Arriving at Laugh Tale, Saving an Eternal Pointer First

"It's not that easy to change history, after all."

Austin crouched beside a flushed Buggy and shook his head regretfully.

Even though he had consciously reminded Buggy to pay attention to his diet and exercise, as the voyage neared its end, Buggy had still fallen ill, much to Austin's dismay.

Austin could do nothing about it; he couldn't force Buggy to continue traveling with them at the risk of his life.

And just as in the original story, Shanks volunteered to stay behind and take care of Buggy.

Austin also understood that Buggy would recover in a few days with rest on the island, as long as he didn't force himself to land. So, he wasn't too worried.

After bidding farewell to Shanks, Austin knew the final moment was imminent; the beginner's protection period was about to end.

Therefore, during these days, he sought out Gaban and Rayleigh more and more frequently, wanting to learn as much as possible to use as capital for his future exploits on the seas.

In fact, if he hadn't worried that fighting Roger before reaching Laugh Tale might lead to Roger's premature demise, Austin would have even wanted to have a formal match with a strong fighter like Roger.

This way, he wouldn't be killed and could clearly understand the gap between himself and the world's apex.

Alas, there was no opportunity.

As Gaban finished drawing the blueprints, Austin looked at the island marked "Final Island" on the map and couldn't help but feel excited.

Upon landing on the island, Austin and all the crew members walked forward, with Roger at the very front.

As they looked around, everyone burst into laughter. "It seems we've arrived a bit too early!"

Austin actually had many theories in his heart, but upon seeing the reality, he couldn't help but smile knowingly.

"So, this is the One Piece, Oda the old thief."

The ship slowly departed from Laugh Tale. Austin sat at the stern, holding something resembling a bracelet.

It was inlaid with several glass spheres, containing three pointers.

Roger stood by the ship's side, slowly watching the island recede further into the distance.

"Captain, I'd like to record a pointer, if you don't mind."

Austin had no intention of being secretive and openly addressed the pensive Roger beside him.

Originally, Austin had prepared himself for rejection, but to his surprise, Captain Roger didn't seem to have any objections.

"Sure, but you won't let this thing spread around carelessly, will you? Austin."

"Just a souvenir," Austin chuckled.

Just like the joyous laughter on the way there, the return journey was filled with cheerful drinking and chatting. None of the crew members seemed troubled by the end of their journey.

Only Austin felt a bit down, because he knew, the day of parting was fast approaching.

Silently lying by the ship's edge, Austin idly tossed the Eternal Record Pointer in his hand, catching it, then tossing it again, and catching it again.

Gaban noticed his melancholy. Holding a newspaper in his left hand and a bottle of wine in his right, he slowly walked over.

"Austin, want a bottle?"

Austin, who normally disliked drinking, was taken aback by Gaban's outstretched hand. He rarely accepted, but this time he took it and clinked bottles with Gaban.

"...It's so bitter."

"Men on the sea need to drink to show their boldness!"

"I don't understand..."

Although Austin said that, he still clinked bottles with Gaban again.

The bottle of wine was nearly finished by the two of them in a few gulps. Gaban casually tossed the bottle into the sea and handed Austin a small piece of paper.

"Here, this is my Vivre Card."

"Huh?"

"If you change your mind later and realize how good wine is, you can come find me to drink together."

"You might not live to see that day."

Austin smiled. He hadn't expected that as they neared parting, Gaban, who always appeared serious on the ship and was one of the few strict figures among the Roger Pirates, would show such a personal side to him.

However, Austin was happy about it. If he had free time in the future, he could visit Gaban.

After all, he also wanted to visit Elbaf properly and witness firsthand how Gaban managed to subdue a wild Giantess.

And Gaban could keep a Giant species; Austin wondered how he managed that.

Did he crawl inside?

Austin felt a pang of curiosity.

Elbaf, Austin is determined to go.

It's about ten days round trip.

As they neared, Austin stood at the bow, gazing at the island gradually appearing in the distance. Beside him were Oden, Rayleigh, and Roger.

Compared to Roger's height of two meters seventy, Austin wasn't much taller than a kid.

"Austin, do you remember what you said when you joined the crew?" Rayleigh asked, looking into the distance.

"Of course," Austin replied. He certainly wouldn't forget, even if he'd only said it to get on the ship.

"Actually, I said the same thing to Rayleigh once. By rights, you should be the one to inherit my will the most.

But I always felt you wouldn't be the kind of man to follow destiny's path, Austin."

Roger smiled and patted Austin's head, his words carrying a subtle weight.

Austin didn't deny it, merely nodding in silence.

"I'm a good judge of character, which is why I left Shanks and Buggy behind but brought you along, Austin. You're not the person the World is waiting for.

Furthermore, your talent and power remind me of someone, a man even I feared – the former ruler of the seas, Rocks.

So, for my sake, Austin, Please leave the future of the World to [Hope], just as you saw on Laugh Tale."

Austin hadn't expected the usually carefree Captain Roger to have such a cunning side.

The World's "Hope," huh?

Thinking of the New Era Captain Roger was about to exchange his life for, Austin fell silent for a long time.

"I understand, Captain. I promise."

Honestly, he had never considered supporting the World Government's rule, but he also had no interest in overthrowing the old world.

He only wanted absolute power for himself, to do as he pleased, and live freely in this world, unbound by any rules or forces.

He lived only for himself, doing whatever made him happy.

In other words, his shoulders truly couldn't bear the heavy responsibility the World bestowed, nor would he use his life to advance the course of history.

Upon hearing Austin's agreement, Roger was overjoyed, as if a great burden had been lifted from his heart. He then turned and chatted with Rayleigh about their younger days.

Before they knew it, the ship docked.

From afar, Austin saw an excited Shanks. He then turned and called out Buggy as well.

The two were overjoyed. Buggy rushed forward, slinging an arm around Austin's shoulder, and everyone chatted merrily.

However, before long, Shanks, who had been talking with Roger, suddenly burst into tears, interrupting the reunion.

Austin didn't listen to their conversation, but he could guess what it was about.

Roger had probably just told him that the Pirate crew was about to disband.