A Parent's Heart

East Blue · Dawn Island Village

As the sun sets, the sky turns a golden-red hue.

Smoke curls from the chimneys of the small village at the foot of the green hills, and the sounds of oxen mooing and children playing can be heard from the fields.

A tall figure slowly stepped onto the village road, wearing a white "Justice" cloak, which stood out in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Hey! It's Roy back!!"

The shouts from the distant fields caused a commotion, and several villagers carrying hoes stood up straight, grinning from ear to ear.

"Our village's big shot is back!"

"What rare gadgets did you bring this time?"

Is it candy? Is it jerky?

Roy chuckled and pulled several bags of colorful candies from his pocket, tossing them casually to the children running towards him. "Don't grab them, everyone gets some!"

"Wow!" The children cheered and rushed forward, rolling around in the fallen leaves with giggles.

The adults watching the scene were filled with doting and pride.

Just then, an old man wearing an old cotton vest, his face full of wrinkles from smiling, walked slowly over. He was none other than the village's notorious "braggart uncle."

He looked up at Roy's three-meter-tall figure, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder, but barely managing to reach his arm. So he simply slapped him a few times with more force. "Kid, back then your uncle just said it casually, and you actually paved the whole village road like a royal avenue! Haha!"

Roy chuckled and scratched his head. "Of course I remember what you said. It's much more convenient to go to the market in town now, isn't it?"

"Of course!" the uncle said proudly. "People from the three neighboring villages all come here to buy things, saying we're 'walking the road of Justice,' haha!"

Laughter echoed through the village, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere of homecoming along with the sunset.

Dawn Island, Roy Family, Dinner Time

The charcoal fire was burning brightly, and an enticing aroma wafted from the Kitchen.

The wooden table was laden with steaming home-style dishes: stewed potatoes with Sea Cow Meat, fresh fish soup, braised seaweed... The aroma was irresistible.

"Dinner's ready!" Grandma Airin called out with a smile, still holding the last batch of fried meatballs in her hand.

Luffy and Ace couldn't sit still any longer; they practically pounced on the table. "I want that dumpling!"

"Ace, don't steal my bowl!!"

"Eat slower!" Old Master Rock glared at them sternly. "You two are such fast talkers! The food isn't even all served yet!"

Roy sat at one side of the long table, watching this scene with a gentle smile. After everyone had almost finished eating, he put down his chopsticks and looked at his parents intently.

"Dad, Mom... you really don't want to move to Marineford? I've already arranged a place there. It's safer at Marine Headquarters, and I feel more at ease there."

Rock and Airin exchanged a glance. Airin gently put down her spoon and said softly, "Silly child, we've lived here our whole lives. Our friends, neighbors, and habits are all here."

Rock snorted, but his tone was unusually gentle. "Don't always treat us like old people. Even if there's danger, we have ways to protect ourselves."

Airin patted Roy's hand. "As long as we know you've all grown up safe and sound, we're content."

After a moment of silence, Roy nodded solemnly. "Then promise me that if anything happens, you must contact me via Den Den Mushi! No matter where you are, I'll come back immediately!"

"Okay, okay, you're just as nagging as your mother." Rock picked up his wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

"I heard you, old man!" Airin laughed and scolded, then added more rice to the three of their bowls. "Eat up, stop talking, you're still growing."

The night breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers and grass, brushed past my ears, and a bright moon hung high in the sky, dotted with stars.

Roy stood alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the night sky.

Behind them were eaves illuminated by Flame, from which came the warm sounds of laughter.

His eyes reflected the light of the sky, but his heart had already flown far away.

"Pure Gold from the Grand Line, a wondrous item that can grant eternal youth..."

"If that thing really exists..."

He looked down at Airin and Rock by the dining table inside the window, at those two familiar yet increasingly aged figures.

Memories of surviving as an orphan from a past life flood back, as if a string in my heart has been gently plucked.

"With my current abilities... I can find it as long as there's even the slightest clue."

He clenched his fist, his gaze as resolute as ever.

