A Heartwarming Day with Rock's Family

Dawn Island, Rock House

Sabo and Koala decided to stay for two days. As soon as the news came out, Ace and Luffy were as excited as if it were New Year's Day. They spent almost every day playing around with them, training, and eating, full of energy.

In the early morning, sunlight streamed into the courtyard, and the dewdrops had not yet dried.

"Sabo, bring on that Dragon Claw Fist again!" Ace, shirtless, had his fists ablaze with Ignition, exuding an imposing aura.

"Luffy, don't barge in here—hey!" Koala had barely finished shouting when she saw the black-haired boy rush in like a cannonball.

"Iron Fist!!" Luffy shouted excitedly, his fists covered in Armament Haki as he attacked Ace and Sabo.

"Bang--!"

The three of them rolled around in the courtyard again, having a great time.

Koala, sitting on a stone bench nearby, rested her chin on her hand and couldn't help but chuckle, "They really are three monkeys."

Under the eaves, Rock, pipe in hand, watched the three boys playfully fighting, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Airin leaned closer to him softly, smiling as she tugged at his sleeve, "Old man, look at those three... don't they look remarkably alike?"

"Like what?" Rock asked, biting his pipe, his gaze still fixed on his brothers' playful fight in the courtyard.

"Like brothers," Airin said with a smile. "They fight like brothers, and they eat like brothers too."

"Indeed, it is." Rock nodded slightly, "And despite their arguments, they're really close at heart."

They smiled at each other, their eyes filled with gentle warmth.

Back to the little incident on the first night--

As night fell, Roy deliberately put on a troubled expression. "Oh dear, Sabo, Koala, there's a little problem..."

"It seems like there's only one room left in the house."

You might have to... squeeze in.

"Puff--!"

Sabo and Koala simultaneously exhaled the tea from their mouths, their faces instantly turning as red as boiled crabs, and visible steam rising from their heads.

Koala covered her face, her ears instantly turning bright red, and her voice was barely audible. "Mr. Roy... it's... it's too early..."

Sabo could barely stand. "I... I'm fine! I can go out and find a woodshed, a terrace, or even a tree!"

Luffy tilted his head, staring wide-eyed, looking completely bewildered. "What's wrong with that? I often like to sleep with Meierbeier and Nami too~"

"Idiot!" Ace flicked him on the forehead. "That was when you were a kid!"

Airin and Rock were laughing so hard they were doubled over, almost laughing until tears streamed down their faces.

Finally, amidst everyone's laughter, Roy couldn't stand it anymore and smiled leisurely, "Just kidding, there are plenty of rooms."

Koala secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then lowered her head and murmured softly, "... What a pity."

Although it was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, Roy heard it clearly. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, but he didn't say anything.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the courtyard.

"Bang bang--!"

In the courtyard at dawn, the three exchanged blows, their fists and feet flying, flames, Dragon Claws, and Haki crisscrossing and intertwining.

"Sabo! Again!" Luffy threw a punch, aiming straight for Sabo's face.

Sabo chuckled, lightly blocking with his Dragon Claw Fist, and then sidestepped, redirecting Luffy's fist toward Ace.

"Hey! Don't lead me this way!" Ace complained, but his hands didn't hesitate, his flame-wrapped fist meeting Luffy.

"Bang!"

Thanks to Roy's skillful maneuvering, the three's attack did not extend beyond the courtyard.

The three exchanged blows, locked in a fierce battle, yet displayed remarkable teamwork, as if they were brothers who had known each other for years.

"You three are at it again!" Koala, shaking her head and chuckling as she leaned against the door, holding her morning tea.

"Come on, Koala, let's go!" Luffy shouted and waved.

"I don't want to be shoved into the ground by you guys!" She made a face, then went over to hand over some water.

Sabo took it, wiped his sweat, and smiled brightly, "Honestly, being with them... is very relaxing and liberating."

"This is what 'family' feels like."

Koala smiled, looking at Ace and Luffy, "They can make people lower their guard completely."

Sabo paused for a moment, then nodded gently.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. At dawn, Sabo and Koala shouldered their simple bags and stood in front of the courtyard gate.

Ace gripped Sabo's arm tightly. "Next time, let's go to another island and have a proper match."

Luffy pumped his fist. "I'll definitely win next time!"

"Yes." Sabo nodded seriously. "I won't hold back then."

Rock chuckled and patted Sabo on the shoulder, "Be careful with the Revolutionary Army's work..."

Sabo nodded, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes. "You too, both of you should take care of yourselves."

"Luffy!" Koala bent down and stuffed a bag of jerky into his arms. "Don't eat too much; you need to train hard."

