It was on an island in the New World, covered in beautiful cherry trees. Beneath those trees sat two men drinking, two men who stood at the pinnacle of the world...
The man who had spoken was Whitebeard. Back then, he had not been as old as he was now, and his body had been in its prime. Two rival pirates had become friends who could talk about anything after years of deadly battles. Fate truly had a way of toying with people.
At Whitebeard's words, Gol D. Roger simply grinned and drained another cup. His face was flushed from the alcohol, but he was smiling.
"Yeah, I don't have much time left!"
Few people could face their own deaths with such composure, and Roger happened to be one of them. There was no fear or anxiety on his face. He simply drank with the old friend sitting before him, just as he always had.
"Let me tell you how to get to Laugh Tale, Whitebeard!"
With the alcohol warming him and beautiful cherry blossoms drifting down around them, Roger suddenly took an interest in the idea and spoke to Whitebeard with a smile.
Whitebeard, however, seemed utterly uninterested. He curled his lip at Roger, drained the liquor in his cup, and said carelessly.
"Even if I knew, I wouldn't go. I'm not interested..."
At Whitebeard's answer, Roger burst into laughter, pointing a finger at him as he laughed.
"Hahahaha! Whitebeard, you're a fascinating man!"
As he spoke, he drained another cup and hefted the jug beside him, which had emptied yet again. Without standing on ceremony, he took a full jug from Whitebeard's side and refilled his cup.
Only then did he smile and speak.
"Do you know what the World Government's been calling me lately?"
"Gold Roger! No,