Chapter 99: The Pirate King
Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. A man who had obtained wealth, fame and power – everything the world had to offer.
He was the first to achieve the impossible feat of circumnavigating the world and the treasure he had amassed was known as "One Piece".
"…One Piece."
The Marines and the World Government were relentlessly pursuing Roger, and countless others were searching for his whereabouts hoping to claim his treasure for themselves.
Kanata chuckled as she read the newspaper, genuinely pleased for Roger. "He finally did it."
Teach, who had just entered her office carrying documents, glanced at the newspaper over her shoulder. "That's quite romantic," he remarked with a smile.
"What do you think he found on the final island? What's your guess, Sis?"
"I don't know. He called me a few days ago, completely drunk, rambling on about something…"
The only thing she could understand was that he had named the final island "Laugh Tale".
He had been so intoxicated that she had simply offered her congratulations. He might not even remember calling her.
"Laugh Tale… Aren't you curious? What could be there?"
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't… But he named it 'Laugh Tale'. Something must have happened."
Considering that the treasure was called "One Piece", Kanata joked, "Maybe he found a stone tablet with instructions on how to destroy the Red Line."
Teach stared at her blankly for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Zehahahaha! You mean… connecting the world like that?!"
Connecting the world by removing the Red Line.
It was just a guess, of course. Roger had said he had found a vast treasure. It was probably something else entirely.
Teach finished laughing and left the room.
"…Teach has grown so much."
She still thought of him as a child, but he was already taller than her and considerably broader.
Kaie had also grown taller in recent years. Children grew up so fast.
She had been charging ahead ever since she had killed that Celestial Dragon in the West Blue. Their finances were stable, and they had amassed enough power to deter most enemies.
It was a period of peace… a true peace she hadn't experienced in a long time.
But…
"The Pirate King… The world is changing again."
The Marines and the World Government wouldn't leave Roger alone.
Pirates seeking his treasure would also increase – The world was about to descend into chaos.
The tides of change were approaching.
***
"Wahahaha! Long time no see, Kanata! How have you been?!"
Roger remains as energetic as ever, despite his illness, he greeted her with his usual cheerful smile.
In the distance, she could see numerous pirate flags pursuing his ship. He could easily defeat them, but it was probably more troublesome to deal with them than to simply outrun them.
In a sense, he had come to Hachinosu to avoid them.
They had likely followed Roger, hoping to claim his treasure, but lacked the courage to attack Kanata's base. They were circling the island, hesitant to approach.
Kanata sent out patrols to deal with them, and welcomed Roger and his crew.
"It's been a while, Roger. You seem surprisingly healthy for someone with an incurable disease. Is it thanks to Crocus?"
"Yeah, it's thanks to Crocus! And I'm grateful to Sukura for introducing him!"
He had been a troublesome patient, refusing to listen, but he seemed to appreciate Sukura's efforts. If Sukura heard him, he would probably say, "Be grateful and listen to me, you stubborn patient!"
It had been years since his diagnosis. He should have been dead by now, but… Crocus had given him the opportunity to continue his journey.
Kanata glanced at Crocus, who was standing behind Roger, scratching his head sheepishly. "It's been a while," she said.
"A few years, since I last saw you at the Twin Capes."
"I didn't doubt your information, but I wanted to confirm it myself… The results were disappointing, though."
Crocus had joined the Roger Pirates to search for the Rumbar Pirates. While they had only learned that the crew had disbanded along the way, at least he had been able to confirm it himself.
Not everyone could be as strong as Kanata or Roger. For every success story, there were those who fell behind.
After shaking hands, Crocus said, "I'm going to borrow your infirmary," and dragged Roger away. Rayleigh appeared, taking his place.
"We're running low on medicine. I apologize, but could you spare some?"
"Of course. Let us know if you need any other supplies."
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
Roger's illness required a lot of medication. Crocus understood and had been procuring the necessary supplies, but after achieving their goal of circumnavigating the world, they had been constantly pursued by pirates and Marines, making resupply difficult.
They all knew what their future held, but they had decided to have one last celebration before the inevitable. They had stopped by Hachinosu to see Kanata and replenish their supplies.
The Roger Pirates crew members disembarked, their faces bright and cheerful. Their journey had been a memorable one.
Kanata noticed Oden and Izo among the disembarking crew.
"Izo! It's been a while. How have you been? And you too, you good-for-nothing."
"I'm 'you too'?! Come on!"
She greeted Oden casually and shook hands with Izo.
Oden grumbled, but seemed to realize it was pointless to argue. He simply frowned and fell silent.
She had seen Inuarashi and Nekomamushi during her previous visit, but they weren't here this time. She asked about them, and Izo replied, "Lady Toki fell ill, so they returned to Wano ahead of us." It wasn't a serious illness like Roger's, simply fatigue from the journey.
