One year later.
New World – Edwo Sea.
"Thief hahahaha…"
"Roger! Join forces with me! With your strength and my Sky Pirates, we could dominate the world!"
The sky was crowded with flying pirate ships. On the largest ship stood a towering figure, blond hair flowing freely, a cigarette between his lips, and two famous swords at his waist.
It was none other than Shiki the Golden Lion, former captain of the Rocks Pirates.
After Rocks' downfall, his dream of world domination was shattered. But Shiki had inherited that ambition.
Now, with the power of the awakened Float-Float Fruit, he commanded the sky itself and had formed the fearsome Flying Pirates, the strongest crew in the seas.
All he needed now was for the Roger Pirates to join him, and world domination would be within reach.
Surrounded on all sides, the Roger Pirates stood ready on the sea below. Rayleigh turned to Roger with a serious expression.
"What's the plan, Captain?"
Whatever Roger decided, the crew would follow him without hesitation.
"It's over! We're doomed! They've got us surrounded! Let's run for it!" Bucky panicked, dashing around the deck like a headless chicken.
"Bucky, calm down. The captain hasn't spoken yet," Shanks said, though even his face showed tension.
Then came the booming laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
Roger stepped forward, drawing his sword Ace, and pointed it toward the skies.
"I'm not interested in dominating the world! I want to be the freest man alive! I refuse your offer!"
Shiki's face turned dark. "Then die!"
With that, the Flying Pirates launched a full-scale assault.
Roger Pirates vs Flying Pirates — the battle began!
The fight raged for hours, maybe days. Though powerful, the Roger Pirates were outnumbered. Slowly, their defenses began to wane.
Shiki, grinning smugly from his floating flagship, called out once more.
"Roger! I'll give you one last chance! Join forces with me! The world will be ours!"
"I already said no!" Roger roared back. "I'd never team up with someone like you!"
Shiki's patience snapped.
"Then perish here! Lion's Mighty Earth Scroll!"
He activated his awakened ability. The sea surged. Towering walls of seawater rose around the Roger Pirates, trapping them.
It was a death sentence.
But just as the walls were about to crash down—
ROAR!!
The ocean trembled as countless Sea Kings surged from the depths. A sudden storm erupted—lightning, wind, thunder. The skies darkened.
A divine storm had arrived.
In mere moments, dozens of flying ships were torn apart and sent crashing into the sea. Chaos consumed the battlefield.
"What?! Where did all these Sea Kings come from?! My fleet—!" Shiki's voice was filled with disbelief and rage. Victory had been within reach… and now it was slipping through his fingers.
Fate was cruel. Or perhaps… too kind to one man.
Maybe this was what it meant to be the son of destiny.
Gol D. Roger. Favored by the heavens, blessed by impossible luck. How else could he become the Pirate King?
And just as Shiki screamed in frustration—whack!
A massive ship's rudder, flung by the storm, flew through the air and smashed straight into his head.
He went down like a stone.
With Shiki unconscious and his fleet shattered, the Flying Pirates were routed.
Roger's Pirates had narrowly survived.
"Tsk, tsk… this Golden Lion really got the short end of the stick," Kavi muttered, folding up the newspaper.
"Roger, you're truly the lucky one," he sighed. "It's like the world is helping you win. Does fate always bend for the chosen?"
Sitting beside him, little Robin looked up with wide eyes. "Uncle Kavi, who's the Golden Lion? And who's Roger? Are they as strong as Sun Wukong?"
Kavi coughed lightly. "Ahem, they're strong, yes. But not as strong as Sun Wukong!"
Robin nodded thoughtfully. "Are they as strong as you, Uncle Kavi?"
Kavi couldn't help but laugh. He rubbed her soft hair and grinned.
"I'm stronger than anyone in this world," he declared confidently—then added in his mind, '
One day. With my cheat, I'll get there.'
"Wow! Uncle Kavi, you're amazing!" Robin's eyes sparkled with awe.
Then she asked again, her tone even softer, "Even more powerful than Sun Wukong?"
Kavi's face twitched.
'Maybe I shouldn't have told her so many Monkey King stories…'
"Not yet," he admitted. "But I will be. Just you wait!"
Robin nodded, full of trust. "Mom said I should always believe in Uncle Kavi, so… I do."
Kavi felt his heart melt.
"Alright then, little one," he said, giving her cheek a playful pinch. "Have you done your homework for today?"
Robin nodded. "Uh-huh! I finished it already! Can you tell me the story of the Big Bad Wolf and the Lazy Saint of Sheep Village again?"
Kavi blinked. "Didn't I just tell you that yesterday?"
"I want to hear it again~" Robin said sweetly, clinging to his arm and giving him her deadliest puppy-dog eyes.
"Fine, fine… Once upon a time, to save his wife Red Wolf, the Great Gray Wolf stormed the Holy Land of Sheep Village. There, he battled the Lazy Saint for three hundred rounds! Their battle was so fierce, the sky turned dark, the earth cracked, and no grass grew in Sheep Village ever again…"
By the time the story ended, Kavi's throat was dry.
"Wow! Wolfy was so brave! He almost died to save his wife!" Robin's eyes sparkled with admiration. Then she looked up seriously. "Uncle Kavi, if I get captured one day, will you come rescue me too?"
Kavi reached out and flicked her nose.
"Only if you behave. If you don't listen to me, you'll deserve to be captured."
Robin giggled, not scared at all. "Okay! Then I'll be good every day!"
As her laughter echoed through the cabin, Kavi leaned back and let out a long breath.
This peaceful daily life was simple, but it warmed his heart more than any treasure.