"Tsk, if you don't want to tell me, then don't."Rayleigh glanced at Kaoru Tsubasa, irritation flickering in his eyes. The swordsman's cryptic attitude made his hands itch to strike.
Does he have any idea how infuriating it is to leave someone hanging like that? Rayleigh thought. Either speak plainly, or say nothing at all!
Still, he restrained himself. Considering Kaoru's monstrous sword technique earlier, Rayleigh knew better than to provoke him—one wrong move, and that colossal blade might appear again, wiping them all out in an instant.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you," Kaoru said coolly, "but if I did… you might never reach Raftel."
The excuse rolled easily off his tongue—he'd simply wanted to sound mysterious in front of Rayleigh.
While the two spoke, the battle between Rocks and the combined forces of Garp and Roger finally reached its end.The once-mighty Rocks D. Xebec now lay unconscious before them, defeated.
"It's over," Rayleigh said, taking a long swig of rum and grinning faintly. "As expected of Roger."
"Garp," Roger panted, resting his sword Ace on his shoulder, "what should we do with Rocks?"
He already knew the answer. Rocks would be handed over to the World Government. Not because Roger or Garp lacked the will—but because, during the fight, Roger had sensed someone else… someone powerful striking at Rocks from the shadows.
Before Garp could respond, a cold, calm voice echoed across the ruined battlefield.
"Leave Rocks to me."
A tall figure stepped forward, dressed in pure black from head to toe, a white mask radiating a sacred aura concealing his face.
Roger's eyes narrowed. So this was the mysterious figure who had interfered in their duel.
"You're…" Garp's eyes widened briefly—then softened. "I see."
Roger turned toward him. "You know this man?"
"Roger," Garp said sternly, "hand Rocks over to him."
Roger didn't argue. Years of fighting alongside Garp had taught him that if the old Marine refused to explain, there was a reason—this man was beyond their reach. Someone even Garp and Roger together couldn't defeat.
Without another word, the masked figure ended Rocks's life and took his body, vanishing into the haze.
The once-glorious Valley of the Gods now lay in ruins. Craters split the land, flames burned the forests, and the sea itself trembled. It wouldn't be long before the entire island sank beneath the waves. Even the Celestial Dragons stationed there had suffered casualties from the aftermath.
Roger turned toward his crew and raised his bottle high. "Gentlemen! Let's have ourselves a party!"
"Wooooooh!" the crew cheered in unison.
Garp shook his head with a helpless grin. "You pirates never change, huh?"
"Haha! Why don't you join us for a drink, Garp?" Roger said with his usual wide, toothy grin.
"No thanks, Roger. I've got to report this mess to Sengoku. Besides, I'm a Marine—I can't exactly party with pirates, can I?"
"Fine, fine. But next time we meet, I'm bringing the cuffs!" Garp barked, half serious, half smiling.
Roger just laughed. "Looking forward to it, old friend!"
As Garp departed with his warship, Roger leaned back and glanced at Kaoru, who stood calmly amid the wreckage.
"Boy, aren't you afraid of stepping onto my ship alone?" Roger teased.
"Hahaha, I don't think the famous Roger Pirates would attack an injured man," Kaoru replied, taking a sip from his drink.
Roger's grin widened. "You've got guts, kid. How about joining my crew?"
Kaoru shook his head. "No, Roger. I don't belong on your ship. You're chasing Raftel. I'm chasing the world itself. Our destinations are different."
"Hahahaha! So you know about Raftel too?" Roger's laughter was genuine, but his voice was slightly hoarse.
Kaoru's gaze sharpened. "You're not well, are you?"
When Rayleigh and the others heard that, their smiles faded.
"Roger! Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Rayleigh grabbed his captain by the shoulders, anger and worry flashing in his eyes.
Roger chuckled softly. "Rayleigh, we're pirates. A few injuries—what's new?"
"You idiot," Rayleigh sighed. "You're not dying on me without a fight. We're getting you a doctor. No excuses this time."
"Fine, fine," Roger said, laughing again. "But not before our party."
That night, the Roger Pirates celebrated under the shattered sky. Rum flowed freely, music filled the air, and for the first time in days, laughter replaced the sound of battle.
Kaoru, of course, was the only one not drunk. Every "bottle of rum" in his hand was actually milk—transparent, bottled exactly like alcohol. He'd bought it from the system's bronze lottery for twenty Spirit Points.
He smirked to himself. Guess I'm sitting at the kids' table tonight.
Leaning against the railing, Kaoru stared up at the moon. "It's been almost a month since I came to this world…" he murmured.
The next morning, Rayleigh found him sitting there again.
"Up early, huh?" Rayleigh said with a grin.
Of course I am, Kaoru thought. I wasn't drunk.
"When are you setting sail again?" he asked aloud.
"That's up to Roger," Rayleigh replied.
Kaoru nodded thoughtfully. He already had other plans.
Last night, his system had issued a new mission:
[Ding! Main Quest Activated: "The Beginning of the World." Travel to Redoria Island and wait for the next chapter of destiny. Reward: All abilities upgraded to maximum level. Additional effect: Host's body will cease aging while on Redoria.]
The reward was too tempting to ignore.
When Roger finally awoke, Kaoru asked if the crew could take him to Redoria. Roger agreed without hesitation.
Days later, their ship anchored at the island. Kaoru was stunned—the place was completely primitive, no towns, no people, just dense forests and wild beasts.
Rayleigh and Roger exchanged glances but said nothing. They assumed Kaoru had a reason for coming here.
"Thanks for bringing me this far," Kaoru said. "If fate allows, we'll meet again."
Roger blinked. "Wait—you're planning to live here?"
Kaoru shrugged. "Is there a problem?"
"This island's crawling with beasts!" Rayleigh called out.
"I'll manage," Kaoru said with a grin. "I plan to live in seclusion for a few years."
"Hahahaha! Just don't get eaten!" Roger laughed.
"Worry about your own health, old man," Kaoru shot back playfully, then paused. A thought struck him. He turned and leapt back onto the Oro Jackson.
"What's wrong? Changed your mind already?" Roger joked.
"No," Kaoru said, his tone turning serious. "I just remembered something. There's a skilled doctor near the entrance to the Grand Line. If you find him, he might buy you some time."
Roger's eyes softened. "A ship's doctor, huh… I see."
Kaoru nodded once, then stepped off the ship, disappearing into the mist-shrouded forest of Redoria.