Drake

Marine warship · Deck

The sea breeze brushed gently across the deck as the warship sailed steadily back toward Marineford. Waves rolled across the blue sea, and distant seagulls flew freely against the horizon.

Drake stood at the ship's side, gripping the cold railing tightly with both hands. The veins on the backs of her hands stood out faintly, and her knuckles had turned slightly white from the force of her grip.

His eyes were full of conflict and struggle as he gazed at the surging waves. Again and again, the savage, twisted face of his father, Barrels, surfaced in his mind.

His father had once been the hero in his heart, an imposing Marine officer who wore the coat of justice and protected the peace of the seas.

He had once proudly told everyone, "My father is a great Marine!"

But many years ago, for reasons unknown, his respectable father had suddenly cast off the mantle of justice and become a vicious, brutal pirate.

He became addicted to alcohol and quick to anger, beating his only son and tormenting and berating him day after day. Drake's initial admiration turned to fear and resentment.

At nineteen, he should have been a mature, independent young man, yet years of fear left him behaving like a helpless child before his father.

"Why... did Father become like that?"

Drake took a deep breath, a determined light flashing in her eyes. She slowly turned and headed for the captain's cabin.

Inside the captain's cabin

Roy sat behind a large desk, leafing through a thick stack of mission reports, his expression focused and calm.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened gently, revealing Drake standing in the doorway, looking a little nervous.

"Rear Admiral Roy... may I talk to you?"

Roy set down the document in his hand and looked up slightly, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "How are your injuries?"

"I'm fine now. Thank you for asking."

Drake lowered her head and hesitated for a moment. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head with a determined look, her voice clear but trembling slightly:

"I... I want to join the Marines!"

Roy raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue.

Drake clenched her fists, her throat working slightly as she continued, "My father, Barrels, used to be a Marine officer... When I was little, I always saw him as my hero and role model. I dreamed that one day I could wear the coat of justice just like him."

His voice grew low, and pain flickered in his eyes. "But then my father betrayed the Marines and fell so far as to become a pirate."

"He drank, went mad, and became extremely violent. He often beat and kicked me for no reason..."

Drake's voice gradually weakened, as though she were trying to control the turmoil inside her. Her knuckles trembled slightly with anger.

"I was afraid of him, and I even hated him. But what I hated even more was... that I couldn't do anything back then."

Drake raised her head, her eyes now burning with resolve. "So I want to become a Marine, not to follow in his footsteps, but to avoid repeating his mistakes. I want to be someone who truly upholds justice!"

Silence filled the room for a moment. A faint smile gradually appeared on Roy's lips, as though he had anticipated this outcome all along.

"The future captain of 'SWORD'... I was right about you after all."

Roy rose, walked over to Drake, and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Welcome to the Marines."

Drake was visibly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Roy to agree to her request so readily. She asked hesitantly, "Don't you... need to ask me anything else?"

Roy chuckled, his tone gentle but firm. "Everyone has a past they can't change, but what the Marines care more about is the choices you'll make in the future."

He turned, picked up a document from the desk, and handed it to Drake. "This is an application form for the Marine recruit training camp. You're a little older than the standard age for recruits, but I'll personally recommend you to Teacher Zephyr."

Drake slowly took the document, her gaze settling on the word "Marine." For some reason, her eyes began to sting.

He looked up sharply, his voice solemn and grateful. "Thank you... Rear Admiral Roy!"

Roy nodded, encouragement in his eyes. "Don't disappoint me."

That evening, the setting sun sank slowly toward the horizon like a giant red gemstone. Its rosy light shone on the shimmering sea, forming a magnificent picture.

Drake walked slowly to the bow and saw Roy standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sunset. His back was as upright and steadfast as a mountain.

He hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Rear Admiral Roy... why did you trust me so easily and agree to let me join the Marines?"

Roy gazed quietly into the distance, his voice low and calm. "Because I saw true 'resolve' in your eyes."

He turned his head slightly to look at Drake, his gaze gentle yet sharp. "Young people like you are exactly what the Marines need!"

"You dare to face the past and have the courage to forge a future!"

Drake froze for a moment. It was as though a warm current slowly passed through her heart, and a sincere smile gradually appeared on her once lost and gloomy face.

"I'll prove through my actions that you made the right choice!"

Roy smiled and reached out to pat him on the shoulder. "I look forward to it!"

The warship continued steadily onward as the sea breeze blew gently. Drake stood on the deck, gazing out at the vast sea, an unprecedented sense of resolve and determination welling up inside her. Father, this time, I won't follow your shadow anymore.

This time, I'll live for my own justice.

The next day, the warship was about to leave the waters of the North Blue. The azure sea shimmered, and soft sunlight fell on the deck, warm and pleasant.

Kizaru lay comfortably in a lounge chair, sunglasses on his face and a glass of chilled juice in one hand, humming a strange little tune.

"Ah~ what a peaceful day~"

Suddenly, a figure arrived via Teleportation, and a familiar shadow blocked his sunlight.

Kizaru slowly looked up. After seeing who it was through his sunglasses, a familiar teasing smile appeared on his lips. "Oh my~ if it isn't our busy young Roy?"

Roy stood with his hands in his pockets, the corners of his mouth curling up as he smiled at him. "Uncle, you're really enjoying yourself, huh?"

"Oh my, slacking off is one of life's great pleasures~"

Kizaru lazily leaned back in his chair again and took a sip of iced juice, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Roy made himself at home, leaning casually against the nearby railing, his white coat of justice fluttering gently in the sea breeze.

Looking out at the waters of the North Blue they were about to leave, he said casually, "I have a little personal business to take care of, so I'll leave the warship to you."

Kizaru raised an eyebrow and took off his sunglasses. "Going to collect those 'special supplies,' are you? Young people these days are so scary~"

Roy curled his lip. "You know as well as I do, some debts shouldn't be left unsettled for too long."

Kizaru snorted with laughter and put his sunglasses back on, his tone teasing. "What a bother~ if Mr. Sengoku asks..."

Roy smoothly picked up where he left off. "Just tell him I went to inspect a North Blue branch on short notice."

Kizaru grinned. "Honestly, young people are so thorough these days. You've even thought up an excuse. I could learn a thing or two from you."

Roy shook his head helplessly. "Oh, come on, Uncle. When it comes to slacking off, nobody can compete with you."

Kizaru swirled the glass in his hand, the ice cubes clinking merrily, and waved with a grin. "All right, all right, go on. I'll get this ship safely back to Marineford~"

Roy smiled and nodded. He had just turned to leave when Kizaru suddenly added meaningfully:

"Remember to bring me back some North Blue specialties to try~"

Roy paused and looked back with a smile. "Don't worry, it'll definitely be a 'big gift.'"

Before he had finished speaking, his figure had already vanished into the sea breeze, leaving only Kizaru lounging where he was.

Kizaru looked in the direction Roy had gone and pulled a Den Den Mushi from inside his clothes. He hesitated, quickly tucked it away again, and shrugged as he muttered to himself:

"What a bother~ some things are easier to pretend you don't know about~"

He took another small sip of juice, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he murmured:

"Besides, it won't do the Marines any harm~"

"That brat Doflamingo is in for some bad luck this time. Tsk, tsk..."

Seagulls glided leisurely past the warship's mast as the vessel continued steadily toward Marineford.

North Blue · A remote island

Roy's figure quietly appeared on the harbor dock. A damp, salty sea breeze blew against his face, and the familiar air of bloodshed brought an involuntary cold smile to his lips.

He slowly raised his head and looked into the distance, a sharp, icy glint in his eyes.

"Doflamingo, that 'ransom' you owe me..."

"It's time to pay."