They couldn't leave Toki and the children behind while the rest of the crew continued sailing, so the two minks had returned to Wano.
"Are you two returning to Wano as well?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
Izo had originally intended to return with Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, but they had decided it was best for at least one of Oden's retainers to stay with him.
"…You're a loyal retainer."
"Of course! He's my lord!"
"With a lord like that…"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Oden, who had been boasting just a moment ago, suddenly flew into a rage. But he had forced his way out of Wano, a country with strict laws against leaving. While he had received tacit approval, it wasn't something to be proud of.
She decided to save the serious conversation for later, inviting them to join the feast that evening.
***
That night.
The Twilight Pirates and the Roger Pirates gathered, holding glasses of sake, waiting for the feast to begin.
Dishes were carried out and placed on the tables, and the guests were free to wander around, sampling the food and drinks.
Roger was impatient and stood up as soon as he heard the preparations were complete.
"Alright, it's time!"
"Then – To the Roger Pirates' circumnavigation of the world!"
"Cheers!!!"
The sound of clinking glasses was heard all around.
Everyone was laughing, drinking and eating delicious food. It was a celebration of the Roger Pirates' achievement, and a farewell for those about to embark on new journeys.
Kanata chatted with Roger for a while, then, as the older members of the Twilight Pirates swarmed around him, she moved away and approached Oden and Izo.
"Hey, Kanata! Are you drinking?!"
"The feast just started, and you're already drunk?"
"Wahaha! It's a celebration!"
Oden ignored Kanata's exasperated tone and continued to guzzle down sake.
Izo, on the other hand, was trying to restrain Oden, his expression troubled, perhaps thinking about Wano.
"Are you worried about Wano?" Kanata asked.
"…Yes. The sight I saw when I returned to escort Lady Toki… It's been haunting me ever since."
Wano had changed drastically.
Numerous factories had been built, and something fundamental had shifted… He could sense it.
But he had a duty to fulfill. He couldn't return to Wano yet, and he had been pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind. There would be much to do when he returned.
"About that…"
Kanata told him about her experience in Wano.
How she had been framed for the shogun's assassination. How she had fought Whitebeard. And about Orochi, who was acting as the shogun's deputy.
Oden, who had been cheerfully drinking, sobered up at the mention of Orochi's name.
"Orochi? Why is his name coming up?"
"He was recognized as your sworn brother. I've never heard of him, but… is it true?"
"What nonsense! I simply lent him some money out of pity because he was working as a servant at Yasuie's place!"
They weren't close, and he certainly wasn't Oden's sworn brother.
But if the public believed it, then someone had been manipulating information. The reason was obvious.
To become shogun.
"It's safe to say that Wano is in a difficult situation. I have my own suspicions about who framed me, considering they assassinated Sukiyaki, who I owed a debt of gratitude to."
"…So you're offering to help?"
"Yes."
The Twilight Pirates were an incredibly powerful force.
They had clashed with the Big Mom Pirates and the Golden Lion Pirates, but hadn't been defeated. They were practically on par with the Yonko.
If Kanata offered her support, they could surely resolve the situation in Wano.
But…
"…No, I can't allow that. I'll handle Wano myself."
"Why? You don't know anything about the enemy. We have the manpower."
"I left Wano once. I never intended to become shogun, but… My journey, and your story, have changed my mind."
– I'm going to become the shogun of Wano.
"…You're saying you'll handle your family's problems yourself?"
"That's right. Wano is my country. I have to deal with this… Besides, I'm planning to open Wano's borders. It's something I have to do eventually."
"Lord Oden…"
Izo, seeing Oden's resolute expression, was moved to tears. "You've grown so much," he said.
Kanata stared at Oden for a few seconds, then sighed and gave up. "I can't stop you, can I?"
She knew Oden's stubbornness. He wouldn't change his mind, no matter what she said.
"But… Leave Izo behind."
"What?! Why?!"
"You're planning to open Wano's borders, right? Whether you join the World Government or not, you have no experience in foreign negotiations or trade. I'll teach him the basics."
"I see… But wouldn't it be easier to just borrow some of your people? You have those who are good at that sort of thing, right?"
"What kind of ruler leaves diplomacy to outsiders, you fool?"
Izo's presence in the Twilight Pirates would undoubtedly have an impact, but he was still Oden's retainer.
If Kanata's subordinates were handling Wano's diplomacy, it would be no different from Kanata controlling the country. It wouldn't be good for Oden.
Kanata explained the situation to Oden, who seemed oblivious to the implications of his suggestion. She was essentially doing him a favor, so he should just listen to her advice.
He was the future shogun. He should avoid mixing personal feelings with matters of state.
"It'll take some time, but I'll teach him the basics. Handle the situation in Wano while he's here."
"…Fine. Izo, can I count on you?"
"Anything for you, Lord Oden."
