Oh No! I've Become a Remnant of the Old Era?

In this narrow cell, an old man and a young man sat facing each other around a small oil lamp.

The dim light flickered unsteadily in the room. Roger smiled for the first time in days.

"I only brought four bottles. Once they're gone, that's it."

Austin took four bottles of rum from his bag and opened them one by one. He hadn't planned on drinking himself, but since Captain Roger was about to set off on his final journey, he supposed he could make an exception.

"Come on, Captain Roger. I don't usually like it, but I'll break my rule and drink with you this once!"

Austin declared boldly.

He felt he was really embracing the romance of manhood.

But...

To his surprise, Roger looked at him with disdain after hearing that.

"What's that? If you don't want to drink, just leave it all for me. I don't have enough as it is."

This old geezer—was he being childish, or was he just a pure drunkard?

And stingy to boot!

A vein bulged on Austin's forehead, and his face darkened repeatedly.

Still, after much persuasion, he managed to get Captain Roger to spare one bottle.

Then Austin pulled out several wrapped pork knuckles from his bag.

After all, the execution was only a few days away. Even if it wasn't lavish, this counted as a final farewell meal.

But Roger was clearly satisfied.

Seeing the food and drink before him, he looked delighted, though the shackles on his wrists hindered his movements.

"Want me to take those off for you?"

"Oh? Can you!?" Roger laughed.

Wracked by illness and prolonged hunger, he had little strength left, barely able to use Haki.

Watching this, Austin felt a pang in his heart.

He gently touched the sturdy shackles with Ryou, and they shattered into fragments.

The two men, both of whom had once shaken the seas, now chatted cheerfully, eating meat and drinking wine.

This scene made Austin recall the happy, free days aboard the Oro Jackson.

"Austin, how's everyone doing now?" Roger asked, holding meat in his left hand and rum in his right, clearly tipsy with a flushed face.

"Uncle Rayleigh has sent everyone back to their hometowns. No Navy pursuit, no bounties. I hear they're all doing well."

"Is that so." Roger nodded in satisfaction, taking a big gulp of rum. It was worth it that he'd specifically negotiated with the World Government to drop all pursuit of his crew.

"But my bounty was revoked at first. Then I got into a fight at Marine Headquarters, and now I'm wanted for over two billion Berries again." Seeing Roger so happy, Austin added.

"Pfft... cough, cough, cough..."

At this sudden twist, Roger couldn't hold it in and sprayed his drink everywhere.

He was about to tease Austin for being too troublesome when he noticed he'd wasted another mouthful of rum.

"My booze!!!"

Roger's mouth fell open as he lamented the lost drink, growing sulky. It took Austin giving him his remaining rum to cheer him up again.

"...By the way, Shanks and Buggy said they'd go watch the execution in two days. I'll go with them too."

"Shanks and Buggy, huh?"

Hearing those two kids' names, a nostalgic look crossed Roger's face. He turned to Austin and instructed, "They're the hope of the New Era, Austin. You need to look after them for me."

"Huh? Aren't I part of the New Era too? Why do I have to do that?"

Austin was confused. Wasn't this a bit biased?

"New Era? Haven't you already seen the One Piece? We went too early. We've lost our qualifications," Roger said matter-of-factly.

"No..."

Austin sensed something off and was momentarily stunned.

He was still a young man!

When he'd joined the crew, he'd just gone along for the camaraderie and excitement, happily sailing to Laugh Tale together. And now he'd gotten promoted in seniority?

Damn!

He'd become a remnant of the Old Era!

Austin was dazed, standing there for a long while before snapping out of it.

And with that, it looked like he had no chance of being selected for the future twelve-man battle royale.

Not that he really cared all that much, anyway.

But being suddenly lumped in with the old-timers still felt strange to Austin.

He'd barely even roamed the seas at all—how was he already part of the Old Era that should be retiring?

Forget it...

He never wanted to be the Pirate King anyway; his ambitions didn't lie there, so it didn't matter much.

Once he came to that realization, Austin felt a lot better. He could still mess around however he wanted, after all.

That night, the two of them talked about many things.

Their views on the World Government, nostalgia for their past days of sailing, and thoughts on where the world was headed.

After eating and drinking their fill, it was finally time for Austin to leave.

But just before he went, Austin seemed to remember something and turned back to look at the man who had dominated the world for a lifetime.

"Hey, Captain, I recall you have a wife and child, right?"

"Oh? How did you know?" Roger was a bit taken aback.

"Did you forget? My Observation Haki."

"Hahahaha, right, I almost forgot. What an amazing ability."

"So... do you need me to look after them for you? You should understand—the World Government and the Marines will never let them go."

Austin said flatly, his eyes fixed intently on Roger.

"About that, don't worry, Austin. I've already entrusted them to..."

"Garp, right?"

Austin turned around fully, staring seriously at the big-bearded man who still looked so optimistic.

Austin admitted that Roger was a good captain—a great pirate with ambition and spirit.

But he was undoubtedly a failed husband and a failed father.

Austin had no right to judge whether Roger was right or wrong. But as a former crew member who had once received his kindness, almost a half-disciple, he couldn't help speaking up, even if it wasn't his place.

"With just Garp, a Marine Vice Admiral, what identity does he have to stand against the entire World Government and Navy?

Or do you think that so-called bond of mutual respect between you two is enough to make Garp betray the Marines?"

"Right now, she's nothing but a defenseless pregnant woman."

"..."

Faced with Austin's barrage of questions, Roger fell silent. The ever-present smile on his face was gone.

He had no words.

Seeing Roger like this for the first time, Austin's expression remained calm, neither sad nor happy. He continued speaking.

"Since I've been under your care for so many years, I'll settle them somewhere safe.

Of course, I won't interfere too much in their lives.

As for what path that child chooses to walk in the future, that'll be up to him."

With that, Austin looked at Roger, who stood frozen and silent with his head down.

He turned and teleported out of the cell, walking away.

Just as Austin was about to disappear from Roger's line of sight, his Observation Haki caught a faint whisper.

"Thank you, Austin."