The Golden Lion's fleet's disgraceful retreat gave the Roger Pirates a prize haul unlike anything they had seen before.
On deck, the captured barrels of rum were stacked like mountains, while the aroma of roasting meat mixed with sea breeze and drifted far across the waves.
"To Kael and his Heaven's Fall Wave!"
"To the Captain and his Divine Departure!"
Crewmates linked arms, raised their mugs, and sang loudly, celebrating this dazzling victory against overwhelming odds.
Leaning against the mast, orange juice in hand, Kael Grylls smiled quietly as he watched his rowdy companions.
In his head he was still reeling: first the fledgling Whitebeard, now the tsundere Golden Lion he had crossed blades with both of these living legends.
Damn, what a rush.
It was like triggering two late-game hidden boss fights back-to-back while still in the starter village of an RPG. Absurd, exhilarating, and absolutely unfair.
"What are you thinking about?" Rayleigh sat down beside him, handing over a skewer of grilled fish.
"Wondering if we got the wrong logbook," Kael said with his mouth full after taking a bite. "Other people's adventures are treasure hunts and monster slaying. Ours is apparently a world tour of legendary pirates, one challenge after another. Quite the job description."
Rayleigh chuckled and shook his head. "They're the ones seeking us out. Especially Shiki his ambition guarantees he'll clash with Roger sooner or later."
His gaze drifted toward Roger, who was laughing like a fool as he arm-wrestled with Gaban. "And besides, isn't that what makes this interesting?"
Kael looked at Roger's guileless, wide smile and nodded inwardly.
Yeah. That's what makes it fun.
After the feast, the Oro Jackson set sail once more.
This time, the destination was clear as crystal. The Log Pose's needle pointed unwaveringly straight ahead, never once wavering. Its stillness seemed to declare that the end of the voyage was close at hand.
Every day, the excitement on board grew.
"When we reach the last island, the first thing I'm doing is shouting to the whole world that we're the first crew to sail around the globe!" Nozdon cried from the prow, arms outstretched as if embracing the glory to come.
"I'm finding the prettiest girl I can, and telling her I'm part of the Pirate King's crew!" Elio said, eyes shining.
"Pirate King, huh?" Gaban laughed, hefting his axe. "Not a bad title. When we get there, let's give that name to the Captain!"
"Kuahahaha! Sounds pretty grand to me!" Roger bellowed without hesitation, happily accepting.
Amid the noise, Kael only leaned quietly against the rail, letting the wind brush against his face.
He knew this needle did not point to the true final island. But he said nothing, letting himself be carried along by his companions' pure, unguarded joy.
Being able to witness such a historic moment with his own eyes wasn't that one of the greatest pleasures of this second life?
Weeks later, Dorlinger's near-shrieking cry from the lookout shook the ship.
"Land! I see it! The island at the end of the Log Pose!"
The entire crew rushed forward, eyes fixed on the horizon.
There it was: a breathtaking island where countless waterways crisscrossed like ribbons of blue silk. At its center, a colossal natural fountain soared skyward, sunlight catching in the mist to scatter brilliant rainbows.
"Water Star Island," Rayleigh murmured as he checked the charts. "What a beautiful name."
"Dock! Dock! Time for a feast!" Roger was already waving his arms impatiently.
The Oro Jackson drifted to shore. Pirates leapt onto solid ground, some kissing the earth in excitement, others rushing to unload barrels and food.
They had done it. They had conquered the dreaded Grand Line.
Laughing loudly, Roger drew Ace and planted it into the highest point on the shore, declaring their arrival.
But amid the celebration, a note of discord crept in.
"Captain, Mr. Rayleigh… look at this." Elio pointed at the Log Pose, confusion clouding his face.
Everyone turned.
The needle, which had been so steady, now spun wildly like a drunkard staggering home.
The cheers on deck died instantly.
"What's going on?" Gaban frowned.
Rayleigh quickly produced a spare Log Pose. The same thing. The needle whirled erratically.
The atmosphere froze, the warmth of triumph vanishing in an instant.
They all knew what it meant.
A Log Pose failed only in one case: when another island lay beyond.
This was not the end.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Nozdon's smile stiffened. "Then… where do we even go next?"
Without their compass, the sea ahead was nothing but uncertainty.
"Kuahahaha…"
Roger's sudden laughter shattered the silence.
Every head turned. Instead of disappointment, their captain's eyes shone brighter than ever.
"What's with those faces?" Roger slung Ace over his shoulder, grinning. "The adventure isn't over yet. Doesn't that make it even better?"
For a heartbeat, the crew froze. Then, swept up by his sheer force of spirit, their doubts melted away.
Of course. They were the Roger Pirates. They had followed the freest man in the world to sea. Who cared if the journey had no end?
"You're right!" Gaban was the first to laugh. "Then we'll keep searching!"
"Ohhhh!!" The crew roared in unison, their spirits blazing anew.
Kael watched, awe in his chest.
This was Gol D. Roger. To him, despair and uncertainty were nothing but the prologue to a new adventure. That was why he was destined to be Pirate King.
As the others readied themselves to explore, Roger's eyes caught on a vine-choked ruin nearby.
"Oh? What's that?" He charged ahead like a child finding a new toy.
The crew followed. Brushing aside the vines revealed the mouth of a cave. At its end stood a massive red stone cube radiating an ominous presence.
"A Poneglyph?" Rayleigh recognized it instantly. But his eyes narrowed. "No… the color's different. I've never seen a red one."
Kael's heart thudded.
Finally. A Road Poneglyph.
This stone would point them to the path toward the true end of the world.
The crew circled the monolith, baffled by the ancient script.
But when Roger stepped forward and laid his hand on the rough surface, his whole body froze.
His expression turned solemn. He closed his eyes, as though listening.
"Roger?" Gaban asked.
For a long time, Roger didn't answer. Then his eyes opened, brimming with shock and exhilaration.
"I can hear it…" he whispered, voice trembling. "This stone… it's speaking to me."
"Speaking?"
"It says this island is indeed the end of the Log Pose… but not the end of the Grand Line." Roger's voice rose, fierce with conviction. "To reach the final island, we must find four of these red Road Poneglyphs! Each one marks a location. Connect the four, and at the center lies the island no one has ever reached the true final island!"
The cave fell silent.
The crew stared, shaken to their core.
So the Grand Line could not be conquered by sailing alone. The Poneglyphs were the keys. The quest was far larger and far harder than they had ever imagined.
Then Roger laughed, throwing his head back. His laughter boomed in the cavern, brimming with uncontainable joy.
"Kuahahaha! So that's it! So that's the truth!" He drew Ace and pointed toward the endless sea. "This world still hides a secret that vast!"
"Men!" His eyes blazed as he turned back to them. "The adventure has only just begun! Our new goal is to find the remaining Road Poneglyphs and reach the final island! Will you sail with me to the very ends of the world?!"
"OOOOHHHH!!"
Their deafening roar shook the cave itself. Their doubts and confusion had been burned away, replaced by a greater, brighter purpose.
Kael stood among them, smiling as he watched Roger shine at their center, radiant with joy.
He lifted his gaze toward the endless sky and sea beyond.
To seek the final island.
To witness the birth of One Piece.
The true dawn of the Great Age of Pirates would be brought forth by their own hands.