Watching the helpless yet proud smile on Rouge's face, the huge stone in Kyle's heart finally crumbled to dust. He let out a long breath, and his entire body relaxed.
"Rouge, it's not safe to stay here for long. Although the World Government is in chaos right now, we can't guarantee that some idiot won't follow the clues here. You should pack your things. We need to go."
Rouge nodded without hesitation. "Okay, please wait a moment."
She got up and walked into the bedroom, emerging a moment later with only a small package. Kyle looked at the tiny luggage, a little surprised. "That's all?"
"Yes, just some changes of clothes." Rouge placed the package on the table, then turned and walked back into the bedroom. This time, her movements were much more solemn. From a hidden compartment under the bed, she carefully took out a long, wrapped object covered in fine silk. The silk was Roger's favorite fiery red, embroidered with the Pirate King's skull symbol in gold thread. She carefully placed it on the table and unwrapped it layer by layer.
The first thing that came into view was a simple Western sword. Its scabbard was a deep, dark red, entwined with golden patterns that shimmered like flames. Next to it lay a quaint flintlock pistol, its handle a warm ivory color.
Kyle's gaze froze. He was all too familiar with these two weapons. They were Roger's beloved sword, "Ace," and his pistol, "Ann."
"This is…" Kyle's voice was a little dry.
"What Roger left for you." Rouge's eyes were as gentle as a spring. She caressed the cold scabbard, a fond memory on her face. "Before he went to Sabaody last time, he brought them out and muttered, 'Kyle is always using that beat-up old thing, it's not presentable. I have to give him my treasures.'" A helpless smile touched her lips. "But that idiot, when he was leaving, he was so busy talking nonsense to me that he completely forgot about them. He was always misplacing things." There was no blame in her tone, only overflowing affection.
"Now, they've returned to their rightful owner." Rouge gently pushed the sword and pistol towards Kyle.
He reached out, his fingertips touching the hilt of the sword and the cool patterns on the gun. The image of that man's hearty laugh seemed to appear before his eyes. He hung the longsword "Ace" and the pistol "Ann" on either side of his waist. A miraculous scene occurred. The light around the two weapons began to visibly distort, and the air vibrated slightly. The next second, the sword and gun seemed to merge into the background, disappearing into thin air.
Having done all this, Kyle stood up, ready to take Rouge away.
"Oh, right, Kyle." Rouge suddenly remembered something. "Roger also said that Mr. Garp would come to protect me… Is it really okay for us to just leave?"
"Garp?" Kyle's mouth twitched. "You mean that old geezer? Forget it." He waved his hand dismissively. "His identity as the 'Marine Hero' is too sensitive. The moment he takes you away, government agents will be at your door. Besides, that old bastard is completely unreliable. If you count on him, it'll be too late—"
"Who are you calling an old bastard, you little brat?!"
A furious roar exploded from outside the house, followed by a loud 'BOOM'! The sturdy wall of the small house was blasted open as if it were made of paper, a huge human-shaped hole appearing in its place. A burly figure charged in, his fist, as big as a cooking pot and wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki, slamming directly toward the back of Kyle's head.
However, the punch, capable of sinking a warship, hit nothing but air. Kyle's figure was like a ghost, reappearing several meters away with Rouge, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Tsk," Kyle looked at the man standing in the hole in the wall. "Garp! Is that how you greet people?! Are you demolishing houses in the South Sea now?!"
"Bah!" Garp retracted his fist and glared at Kyle. "I'm here to pick someone up! How come you're here, kid?! Did you cause that mess in Loguetown?!"
"Me? Wasn't that your boss's fault? The public execution went wrong, and now you want to blame me?" Kyle shot back. "Besides, you have the nerve to talk about picking someone up? By the time you arrived, Rouge's child would probably be old enough to run errands!"
"What did you say?!" Veins bulged on Garp's forehead.
"I said you're old! Are your ears going?" Kyle said, shielding Rouge behind him.
Seeing the two of them about to clash again, Rouge quickly stepped between them. "Alright, please don't argue, both of you."
