The Ringing Den Den Mushi

"You're back? You left without a word. These kids really missed you. What an irresponsible adult, hahaha..."

Rayleigh burst into laughter, while Hanazuki sat nearby, his gaze fixed on Yamato as he battled the beasts.

"I never said I'd take responsibility for them. Whether they lived or died would depend on their own choices. I'm not a babysitter."

"Besides, I ran into Shanks in the East Blue. It seemed that, for the sake of some brat, he gave away Roger's straw hat—and his own left arm."

Rayleigh's movements stiffened slightly. As if nothing had happened, he took a drink from his gourd, unable to stop himself from recalling the moment they had first met.

"Shanks made his choice for the future too. That's his business. An old pirate like me, already retired, has no right to interfere. But..."

"For him to give away Roger's straw hat, that brat must be a lot like Roger. I'd really like to meet him someday."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Flame Flower heavily struck the ground with her Blue Snake cane, her brow furrowing with displeasure.

"A lie can fool people for a while, but never for a lifetime. How long do you intend to keep this hidden? How long will you deceive all the citizens of Amazon Lily?"

Hanazuki turned toward Flame Flower, who was earnestly trying to persuade them, and the Boa Sisters, whose faces were filled with sorrow.

"But, Granny Flame Flower, if people find out that we once... once went through something like that, there will never be a place for us in Amazon Lily."

Hearing this, Flame Flower was deeply troubled as well. These children had suffered enough, but what method could possibly keep the truth hidden from every resident of Amazon Lily?

"Don't be so harsh on them. The opportunities