Warm Light and Shadow

Marineford - Above the High Platform

Garp and Zephyr walked side by side to Sengoku's side.

The three of them stood together on the high platform, calmly overlooking the heartwarming reunion below the dock.

The sea breeze howled, colorful flags Hunting Roar in the wind, and the blazing sun shone on the figures of the three elders, as if gilding them with a layer of golden light.

The cheers from the Harbor were deafening, yet amidst the clamor, the three felt a strange mix of heaviness and relief.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, watching Roy reunite with his parents, Luffy, and Ace. A slight smile crept onto his lips as he murmured with emotion:

"Times have changed... Finally, someone can take up our shoulders."

Sengoku's expression was complex, and a deep light flashed in his eyes.

It was a sense of relief after years of battle and trials, yet mixed with a certain reluctance.

Garp, however, showed no sadness, and laughed loudly, his voice soaring into the sky:

"Haha!! A change of era? Isn't that a good thing! We old bones can finally take a break!"

Hearing Zephyr, Zephyr turned his head and saw that Sengoku still had a gloomy expression. He couldn't help but frown and ask, "What's wrong, Sengoku? This isn't like you."

Upon hearing this, Garp burst into laughter, and then promptly slapped Sengoku on the shoulder.

"Hey, hey, this is a special day! Why are you looking so sullen? Aren't you happy?"

Sengoku's chest heaved violently, and he finally couldn't hold back any longer, roaring so loudly that even the high platform seemed to tremble three times, "Garp!! You bastard!!"

His anger seemed about to burst forth; his eyes widened in fury, and he pointed at Garp's nose, roaring:

"Zephyr is one thing! At least he's trained generations of successors, passing on the responsibilities from generation to generation!"

"And you?! What's wrong with you?! Running around everywhere! Causing trouble everywhere! Completely ignoring the group!!"

"Do you even know how busy I've been these past few months?!"

Garp, however, looked completely innocent, even lazily picking his nose with a nonchalant smile on his lips, "Hey, don't be so stingy, Sengoku!"

"Isn't your job your favorite thing? Haha--!"

"You--!"

The Sengoku was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to throw a punch.

Seeing this, Zephyr had no choice but to reach out and stop him, his lips twitching as he advised, "Calm down, Sengoku. Today is a big day. Don't lose face in front of the New Generation."

Garp, however, kept laughing, patting Sengoku on the back as he laughed, "Haha! Come on, you punch me once, I punch you once, isn't that even?"

Sengoku completely lost his temper, his face turning red as he roared like thunder, "Ka--Pu--!"

Below the platform, the soldiers watched as the three pillars of the navy bickered and argued, almost coming to blows, and couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

But I felt incredibly at ease.

Their pillars are still so full of energy.

--This commotion is precisely the source of the Navy's peace of mind and confidence.

On the other side of the dock, Rock and Airin stood quietly, watching the three naval elders on the high platform start arguing over a single word.

Sengoku's roar shook the heavens, Garp laughed so hard he almost fell over, Zephyr helplessly tried to break up the fight. The three of them were playing around like a bunch of children.

This scene left Rock and Airin slightly stunned.

They had assumed that the legendary "three pillars" of the navy should be as majestic as a mountain and as steady as iron, but they never expected it to be such a lively and comical sight.

The two exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously asked in a low voice, "These... are the three pillars of the Navy?"

There was a hint of disbelief in his tone.

Roy couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head with a smile. He stepped forward and gently patted his parents' shoulders. "Yes, it's them."

"Don't let their constant bickering fool you; the navy's ability to hold on this long is largely thanks to these three."

Airin paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, the tears welling in her eyes lightening somewhat with this relief.

Rock also laughed heartily, his cheerful voice blending into the hustle and bustle of the Harbor.

Seeing this, Roy's lips curled into a slight smile, and he gestured, "Come on, I'll take you to your lodgings. Today is a day for our family to reunite."

With that, he led his parents and the New Generation away from the bustling dock.

Behind them, Garp's hearty laughter, Sengoku's roar, and Zephyr's helpless words of advice intertwined to create a lively symphony.

The entire Harbor remained bustling with excitement, filled with laughter and applause.

--Until a soft sigh came:

"Those old guys are causing trouble again..."

Staff Officer Staff Officer Tsuru slowly, carrying a thick stack of documents.

With a helpless expression, she shook her head. "Really, at such an old age, she's still acting like a child..."

After saying that, she walked towards her three old friends, once again taking on the role of "savior."

This day is destined to be etched into the memory of Marineford.

Marineford Roy's residence

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the courtyard, which was bustling with activity, as if it were a festive occasion.

In the Kitchen, Meierbeier finished her mission early and rushed back, putting on an apron and personally taking charge of the cooking. Sanji was twirling the spatula beside her, while Baby-5 held out snacks with a look of anticipation.

The clatter of pots and pans filled the house early in the morning, and the aroma of food permeated the entire place.

"Hurry up! This is Roy's parents' first time here, the menu has to be perfect!" Sanji said, his spatula flying across the pan with swift and efficient movements.

Usopp tried a piece of the snack and mumbled, "Delicious! Absolutely no problem!!"

The restaurant was just as lively, with Ace and Luffy setting up tables and chairs and occasionally reaching out to steal food.

Nami and Nojiko set out the tableware, unable to suppress a chuckle, "Those two, even in navy uniforms, are still the same."

Luo Jingjing sat by the window, a rare relaxed smile on her lips.

Soon, a feast was laid out on the table: stewed meat, grilled fish, clear soup, desserts... the aroma was irresistible.

Roy took off his Vice Admiral's cape and casually hung it aside, losing some of his toughness and gaining more of a homely air.

As he sat down, Airin immediately served him soup, nagging and showing concern. "You've lost weight, haven't you? Don't just think about others, eat more for yourself too."

Rock laughed heartily and slapped his son on the back, "God of War or hero, in our eyes, you're just our son!"

Roy was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, a rare youthful ease appearing in his eyes.

At this moment, he was no longer Vice Admiral carrying the hopes of countless people, but simply a child returning to his parents' side.

Laughter filled the dinner table: Ace and Luffy were fighting over meat when Nami and Nojiko pulled them back; Sanji was busy adding food to the table; Baby-5 was eager to help; Usopp vividly recounted his adventures, making everyone burst into laughter.

The dining table erupted in laughter instantly.

Although Zoro and Kuina are still challenging Hawk-Eye in the distance, Chopper is not there to accompany him, at this moment—almost everyone closely connected to Roy has arrived.

Laughter, clinking glasses, and the clatter of bowls and chopsticks intertwine to create the warmest melody.

As night fell, the house Flame and filled with laughter.

A gentle sea breeze blows outside the window, leaving only the scent of home.

At this moment, Roy, the God of War, is simply Roy.

He is the son of his parents, the elder brother of his friends, and an irreplaceable member of the extended family.

The warm light and shadow are captured in this moment.