Soon, the week passed, and it was time for the Roger Pirates to set sail once again. At the moment, they were restocking supplies from the village while Rayleigh meticulously checked the list of remaining goods. Gaban, being his usual self, was busy flirting with Rose—who, as always, ignored every word the dual-axe wielder tossed her way. A few villagers and crew members snickered at the scene.
Robert stood beside Roger, quietly observing with a smile tugging at his lips.
"Man—" Roger said, voice relaxed, "—I really love this place. It's like a second home."
Robert raised a brow at the grinning captain.
"Oh? Second home, you say?"
"Yup. Oro Jackson will always be our first home—" Roger replied, glancing his way, "—but this village... it holds a special place in our hearts."
Robert gave a small nod, then turned his gaze toward the others. Kuma and Ginny were helping the crew load the last of the supplies, while Ivankov was chatting animatedly with Shanks and Shamrock. His eyes shifted to Rose—and as if she could feel his gaze, she looked back, a familiar glint shimmering in her eyes.
He knew that look. It was the same one she wore when they'd first talked about him joining the Roger Pirates.
Unable to meet her eyes, Robert looked away, uncertain why. His gaze wandered to the endless sea. Rose's words echoed in his mind:
"You need to let go."
He closed his eyes and recalled everything that had followed—his journey through realities, the choices made, the consequences lived. With a deep sigh, he opened his eyes.
"I think… I might take you up on that offer."
Roger's brow arched. "What!?"
Robert looked up, calm and direct. "Joining your crew."
Roger blinked. "For real?"
"For real."
A massive grin split across Roger's face. He threw his head back and laughed so loud it echoed across the shore, grabbing everyone's attention.
"WAHAHAHAHA… Oi, you lot! We've got ourselves a new crewmate!"
The crew stared, surprised.
"Ah… Are you sure, Captain? Last I checked, every time you asked Bob to join, he turned you down," said Sunbell—a tall, burly Fishman clad in light trousers and a Hawaiian shirt.
Roger twitched at the reminder. "Oi, Bobby, tell them it's true!"
Robert sighed, then nodded. "Yeah. I'm joining."
Everything came to a standstill. For a moment, silence reigned—then it burst like a dam.
Cheers, laughter, whistles. The Roger Pirates erupted in celebration. Some of them rushed over, surrounding Robert and already discussing the adventures they'd share together.
Off to the side, Rose smiled quietly.
Then, without warning, Shamrock shoved through the crowd and latched onto Robert.
"What the hell, Big Bro?! You can't just leave me behind!"
Robert chuckled, ruffling his younger brother's hair.
"I'm sorry, Shamrock. But I can't take you with me."
Shamrock's lips trembled. He fought the tears.
"B—but Shanks is going too! Why can't I come?"
Robert hesitated—but Rose stepped forward, coming to his rescue.
"Now, now, Shamrock. Don't be like that," she said gently. "Your brother's going on a journey. Is this how you're saying goodbye?"
"But Big Sis—!"
Rose knelt and whispered into his ear, "You want to be better than Shanks, don't you?"
Shamrock blinked. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Then stay here. Learn everything your brother can't be taught on that ship. And maybe next time he visits, you can surprise him. Who knows? If Robert's impressed, he might even teach you a few of his tricks."
Shamrock's eyes widened. His resolve solidified.
"Don't worry, Big Bro. I won't bother you anymore."
Robert looked into his brother's determined eyes, then turned to Rose—who gave him a knowing smirk. Of course, she knew he'd heard her entire conversation. Super-hearing had its uses.
"Well—if you say so."
Everything was ready. The Roger Pirates prepared to depart. But before they did, Robert decided to alter his appearance—not to disappear entirely, but to step into a new identity. He could've used Mind Manipulation to erase himself from perception, become an unseen ghost among them. But he didn't. He wanted to be seen.
His long golden hair turned black. His sharp eyes narrowed, shifting to an obsidian hue. His clothes transformed into a loose black kimono robe, accompanied by wooden geta sandals. He didn't change much—just enough. With his imposing height, he now looked like a twenty-year-old drifter.
To complete the look, he manifested a nodachi—a long, curved katana.
He was ready.
Gasps filled the air. The crew and villagers stared in awe. He looked like an entirely different man—yet those who knew him best could still see the soul of Robert beneath it all.
He turned toward Kuma. The towering Buccaneer boy smiled and waved, wishing him luck.
Robert smiled back and nodded, then stepped aboard the Oro Jackson.
"I'll see you all in a month," he said, waving to those at the port.
And with that, the Roger Pirates set sail—vanishing into the horizon as the Oro Jackson teleported back to Paradise.
