One week ago – West Blue, Ohara.
A suspicious figure stood at the doorstep of a quaint little home, only to be met by a small girl glaring up at him with narrowed eyes.
"Who are you? Why are you at my house?" Little Robin asked coldly, clearly on guard.
The man blinked, surprised. He hadn't expected a child. Given that Kavi wasn't a pirate, it was reasonable to assume he had settled down. But… this child…
Roger stared at the girl more closely. Her features were cute, but there was a distinct sharpness in her expression… something familiar.
Could it be... his daughter? he wondered.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Robin barked, raising her voice, assuming this strange man must be some kind of intruder.
"Hahaha! No need to panic, little lady. I'm just here to see your father. Is he home?" Roger quickly replied, hoping to avoid getting labeled as some shady weirdo.
Robin tilted her head in confusion. "Father? I don't have one. My dad died a long time ago."
"What?!" Roger's eyes widened. His heart sank a little.
Kavi… dead? That's not possible...
Looking at the child's serious face, he could tell she wasn't lying.
"I didn't expect him to go before me… Damn," Roger muttered, shaking his head with a sigh. "Even someone that powerful… how unfair."
"Ah? You're here for Uncle Kavi?" Robin suddenly perked up. "That lazy guy's still sleeping."
Uncle Kavi?
Also—lazy guy?
Roger's mouth twitched. 'So, he's alive after all. What a waste of emotions.'
"Uncle Kavi! Get up! Some weird uncle is here to see you!" Robin yelled as she barged into the house, kicking open the bedroom door.
Kavi stirred groggily. Robin had kept him up all night begging for stories, and he hadn't gotten a proper night's sleep.
"Who is it…?" he mumbled, reaching for a shirt.
Roger stepped inside, laughing. "Hey, Kavi. Long time no see!"
Kavi blinked away the sleep. "...Roger?"
"You look terrible. Worse than someone who's supposed to be dying," Roger teased with a grin.
Kavi yawned and pointed to Robin. "Blame that little devil. Never runs out of energy."
Robin pouted and turned away with a huff.
"Anyway," Kavi said, eyes narrowing, "how did you find me?"
Roger gave a cheeky smile. "I have my ways."
Kavi stared.
"…Don't tell me it was Shakky?"
Roger's smug grin froze. "Wait—how did you know? You know Shakky?"
"Just a guess," Kavi replied casually.
Roger shrugged. No point digging into secrets.
"I need a favor," he said, his tone turning serious.
Kavi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The Pirate King asking me for help? What is it—taking care of your child or something?"
Roger's jaw dropped. "Oi, can you see the future or what?!"
Robin watched the exchange curiously from the side.
'So, this is Roger? Uncle said he was strong... but not stronger than him, obviously.' She wasn't impressed.
Kavi folded his arms. "You're not seriously asking me to babysit your kid, right? Isn't that Garp's job?"
Roger gave a helpless smile. "I'll be talking to Garp too. I just want to make sure—if something happens, if my child's ever in danger and Garp can't help… you'll be there."
Kavi fell silent.
He understood what Roger meant. Garp's position as a Marine made things complicated.
If Ace's identity were exposed, Garp might not be able to protect him anymore.
"…Alright," Kavi finally said. "If the kid's in trouble, I'll step in."
Roger looked visibly relieved. "Thanks. If I weren't dying, I'd challenge you to a rematch!"
"Oh please," Kavi scoffed, smug. "You lost to me in half a move. Pirate King or not, you're still just a loser in my book."
Roger's face darkened. "One of these days…"
The two laughed, the years melting away as they drank and reminisced about their past adventures. Robin sat nearby, listening intently, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Eventually, Roger stood.
"I've got things to do," he said. "Thanks again, Kavi."
As the door closed behind him, Robin turned to Kavi.
"Uncle Kavi, was that uncle really strong?"
Kavi smiled and ruffled her hair. "Of course. That was the Pirate King."
His smile faded slightly as he looked out the window.
"A shame… he doesn't have long."
Everyone dies eventually.
No matter how grand a life someone lives, the end is the same—dust and memory.
'Will I be the same?' Kavi wondered. 'Or… am I different?'
He didn't know. Maybe time would tell.
"Little Robin," Kavi said suddenly, "do you want to go out to sea?"
Robin's eyes lit up like stars. "Yes! Yes! I want to go!"
It was time. The world was about to change, and Kavi wanted to witness it. And if Robin could have some fun along the way, all the better.
East Blue, present day.
On a large merchant vessel sailing calmly through the sea, a man and a young girl lounged side by side in deck chairs, sunglasses on, fresh juice in hand.
They were both dressed for summer, soaking in the sun and the breeze.
Though the seas were treacherous, they looked like two people on vacation, utterly relaxed and content.
The man was Kavi.
The girl was Little Robin.
And the era was just beginning.