Sengoku's Request

After putting away the four fruits, Roy closed the metal case and set it down beside him.

He patted the lid gently, his fingertips tapping out an irregular rhythm as if he were still processing the system's exasperating notification.

"If that lousy system hadn't suddenly popped up, I'd almost have forgotten..."

He sighed softly, recalling the grinning idiot goddess tossing him his "reward"—

[Reward: Special Body · Multi-Fruit Adaptation]

That was right. Thanks to that reward, he possessed an ability people throughout the world of One Piece dreamed of: he could safely eat a second Devil Fruit, and his body would adapt to it perfectly, without any risk of rejection or exploding.

It was the kind of cheat every transmigrator dreamed of, yet, ridiculously enough, he had been so swamped lately that he had nearly forgotten it.

Roy chuckled helplessly and rubbed the spot between his brows. His gaze slowly grew deep, like the ocean beneath the night sky.

"Special Body... a constitution that lets me eat two fruits..."

He murmured under his breath, then turned his gaze to the Flame-Flame Fruit in the case, its entire surface fiery red, like flowing flame. A trace of tenderness and resolve flashed in his eyes.

"I'd better save the Flame-Flame Fruit for Ace."

An image flashed through his mind of Ace's carefree grin at the Marines' Marineford.

"With my guidance, he won't repeat the same mistakes, at least... The fruit itself has tremendous potential. As long as it's developed properly, his future achievements definitely won't be inferior to any Logia Admiral's."

"The pinnacle of flame has never been mere wide-area Fire Fists, but the limits of temperature and control over it..."

Moonlight spilled down as he slowly raised his head and looked at the vast night sky.

"But... the Flame-Flame Fruit is far from the only one in this world worth eating myself."

He closed his eyes, and a name that had captivated countless people flashed through his mind—

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit..."

Roy frowned slightly, quickly reviewing the timeline from his previous life.

"If I remember correctly, Enel should have already eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit by now, right?"

He shook his head slightly, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. "Even if he hasn't, Sky Island is so big... I could go looking for it, but that would take too much time..."

The sea breeze swept past, carrying a damp, salty scent and stirring the hem of his cloak.

"Besides... this is a crucial time for the kids to build their foundations. I don't want to go looking for a fruit only to come back and find that some kid's been led away by so-called 'fate' again."

He chuckled quietly and shook his head at himself.

"Besides... no matter how powerful the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is, its strengths are just wide-area destruction and the speed of lightning. I'm not lacking in speed-based abilities right now, and with my giant physique and old man Garp's fist techniques, my destructive power isn't bad either."

"As for the second fruit that truly suits me—"

Before he finished speaking, a knife-sharp glint flashed in his eyes. It was a hunter's gaze, filled with undisguised ambition.

"That fruit, I absolutely have to get my hands on..."

Two days later, Marine Headquarters · Marineford harbor

Morning light fell on the harbor's white stone paving, and the air carried a faint, cool saltiness.

Roy appeared like a ghost, his white coat of justice fluttering gently in the wind, setting off his steady, forceful strides.

A patrolling Marine instinctively tightened his grip on his weapon at the sight of him, but once he saw Roy's face, he snapped to attention and saluted respectfully. "Rear Admiral Roy!"

Roy nodded slightly without breaking stride.

He had only taken a couple more steps when the Marine suddenly spoke up nervously. "Sir, Admiral Sengoku just gave orders that you're to go to his office immediately when you're seen!"

"Admiral Sengoku is looking for me?"

Roy raised an eyebrow, a trace of suspicion crossing his mind. By rights, he hadn't formally reported his trip to the North Blue, unless...

Uncle Kizaru... did you go telling on me behind my back again?

A trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he had no intention of explaining anything. As he turned, he heard the Marine mutter, "I heard there was a kid from the North Blue in the Admiral's office this morning too..."

Roy paused briefly and raised an eyebrow. Without saying anything, he continued forward.

Marine Headquarters · Sengoku's office

As Roy pushed open the door, the rich aroma of tea washed over him, mingled with a faint scent of senbei.

Sengoku was holding a teacup, the hint of a smile on his lips. A few senbei crumbs clung to his white goatee, making him look especially approachable.

Beside him stood a black-haired boy in a spotted hat, looking ill at ease.

"Law?"

Roy recognized the boy he had once saved from Doflamingo at a glance.

Trafalgar Law looked up, a glimmer appearing in the clear eyes beneath his hat. "Mr. Roy..."

Sengoku gently set down his teacup. The smile on his face seemed impossible to contain, and his voice softened. "Roy, this boy has been wanting to see you."

Roy stepped closer and reached out to rub Law's hat, concern in his eyes. "How's your Amber Lead Syndrome?"

Law stiffened slightly, but quickly relaxed. He pressed his lips together, and though his voice was quiet, he couldn't hide the determination in it. "With the fruit's power to help... it's completely cured."

Sengoku watched them, a trace of relief flashing in his eyes. Then he cleared his throat, his expression growing a little more serious. "Roy, I have a request."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you want me to help you look after a kid?"

Sengoku's face reddened, and he coughed awkwardly. "Ahem... this boy is extremely gifted. The power of the Op-Op Fruit in particular is very valuable to the Marines. Besides—"

His tone suddenly softened, taking on a rare hint of warmth. "Like Rosinante, he's someone you saved from Doflamingo."

At that, Sengoku's lips curved upward, as though he were deliberately trying to hide his joy and anticipation. "Besides... I've already adopted this boy as my 'grandson.'"

"Grandson?" Roy was slightly taken aback.

Sengoku put down his teacup, unable to hide his smile any longer, a hint of pride showing on his face. "Hmph, that old bastard Garp goes around bragging to me every day that he has two grandsons who are sure to become powerful Marines someday!"

He pursed his lips, a trace of childishness in his voice. "I need a grandson too! Besides, this boy's called 'Law.' That has to count for some kind of fate."

Roy looked at Sengoku's expression and couldn't help laughing. He shook his head. "Admiral, you really are something..."

His gaze fell on Law. The boy's lips were stubbornly pressed together, and there was determination and admiration in his eyes.

"Mr. Roy..."

Law took a deep breath. Though his voice trembled a little, his eyes were more determined than ever. "I want to get stronger!"

"Oh?" Roy looked at him with interest. "Tell me why."

Law clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white. "I... I don't want to run anymore... I want to be like you, strong enough to protect the people who matter to me!"

Sengoku watched them with a smile, his eyes full of relief and anticipation. "What do you say, Roy? Will you take him as your disciple?"

Roy glanced at Sengoku, then looked back at Law's face. Seeing the unwavering determination in his eyes, he was silent for a moment before finally sighing softly, though his lips curved upward. "All right. I'm already looking after two troublesome brats anyway. One more won't matter."

Law's eyes lit up at once, as if he had found where he truly belonged.

Sengoku grinned from ear to ear. "Then it's settled! From now on, Law will stay with you and train alongside Ace and Luffy!"

Roy rolled his eyes and shook his head helplessly. "Old man Sengoku, are you trying to turn my place into a shelter for problem children?"

Sengoku burst out laughing, spraying senbei crumbs everywhere. "Hahaha! That's because you're the best at looking after kids, boy!"

Beside them, a small smile quietly appeared on Law's lips, holding both the relief of having survived an ordeal and hope for the future.