Return from the East Blue

Shimotsuki Village · Shimotsuki Dojo

The setting sun gilded the dojo's wooden eaves in gold and crimson. A gentle breeze stirred the cherry blossom petals, scattering them across the flagstones, as though draping a soft veil over their parting.

Roy stood at the entrance to the dojo, his white Marine coat billowing in the wind.

He looked at Koshiro, his voice low and firm. "Fate won't come after Kuina again, and Zoro doesn't have to carry the burden of some destiny either."

His gaze swept slowly over the two young swordsmen, warm and encouraging. "All you need to do is focus on completing your basic training here. When you're truly ready, come find me in the Marines."

Kuina gripped her wooden sword tightly, her knuckles turning white, but her gaze was sharp as a blade. "I'll become the World's Greatest Female Swordsman!"

Zoro immediately raised his head and glared at her, brimming with fighting spirit. "Are you kidding? I'm the man who's going to become the World's Greatest Swordsman!"

Their gazes clashed fiercely, sparks flying, but this time it was no longer simple rivalry. There was an unspoken understanding between them that they would help each other grow.

Koshiro stood nearby, looking at the determination in his two pupils' eyes, a faint smile on his lips.

His eyes grew a little moist, but he only raised a hand gently, as though smoothing away the feelings in his heart.

He looked at Roy and nodded deeply. "I'll teach them well."

Roy nodded slightly, then turned to Luffy and Nami. "All right, it's time to go home."

"Oh!"

Luffy jumped up excitedly and waved hard at Zoro, shouting, "Moss Head! Make sure you come be my whatever-in-command soon!!!"

Furious, Nami punched Luffy on the head, raising a huge bump in an instant. "Idiot! It's Second-in-Command!!!"

Zoro stared at Luffy, who was seeing stars from the blow. His lips twitched, but a genuine smile flickered in his eyes.

He clenched his fist and muttered, "I'll definitely come!"

Kuina watched Zoro, so full of fighting spirit, and finally couldn't help chuckling, her eyes full of trust and hope.

Over the past few days, the Four Little Ones had already formed a deep friendship through their roughhousing, training, and quarrels.

Roy rested his hands on Luffy's and Nami's shoulders and turned slightly to look back at the familiar rooftops of Shimotsuki Village. The breeze caught his white coat, making it billow like waves.

"Let's go."

Whoosh!

The three figures vanished in an instant into the glow of dusk, leaving only fallen cherry blossom petals carpeting the ground before the dojo, framing Koshiro, Zoro, and Kuina as they stood at the entrance.

Off the coast of Shimotsuki Village · Deck of the Marine warship

As dusk deepened and the last rays of sunlight sank below the horizon, the warship's searchlights came on one after another, carving a silver channel across the dark sea.

Whoosh!

Space warped slightly, and Roy appeared in the middle of the deck with Luffy and Nami.

"Attention!"

The Marines lined up neatly on deck instantly straightened their backs, saluting more forcefully than usual.

Their fervent gazes followed Roy. The newspaper delivered by the News Coo that morning was now being kept close to the soldiers' hearts.

[Marine Monster Rear Admiral Takes on "Red-Haired" Shanks Alone! Fierce Battle Ends in a Draw!]

The picture beneath that headline showed their commanding officer meeting a great pirate of the New World head-on with a fist wreathed in Conqueror's Haki. Even now, it still made these young Marines' blood boil.

"Set course for Marineford," Roy said. His voice was not loud, but it pierced the night like a drawn sword.

"Yes, Rear Admiral Roy!"

Their response sent the seagulls on the mast flapping into the air.

The veteran at the helm quietly wiped his eyes. Since the end of Roger's era, it had been far too long since the Marines had produced such an inspiring rising star.

At the ship's rail, Luffy leaned halfway over the side, his arm a blur as he waved. "Moss Head! Short-Haired Girl! Make sure you—"

"Idiot! They have names!"

Nami chopped him on the head, but she too looked toward the fading outline of Shimotsuki Village.

Moonlight edged her short orange hair in silver. "Kuina, we... made a promise."

The sea breeze carried the faint sound of bamboo swords clashing from the direction of the dojo, as though in answer to their farewell.

At the bow, Roy's fingertips brushed the scabbed-over wound on the left side of his abdomen.

"The course of fate and all that..."

He murmured to himself, then suddenly turned around as though sensing something.

In the shadows on deck, several young recruits were stealing admiring glances at him. When they were caught, they panicked and nearly flung their caps into the sea.

Roy gave a rare smile and casually tossed them a few bags of Senbei he had helped himself to from Garp. "Have a snack. Don't be so nervous."

"Th-thank you, sir!"

Amid the cheers, the warship cut through the waves.

The Marine flag snapped atop the mast, its fabric reflecting the newly risen moonlight. The word "Justice" shone more brightly than ever.

Shimotsuki Village coast

Zoro stopped swinging his swords, panting heavily as sweat dripped from his short green hair.

