priority was strengthening the Central Navy's forces.
Since the recent military expansions, soldiers had become increasingly motivated to train and hone their skills. Vermejo Island had become the ultimate battleground for live combat training, reserved only for those who met strict entry requirements.
Among those training, one particular swordsman stood out—Dracule Mihawk.
Having been personally trained by Caesar, Effiete, Gnali, Issho, and Hyogoro, Mihawk's swordsmanship had already reached the level of an elite Marine Vice Admiral.
He had not yet reached his peak, but given his rate of growth, in five years, he would undoubtedly stand at the summit of the sword.
And when that time came, Caesar intended to have him serve as an admiral of the Central Navy.
"Mihawk," Caesar suddenly spoke, "do you really have no interest in eating a Devil Fruit? If you are, I'll find you a top-tier one."
After seeing what the Float-Float Fruit had done for Effiete, he found himself wondering—
What heights could Mihawk reach with the right power?
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