Rogers sneered, his tone dripping with mockery:
"Old man John, this world is without a doubt a pirate's world! The World Government? Always babbling about their so-called 'justice'? Hah, in my eyes they're nothing more than another pirate crew—doing the same things pirates do, snatching whatever they want. Heaven's Tribute? Just plunder by another name. The government's just a bigger pirate crew, isn't it? Zehahaha!"
"The Government, pirates? Hahahaha, brat, you've really got guts saying that. Interesting, very interesting." John laughed loudly, but the next second his face hardened, his voice turning sharp:
"But—you're not wrong. Not wrong at all! The Government maintains its rule only through overwhelming strength. They pillage the world, they dominate by force. They can absolutely be called a pirate crew!"
Rogers stared at John. As he expected, this old man had seen more than most.
"Then tell me, John, what's your point in saying all this?"
"Pirate King Roger once said this—the one who will bring dawn to the world is destined to appear." John's gaze locked with Rogers's, his expression grave.
"Huh? Old man John, what are you saying? Don't tell me you mean me?" Rogers blinked, startled. Why bring that up all of a sudden?
"Cut it out. Don't flatter yourself. You? A runt like you?" John scoffed, annoyed at his own thoughts.
"Whatever. In the end, I'll only do what I want to do." Rogers shrugged. "I'm a pirate. What matters most is freedom—doing whatever I damn well please! Zehahaha!"
"You'll walk that path. Absolutely." John muttered, his voice heavy with some hidden meaning drawn from his own past.
"Then we'll see when the time comes. I'll be the freest man alive. Anyone who stands in my way—I'll smash them to pieces! Zehahaha!" Rogers laughed wildly.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it! Go crush them all, brat! Hahaha!" John, momentarily stunned, couldn't deny the boy's words somehow struck the right chord.
"Anything else?" Rogers asked.
"No. Get lost already!" John barked with a half-smile.
Rogers clutched the little notebook tight against his chest. This was a treasure. Back in his room, he threw himself fully into studying it—after all, he'd always been a night-owl "book reader." At the same time, he continued practicing with his newly gained power.
After Rogers left, Melo quietly entered John's room, handing him a small clipping of fingernail.
"Here. Give this to someone and have a Vivre Card made."
"I thought you didn't care about Aiqi anymore, letting her sail off with that brat Rogers?" John grumbled as he carefully pocketed the nail. "Still, as expected, you're the thoughtful one. With this, we'll at least know how she's doing."
"Rogers isn't a bad kid. I believe he won't let us down." Melo gave John a look. When he didn't reply, she added: "Besides—what's wrong with a student of yours carrying on the legacy of the Pirate King's navigator?"
"Hahahaha! That wouldn't be a bad ending at all!" John laughed heartily, gazing out the window at the restless sea. "In the end, I still love the sea the most… Roger…"
"Yeah, yeah. You gave up piracy, but you're still running around the ocean on this old boat." Melo teased.
"Ah, don't ruin a man's sentimental moment." John sighed.
"Ruin, huh? Funny, you used to say the same thing when you couldn't keep up either." Melo's cheeks colored slightly as old memories surfaced.
"Not my fault! You were too much—thirty's a wolf, forty's a tiger, now you're fifty and I…" John pulled a wry face.
"Sounds like you don't want to live much longer, do you?" she shot back, eyes narrowing.
The next morning, sunlight poured over Chronus Island as always. No one knew what had transpired last night. No one realized the fate of the world had already shifted course.
On the docked passenger ship, guests scratched their heads. Yesterday they'd been going about their business when they'd suddenly blacked out. Asking the crew got them nowhere—they'd fainted too. Still, since nothing had been stolen, the matter was quickly dropped.
Well, not by everyone. One poor guest wore a bitter expression. Last night, just as he and his wife were in the middle of something very important, they'd both passed out. Now he wasn't sure if he could even… perform again.
Rogers woke up naturally, for once. He'd stayed up late reading the notebook and experimenting with his powers until exhaustion finally claimed him. It was the first time in a month he'd actually slept in. If not for his stomach growling, he might have kept sleeping.
Throwing on his favorite beach shorts, sandals, and a random T-shirt, he headed out. At the simple table sat Tony and Nick, waiting. On the table lay plenty of bread—probably their leftover breakfast saved for him.
Without hesitation, Rogers plopped down and tore into the bread, talking around mouthfuls.
"You guys aren't heading out today? The ship's finally so quiet."
"Captain John already told us—you're leaving, right?" Tony gave him his signature grin. On his face, though, it looked more terrifying than friendly.
"Oh? What's this? Don't tell me you two are sad to see me go? Zehahaha!" Rogers blinked, then laughed.
"A little, yeah." Nick admitted honestly.
"Idiot, don't say it out loud! You'll make him smug!" Tony barked, embarrassed. Men didn't just say things like that.
"Zehahaha, doesn't matter. I'm off to be a pirate. Who knows—we might meet again someday out on the seas! And don't worry—I won't fight you guys." Rogers washed down the bread with a gulp of water.
"You talk like you could beat us if you tried." Tony scowled, pulling a golden pistol from his belt and slamming it on the table.
"Come on then, brat. Let's see if I don't shoot you dead."
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T/N:
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