Ten thousand ters above sea level.
The biting winds of the upper atmosphere howled across the sky, but for Ozz, they were little more than a breeze. He flew straight toward the South Blue.
Truth be told, he didn't want to rush like this.
But with only two days left before the execution, he had no choice. If mory served, it was shortly after Roger's death that the Navy followed the faintest of leads and discovered Baterilla Island in the South Blue.
And Roger's wife Portgas D. Rouge died because she tried to evade Navy inspections by forcibly delaying childbirth for over a year.
She perished not long after giving birth.
To prevent the tragedy from repeating itself, Ozz had to move early.
Luckily, thanks to his ability to teleport instantly to any place he could see, getting to the South Blue would only take about an hour at most.
If everything went well, he could even make it back in ti to witness the execution.
…
South Blue.
Baterilla Island.
It was a beautiful country or at least, Ozz thought so. The kind of place that seed made for falling in love.
Love, after all, makes fools of us all. And young won in the springti of their lives often fall for daring n of the sea.
But Rouge understood. She knew Roger loved her, but a man like him could never be tethered by love especially not when death was already knocking at his door.
He loved her, yes. But he loved the sea more. He loved his dream more.
Even so, Rouge was willing, willing to carry the bloodline of the man she loved.
Standing by the edge of a cliff, she gazed out at the sea. A gentle breeze tugged at the ends of her hair.
In her hands, she held Roger's wanted poster, and in her mind, she replayed the days when they had clung to one another in quiet intimacy.
"If it's a boy, we'll call him Ace. If it's a girl, Ann."
Those were the nas Roger had chosen.
But he would never have the chance to et his child.
"…My condolences, ma'am."
A voice broke through Rouge's thoughts.
Startled, she turned around sharply sohow, at so point, a tall young man in a black military-style uniform had appeared behind her.
Panic surged through her.
Her first thought was that she'd been found.
Roger's fa was too imnse. Pirate or Marine, no one would let his bloodline go unpunished.
She had to run.
"No need to panic, ma'am… I'm not here to harm you. Captain Roger was worried about your safety. He entrusted to look after you."
Roger?
Maybe it was the weight of that na. Maybe it was the fact that the stranger wasn't acting aggressively.
Whatever it was, Rouge didn't run. Not yet, at least.
After all, she was a pregnant woman and the man in front of her was strong and towering. Even if she ran, where could she go?
Seeing that she hadn't bolted though her eyes were still filled with suspicion, Ozz scratched his head. This was a bit of a headache.
How was he supposed to prove his identity?
He should've asked Roger to write a letter or sothing.
After thinking for a mont, a lightbulb went off in his head. He reached into his coat and pulled out his wanted poster, holding it up for Rouge to see.
"There, ma'am. This should clear things up."
Rouge squinted, following his finger to the part of the poster he was pointing at.
"…Wanted Dead or Alive. Extrely Dangerous?"
Her expression turned even warier.
Ozz: "…"
Wrong section.
"…Ozz. Crew mber of the Roger Pirates?"
Seeing the flicker of doubt in her eyes, Ozz rubbed his head again, a bit helpless.
It couldn't be helped.
He'd practically stowed away mid-voyage and ridden the Roger Pirates' montum to the top. Of course, there had to be a price for being a freeloader.
Unlike the other crewmates, who'd followed Roger out of camaraderie or the pursuit of dreams, Ozz didn't have that kind of connection.
Their bond had been equal. The Roger Pirates weren't so clan based on bloodline loyalty. They had no obligation to look after Roger's widow or child.
Whether they were unaware or simply indifferent, no one could bla them.
Their mission was clear: guide the one who would inherit Roger's will to Raftel at the right ti.
Not his bloodline his will.
But Ozz wasn't like the others.
He wasn't like Shanks or Buggy either. The two of them had boarded the ship as kids. Roger had ntored and protected them.
In return, they would carry his legacy into the new era.
Shanks had inherited the straw hat, the very symbol of Roger's will, and he seed destined to reach Raftel or, if he couldn't, to at least maintain balance on the seas and pave the way for the true inheritor.
Buggy was a long shot, perhaps, but Roger hadn't neglected him. The training he'd received balanced out Roger's expectations.
Only Ozz… didn't fit into any category.
He was a leftover from the old era, but still a youth of the new one. Roger had never asked him for anything.
During the voyage back from Raftel, Roger had seen clearly that what Ozz wanted most was fun and freedom.
So he didn't even ask Ozz to protect the next inheritor.
All he said was: Let others carry the hope of the world.
Nothing more.
And maybe it was that awkward position that made Ozz feel deep down that he needed to do sothing.
He hadn't inherited Roger's will, yet he'd gotten all the benefits. The power. The protection. The fa.
So, if he could take care of Roger's wife and child… maybe that would be enough. Maybe that could be his way of saying thank you.
"That's right. Before he left, Captain Roger was worried. He asked to look after you," Ozz said with a soft smile.
There was no sign of performance in his voice.
Just a quiet, gentle lie.
And in that mont, the last wall inside Rouge's heart crumbled.
Her eyes welled with tears like raindrops falling into still water. She leaned her forehead gently against Ozz's chest, biting her lip, still clutching the newspaper that announced Roger's impending execution.
There was a significant age gap between them.
She had loved Roger not just for who he was, but because of what he was. She had always respected his dreams and choices.
But that didn't an she didn't care about their love.
Now, hearing that even in the end he had thought of them her and their unborn child Rouge chose to believe.
She chose to believe in Ozz.
And she agreed to leave with him.
After all, both she and her child needed a safe place to live.
And Ozz this man who had stood beside Roger seed strong, reliable… soone she could trust.
They didn't waste ti.
Ozz still had to make it back to the execution.
He followed Rouge to her small ho, where she quickly packed a few essentials.
Ozz effortlessly hoisted a massive bundle over his shoulder. As he glanced around the room, sothing in the corner caught his eye a sword, partially covered in dust.
Roger's sword.
One of the twelve Supre Grade Blades.
Ace.
"If you want it, you can have it," Rouge said with a smile, noticing his gaze.
After all, she had no use for it. Roger's keepsakes were many, and Ozz was now her and her child's only protector a mber of Roger's crew.
It was a small gesture.
But one that gave her peace of mind.
----------------------------------------------------
(The English release of Gambling Like Crazy, With Super S-Rank Charm is here! Check it out if you're into danger, desire, and deadly gas!)
(Next Chapter: "Refuse , and I'll Wipe Out Your Country (Smiley Face)")
The next storm's already brewing, Patron's where it hits first.!
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