Garp looked at Rouge, and his imposing aura immediately softened. He scratched his head and burst into laughter. "My apologies, Miss Rouge, did I scare you? It's just that seeing this brat always gets me riled up!"
After the chaotic scene, the three of them finally managed to sit down and talk properly—right next to the giant hole in the wall. Garp's purpose was the same as Kyle's: both had been entrusted by Roger to protect Rouge.
"So, where are you planning to take her?" Garp asked, picking his nose.
"To a secret place where no one knows her, so she can safely give birth. In short, somewhere far away from a walking disaster like you," Kyle said with disdain.
"Ha! You talk as if you're some saint!" Garp snorted. "You're the 'Wave Guiding King' who caused havoc in Marineford! The whole world is watching you! Miss Rouge is in the most danger with you!"
"It's still safer than with a Marine Hero. Trouble follows you everywhere."
The two glared at each other again. In the end, it was Garp who gave in. He sighed, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "How about this, I know a place that's absolutely safe. Foosha Village in the East Blue. That's my hometown. No one would ever think the Pirate King's bloodline would be hidden there."
Kyle fell into deep thought. The suggestion was much better than him running around the world with a pregnant woman. The East Blue was the weakest of the Four Seas, and with Garp's connection to the village, it was indeed very safe.
"...Alright." Kyle finally nodded. "But I have to escort her there myself. I don't trust you, old man. What if you get lost and sail the ship to Marineford?"
"Nonsense! Am I that kind of person?!" Garp jumped up.
Several days later, in Foosha Village, Rouge, under the alias "Luna," settled in. With the help of a kind, warm-hearted girl named Makino, she opened a small flower shop, which quickly added a touch of color to the peaceful village.
Kyle and Garp stayed for two days, watching Rouge's new life begin, before finally feeling relieved. That night, they stood on a cliff by the sea.
"Is everything arranged?" Kyle asked.
"Mm," Garp responded, his expression serious. "I've already informed them. I said I found traces of Roger's widow and was investigating."
"And then?"
Garp grinned. "Then, the 'Wave Guiding King' Iron Kyle suddenly appeared. In order to seize Roger's widow, he fought fiercely with the Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp on a deserted island. In the end, the island sank, and Kyle escaped with the person, disappearing without a trace."
Kyle also smiled. "Sounds like a terrible B-grade drama."
"But they'll believe it," Garp's eyes sharpened. "If the two of us fight, they won't suspect a thing. Perfect. I also want to see how much you've improved these past few years!"
Kyle slowly drew the naginata from his back, its blade glinting under the moonlight. "The feeling is mutual. But let's agree beforehand, you pay for your own medical expenses. I don't have money to compensate you, old man."
"Nonsense! It's not decided who's going to win yet!"
On a distant, unnamed deserted island, a terrifying battle raged, watched from afar by a secret World Government ship. A deep, bone-visible wound appeared on Garp's chest.
"Cough..." Garp staggered back, but a hearty smile was on his face. "You bastard kid… your moves are really ruthless…"
"The feeling is mutual," Kyle said, blood on the corner of his mouth. This act had to be convincing. On the distant ship, the CP agents were stunned.
"Vice Admiral Garp… is injured?"
"That 'Wave Guiding King'… can actually hurt a Marine Hero?!"
Kyle took a deep breath and raised his sword high. "Garp, take my final move!"
A destructive ball of energy gathered at the tip of the blade. Garp's expression also became unprecedentedly solemn, and he poured all of his Haki into his right fist. "Come on, kid!"
BOOM—!!!!!!!
A light more dazzling than the sun swallowed the entire island, and a giant mushroom cloud soared into the sky. When the light dissipated, the deserted island had completely vanished from the sea, leaving only a giant whirlpool in its place.
"Cough… cough…" Garp surfaced from the water. He looked in the direction where Kyle had disappeared and let out a furious roar of exasperation. "Bastard! This old man will never let you go—!!"
The sound echoed across the empty sea. Far away, Kyle smiled. An Oscar for that one.
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