In this cramped cell, two men—one old, one young—sat facing each other around a tiny oil lamp.
The dim light flickered in the room. Roger smiled for the first time in days.
"Only brought four bottles. Once they're gone, that's it."
Aus pulled out four bottles of rum from his pack, popping them open one by one. Originally he hadn't planned to drink, but considering Captain Roger was about to take his final journey, he could make an exception.
"Come on, Captain Roger! I don't usually drink, but I'll break my rule this once!"
Aus declared boldly.
He felt pretty damn manly and romantic.
But...
Unexpectedly, Roger looked at him with pure disdain.
"What's that supposed to mean? If you don't like drinking, just leave it all for me. I don't have enough anyway."
This old bastard—was he childish or just a complete alcoholic?
How petty!
A vein popped on Aus's forehead as his face darkened.
Fortunately, after much convincing, Captain Roger finally gave up one bottle.
Then Aus pulled out several wrapped bone steaks from his pack.
The execution was in a few days. Even if it wasn't fancy, this was his final farewell meal.
Roger was obviously thrilled.
Looking at the booze and meat, he was clearly happy, though the shackles hindered his movements.
"Want me to get those off?"
"Oh? You can!?" Roger grinned.
Due to illness and starvation, he had little strength left—even using Haki was tough.
Seeing this, Aus felt sick to his stomach.
Using Ryuo with a light touch, the sturdy shackles crumbled to dust.
Two men who'd both shaken the seas chatted happily, eating meat and downing alcohol.
This scene made Aus recall those free, happy days aboard the Oro Jackson.
"Aus, how's everyone doing now?" Roger asked, face flushed from drink, meat in his left hand, booze in his right.
"Uncle Rayleigh sent everyone back to their hometowns. No Marine pursuit, no wanted posters—heard they're all doing great."
"Good." Roger was satisfied, taking a massive gulp. Worth negotiating with the World Government to leave his crew alone.
"Though my wanted poster got canceled, after that Marine Headquarters fight, I'm back up to over 2 billion belly." Seeing Roger so happy, Aus added.
"Pfft... cough cough cough..."
Hearing this plot twist, Roger couldn't hold it and sprayed alcohol everywhere.
Just as he was about to complain about Aus causing trouble, he noticed he'd wasted precious booze.
"My alcohol!!!"
Roger's mouth hung open, lamenting the waste instead. Only when Aus gave him his remaining bottle did he cheer up.
"...By the way, Shanks and Buggy are coming to watch the execution in two days. I'll be there with them."
"Shanks and Buggy?"
Hearing those brats' names, Roger's face turned nostalgic as he instructed:
"They're the new era's hope, Aus. You've got to take care of them for me."
"Huh? Aren't I part of the new era too? Why should I do that?"
Aus was confused. Talk about playing favorites.
"New era? You've already seen the One Piece. We went too early—lost our qualifications." Roger said like it was obvious.
"Wait..."
Aus caught something wrong and went blank.
He was still young!
When he joined the crew, he got caught up in the excitement and happily went to Laugh Tale. Did that age him up a generation?
Oh shit!
I've become a remnant of the old era!
Aus was stunned, standing there dazed before snapping out of it.
Looking at it this way, he had zero chance in the future 12-person competition.
Not that he really cared about that, but inexplicably becoming an old-timer felt weird.
He hadn't even properly adventured on the seas—how'd he become part of the retiring old era?
Whatever...
He never wanted to be Pirate King anyway. His goals were elsewhere, so it didn't matter much.
After working through this, Aus felt better. He could still do whatever the hell he wanted.
That night, they talked about everything:
Views on the World Government, nostalgia for sailing days, thoughts on the world's future.
After eating and drinking their fill, it was time for Aus to leave.
But before going, Aus seemed to remember something and turned back to the man who'd dominated the seas his whole life.
"Hey, Captain, you've got a wife and kid, right?"
"Oh? How'd you know?" Roger looked startled.
"Forget already? My Observation Haki."
"Hahaha, right! Almost forgot—what an incredible ability."
"So... need me to take care of them? You know the World Government and Marines will never let them go."
Aus said quietly, eyes boring into Roger.
"About that, don't worry Aus. I've already entrusted them to..."
"Garp, right?"
Aus turned around, staring seriously at the still-optimistic bearded man.
Aus admitted Roger was a good captain—a great pirate with spirit and ambition.
But he was definitely a shit husband and father.
Aus had no right judging whether Roger's choices were right or wrong, but as a former intern who'd received his kindness, a half-disciple, though he had no right to interfere, he couldn't help himself:
"Just Marine Vice Admiral Garp—what position do you expect him to take against the entire World Government and Marines?
Or do you think your so-called mutual respect can make Garp betray the Marines?"
"Right now, she's just a powerless pregnant woman."
"..."
Facing Aus's pointed questions, Roger fell silent, losing his perpetual smile for the first time.
He had no answer.
Seeing Roger like this for the first time, Aus's face showed neither sorrow nor joy as he continued:
"Since I've gotten so much from you over the years, I'll get the mother and child somewhere safe.
Of course, I won't interfere too much with their lives.
Whatever path that kid wants to take later, let him decide."
After speaking, Aus looked at Roger, who sat unresponsive with his head down.
He turned and teleported out of the cell, walking toward the exit.
Just as Aus was about to disappear from Roger's sight, his Observation Haki caught a whisper:
"Thank you, Aus."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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