"We've confirmed the woman's identity as Portgas D. Rouge. But… there's no trace of her. When she disappeared, it was as if she left nothing behind."
The CP agents reported stiffly. They hated admitting failure, but lying wasn't an option not when this case was under the attention of the Gorosei.
Even the smallest mistake could cost them their lives.
"…And this is supposed to be your specialty?"
Vice Admiral Garp raised a brow, though deep down, he felt relief. If even CP couldn't track her down, then Rouge hadn't been captured by the World Government. That could only mean one thing.
She had been taken by someone strong.
And the only ones who would dare… were the remnants of the Roger Pirates.
"That fool Roger…" Garp muttered under his breath.
"He broke our agreement. But if Rouge is with his crew, at least she's safe."
His gruff face softened for a moment. That was enough for him.
"Don't strain yourselves too hard," Garp said with a toothy grin, patting one of the agents heavily on the shoulder.
"If you do find any leads, let me know. Until then, I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel, boarded his warship, and promptly sprawled out in his quarters as if the whole matter was already settled.
"Buru buru buru~~~"
Moments later, his den-den mushi rang.
"Hm? A call from Windmill Village?" Garp blinked, quickly picking it up.
"Oi, village chief! What's wrong? Pirates causing trouble?"
Ever since Roger's execution had sparked the Great Pirate Era, the seas had been flooded with would-be treasure hunters.
Countless fools set out chasing the illusion of the One Piece, and Garp often worried about his hometown being caught in the crossfire.
"No, no, the village is safe. You don't need to worry, Garp."
The village chief's voice was calm, easing Garp's first concern.
"Then what's the matter?" Garp asked, puzzled.
"Well… an outsider arrived recently. She wants to settle down in the village."
"She seems kind-hearted enough, but just in case, I thought it best to let you know. Could you check if there's any problem with her?"
The chief explained the situation carefully.
Garp chuckled. "That's all? Easy. Just give me her name and a photo."
"This one's name is… Rouge. She didn't give her family name."
The village chief's voice trailed slightly.
Garp froze.
"What? What did you just say her name was?"
The moment Garp heard the word Rouge, his eyes widened and he sat up straight.
"Village chief, say it again!"
"Rouge. That's the name she gave. Is there… a problem?" The chief's voice carried a note of doubt. Could she be some infamous pirate?
"…Is she pregnant?" Garp asked in a low, careful tone.
"Eh? Yes, that's right. How did you know—? Wait, don't tell me…"
The chief suddenly trailed off, realization dawning. His face twisted into an odd expression.
"How could it be my kid!?" Garp screamed instantly, almost on reflex.
The chief waved his hands quickly.
"No, no, I didn't mean that! I was asking if… it could be Dragon's?"
His voice dropped, as though whispering a scandal. To him, it made sense maybe Dragon had been reckless, left a girl behind, and now she had come looking for Garp as family.
But looking at Garp's frantic reaction, the chief's thoughts slipped further down the wrong path. Could it really be… Garp himself lost control back then?
He muttered the suspicion under his breath.
Unfortunately, even whispered words couldn't escape Garp's ears.
The Vice Admiral's face darkened instantly.
"Tch… it's Dragon's. Not mine."
For the sake of his own reputation, he shoved the blame squarely onto his son without hesitation.
As for you, Dragon… what are you going to do about it?
You dare complain? If you do, I'll slap the other half of your face with my sandal, too.
"…So it's Dragon's?"
The chief studied Garp's expression. But despite the words, something in him doubted it. It just didn't feel right.
Still, he decided not to press further. "Very well. If you say so, then I'll treat the child as Dragon's."
Garp's eye twitched.
"What do you mean 'treat it as'? It is his!" he snapped, his voice fierce enough to make the den-den mushi flinch.
"Yes, yes. As long as you're happy."
The village chief spoke casually, clearly not planning to argue further.
"…Tch."
Garp rubbed the back of his head in frustration.
He knew full well there was no changing the chief's mind. Once people started thinking a certain way, they'd stick to it no matter what he said.
With a sigh, he hung up the den-den mushi and immediately called Dragon.
Without any shame, he bluntly told his son that he now had "an extra wife and child in name only."
And that if Dragon dared expose the truth, Garp would personally teach him another sandal-shaped lesson.
In this way, Rouge's life in Windmill Village finally settled into peace.
East Blue — At Sea
On the open waters, Rain and Mira's small boat drifted steadily across the waves.
Even during the voyage, they never slacked off. The two trained in turns, one steering the ship while the other exercised, both determined to keep improving.
Since awakening their haki, their progress had accelerated. Day after day, they could feel their strength climbing, the growth was visible, almost frightening.
It was more than discipline. It was rooted deep in their childhood scars, the unshakable drive to never be weak again.
Now, with each sunrise, their training became fiercer, their resolve sharper.
Outside of basic rest and handling the sails, every moment was spent pushing their limits.
"Mm?!"
Suddenly, Rain froze, his eyes flashing. A profound sensation surged within him.
"…It's complete."
At that instant, he realized... his fusion with Roger's soul had reached one hundred percent.
The Pirate King's spirit no longer lingered.
Everything Roger had been, everything he had seen, every ounce of strength, will, and experience, it now belonged wholly to Rain.
Though he would still need time to fully digest and master it, the truth was undeniable: the peak of Roger's power now flowed in his veins.
And the fastest way to develop it further… was to clash with the strong. Battle would carve the last pieces into him far quicker than quiet meditation ever could.
"What's wrong, Rain?"
Mira, noticing his sudden stillness, walked over with concern in her eyes.
Rain exhaled slowly, then answered with a small smile.
"I've completed it. Roger's soul is fully mine now. That means…" He paused, his gaze distant, as though looking beyond the horizon.
"…I've finally fulfilled my promise to him."
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