Chapter 32: Return from the East Blue
Shimotsuki Village - Shimotsuki Dojo
The setting sun coated the dojo's roof in gold. A gentle breeze sent cherry blossoms drifting onto the stone path, a soft farewell.
Roy stood at the dojo gate, his white Marine coat flapping in the wind.
He looked at Koushirou, his voice low and firm. "Kuina will no longer be 'targeted by fate,' and Zoro will no longer be bound by it."
His gaze moved to the two young swordsmen, warm but challenging. "All you two have to do is complete your basic training here. When you're ready, come find me at Marineford."
Kuina gripped her wooden sword, her knuckles white, her eyes as sharp as a blade. "I will become the world's greatest female swordsman!"
Zoro immediately looked up, his eyes blazing with competitive fire. "No way! I'm the one who's going to be the world's greatest!"
Their eyes clashed, but this time, it wasn't just rivalry; it was an unspoken promise to push each other forward.
Koushirou watched his two students, a small smile on his face. He looked at Roy and gave a deep, respectful nod. "I will teach them well."
Roy nodded, then turned to Luffy and Nami. "Alright, kids. Time to go home."
"Oh!" Luffy jumped up, waving wildly at Zoro. "Marimo-head! You better hurry up and come be my... uh... my... what's-it-called-hand!"
Nami smacked him on the head, raising a lump. "It's 'Right-Hand Man,' you idiot!"
Zoro just watched Luffy, who was now rubbing his head, and a small, genuine smile touched his lips. He clenched his fist. "I'll be there."
Kuina smiled, her eyes full of trust and anticipation. In just a few short days, the four children had already formed a deep, chaotic bond.
Roy put his hands on Luffy and Nami's shoulders. "Let's go."
FWOOSH!
The three of them vanished in the fading light, leaving only the cherry blossoms to drift down onto the empty path.
On the open sea, on the deck of the warship.
The last of the sunset disappeared, and the ship's searchlights cut through the darkness.
FWOOSH!
Roy, Luffy, and Nami appeared on deck.
"ATTENTION!"
The sailors, already in formation, snapped to attention, their salutes sharper than ever. Their eyes were fixed on Roy, burning with admiration. The morning's newspaper was tucked into many of their uniforms.
[NAVY'S MONSTER REAR ADMIRAL DUELS "RED-HAIR" SHANKS! BATTLE ENDS IN A STALEMATE!]
The photo of their commander clashing with a New World Emperor, their Conqueror's Haki tearing an island apart, was still fresh in their minds.
"Return to Marineford," Roy's voice cut through the night.
"SIR, YES, SIR!"
The veteran helmsman quietly wiped an eye. It had been a long time since the Navy had a new star this bright.
At the railing, Luffy was leaning halfway over, waving. "Marimo-head! Short-haired girl! You better—"
"They have names, you moron!" Nami chopped him on the head. She, too, looked back at the fading silhouette of Shimotsuki Village. Kuina... she thought, we made a promise.
From the bow, Roy touched the still-healing scar on his side. "The threads of fate..."
He sensed movement and looked over. A few new recruits were staring at him with hero-worship. When they were caught, they nearly fumbled their hats overboard in a panic.
Roy smiled, a rare, relaxed expression. He casually tossed them a few bags of rice crackers he'd "borrowed" from Garp. "At ease. Don't be so tense."
"Th-thank you, sir!"
The warship cut through the waves, the "Justice" banner on its mast snapping in the wind, brighter than ever.
Shimotsuki Village Shoreline
Zoro, panting and drenched in sweat, finally stopped his swings. He looked out at the empty sea, his three bamboo swords gleaming.
"Just wait, Luffy... and..."
He looked back at the dojo, where Kuina was already practicing her suburi (practice swings) with the Wado Ichimonji.
"I'm going to surpass all of you!"
Marineford Port, two days later.
Thanks to Roy's warp-jumps, the journey was short.
Garp and Zephyr were waiting on the dock.
"Hey, hey, Zephyr, you see that? The kid doesn't even have a wrinkle in his coat!" Garp laughed, his mouth full of crackers. "That's my student!"
Zephyr just snorted, pushing up his sunglasses. "Hmph. Clearly the result of my training."
Roy, sensing them, just grinned. "What are those two old-timers doing here?"
He gave his orders to the crew, then turned to Luffy and Nami. "Let's go."
FWOOSH!
They appeared on the dock.
"You brat!" Garp's "Fist of Love" was already flying at his head. "You dared to pick a fight with Red-Hair?!"
"Ow-ow-ow!" Roy rubbed his head, laughing. "I came back in one piece, didn't I, old man?"
Garp's expression softened, but before he could wind up for another one, Zephyr stopped him.
Zephyr looked Roy up and down, then nodded, satisfied. "Good. You didn't disgrace the Marines."
"Of course he didn't!" Garp immediately shouted. "He's my student!"
"Bullshit!" Zephyr jabbed a finger at him. "His Rokushiki and Armament Haki are from my special training!"
"Hah?!"
The two old legends immediately got in each other's faces, arguing loudly.
Roy finally grabbed both of them by the shoulder, sighing. "Gentlemen, please, the whole port is watching..."
Zephyr huffed, then straightened his coat. "Fine. Roy, Sengoku wants to see you."
Garp just shrugged, grabbing Luffy and Nami. "Come on, kids! Grandpa's taking you to get barbecue!"
"MEAT! MEAT!"
Nami just glanced worriedly at Roy, who nodded to let her know he was fine.
Sengoku's Office
Roy knocked. "Enter."
Sengoku was at his desk, his gaze sharp, a thick file in his hands.
"Rear Admiral Roy, reporting as ordered."
Sengoku put the file down. "Sit."
He got straight to the point. "Red-Haired Shanks. What's your assessment?"
Roy's expression was serious. "He's strong. But... he doesn't seem to want a war with the Marines. He has other objectives."
Sengoku's fingers drummed on the desk. After a moment of silence, he changed the subject. "Those two children from Shimotsuki Village. You're serious about training them?"
Roy's gaze was like steel. "Yes."
"Even if the World Government objects?"
"They are just children with extreme potential. The Marines need new blood like them."
Sengoku stared at him for a long time, then, finally, he let out a small, tired laugh. "Garp and Zephyr were right. You really are..."
The door was suddenly thrown open.
"Sengoku! My student isn't here to be—"
Garp's shout died in his throat. Sengoku was holding a thick stack of documents, aimed right at his face.
Garp froze, then sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Heh... don't be so angry, old friend..."
Roy: "..."
Sengoku sighed, pushing his glasses up. "The seas are in chaos right now, Roy. Be careful."
Roy stood at attention, his eyes sharp. "Understood!"
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