Luffy, clutching the jerky, cried with tears in his eyes, "Waaah... please come back soon!!"

Airin watched Sabo's departing figure with a smile and murmured, "Their standing together... it really looks like we have three grandsons."

Just before boarding the ship, Koala suddenly stopped and looked at Roy was standing silently to the side.

"Mr. Roy," she paused, "Perhaps in the future, the Revolutionary Army and you... really can stand on the same side."

The sea breeze ruffled Roy's clothes, and he smiled as he replied, "Perhaps. When that era truly arrives... I will make my choice."

Sabo and Koala bowed deeply to him, their gazes firm. "Thank you for your hospitality these past two days."

"Give my regards to the dragon." Roy waved.

"Why didn't you tell him yourself?" Luffy shouted in confusion.

"He wouldn't dare answer my call," Roy raised an eyebrow.

As the ships in the distance gradually moved away from the shore, the Rock family's courtyard returned to tranquility in the sea breeze.

But that warmth of "being like family" will be firmly remembered by everyone.

Dawn Island, Rock House, Afternoon

The afternoon sun filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the dining table, where the lingering aroma of lunch still hung in the air.

Roy, Ace, and Luffy stood at the doorway, their uniforms gleaming in the sunlight.

They are about to depart for Marine Headquarters.

Rock stood on the steps, a pipe dangling from his lips, arms crossed. His rugged face still maintained the traditional Pops demeanor of "reluctance is cowardice," but the warmth and reluctance hidden deep in his eyes could not be concealed.

Airin held Roy's hands tightly, her voice filled with concern and tender maternal love. "You three, you must take good care of yourselves... No matter how important the mission is, you can't risk your lives, you hear me? Especially you, Roy, don't be reckless!"

Roy smiled and nodded, gently patting her hand. "Don't worry, Mom."

He then turned to Rock, his expression serious. "Dad, you must stick to the health-preserving exercise method you exchanged from the Navy, even if it's just a short bit every day. It will benefit your muscles, bones, and blood circulation."

"Also, you must take the specially formulated nutritional supplements from Vegapunk on time and in the prescribed dosage."

"Hmph, I know, I know." Rock frowned and waved his hand, his words tinged with impatience, but his tone was more composed than anyone else's. "Don't worry, I'll keep whatever you leave behind more punctually than I'll eat."

Airin's eyes reddened with emotion, and she quickly wiped them away. "Roy, you must take good care of Ace and Luffy too, and make sure nothing happens to them."

"Don't worry," Roy replied calmly, his gaze gentle. "I will protect them."

Ace grinned and waved to the two elderly people. "Grandpa and Grandma! Next time we come back, we'll stay with you for a few more days!"

Luffy chuckled and waved, "Next time I'm going to eat twenty cows! No! Thirty wouldn't be too many!"

Airin burst into laughter through her tears. "Okay, okay, Grandma will prepare everything for you!"

"Let's go," Roy said softly, placing one hand on Ace's shoulder and the other on Luffy's head.

"Whoosh--!"

The space distorted slightly, and the three figures vanished in an instant.

Only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the corner of the courtyard remained, swayed by the wind.

Rock gazed at the empty doorway, sighed softly, and still stubbornly retorted, "Tsk, those brats..."

Airin took his arm and leaned on his shoulder. "They've all grown up, and they've all become elites in the Navy."

Rock didn't speak, but silently tapped his pipe, a proud smile playing on his lips.

East Blue nearshore waters - Marine warship deck

"Whoosh--!"

The three figures appeared silently on the deck.

The naval soldiers, already fully equipped and ready, immediately lined up, saluted, and shouted in unison, "Vice Admiral Roy! Captain Ace!"

"Hey everyone!" Luffy casually.

Ace stretched, his uniform jacket billowing in the wind, revealing his muscular upper body. "Back to Marine Headquarters, huh? You've pretty much finished sweeping through the East Blue by now, haven't you?"

"Okay, the rest can be handled by the branch."

"Afterwards, return to Marine Headquarters, submit the operational report for this mission, and then arrange the next batch of missions according to Zephyr's instructions."

As he spoke, he glanced at Luffy and said, "Your Elite Camp is about to graduate; you should start thinking about your sea missions."

"Hehe, I'm all ready!" Luffy rolled up his sleeves, jumping up and down excitedly. "I'm going to apply to go to the liveliest sea! I'm not afraid!"

Roy and Ace exchanged a glance, and almost simultaneously curled the corners of their lips into a smile.

"I wonder what kind of expression this kid will have if he knew I'm planning to assign him to G3..."