The Roger Pirates Disband

The day they returned from Laugh Tale.

The sea breeze was the same as ever.

But the world had quietly changed.

The sunset stained the sky above the harbor orange-red, and the sea reflected flecks of golden light.

The Oro Jackson lay quietly at anchor by the shore. Crew members worked in small groups on deck.

Shanks stood by the rail, his fists clenched.

His eyes were fixed on Roger.

Those usually bright eyes held a doubt that had never been there before.

"Captain..."

Shanks's voice trembled.

He asked something in a low voice.

The sea breeze blew between them, carrying a cool, salty tang.

Roger stood there with his familiar smile, but his eyes held a complicated look.

Shanks froze at the answer. A moment later—

Tears spilled down his cheeks.

"Captain..."

Shanks bowed his head and gripped Roger's clothes tight. He couldn't stop crying.

His shoulders shook. For the first time, the boy truly understood—

The weight of an era.

Roger simply reached out and settled that familiar straw hat gently on Shanks's head.

He gave his head a light pat and said nothing.

Several days later, the news swept across the world like a storm.

From the Grand Line to the Four Seas, from harbor taverns to royal courts.

Every newspaper carried the same name on its front page.

The man who had sailed all the way around the Grand Line;

The man who had reached the end of the world;

The man who had uncovered the final route;

From that moment on, the world gave him a new name.

—Pirate King.

Somewhere at sea, aboard the Oro Jackson.

The wind filled the sails. A fresh newspaper had just arrived on deck.

Rayleigh leaned against the mast with a drink in one hand and the paper in