Perona hovered in the sky. "Lord Ritter, Uncle Tom says the ship will take at least half a year to finish. What should we do in the meantime?"
Ritter gently patted her on the head while holding hands with Laboon, who was happily eating ice cream. "Then let's enjoy our retirement life for a while."
And so, Ritter really did begin to experience something like his old university life no early mornings, eat whenever he liked, nap as long as he wanted, and take lazy strolls when the mood struck.
The only downside was the lack of a computer or phone, which meant no staying up all night playing games. Moria occasionally asked him what he wanted to eat.
Ritter always replied, "Anything's fine."
The days passed by idly.
Then, just as Ritter was settling into his life of leisure, he received a call via Den Den Mushi from his captain, summoning him to Barbecue Island (a fictional location created by the author, located somewhere near Sabaody).
When Ritter arrived on the island, he discovered that Uncle Rayleigh was there too and clearly agitated.
The setting sun stained the coastline crimson, the scent of roasting meat mingling with the salty sea breeze.
As Ritter stepped onto the beach, Laboon tugged anxiously at his pant leg, gazing at the distance with worried eyes. "Moo..." (Big Brother Ritter, Uncle Rayleigh's crying really hard...)
Perched on the coastal rocks, Rayleigh had Roger by the collar. The usually calm "Right Hand of the Pirate King" had veins bulging on his forehead.
Roger's shirt was disheveled from the scuffle, yet he still wore a carefree grin.
"Have you lost your damn mind?!" Rayleigh's roar sent a flock of seabirds scattering. "Come back to Sabaody with me right now! I'll tie you up and drag you there if I have to—!"
He hoisted Roger up with one arm and slammed him against the rock face.
"Rayleigh." Roger gently pressed his old friend's wrist. "You've known this day would come."
Ritter froze mid-step.
He watched Rayleigh's fist hang in the air, then crash down not on Roger, but into the stone behind him.
Shards scattered. Blood dripped between Rayleigh's fingers. Ritter could tell there was no Haki in that punch. It was pure emotion.
"Ritter!" Roger suddenly turned and waved with exaggerated cheer. "Hurry up! The meat's getting cold!"
As if the shouting moments earlier had never happened.
By the firepit, Laboon gnawed on grilled fish, occasionally sneaking glances at Roger the legendary Pirate King, now chatting away like a big brother while pouring Ritter a drink.
"Shanks is making a mess in the New World… and Buggy! That guy's gone bounty hunting now! Says he wants to save up to start his own crew. Hahaha! That's just like him!"
The foam in Ritter's cup slowly settled.
He suddenly asked, "When?"
Roger's smile faded slightly. "Next full moon." He tilted his head back and took a deep drink. "I'll be paying a visit to the Marines."
Rayleigh crushed his bottle with a snap.
"Don't look at me like that!" Roger pulled both of them into a one-armed hug. "You've got front-row seats, don't you know?"
"Shut up!" Rayleigh shoved him away, his golden hair trembling under the moonlight. "You think this is some kind of joke?!"
The sea breeze turned sharp and cold.
Roger sat up straight. Beneath the brim of his straw hat, his eyes gleamed like fire. "Listen, Rayleigh."
His voice was soft, but it stilled the entire beach.
"We found Laugh Tale. But the answer we discovered… it doesn't belong to this era."
He tapped the side of his temple. "I won't accept a quiet, meaningless end. I want the whole world to hear my voice."
Ritter stared into the campfire. Blood mist was rising from him again, beyond his control. He had considered dragging Roger away by force. But now, sitting here, seeing the resolve in this man's eyes Ritter hesitated.
This wasn't the world's correcting force. This was simply who Gol D. Roger had always been.
"I can get you out," Ritter blurted, without even thinking.
Roger let out a loud laugh and ruffled his hair. "You dumb kid. If I did that, none of this would matter, would it?"
Then Roger lowered his voice.
"There is something I need to ask of you."
He pulled out a bronze pocket watch. Inside was a photograph a group shot taken back on Laugh Tale, a family portrait of the crew.
"I'm giving this to you. Also… you're going to be an uncle."
Roger stuffed the compass into Ritter's hand.
"After I turn myself in, I want you to bring Rouge to Garp. I'll be asking him to help as well. She's in the South Blue, on Baterilla Island. Rouge… she's my wife. Garp will figure out a way to protect them. Here, this is her photo."
Ritter jerked his head up. "You don't trust me to raise your kid?! You bastard! Do you have any idea who you are?!"
"Kuahaha! You're our most reliable little brother, of course I trust you! But if the kid stays with you, he'll definitely become a pirate.
"If he stays with Garp, he can choose to be a Marine… or a normal person… or even become a pirate like you. That's all a useless father like me can do for them now."
Roger stood up and stretched. "Alright! That's everything settled!"
He turned and walked toward the waves. Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long behind him.
"Oh, right," Roger turned back with a grin and winked at Laboon. "Laboon, make sure to protect our little Ritter, yeah?"
Laboon dropped his grilled fish. "...Huh?!"
He shuffled over to Ritter, who had his fists clenched so tightly his nails had broken skin.
In the distance, Roger began to sing. It was off-key and rough, but bold and full of spirit.
Ritter knew all too well what would come next. Not long after Roger's execution, the Marines would track down Rouge.
That great woman held out for twenty months with the help of medication, delaying Ace's birth to protect him. Her death, Ace's birthday the suffering she endured was unimaginable.
Ritter laughed bitterly. "Bastard. You could've just brought her over yourself. Why make me go through all this?"
But he knew Roger was protecting her. Staying near him was far too dangerous.
Ritter picked up the Den Den Mushi and called Moria. He said he was heading to the South Blue. Laboon, with his current strength, could return to Water 7 on his own. Ritter set sail at once.
He didn't care what the consequences might be after Roger's death he had to get there now.
The Marines had found out Roger had a child after his execution. Someone in that village must have leaked the information. The sooner he got her out, the better.
South Blue – Baterilla Island
Following Roger's directions, Ritter quickly pinpointed Rouge's location.
He stood in front of her cottage, straightened his collar, cleared his throat. He didn't want to look too grim when he met her.
Then
"Rouge! It's me, Ritter! The Mistblade from Roger's crew! The sharpest blade on the ship! Open up!"
Silence from within.
Ritter scratched his head. "Uh… was I too quiet?"
He released a burst of Conqueror's Haki, gently putting the whole town to sleep like newborns. Once he was sure no one was awake, he took a deep breath, drawing from his diaphragm, and shouted again.
"Rouge! I'm here to protect you! I'm super strong! The Marines avoid me on sight—"
That wasn't just bragging. Ritter had reached Yonko-level power. He was one of the world's strongest fighters now.
Bang! The window suddenly flew open. Rouge poked her head out, clutching a kitchen knife, her eyes wide with fear.
"Shut up! Do you want to bring the entire Marine force down on us?!"
Ritter instantly slapped a hand over his mouth, scratched his head sheepishly, and flashed an awkward grin. "Sorry, sorry, hahaha…"
Rouge narrowed her eyes. "You say you were part of Roger's crew?"
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