Meeting Rosinante

The last rays of the setting sun fell across the stone-paved road at headquarters.

The day's training had just ended, and Roy was about to head to the cafeteria to fill his stomach.

His hands were tucked into his trouser pockets, and his black hair was slightly disheveled, but his eyes were bright and calm.

Suddenly, his gaze caught a tall figure—short blond hair stirred slightly out of place by the breeze, a white Marine uniform accentuating his upright posture, and shoulder insignia glinting in the sunlight.

As the man looked down at the documents he was reading, the buttons on his cuffs flashed with his movements. His steps were steady, though a little weary.

"Rosinante?"

Roy slowed, recalling what he knew about the man.

Admiral Sengoku's adopted son, the undercover agent who would eventually infiltrate the Donquixote Family... But for now, he's still an active Marine officer.

He smiled slightly, and his figure flashed—whoosh!

"Whoa!!"

A figure suddenly appeared in front of Rosinante without warning. Startled, he stumbled, sending the documents scattering across the ground with a clatter.

He clutched his chest with both hands, his eyes wide and round. "Y-you...!"

Roy bent down to help him gather the documents, then looked up and smiled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Rosinante took a closer look at the boy and paused. "...You're Roy, one of Instructor Zephyr's students?"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "You know me?"

Rosinante scratched the back of his head and gave him a somewhat shy smile. "Your name's been all over headquarters lately. You put down a pirate riot single-handedly at twelve and saved all those people. You're a 'monster rookie,' all right."

Roy handed him the documents, his voice calm. "I just got lucky."

Rosinante took the documents, curiosity and goodwill flashing in his eyes. "But could you not pop up out of nowhere next time? My heart can't take a scare like that."

Roy shrugged slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "It's a habit. I can't help it."

The two looked at each other for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.

"By the way, are you heading to the cafeteria?" Rosinante asked casually, holding the documents.

Roy nodded. "Yeah, I'm starving after training."

Rosinante patted his stomach. "What a coincidence. I haven't had dinner either. Want to go together?"

Roy didn't refuse. "Sure."

The two walked side by side toward the cafeteria. On the way, Rosinante couldn't help glancing at the boy beside him—he was only twelve, yet he was nearly two meters tall, and his presence was frighteningly steady.

"I heard you usually train with Instructor Zephyr?" A hint of admiration crept into Rosinante's voice.

Roy nodded. "Yeah. Mr. Garp also drags me off for special training now and then."

Rosinante's eye twitched. He patted his chest with a wry smile. "Mr. Garp's 'Fist of Love'? That's an experience you'll never forget."

Roy glanced at him. "Looks like you've experienced it more than once yourself?"

Rosinante shook his head and sighed. "Mr. Sengoku took me to see him a few times when I was little... Those fists were scarier than cannonballs."

The cafeteria was brightly lit, with soldiers gathered in twos and threes to eat.

The two found seats in a relatively quiet corner.

Rosinante picked up a piece of bread and asked indistinctly, "By the way, I've always been curious. How exactly did you develop your Teleport-Teleport Fruit? Can you take people with you?"

Roy picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. After chewing a few times, he said evenly, "I can, but the more people I take, the more energy it consumes."

Rosinante's eyes lit up. "That must be really useful on rescue missions!"

As soon as he said it, he realized he'd been asking a bit too much. He gave an awkward laugh and scratched his head. "Sorry, occupational habit. I've been prying too much."

Roy set down his chopsticks, his gaze darkening slightly, and asked casually, "What about you? Why did you want to join the Marines?"

Rosinante's smile stiffened slightly. A complicated look flashed in his eyes, and the bread in his hand stopped halfway to his mouth.

"Well... that's a long story."

He didn't continue, and Roy didn't press him.

After they talked a little longer, Rosinante glanced down at his watch and stood with a wry smile. "Oh no, I have to report to Admiral Sengoku. Let's talk again when we get the chance!"

Roy nodded. "Yeah, take care on your way."

Roy watched Rosinante hurry away, his gaze growing thoughtful.

At this point... he probably hasn't received his undercover assignment yet.

He sighed softly, then stood and walked out of the cafeteria.

The night breeze brought a touch of chill.

Roy looked up at the light in Sengoku's distant office, shook his head, and headed toward the training grounds.

On a path through the training camp, the last rays of the setting sun fell on the leaves, and the breeze carried a touch of chill.

Suddenly, a lazy voice drifted over from ahead—

"Ara ara... Smoker, you've been smoking more and more lately."

"Hmph, it's better than sleeping all day like you."

Roy paused and looked up. Kuzan was leaning lazily against a tree trunk, his hands in his trouser pockets and his sunglasses halfway down his nose, looking as though he hadn't quite woken up.

Smoker stood in front of him with a cigar in his mouth, his face full of irritation. "Mind your own business!"

Roy raised an eyebrow, not expecting to meet the future Admiral Aokiji here.

He hurried forward and gave them a respectful salute. "Mr. Kuzan, Smoker."

They both turned toward him.

Smoker snorted. "Good timing. This guy was just talking about you."

Kuzan waved lazily, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Hey, Roy~ Everyone at headquarters has been talking about you lately."

Roy smiled slightly. "I didn't expect you to come to the training camp."

Kuzan yawned and said lazily, "I just got out of a meeting and came to see Instructor Zephyr while I was in the area. Then I ran into this kid complaining that you'd beaten him up pretty badly."

Smoker's face darkened. "Hey! That was training!"

Kuzan ignored him and narrowed his eyes, studying Roy closely.

A sharp glint suddenly flashed through his lazy gaze. "Hmm?"

A hint of fighting spirit showed in Roy's eyes, and Kuzan caught it at once.

Smoker paused, then immediately frowned. "Hey, Roy, you're not thinking of..."

Roy didn't shy away. "Mr. Kuzan, could you spar with me?"

Smoker: "?!"

Kuzan froze for a moment, then smiled meaningfully. "Oh? Why?"

Roy said seriously, "I want to know where my current limit is."

Smoker immediately tried to stop him. "Hey, hey, are you crazy?! Kuzan is..."

But Kuzan had already straightened up, his lazy gaze turning sharp in an instant. "Ara ara... interesting."

Just then, a steady voice came from nearby. "Go ahead and fight. I'll stand by in case I'm needed."

The three turned around at once. Zephyr was standing beneath a large tree, though none of them knew when he had arrived. His arms were folded, and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Roy paused. "Instructor Zephyr?"

Zephyr strode over and patted Roy on the shoulder, his smile tinged with anticipation. "I also want to see what you can do when you go all out now."

Kuzan scratched his head. "Ara ara... If even you say so, Instructor Zephyr, I'd better take this seriously."

The corner of Smoker's mouth twitched. "Hey, hey, are you really going through with this? Kuzan is one of the Marines' strongest Logia users!"

Zephyr glanced at him, his gaze sharp. "What? Afraid Roy will lose too badly?"

Smoker: "..."

Roy took a deep breath and slowly clenched his fists. "Winning or losing doesn't matter. I just want to test my current limits."

The corner of Kuzan's mouth lifted in a smile. "Then... let's begin."