"I will make sure you all live healthy and happy lives forever."

The night sky was quiet, the stars twinkled faintly, and all was peaceful. Behind him was the harbor he cherished dearly.

The next morning, a light mist swirled around the ground, and the first crows of roosters rang out.

Before the sun had even set on the mountains, Smoke was already billowing from the Roy Family's chimney, and the aroma of fried food wafted from the Kitchen.

Grandma Airin, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove. A thick soup was simmering in a small pot, and a large baking tray was piled high with freshly baked jerky and honey Biscuit, emitting an enticing aroma.

"Luffy, open your mouth, it's not cold yet!"

As she packed the Biscuit into a cloth bag, she nagged, "No matter how intense your training is, you can't go hungry! Especially you, Luffy, you forget who you are as soon as you eat meat, be careful not to choke!"

"Mmm!" Luffy had already stuffed three Biscuit into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster's, and his mouth was covered in grease.

He nodded frantically and shouted, "Grandma's cooking is the best!"

Ace stood to the side, arms crossed, looking at the guy with a headache. "Can't you say goodbye to Grandma like a normal person? At least don't have something in your mouth..."

"That's a way of expressing feelings too!" Luffy chuckled, almost choking on the Biscuit crumbs.

"Cough cough--!"

"See!" Ace patted his back quickly, shaking his head helplessly, "What a troublesome guy."

On the wooden steps by the door, old man Rock stood with his hands behind his back, his gray-blue cotton coat looking slightly thin in the morning breeze.

He seemed to be looking up at the sky, but his gaze was actually following the movements of his two grandsons.

He scolded sternly, "Training is training, but don't slack off. Remember to write me a letter every month!"

"Grandpa, I'm not a little kid anymore."

Ace rolled his eyes, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. "Don't worry, we'll definitely work harder than anyone else!"

Roy walked to his father's side, his voice low and deep. "Dad, we're leaving."

Rock grunted in agreement and waved his hand casually, "Okay, okay, go on, don't delay things. Um... come back when you have time."

"We definitely will." Roy smiled and nodded, a rare gentleness in his eyes.

Just before they were about to leave, Ace and Luffy ran to Airin, opened their arms, and hugged her tightly.

"Grandma, we want to eat your stewed meat again next time! Make lots of it, and big chunks!" Luffy said, his eyes sparkling.

Airin chuckled as she ruffled his hair, carefully hanging up the food bag. "Okay, next time Grandma will stew beef brisket for you, and make your favorite rice cakes."

Ace then said earnestly, "Grandma, I will try my best to become stronger. Next time I come back, it won't just be for food; I want you to be proud of me."

Airin's eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back and reached out to straighten the hem of his shirt. "Silly child, you've always been our pride."

Roy stood behind the two and said softly, "Mom, we're leaving."

Let's go.

As soon as he finished speaking, he gently raised his palm, and a spatial ripple slowly spread out.

Airin waved. "Be careful on the road, and remember to Den Den Mushi."

Rock snorted and turned his face away, "... Don't let people underestimate the navy from the East Blue!"

But his gaze had already unconsciously drifted towards the center of the spatial fluctuations, as if he wanted to look at the three departing figures for just one more second.

In the next instant, the three figures disappeared into the morning mist.

In the empty courtyard, the wind rustled through the Bamboo Grove.

Airin walked over to Rock and gently patted his shoulder, her tone teasing. "You stubborn old man, you're clearly the one who's most reluctant to part with him, but you're pretending to be so serious."

"Cough... who wouldn't want to part with it?"

Rock coughed lightly and replied curtly, "Those brats just need some toughening up; they'd better get out there and gain experience sooner!"

Hehe~

Airin smiled but didn't expose him further.

She reached out and pulled Rock's cloak up around him, her voice gentle. "It's getting chilly, don't stand outside for too long."

"Um."

Rock nodded, but didn't move. His gaze remained fixed on the direction the children had left, his eyes glistening with a faint, slightly moist light.

Those were his three proudest children, and also the softest, most cherished memories in his heart.