Dinner was over, and Ritter leaned against the doorframe, watching Miss Rouge clean up the dishes. Her quiet figure moved gracefully beneath the warm lamplight, but the atmosphere between them was… awkward.
He cleared his throat and spoke softly, "Uh… Rouge, there's something I want to discuss with you."
Rouge didn't even look up. She kept wiping the porcelain plates one by one, face turned away in silent protest.
Ritter scratched his head. Great she was still mad. And honestly, she had every reason to be. He had promised to return in a week, but somehow that turned into a month.
He shuffled closer, poked her lightly on the arm, and tried a sheepish smile. "Sis, I was wrong, okay? I admit I might've been a little… off schedule. It won't happen again, I swear."
Rouge finally responded with a quiet hum but didn't glance back.
Ritter poked her again, determined to break the ice. "Come on, don't be like that. I really did come back this time because I wanted to talk to you."
Her tone was sharp but controlled. "If you're planning to take the kids out on another one of your crazy adventures, forget it. The last time you said it was just a short trip, and you were gone for a month. I couldn't sleep for days worrying about you all."
Ritter rubbed the back of his neck, forcing an awkward laugh. "No, no, this time's different. I wanted to ask if… maybe you'd like to come with us on this trip."
That made Rouge pause. She slowly turned, brow raised in disbelief. "Come with you? On a trip?"
"Yeah!" Ritter's eyes lit up immediately. There was hope! He knew better than anyone Rouge wasn't someone who was content to stay in one place forever.
Sure, she looked gentle and soft-spoken, but think about it how could a calm, quiet woman fall in love with Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King himself? She knew he was sick. She knew he wouldn't live long. She knew the world would turn against her after his death. And yet… she still chose him.
Ritter snorted under his breath. "Tch. Roger, you damn fool."
He thought back to the day he'd found Rouge again. The spark in her eyes back then wasn't something that belonged to someone meant to live quietly in a village. No she had always carried the sea in her heart.
That was why Ritter used the word "trip" instead of "adventure." With his power, there wasn't really any "danger" left. Unless he stormed into Mariejois and wiped out every Celestial Dragon in one afternoon then sure, there'd be trouble. But as long as he didn't do that, Ritter could pretty much walk sideways across the entire ocean.
He smiled and said, "The kids are training well now. I figured it's time they saw a bit of the world build a foundation for their swordsmanship. First stop, Shimotsuki Village. There's a man there named Koushirou, master of the Isshin Dojo. I want him to teach them the fundamentals of fencing. And hey, you've always wanted to travel, right? Why not come along? We'll make it a long journey together."
Ritter nodded to himself. Yeah, he thought. "Ace's" sword is already a fine, slender blade might as well let them learn from one of the best. A swordsman who trained someone like Zoro can't be half-bad.
He smirked. And besides, it wouldn't hurt to study a few different styles. Even Shanks uses a similar weapon. With Roger and Rayleigh as my teachers, it's only fair I become the assistant professor.
Rouge's gaze softened, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes. "Koushirou… it's been a long time since I heard that name."
"Oh, right!" Ritter snapped his fingers suddenly. "And you're bringing that Pure Gold with you this time. I didn't say much before, but you have to take it now. You don't want to watch the kids grow up while you're stuck as an old lady, do you?"
His voice dropped to a mischievous whisper. "You don't want to see Roger again with wrinkles on your face, right?"
Rouge's cheeks turned faintly pink. "Ritter…"
He grinned wide. "Exactly! He's got real skill, that Koushirou guy. Ace and Sabo will get a solid foundation with him."
Rouge fell quiet for a moment, gaze drifting to the living room. Ace and Sabo were sparring clumsily, replaying moves from their earlier training, while little Ann sat quietly on the floor, polishing her greatsword with focused care.
Rouge's expression softened, but worry soon crept back in. "I want to go… but I'm afraid. What if someone recognizes Ace? Or the others?"
Ritter smiled knowingly. Like mother, like son Ace had the same sharp instincts when it came to big things.
He said reassuringly, "Don't worry about that. I won't let Garp get into any trouble over this either. Between my strength and my current connections with the World Government even the Five Elders wouldn't dare make things difficult for me. They'll defend us if needed."
Rouge hesitated, eyes full of conflict.
Ritter stepped closer, his tone gentle now. "You really don't want to see them grow up with your own eyes? They're bound to set sail someday. And Shimotsuki Village is beautiful you'll love it. After that, we'll visit island after island. There's so much to see."
Just then, Ace came bursting into the room and hugged Rouge's leg. "Mom! Come with us! Uncle Ritter said the village has a giant training yard and lots of cool fighters!"
Sabo followed, eyes shining. "And Master Koushirou's swordsmanship is legendary! I wanna learn from him!"
Ann didn't say a word she didn't need to. Ritter was her teacher, and in her mind, no one else could surpass him with a greatsword.
Rouge looked down at her three children, trying to keep a straight face, but their hopeful expressions broke her composure. She giggled softly, the sound light and full of warmth. "You three… how could I ever say no to you?"
She ruffled Ace's hair and looked at Ritter. "Alright. I'll go. But " She raised a finger, her expression turning serious. "This time, no disappearing acts. You'll report to me every single day. Understood?"
Ritter gave her a dramatic salute. "Aye aye, Captain Rouge!"
The kids erupted in cheers.
"Mom's coming with us!" Ace shouted, jumping onto the sofa.
Sabo pumped his fists. "I'm gonna make Master Koushirou proud of me!"
Ann tugged on Rouge's sleeve, whispering shyly, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll protect you."
Rouge's heart melted. She crouched down and hugged all three tightly. "Then it's settled we go together."
Ritter watched from the doorway, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. The laughter, the warmth, the life it was a scene Roger would've given anything to see.
He gazed out through the window at the moonlit sea and murmured, "Captain Roger, can you see this? Your family's doing just fine."
Then, under his breath, he added with a smirk, "But next time we meet, I'm punching you square in the face, you irresponsible bastard."
The days that followed at sea were lively.
Ace and Sabo trained hard on deck, blades flashing under the sunlight. Sweat rolled down their faces, but their grins never faded. Ann practiced quietly nearby, trying to merge her willpower into her sword swings.
Ritter noticed immediately and, without a word, gave her a light tap on the head.
"Ann, what did I say about that? You can't channel Conqueror's Haki until your body's ready. That's not training it's self-harm."
Ann looked up at him, eyes wide and pleading.
Ritter winced, covering his face. "Oh no… not the puppy eyes. My one weakness."
He sighed and continued, "When your body matures, I'll teach you Haki infusion properly. You're still growing, okay? Even your uncle didn't learn that until I was sixteen and I was already a prodigy by then!"
Rouge sat near the bow of the ship, watching her children with quiet pride. She turned to Ritter, voice gentle as the breeze. "They're improving fast."
Ritter smiled. "Talent's part of it, sure. But more than that it's their hearts. Having each other pushes them forward. As long as I can give them the best conditions, I'll do it."
Rouge nodded softly. "You always think ahead, Ritter."
He chuckled. "Of course. Someone's got to look out for the next generation of legends."
And as the sea glittered beneath the setting sun, the laughter of the small family echoed across the deck carried by the wind toward the endless horizon where their journey was only just beginning.