"Ace?"
Kaoru Tsubasa chuckled softly, his fingers brushing the hilt of the blade at his waist.
Although he already knew the name of Roger's child, he couldn't help but wonder—why had the Pirate King named his son after his sword?
"Is that so…"
Vice Admiral Garp exhaled heavily as his gaze fell on the lifeless body of Portgas D. Rouge.
When he saw her carry that child for twelve months to protect him, he had already known—Rouge would likely die the moment Ace was born.
He had promised Roger he would protect both mother and child. Now, standing before Rouge's corpse, Garp could only feel the weight of that broken promise pressing down on his chest.
"Mr. Garp."
"What is it?"
"Could you… entrust me with Rouge's body?" Kaoru asked calmly.
Garp frowned, uncertain. "You want her body? What for?"
Kaoru's tone was steady, sincere. "Roger and I were friends. No matter what happens, I intend to bury Rouge beside him. That's where she belongs."
He placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.
Garp's eyes softened slightly, though suspicion lingered in his voice. "Fine. But I'll need to know where you plan to bury them. I'll come see it for myself one day."
"Of course," Kaoru replied without hesitation. "An island in the New World—Redoria."
He wasn't worried about Garp discovering it later. In Redoria, Kaoru Tsubasa reigned unchallenged. Even if Im herself descended upon the island, she would have to endure his wrath before leaving.
"Very well," Garp said after a long pause. "You may take Rouge's body. But I'll be taking Ace with me."
Kaoru nodded. "That's fine. Take him. Consider this my gift to him."
He produced a small black jade pendant shaped like a magatama and placed it beside the infant.
Without another word, Garp picked up Ace and strode out.
Kaoru watched silently, then carefully stored Rouge's body within his system space—where time would not decay her form. Roger's remains rested there as well.
Five Days Later — Baterilla Island
To ensure that no agents of the World Government would return, Kaoru remained on the island for five full days.
As for Garp, he had already departed with Ace, tossing a half-joking farewell over his shoulder:
"I'll leave the rest of the after-sales service to you!"
Kaoru almost drew his sword on the spot.
After-sales service? he thought darkly. I'm not one of your Marines, old man.
But for the sake of the islanders, Kaoru endured, keeping watch until peace returned. When the fifth day passed, he looked once more over the quiet shores.
"Well, it's time for me to leave too," he murmured, then took flight toward the West Blue.
The Flames of O'Hara
That year marked two great tragedies—the birth of Ace, and the annihilation of O'Hara.
Kaoru's decision was clear. Roger's child came first; he had no ties to the scholars of O'Hara.
Still, his mind lingered on the island of knowledge.
Even if I went there, he thought, could I save them? The scholars won't abandon their home. Even if I created a hundred shadows, they'd choose death before exile.
And so, three days later, Kaoru Tsubasa soared through the clouds at full speed toward O'Hara—arriving only to find it already consumed by fire.
"Boom…"
The roar of distant explosions echoed across the sea. O'Hara was ablaze, its libraries turned to ash.
From the distance, Kaoru saw an ice bridge stretching across the waves—a frozen path made by the man called Kuzan.
He sighed, then turned his gaze toward a trembling figure hiding among the ruins.
Nico Robin… so it's already come to this.
Kaoru raised his hand, summoning five of his Shadow Ninjas.
"Protect her," he ordered quietly. "From this day on, she must live—no matter what."
The shadows merged into the earth and vanished.
Though Kuzan would secretly spare Robin in the original timeline, Kaoru knew that the future was uncertain.
If Robin died before meeting Luffy, history itself might collapse.
Leaving the shadows behind, he turned toward the inferno that had once been the Tree of Knowledge.
On the Warships
"Vice Admiral Akainu, the entire island is engulfed in flames! We've confirmed no survivors!" a Marine shouted.
Akainu's expression didn't soften. "Then make sure. Leave no one alive."
The soldier hesitated. "Sir, O'Hara is already burning to nothing. No one could have survived—"
Before he could finish, Akainu's fist erupted in molten heat.
The Marine's body turned to cinders.
"If any scholar lives, the truth they carry could shake the world," Akainu growled. "Scour the island. At all costs."
"Yes, sir!"
Four warships advanced toward the blazing shore. Five vice admirals led the operation known as the Buster Call.
Only one warship held back—the one belonging to Vice Admiral Kuzan.
"Tch… that fool Kuzan."
Akainu's jaw clenched. He could not command a man of equal rank.
Soon, the other four ships reached the island.
Akainu stepped ashore, his boots sizzling against the scorched ground—only to freeze when he saw a figure standing in the smoke ahead.
A man wearing a white cloak and a white mask.
"That mask…" Akainu narrowed his eyes. "Are you one of the CP agents?"
The masked man tilted his head slightly, his voice calm beneath the firelit sky.
"CP?" Kaoru Tsubasa said softly. "No… something far darker."