However, finding one of the twenty-one Great Grade Swords wasn't easy. Only a few were known in the One Piece world. Unlocking Sōgyo no Kotowari wouldn't be easy.
Even if Akira Stone knew the location of two of the twenty-one Great Grade Swords, it would be hard to get them.
"Roger is here."
Akira Stone was shocked to hear that Roger had come. After disbanding his crew, Roger had disappeared. Nobody knew where he was.
Countless people were searching for him, but nobody could find him. Now, he had come to the Whitebeard Pirates alone.
Roger only wanted to see Whitebeard. Whitebeard only took one person with him: Akira Stone.
Seeing Roger again, Akira Stone found him different. Before, Roger was domineering and imposing. Now, Roger was still like that, still domineering, but more restrained. His eyes weren't as sharp as before, but softer, as if hiding something.
"Whitebeard, hey, isn't that Little Akira? I heard you didn't eat the fruit I gave you and gave it to Jozu. You're generous," Whitebeard and Akira Stone met Roger on a small island. Roger laughed happily when he saw them, then asked Akira Stone, surprised.
Akira Stone politely said, "Long time no see, Uncle Roger. I heard you became the Pirate King. Congratulations."
"Hahaha…"
Roger laughed, saying, "What Pirate King? Just an old man about to die. After death, fame, fortune, dreams, and goals are all fleeting."
Whitebeard put down his sake jug, asking, surprised, "What's wrong? Roger, that doesn't sound like you. You're the 'Pirate King,' guhahahaha…"
Roger didn't hide anything. He was dying. He had come to see Whitebeard to see an old friend before he died.
Roger said, "Whitebeard, I'm dying."
"What?"
Whitebeard was shocked, exclaiming, "What happened? How are you dying?"
Roger said, "I have an incurable disease. I have less than a year to live."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, saying, "So you desperately searched for Laugh Tale to find the treasure before you died?"
"Yes."
Roger nodded, saying, "I found the treasure, Whitebeard. Do you want to know where it is?"
Whitebeard shook his head, saying, "I'm not interested. You don't need to tell me."
Roger laughed, saying, "Haha, I knew you'd say that. Otherwise, it wouldn't be too hard for you to find Laugh Tale."
Whitebeard sighed, saying, "No wonder you disbanded your crew. Come, Roger, let's drink."
Roger took a swig, laughing, saying, "Birth, old age, sickness, and death are natural laws. No matter how strong you are, you can't fight illness. I'm just an ordinary person. I'm satisfied knowing what I wanted to know before I die."
Whitebeard was silent. Roger was dying. He felt sadness. What was the point of the sea if Roger died?
Roger said, "But I won't die quietly. Before I die, I'll do something big, adding some life to this rotten world."
Akira Stone was shocked. He knew Roger had decided to turn himself in, starting a new era.
Whitebeard and Roger kept drinking, as if they had forgotten about Akira Stone. Akira Stone didn't do anything, quietly watching the two strongest kings of the sea talk.
"Little Akira, come on, have a drink."
Roger looked at Akira Stone, handing him the sake jug. Akira Stone took the jug, frowning. He didn't like alcohol. Even in the alcohol-loving Whitebeard Pirates, he had never taken a sip.
But looking at Roger, Akira Stone took a big gulp. The Pirate King Roger's sake was worth drinking.
"Hahaha…"
Roger laughed happily for a long time. He said, "You're an interesting kid, Whitebeard. This 'son' of yours isn't simple. He awakened Conqueror's Haki at such a young age and has amazing Observation Haki. His future is limitless."
"Observation Haki?" Whitebeard looked at Akira Stone, surprised, then asked Roger, "Roger, do you mean Little Akira Stone has Observation Haki?"
Roger laughed, saying, "Whitebeard, you should know my Observation Haki is one of the best on the sea. This kid is naturally gifted. He has Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki from birth."
Whitebeard believed Roger. Roger's Observation Haki could hear everything. If he said Akira Stone had Observation Haki, it must be true. After the surprise, Whitebeard was happy.
Akira Stone was also surprised. He had guessed his sixth sense was the nascent form of Observation Haki, but he wasn't sure.
Hearing Roger say it, he was happy. He also understood that Observation Haki might be related to mental strength. He had lived two lives, so his mental strength was higher than others, increasing his chances of awakening Observation Haki.
Roger said, "The sea is for the young now, Whitebeard. You and I are old."
Whitebeard laughed, saying, "I'm not old yet, guhaharara."
"Hahaha…"
Roger laughed. He and Whitebeard were getting along well, drinking and talking until late. Just when Akira Stone thought Roger was leaving, Roger said to him, "Little one, are you interested in learning from me for a few days?"
"What?"
Akira Stone couldn't believe his ears. Whitebeard was surprised, looking at Roger.
Akira Stone asked, "Uncle Roger, what did you say?"
Roger smiled, saying, "I think you're an interesting kid. If you're interested, you can learn from me for a few days. I can teach you something, Whitebeard, what do you think?"
Whitebeard looked at Roger, then said, "I don't mind. It's lucky for Little Akira Stone to learn from you."
Roger said, "The kid is smart and talented. He's destined for great things. I'm an old man about to die. Helping the younger generation is useful."
Roger asked Akira Stone, "Little one, are you willing?"
Akira Stone nodded seriously, saying, "I'm willing."
"Hahaha…"
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