Future Ritter dispersed the shockwave and looked at the captain in front of him.
Even though Roger was seriously ill, his presence was still astonishingly powerful.
Ritter let out a helpless sigh.
He knew this would happen.
"Isn't seeing me enough?"
Future Ritter replied irritably.
His crimson eyes glanced toward the second Poneglyph behind him.
"Don't tell me about that stone."
Roger followed his gaze and looked at the two Poneglyphs.
Especially the second one.
He rubbed his chin.
Although he was bursting with curiosity, Roger still grinned.
"Kurarararara! I have no idea what you're up to, but..."
He sheathed Ace and planted both hands on his hips.
"Fine! Since it's your request, Kurahahaha! I'll just pretend I never saw it!"
"Besides, we've already seen enough of those historical stones!"
"Idiot. You can look at it. I just don't want you telling me what it says."
"Eh?"
Roger scratched his head.
"So that's what you meant?"
He winked at Future Ritter.
His smile was as bright and carefree as ever.
"You said we'd meet again, right?"
"This counts as a reunion after a long separation, doesn't it?"
"Though the situation is a little weird!"
Looking at Roger's smile, a smile that seemed capable of accepting everything in the world, the tension in Future Ritter's heart finally loosened slightly.
He nodded.
His figure began to fade within the thinning blood mist.
"Yeah."
"I suppose it does."
He took one last look at Roger.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Roger suddenly started complaining.
"Your future is taking way too long, damn it, Ritter!"
Future Ritter turned around.
"...?"
Bro.
Are you sick?
Can't you see that this reunion was supposed to be a once-in-a-century emotional moment?
The atmosphere was finally building!
And you just had to say that?
Future Ritter's shark-like teeth appeared.
He couldn't even remember the last time he had smiled like that.
"You really can't read the mood, can you, you bastard of a captain?"
"I'm making a cool exit here!"
"Do you have any idea how cool I look right now?"
"Eh?"
Roger tilted his head.
"Oh, is that what this is?"
He pressed his palms together and grinned apologetically.
"Sumimasen~"
"That's the least sincere apology I've ever heard."
Future Ritter couldn't help but complain.
The emotional atmosphere from a moment ago had been completely destroyed by this damn captain.
"Hey, Ritter."
Roger's voice suddenly became quieter.
"Are you happy in the future?"
Future Ritter froze slightly.
He clearly had not expected Roger to ask him that.
For a moment, he fell silent.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
"I'm using my own hands..."
"To make myself happy."
Roger stared at him.
The smile on his face slowly became brighter.
He nodded.
"That's good enough!"
Future Ritter took one final, deep look in the direction of the Oro Jackson.
"Goodbye, Captain."
The moment his voice fell, Future Ritter completely disappeared into the surrounding fog.
It was as if he had never been there.
Roger stood where he was.
He stared at the place where Future Ritter had vanished.
Then he turned his head and looked back toward the Oro Jackson anchored by the shore.
The smile on his face slowly faded.
A complicated sigh escaped him.
A sigh carrying far too many emotions.
Then his expression once again became firm.
And peaceful.
Ritter's voice suddenly drifted over.
"Captain, you really shouldn't make so many expressions at once."
"Too many of them and you look constipated."
"Go away, you bastard Ritter!"
Roger didn't even look toward the place where Ritter had disappeared.
"Revenge!"
"This is definitely revenge!"
"Right?!"
He turned around and strode toward the ship.
His booming voice shattered the silence of Laugh Tale.
"Kurokas! Rayleigh!"
"Come help me!"
"That damn brat Ritter passed out!"
Within the fog, space began to ripple.
Ritter watched Roger's figure disappear into the mist and the fluctuations of time and space.
He quietly exhaled.
The secret of Laugh Tale.
Joy Boy's apology.
His reunion and farewell with his captain.
Everything had temporarily come to an end.
Now...
It was time to think about going home.
After returning to Wano through Lady Toki's ability, Ritter shamelessly "borrowed" a fairly decent small speedboat from Oden.
After all, the Emperor had returned.
He couldn't exactly swim across the Calm Belt.
Ritter piloted the speedboat.
As he felt the familiar sea breeze against his face, he finally began his journey home.
He took out the Den Den Mushi he had not used in a very long time.
Ritter took a deep breath.
Then he dialed the number.
Buru Buru... Buru Buru...
The Den Den Mushi connected.
Its appearance rapidly changed.
Warm golden curls appeared on its head.
Its eyebrows took on a gentle yet slightly worried shape.
It perfectly imitated Rouge.
Ritter stared at the Den Den Mushi's expression.
It looked exactly like his mother watching her son.
Technically speaking, from Roger's side, the two of them were brothers.
From Rouge's side, he was her little brother.
But the way the two of them treated Ritter was...
Well...
It was strange.
They treated all three of the younger ones almost exactly the same.
They made sure no one was favored.
If Ace, An, or Sabo received something, Ritter received it too.
Scarves.
Clothes.
Anything the three children had, Ritter had as well.
Ritter couldn't help but sigh again.
Den Den Mushi really was a magical creature.
"Hello?"
Rouge's voice came from the other side.
"Is that you, Ritter?"
"Ritter, is that really you?"
"You finally remembered to call home!"
"It's me, Sis."
Ritter's voice unconsciously softened.
"I'm back."
"I'm on my way home now."
"I'm sorry I made you worry."
"Coming back is enough."
Rouge's voice carried a choked note of relief.
Then the familiar nagging began.
"You little brat, you disappeared for years without a single message!"
"Do you have any idea how worried we were?"
"Have you been eating properly?"
"Are you hurt?"
"Did you go and do something dangerous again?"
Listening to his sister's concerned "scolding," Ritter felt warmth spread through his heart.
This feeling of being worried about.
Of being remembered.
Of having someone keep him in their heart.
No matter how much time passed, it remained incredibly precious to a wandering pirate like him.
Ritter patiently listened.
Every now and then, he responded with a few words and reassured her that he was fine.
Once Rouge confirmed that Ritter was safe and truly on his way home, her tone clearly relaxed.
However...
Her next words suddenly changed direction.
Her voice remained gentle.
Her tone remained warm.
But there was a faint hint of trouble hidden beneath it.
"Oh, right, Ritter."
"There is something I have to tell you."
"An, Ace, and Sabo secretly went out to sea behind their mother's back."
"It has been causing your sister quite a headache."
Ritter:
"..."
His heart gave a sudden thump.
Something was very wrong.
No.
Something was extremely wrong.
Rouge understood Ritter.
And Ritter understood his big sister just as well.
A moment ago, she had been too worried about him to play any tricks.
But now that she knew he was safe...
His sister's dark side was beginning to show.
Rouge continued in a tone as gentle as a spring breeze.
"And it has already been four years."
"Those three children haven't even called back once to report that they're safe."
"I know they ran away because they were being impulsive."
"Or perhaps they want to make a name for themselves and make their mother proud."
"Just like you said, they probably want to make a glorious return someday."
She paused.
"Still, isn't disappearing for four whole years a little too much?"
Ritter's heart instantly began screaming.
WARNING!
WARNING!
WARNING!
Ritter's alarm bells went off instantly!
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