The conversation had turned serious, but it was a celebratory feast. They understood each other, despite their differences. Kanata decided to end the discussion there and enjoy the festivities.
She discreetly approached Izo and said, "I'll make a Vivre Card for Oden. Cut off a piece of his fingernail for me."
Later, as she was chatting with Rayleigh, Crocus, Gaban, Buggy, and Shanks, Roger called her over.
They moved to a quieter area, away from the noise of the feast.
"What is it, Roger? Why did you call me over here?"
"Well… I just wanted to thank you. For Crocus, for Oden… for everything."
He had saved her life twice, but she had also provided him with valuable information for his journey. He knew this might be their last meeting. Roger bowed deeply.
"Thank you. We wouldn't have been able to finish our journey without you."
"…I should be the one thanking you. I'll never forget the debt I owe you."
"Wahaha, is that so? I don't have much time left. If you're willing, I have a favor to ask… Could you look after my child?"
"Your child? You have a child?"
"Not yet! But there will be one!"
Kanata stared at him, speechless. What was he talking about? But she couldn't refuse Roger's request.
"I'll give you my Vivre Card. Tell your child to keep it close."
She wrote "To my dearest friend" on a piece of her Vivre Card and handed it to Roger. If Roger's child ever set sail and found their way to her, she would help them.
Roger laughed. "I'll be counting on you," he said, taking a sip of sake.
He had never imagined he would ask this of the daughter of the man he had defeated alongside Garp. Fate was a strange thing.
He hadn't asked his longtime comrades, or those who had sailed with him, but Kanata. He felt it was the right decision, even if it was based on a hunch.
"The Roger Pirates will disband today. Our adventure is over."
"…I see. What are your plans now?"
"I'm going to see Whitebeard one last time. We've fought for years… He's like a comrade-in-arms, like Garp."
"Whitebeard…"
Kanata had fought him once. He was undeniably strong. Big Mom and Shiki, in terms of direct combat ability, were probably weaker than Newgate.
Of course, Shiki was strong enough to fight Roger on equal footing. He wouldn't be easily defeated.
"You fought him once, didn't you? How was it?"
"How can I describe it? He was very strong. That's all."
She would have a difficult time defeating him, but Newgate's Devil Fruit ability was difficult to use at full power. Considering that, they were probably evenly matched.
But if they fought with the intention to kill, Kanata wouldn't be able to win.
"Wahaha! You're a tough one!"
They enjoyed their snacks and drinks, and the conversation turned to Roger's name.
"These days the Marines and the newspapers keep calling me Gold Roger! It's wrong! I'm Gol D. Roger!"
"The D… We have one in our crew, and I know a few others… What does it mean?"
Teach, Dragon, who had once sailed with her, and Garp, the Marine.
Even Kanata, a member of the "D Clan" herself, didn't know its true meaning.
"Oh, you want to know? I'll tell you. And I'll even tell you how to reach Laugh Tale."
"I'm not interested in that. Treasure is meaningless to me now. I can acquire it without even leaving this island."
"Wahaha! You've become quite the merchant!"
If she was truly interested in Laugh Tale, she would be actively pursuing it. It wasn't her top priority. But she was curious about the "D Clan". It was connected to her father… and her mother.
"Alright, I'll tell you. The 'D Clan' is–"
– Roger shared the information he had learned during his final journey, and Kanata learned the truth.
Two individuals who could have easily become enemies had formed a friendship, leading to this moment – their encounter was surely destined by fate.
***
A year passed.
The Roger Pirates disbanded on Hachinosu and its members scattered to the winds. A year later, Roger surrendered to the Marines.
The news of the Pirate King's capture spread throughout the world. Shiki, enraged, attacked Marine Headquarters, clashing with Garp and Sengoku. He nearly destroyed Marine Headquarters, but was ultimately defeated.
Shiki, the "Golden Lion", was imprisoned in Impel Down. Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, was to be executed in his homeland, the East Blue.
Under heavy Marine guard, Roger was escorted to the execution platform in Loguetown, his birthplace.
Countless spectators gathered, including many who would later become infamous pirates. And then, someone shouted.
"Where did you hide your treasure?!"
The treasure everyone sought, but none had found. The hidden riches of the man who had obtained wealth, fame, and power – everything the world had to offer.
Roger, moments before his execution, simply grinned.
"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it. Find it. I left everything I gathered together in one place."
– It was the moment a small spark ignited a raging inferno.
Excitement spread like wildfire, engulfing the world. Everyone dreamed of adventure, of the sea.
Men and women, young and old, strong and weak – they all set sail for the Grand Line.
– The Great Pirate Era had begun.
***
Inside the fortress on Hachinosu.
Kanata, having received news of Roger's execution from Dragon, laughed. It was a fitting end for a man like him. She raised her cup under the moonlight, offering a silent toast to the departed.
"Farewell, great man. We'll meet again at the ends of hell."