One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Doctor! Is there truly… no way to save her?" Senor's voice cracked as despair overwhelmed him. He had lied to his wife, Russian, about being a pirate, claiming instead to be a bank employee because she despised pirates.

When their son, Gimlet, fell gravely ill, Senor had been away on a mission. Russian, unable to locate him through the "bank," had been forced to watch helplessly as their son passed away.

After discovering his deception, Russian confronted him in a stormy night's rage and fled, only to be caught in a landslide. Though she survived the disaster, the damage was irreversible...

"She's completely unresponsive… At this rate, she'll never show another expression, and we can't say how much longer she'll survive…" The doctor shook his head in helpless regret.

Why… why had such a tragedy struck him? Was this retribution for becoming a pirate? Or for deceiving his wife? But Gimlet was innocent… and so was Russian.

If only I could see your smile one more time, Russian…

Outside the hospital, Wright sighed softly, standing silently in the rain.

"Pirates… how many tragedies have you wrought upon this world?"

"Senor… what should I do with you?"

Through the hospital window, Wright watched Senor break down in tears by Russian's bedside. His mind drifted to another memory, of a radiant figure who once smiled so brilliantly at him:

"I love watching anime! What about you?"

"..."

"I'm so sorry… that I can never watch it with you again…"

The rain poured steadily as Wright turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance.

"Buru—buru—buru—kacha!"

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, this is Wright. The mission is complete, but I've encountered an unexpected situation and request a delay in reporting back. I'll submit a full report later."

"Wright… You've worked hard. You seem troubled—something on your mind?"

"Forgive me. It's just… a personal matter."

"I understand. Take care."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Kacha—"

The gleaming white of Wright's Justice coat disappeared into the dense rain, blending into the downpour as if the heavens themselves shared in his turmoil.

"Russian, look! I found Gimlet's little hat!"

Wearing a baby's hat himself, Senor held it up toward Russian on the hospital bed. "What do you think? Does it suit me? Haha, the boy really did take after his father…"

"..."

"I'm sorry, Russian… I should never have…" Senor froze. Her lips… her lips had curled into a faint smile.

"Good morning, Russian!"

Dressed absurdly in a baby's hat, diaper, and pacifier, and holding a bouquet of flowers, Senor arrived at the hospital with renewed energy. Seeing his wife's fragile but smiling face, he broke into laughter. For days, strangers had mocked him as a "weirdo," but in this moment, he felt nothing but joy.

"To me, this outfit is worth far more than the finest suits, Russian…"

"Because only when I wear it… do you smile."

Leaving the hospital, Senor walked down the street, his bizarre attire drawing stares and whispers from passersby. He paid them no mind, his focus unwavering—until he froze.

A figure in a gleaming white Justice coat approached him.

Golden-haired, in his twenties, with a long sword at his waist glowing faintly with golden light—

Wright, the most renowned Commodore of the Navy Headquarters.

Why is he here in the North Blue? Why here of all places?

Before Senor could react, Wright walked past him without a glance. Yet, a quiet voice reached his ears:

"Join me for a Gimlet."

"!"

Senor stiffened in place. He noticed me… But why?

A Gimlet… Damn it! What does he want?!

Reaching for his Den Den Mushi, Senor's hand froze mid-motion. Rumor has it Wright's abilities… can heal even the gravest injuries as long as there's a breath of life left.

His arm felt as though it weighed a thousand pounds. Driven by an inexplicable force, Senor turned and followed the retreating figure of the man in the Justice coat.

In an upscale bar, Wright removed his Justice coat, draping it over the back of a chair. The radiant glow of "Ashes," his long sword, was subdued by years of mastery but still faintly visible beneath a cloth.

Stopping the bouncer from ejecting the oddly dressed Senor, Wright tossed him a wad of cash. "Leave him alone. This way—it's quieter here. I've been testing it out these past few days."

"..."

Senor approached the table hesitantly, observing the enigmatic Commodore.

"Rosinante didn't die… Was that your doing?"

"Yes," Wright replied with a nod, signaling the waiter. "Two Gimlets."

When the waiter departed, Wright turned back to Senor. "These past few days—have you regretted anything?"

"..." After a pause, Senor gritted his teeth. "I would die… without hesitation… for the Young Master!"

"If I killed you now, that wish would come true."

"…I don't think you've gone to all this trouble just to kill me here. You wouldn't harm innocents, even if you're far stronger than most Rear Admirals."

"Then… if I traded Russian's life for yours, would you resist?"

"…"

Senor's lips tightened as understanding dawned. The seemingly threatening statement concealed an offer: Russian could be saved, and Wright was the key.

"If you can save her, then take my life if you must!"

"Hmm. Honest words." Wright nodded, smiling faintly at Senor's growing realization. "You know my abilities well. Vergo was indeed an excellent intelligence agent."

"Vergo…" Senor sighed. The Young Master was right. This man must have been the last person Vergo faced.

And if he could defeat Vergo… he could kill me effortlessly without endangering anyone else.

"How did you know?" Senor asked quietly. "No matter what I've done with the Family… Russian is innocent."

The waiter returned with two Gimlets. Wright lifted his glass and gestured for Senor to take the other.

"Pure coincidence. I was just passing through. But my Observation Haki is… a little too strong. I noticed you—"

"And your story."

"..."

Senor sipped the golden drink, its warm hue reflected in his glasses.

"You can save Russian? What's your price?"

"Given your reputation, you should have cut me down the moment you found me. Why go to all this trouble?"

"My methods…" Wright murmured before smiling faintly. "I despise pirates because they've caused countless tragedies—not only to others but to themselves. Just like you."

"Typically, I eliminate evil pirates without hesitation."

"But in you, I saw another possibility."

"Killing pirates isn't my goal—it's merely a means. A way to punish evil and eradicate the darkness of the world."

"Yet sometimes, to stop evil, you must reform it. If you can atone for your sins, abandon evil, and seek redemption… for Russian's sake, I'll save her—and spare your life."

Are you doing well, over there…?

May you find an unregrettable love.

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