Just as Tesoro stood up, ready to quietly slip away after accomplishing his mission, another figure strolled out from the deeper shadows with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth.
Who else could it be but Roger?
"Well, well. The little brats have really grown up. They sure ran fast!"
Roger picked his nose with a look of fatherly pride, wearing the satisfied expression of a parent watching his children finally spread their wings. He didn't seem the least bit bothered that his own kids had just "attacked" Tesoro.
Tesoro smiled helplessly at the carefree father.
"I did what you asked of me. Honestly, you're as unreliable as ever. If you wanted to give them a farewell gift, you could've just done it openly."
He looked toward the distant sea.
"I believe they're ready to face the Grand Line. I've seen both their determination and their strength."
Those words came from the bottom of his heart.
Rit, Rouge, and Roger had truly raised three remarkable children.
At that moment, Stella and Rouge slowly walked over from the house.
Rouge gazed at the empty harbor and the three tiny black dots that had almost disappeared into the night. Tears shimmered in her eyes, yet a gentle smile remained on her lips.
Seeing her expression, Tesoro spoke softly.
"My lady, they've grown up. It's time to let them chase their own adventures. The sea was always meant to belong to the next generation."
Roger nodded enthusiastically.
"Ku-hahaha! That's right, Rouge! Back then, Rit was already sailing with me when he was only three years old! We were already... uh... exploring the sea together!"
He caught himself just in time, swallowing the part about chopping people up.
Some stories were better left untold around the family.
Rouge shot Roger a single glance.
The former Pirate King immediately shrank his neck.
She let out a quiet sigh and gently wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
"I know..."
"But I still can't help worrying."
"When Rit first set sail alone, he was already capable of taking care of himself. These three are still just children."
"There, there."
Roger waved his hand casually.
"They've got Rit's reputation protecting them, and Mr. Tesoro watching over them too. They'll be fine."
"The sea always brings people back together eventually."
Then Roger suddenly remembered something and scratched his head with the same finger he'd just used to pick his nose.
"By the way, Tesoro."
"You're in favor of letting kids go out and have adventures, right?"
Tesoro blinked in confusion but answered honestly.
"Of course."
"They're strong enough to look after themselves now."
"Good."
Roger grinned.
"Then I guess I don't have to worry about telling you anymore."
Tesoro suddenly had a terrible feeling.
"...Tell me what?"
Roger flashed a huge smile.
"Your little Lati."
"I saw her sneaking aboard Ann's ship earlier."
"She even brought that big hunk of metal, BT, with her."
"She used the mist Rit left behind to hide herself, so I figured she'd be fine."
"I was originally planning to wait until you started panicking before telling you."
"But since we're already talking about it..."
"Might as well tell you now!"
Roger burst into hearty laughter.
Tesoro froze.
"...What?"
His little princess...
His precious daughter...
Had secretly... gone out to sea?
In an instant, a horrifying movie began playing automatically inside his head.
Several years later...
Lati returned home with a punk sporting rainbow-colored hair, riding a heavily modified junk boat that looked ready to fall apart.
The delinquent had one arm around Lati's waist, a toothpick dangling from his mouth as he casually called out,
"Hey, old man! Is it safe to park my Ghost Rider boat at your golden harbor?"
"Nice place you've got."
"Lati and I will just move in here from now on."
"Nooooo!"
Tesoro screamed silently inside.
Golden light exploded from his body.
He was just about to transform into a golden meteor and chase after his daughter.
"Te... so... ro..."
A gentle yet unquestionable voice interrupted him.
Stella reached over, grabbed his ear, and twisted.
"Ow! Ow! That hurts! Stella!"
The mighty Golden Emperor surrendered instantly.
Stella looked at her husband with equal parts amusement and exasperation.
"I approved it."
"But Stella!"
"Lati's still so young!"
"The sea is dangerous! What if..."
"There is no 'what if.'"
She interrupted him firmly.
"Our daughter has made her own choice."
"I trust Ann."
"She'll take good care of Lati."
"And with BT there, what exactly are you worried about?"
"Don't you trust our daughter's judgment?"
"Or Captain Rit?"
"Don't forget, BT contains Captain Rit's mist, has been enhanced by Judge's modifications, and even incorporates the special alloy that Mr. Bullet acquired."
One after another, Stella's arguments left Tesoro completely speechless.
He looked at Rouge, whose face clearly said My daughter is perfectly reliable.
Then he looked at Roger, who was still grinning like an idiot.
Finally, he met Stella's eyes.
Those eyes were clearly saying,
Go after them if you dare.
The Golden Emperor visibly wilted.
His shoulders slumped as if all the strength had drained from his body.
With tears nearly forming in his eyes, he cried pitifully,
"But..."
"But..."
"What if she really brings home some punk one day and asks me for my inheritance?"
Rouge finally laughed through her tears and shook her head.
Stella simply covered her forehead, completely speechless at how her husband's intelligence seemed to vanish whenever their daughter was involved.
Roger patted Tesoro on the shoulder.
"Cheer up!"
"Maybe Lati will bring home a dependable young man like Rit someday!"
Tesoro imagined a miniature version of Rit, somehow even more shameless than the original, wrapping an arm around his daughter while calling him,
"Hey, old man."
Tesoro fell silent.
...
Why does that somehow sound even worse?
"I..."
"I didn't mean..."
"I just..."
He simply couldn't bear to let go.
His precious little princess...
She had run away with someone else.
Even if that "someone else" was Ann, whom he'd watched grow up since childhood...
It still didn't sit right.
Well...
Maybe it wasn't completely unacceptable...
Rouge gently placed a hand over Stella's and smiled softly.
"Every child has their own road to walk."
"All we can do is believe in them..."
"And wait here for the day they come home."
Roger watched the touching scene unfold and laughed loudly.
"Ku-hahaha!"
"Look on the bright side, Tesoro!"
"Maybe next time Lati comes home, she'll bring you along for the adventure too!"
Tesoro rolled his eyes at Roger.
But as he looked toward the endless sea carrying the dreams of the next generation, all that remained was a long, helpless sigh.
Meanwhile, far out at sea aboard Ann's ship...
The hatch to the storage compartment quietly creaked open.
A small head slowly poked out.
Lati flashed a mischievous grin at Ann, who was calmly steering the ship.
"Big Sister Ann..."
"Surprise!"
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