He looked toward the warship, long since out of sight, his three bamboo swords gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Just wait, Luffy... and..."

He turned toward the dojo, where Kuina was raising Wado Ichimonji above her head as she practiced Suburi. "I'll surpass everyone!"

Amid the sound of the tide, the crisp clash of two wooden swords carried far, far into the distance.

The course of fate seemed to have already begun to change...

Marineford harbor, early morning.

With the help of Roy's teleportation ability, they had returned to Marine Headquarters from the East Blue in just two days.

The morning mist had yet to disperse, and the cries of seagulls mingled with the warships' whistles in a deep symphony.

Roy's warship slowly entered the harbor. Before the vessel had even come to a complete stop, the Marines on deck had already formed neat ranks, their gazes fixed intently on the pier.

On the pier, two tall figures stood side by side.

"Hey, Zephyr, did you see that? The brat's coat isn't even wrinkled!"

Garp stood with his hands on his hips and grinned, scattering Senbei crumbs from the corners of his mouth all over the ground. "That's my disciple for you!"

Zephyr adjusted his sunglasses, a slight smile on his lips, and snorted. "Hmph, clearly it's the result of my teaching."

As soon as he spoke, Roy sensed the familiar presences from the warship's deck and quirked a smile. "Both of these old men actually came to watch the show?"

He briskly issued a series of orders, quickly seeing to the warship's affairs before turning to Luffy and Nami. "Let's go."

Whoosh!

Space warped slightly, and the three of them appeared in the middle of the pier.

"You brat!"

Garp charged forward and brought his fist whistling down on Roy's head. "You actually dared take on the Red Hair Pirates alone?!"

"Ow, ow, ow!"

Roy clutched his head and grimaced, but he couldn't help laughing. "Old man, didn't I come back in one piece?"

A flicker of relief crossed Garp's eyes. He raised his fist for another blow, but Zephyr stopped him.

Zephyr stepped forward and looked Roy up and down with a keen gaze. Seeing that his breathing was steady, he nodded in satisfaction. "Good. You didn't disgrace the Marines."

"Of course! How could my disciple ever disgrace us?" Garp cut in at once, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"Bullshit!"

Zephyr shot back, pointing a finger at the tip of Garp's nose. "I'm the one who put him through special training in Rokushiki Ogi and Armament Haki!"

"Huh?!" Garp's eyes went wide.

The two argued at closer and closer quarters, their noses almost touching and spittle flying. For a moment, things got out of hand.

Seeing this, Roy quickly grabbed both of them by the shoulders and said with a wry smile, "Wait a minute, you two. There are so many people watching at the harbor..."

Zephyr snorted, put away his sunglasses, and shook out his coat. Then he suddenly turned serious. "All right, Roy, Sengoku wants to see you."

Garp pursed his lips, then grabbed Luffy by the back of his collar and scooped Nami up. "Come on, kids, Grandpa's taking you for barbecue!"

Luffy kicked his feet excitedly. "Meat! Meat!"

Nami glanced worriedly at Roy, who gave her a small nod to reassure her.

Marine Headquarters · Sengoku's office

Outside the wooden doors, Roy took a deep breath, raised his hand, and knocked lightly.

"Come in."

Roy pushed open the door. Sengoku was sitting behind his desk, his gaze sharp as a hawk's behind his glasses. He held a thick file in his hands, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Reporting to the Admiral. Rear Admiral Roy, reporting for duty."

Sengoku slowly put down the file and looked up at Roy, an unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes. "Sit."

Roy sat down, his back ramrod straight.

"Red-Haired Shanks,"

Sengoku began without preamble, his voice low. "What do you think of him?"

Roy frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "He's strong, but..."

He paused, his gaze certain. "He doesn't seem to want to be enemies with the Marines."

Sengoku's gaze shifted slightly. "Oh?"

"He probably has another purpose."

Sengoku tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, and a brief silence fell over the office.

After a moment, he abruptly changed the subject. "Those two children in Shimotsuki Village—you're sure you want to train them?"

Roy's gaze was rock steady. "Yes."

"Even if the World Government might object?"

Roy's gaze was sharp as a blade. "They're just children with tremendous potential. The Marines need fresh blood like that."

Sengoku stared at him without speaking for a long time.

After quite a while, Sengoku slowly let out a chuckle. "Garp and Zephyr were right. You really are..."

Before he could finish, the office door was flung open.

"Sengoku! My disciple isn't here to—"

Garp's booming voice cut off abruptly when he saw that Sengoku was now holding a thick stack of files, precisely aimed at his face. Garp hadn't noticed when he picked them up.

A vein bulged on Sengoku's forehead. Garp froze for a moment, then sheepishly scratched the back of his head and stuck out his tongue. "Ahem, old man Sengoku, don't be mad..."

Roy: "..."

After a brief silence, Sengoku sighed softly, adjusted his glasses, and turned his gaze to Roy. "The situation on the seas is complicated right now. You need to act carefully."

Roy's expression turned serious, his gaze blazing. "Understood!"