Three days later — aboard the Oro Jackson.
The crew was celebrating Robert's official induction. Alcohol flowed like rivers, food overflowed from platters, and laughter echoed through the skies.
Yo-hohoho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Yo-hohoho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Yo-hohoho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Yo-hohoho, Yo-ho-ho-ho
Gather up all of the crew! It's time to ship out Bink's brew!
Sea wind blows. To where? Who knows? The waves will be our guide!
O'er across the ocean's tide, rays of sunshine far and wide,
Birds, they sing of cheerful things, in circles passing by!
Bid farewell to weaver's town! Say so long to port renowned!
Sing a song, it won't be long, before we're casting off!
Cross the gold and silver seas! The salty spray puts us at ease!
Day and night to our delight, the voyage never ends!
"Wahahaha… Come on, Bobby! Sing with us!"
Robert chuckled and joined in.
Gather up all of the crew! It's time to ship out Bink's brew!
Pirates we, eternally are challenging the sea!
With the waves to rest our heads, ship beneath us as our beds!
Hoisted high upon the mast, our Jolly Roger flies!
Somewhere in the endless sky, stormy winds are blowin' by!
Waves are dancing, evening comes—it's time to sound the drums!
But steady men may never fear! Tomorrow's skies are always clear!
So pound your feet, and clap your hands, till sunny days return!
Yo-hohoho, Yo-ho-ho-ho...
Far away, a Marine vessel with a giant dog head steadily approached the Oro Jackson. Standing atop the figurehead was none other than Vice-Admiral Monkey D. Garp, clad in his formal suit, arms crossed and grin wide as he heard faint echoes of laughter from afar.
"Bwahahahaha… You hear that, Bogard? Sounds like Roger's having the time of his life."
His grin widened further, a gleam in his eye.
"Let's go ruin their party."
The vessel surged forward.
Back on the Oro Jackson, the more Haki-sensitive among the crew froze mid-dance. A powerful presence neared. The music came to an abrupt stop. All eyes turned.
Garp stood proudly on the edge of his ship, laughing.
"Bwahahaha… Roger! Today's the day I finally arrest you!"
Roger's expression soured.
"Booo… What are you doing here, Garp? You weren't invited," he shouted with a thumbs-down.
The crew followed suit, booing and yelling at the Marine hero.
Garp flinched, his eye twitching from the verbal onslaught.
"Oi! Shut up, you bastards! Who the hell do you think you're booing?!"
The booing only got louder.
Grinding his teeth, Garp rolled up his sleeves, fire burning in his gaze.
"That's it! I'm taking you all down!"
Roger turned to Robert, grinning like a devil.
"Oi, Bobby. First time out as an official pirate. How about you make your debut by taking that big brute down?"
Robert blinked, then glanced at the crew—who were already hyping him up to teach Garp a lesson.
With a quiet sigh, Robert nodded and stepped to the ship's figurehead.
Garp frowned, visibly unimpressed by the sight of a lone teenager stepping forward. But then the boy gently touched the handle of his blade.
In an instant, Garp's Advanced Observation Haki flared—warning him of imminent danger.
His eyes widened.
"GET DOWN—!"
But it was too late.
In one blur of movement, Robert unsheathed and re-sheathed his nodachi faster than even Garp could register.
"JUDGEMENT CUT—"
Years of combat instinct kicked in. Garp raised his fist, coating it in Advanced Armament and Conqueror's Haki.
"GALAXY DIVIDE—!"
Their attacks clashed—but Garp's strike was cleaved in an instant. The invisible Judgement Cut continued toward the Marine vessel at terrifying speed—only to dissipate right before impact.
Sweat rolled down Garp's temple as he stared, stunned, at the teen standing motionless before him.
"What…?"
Robert spoke calmly.
"That was just a warning, Vice-Admiral. No one was harmed. I was in a good mood, so I cancelled the strike. Next time, try not to ruin the party."
Without another word, he stepped down from the figurehead.
The Oro Jackson began to drift away, and as they vanished, Roger cupped his hands and yelled:
"Oi, Garp! The boy's name is Bob! Remember it!"
And then they were gone.
Garp stood frozen, mouth slightly agape—like someone had just told him that his son, Dragon, had gone rogue.
Bogard stepped up quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Huh? Bogard… What?"
Bogard sighed.
"What do we do now?"
Garp stared at the horizon.
"We report to old man Kong. A new monster's joined Roger's crew."
Bogard nodded and returned to the helm. Garp, however, remained rooted in place, eyes scanning the waves.
"Damn you, Roger… Where the hell did you find that hidden monster?"
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PapaSukuna: I hope you're liking the story. Then please leave review behind and do comment too.