Roy and Kuina stopped, and Roy raised his hand and knocked on the door of the cabin.
The door opened quickly.
A woman opened the door.
She looked to be in her early thirties, with long, light blonde, wavy hair loosely draped over her shoulders, and a few light freckles on her face.
A few fine lines have appeared at the corners of her eyes, but the gentleness and resilience shining through those orange eyes...
It gives her face an aura that makes people feel at ease.
The moment she saw Roy, she was stunned for a moment, then her whole face lit up with surprise.
" Captain Roy?! What brings you here--"
As she spoke, Rouge hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron and flung the door wide open to welcome the two into the house.
His movements were so swift and efficient that he didn't seem like someone who had just woken up.
I was just passing by the East Blue and thought I'd drop by to see you.
Roy walked into the house with a smile, and Kuina Rouge.
Her gaze lingered on Rouge's face for a moment—this aunt possessed a very special quality.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just makes me feel at ease.
"Saying it's on the way? Nobody believes you."
Rouge glared at him with a smile, while busily pouring tea and chattering away.
"Please sit down, please sit down. Who is this little girl?"
"Weren't you always staying in the New World? Why did you suddenly come to the East Blue?"
"This is Kuina."
"Those from the Shimotsuki Village Isshin Dojo, you'll be training with me on Hachinosu from now on."
Roy sat down at the table, took the teacup Rouge offered him, and took a sip.
"I did come to East Blue on business, and I just happened to be passing through, so I thought I'd drop by."
That's not entirely untrue.
After spending a day in Shimotsuki Village, Long set off for the East Blue branch of the Revolutionary Army. Roy said he was going to Foosha Village and told Long to go first, saying he would follow shortly.
But judging by the time, the dragon should still be at sea right now.
"Hello, Aunt Rouge." Kuina greeted respectfully.
"Oh, just call me 'sister'."
Rouge smiled and patted Kuina's head, then turned to Roy, a hint of gossip in her eyes.
How have you been these past few years?
The newspapers are full of news about you, things like " Heavenly Tribute" and " Marine Admiral "—
Every time I see it, I get terrified, afraid that I might see some bad news one day.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Roy smiled and looked Rouge up and down.
How about you? How are you doing here?
"I'm fine."
Rouge wiped her hands on her apron again, her smile faint yet serene.
" Makino's tavern is short-staffed, so I go there to help out and earn some living expenses."
The village isn't big, and everyone takes good care of me; I live a pretty peaceful life.
"It's Buggy, that kid—he sneaked in to see me once two years ago."
Unfortunately, Garp happened to be returning just then, and they almost got caught red-handed.
The child was so frightened that his hat fell off, and he climbed out of the back window and ran away. Nobody knows if he's ever found it again...
Roy's lips twitched as he listened.
Buggy's luck is as outrageous as ever.
Imagine someone bumping into their most feared naval hero; it's a testament to their strong mental fortitude that they didn't faint on the spot.
"But he escaped in time, Garp didn't catch him."
I, on the other hand, got a scolding from Garp, who told me I shouldn't associate with pirates.
Rouge sighed, looking helpless.
"I didn't argue with him, I just listened. Anyway, he left after he finished scolding me, and he hasn't come back for several months."
Roy chuckled.
That's definitely Garp's style.
Shanks comes here quite often.
Rouge's tone suddenly became lighter, clearly indicating that she liked the name.
"He always brought a lot of things when he came, food, supplies, and even a beginner's book on swordsmanship for Ace."
Every time they leave, they leave behind a large sum of Beli, which I've tried to refuse several times.
That child...
She paused for a moment, seemingly considering her words, but finally spoke frankly.
"He's a good person."
"I heard he's been in this area recently," Roy casually remarked.
"Yeah?
Then I'll have to prepare properly.
Rouge, then she seemed to remember something and stood up.
"By the way, I'm going to help out at Makino's place later, do you guys want to come along?"
"The tavern isn't big, but the fruit wine made by Makino is among the best in the entire East Blue."
Just as Roy was about to nod, he heard the door leading to the inner room creak open.
A dark-haired boy rubbed his sleepy eyes and came out from behind the door.
He looked about seven or eight years old, with a head of black curly hair that looked like a bird's nest. He was barefoot on the wooden floor, and there were pillow marks on his face.
He was wearing a pair of slightly faded shorts and a loose, old cotton vest, and his arms already showed signs of a child's physique.
The little one yawned and mumbled indistinctly, "Mommy, are we having guests?"
Then he looked up, his gaze sweeping around the room before finally settling on Roy.
In that instant, Kuina witnessed his eyes go from blurry to clear, and from clear to shining, all in less than half a second.
"Roy--Brother Roy?!"
Ace snapped back to reality as if struck by lightning, lunging forward and grabbing Roy's arms with both hands, his head tilted back, his face filled with excitement and adoration.
It really is you!
"Why are you here!"
"I was just dreaming about you! Buggy said you were fighting Marine Admiral in the New World, is that true?!"
"Is your ship really over a hundred meters long?! The newspapers say you robbed all the Celestial Dragons of their money, is that true?!"
"Stop, stop, stop--"
Roy was nearly knocked backward by his barrage of questions, and, both amused and exasperated, grabbed Ace's shoulder.
"Ask one question at a time. Let me catch my breath first."
Kuina looked at the black-haired boy in front of her, secretly surprised.
She had just thought the child was quite cute with his sleepy eyes, but as soon as he recognized Roy, he was like a completely different person, his eyes burning with an almost fiery fervor.
And judging from his tone—this child seemed to have heard about Roy's deeds since he was a child, and he worshipped Roy almost without reservation.
Ace was completely oblivious to the strange girl beside him, still tugging at Roy's sleeve and chattering away.
"Brother Roy, how many days are you staying this time?"
"Could you teach me a couple of moves? I can already beat those thugs in the back hills, but old man Garp says I'm still far from being a Marine—"
"Who said you were going to join the navy?" Roy raised an eyebrow.
"That's what old man Garp said! He said he'd make both Luffy and me Marine Admiral someday!"
Ace answered matter-of-factly, then added defiantly,
"But I don't want to be a Marine. I want to be a pirate—a pirate like you, Brother Roy!"
Before he could finish the last half of his sentence, he was interrupted by a sudden voice.
" Ace!!"