Ten thousand meters in the sky.
High-altitude winds whipped past, but they barely affected Aus as he shot straight toward the South Blue.
He really didn't want to rush like this.
But with only two days until the execution, he remembered that shortly after Roger's death, the Marines would follow breadcrumbs to Baterilla Island in the South Blue.
Roger's wife, Portgas D. Rouge, would forcibly delay her childbirth by over a year to avoid Marine inspection—ultimately dying after giving birth.
Just to be safe, Aus had to move early.
With his teleportation ability, reaching the South Blue would only take about an hour.
If things went smoothly, he should make it back for the execution.
One Piece: Legend Begins-South Blue, Baterilla Island
This was a gorgeous country—at least Aus thought it was perfect for romance.
Love always blinds people. Lovestruck girls often fall for the good men of the seas.
But Rouge understood the truth: while Roger loved her, a man like him could never be caged by love, especially with death knocking at his door.
He loved her, but he loved the ocean more. Loved his dreams more.
Still, Rouge was willing—willing to carry on the bloodline of the man she adored.
Standing by the cliff, Rouge gazed at the sea as wind swept through her hair.
Looking at Roger's wanted poster, her mind conjured images of them together.
"If it's a boy, we'll call him Ace. If it's a girl, Ann."
Those were the names Roger had promised.
But he'd never get the chance to meet his child.
"Please accept my condolences, ma'am."
A voice shattered Rouge's thoughts. She spun around warily to find a tall young man in black military uniform standing beside her.
Panic shot through her.
Her first thought: I've been found.
Roger's fame was too massive—neither pirates nor Marines would let his bloodline slip away.
She had to run!
"Don't be nervous, ma'am... I'm not a bad guy. Captain Roger was worried about your safety and sent me as his final request."
Roger?
Maybe it was hearing that name, or maybe Aus truly showed no hostility, but Rouge finally stopped.
After all, as a pregnant woman facing a tall, muscular man—where could she run anyway?
Seeing Rouge had stopped fleeing but still looked completely on guard, Aus felt a headache coming.
What could prove his identity?
Should've asked Captain Roger to write a letter or something.
After thinking, inspiration struck. He pulled out his own wanted poster, showing it directly to Rouge and pointing at his description.
"Ma'am, this should explain everything."
Rouge saw his earnest expression and looked where Aus pointed on the paper.
"...Dead or alive, heinously evil?"
After reading that description, Rouge stared even more warily at this "villain."
Aus: "..."
Wrong section.
"Aus... Roger Pirates crew member?"
Seeing the confusion in Rouge's eyes, Aus rubbed his head helplessly.
No choice.
He'd already forced his way onto the ship halfway through, followed Roger to cash in on the era's benefits, become a total freeloader.
Time to pay the price.
Unlike Roger's other crew members, he hadn't followed Roger out of shared dreams, friendship, or pursuing ideals.
Their relationships were equal. The Roger Pirates weren't some bloodline family—they had zero obligation to do anything for Roger's widow and child.
Whether from ignorance or indifference, nobody could blame them.
Their main job, Roger's real request, was guiding the inheritor of Roger's will to Laugh Tale at the right time—
Not the inheritor of Roger's blood.
But Aus was different from Shanks and Buggy. After boarding as kids, Captain Roger had undeniably taught and protected them.
Under that relationship, Shanks and Buggy—as new era hopes qualified to compete for One Piece—throwing themselves into the new era was the best repayment.
Shanks inherited the straw hat, carrying Roger's will forward, potentially reaching Laugh Tale at the right moment.
Even if he couldn't, he'd maintain the sea's balance and pave the way for the next inheritor of Roger's will.
Buggy, as one of the new era's potential seeds—while Roger didn't invest much hope or training in him, it balanced out.
Only Aus belonged to neither category.
He was both an old era remnant and a young man living in the new era. Roger had never even asked him to do anything.
On the return voyage from Laugh Tale, after understanding Aus's greatest pursuits were happiness and freedom, Roger hadn't even asked him to escort the will's inheritor—just said to leave the world's hope to others. No other requirements.
This awkward position made Aus feel he should do something.
After all, he didn't inherit any will, but he'd gained power and benefits without missing a beat.
So taking good care of Captain Roger's wife and child was the only way he could think of to repay Roger.
"Yeah, before Captain Roger left, he was worried about you and specifically asked me to take care of you."
Aus wore a gentle smile, telling a well-intentioned lie without a trace of acting.
Those simple words shattered Rouge's final defenses.
Tears flowed like broken pearls as Rouge pressed her forehead against Aus, biting her lip while clutching the newspaper announcing Roger's execution.
There was a big age gap between them. She'd fallen for Roger out of pure love, so she respected his dreams and choices.
But that didn't mean she didn't care about this love.
Learning that Roger still worried about their mother and child, Rouge had no doubts and chose to trust his crew member Aus.
She was willing to leave with him.
After all, she and her child needed safety, and Aus—as Roger's crew member—seemed incredibly reliable.
They didn't waste time since Aus still had to rush back for the execution.
Following Rouge back to her small house, they quickly packed some belongings.
Easily lifting an enormous bundle, Aus glanced around and spotted a dusty sword in the corner.
Roger's blade.
One of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords.
Ace.
"If you want it, you can have it." Rouge noticed and smiled. "After all, I can't use it, and Roger left more than just this memento. Now you're our only support, and you're Roger's crew member..."
She could do this small favor.
It would give her peace.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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