Chapter 50: A Reunion After 36 Years

Words : 1093 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

"So scary~ Pirates everywhere," Kizaru drawled. "So, is this fight over?" Roy asked with a grin. "I don't think so. You're the so-called Vice Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, right?" Kizaru said. "Nope," Roy shook his head. "...Nope?" Kizaru was genuinely surprised, and even Rayleigh looked at Roy in astonishment. Just like that, he denied it? What did that mean? "I never admitted to being the Whitebeard Pirates' Vice Captain, so I'm not," Roy said as he shook his head again. "I see. But you are still a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, which means you're still a pirate," Kizaru nodded. "That's right!" The moment Roy answered, Kizaru, standing a full meter taller, vanished and reappeared beside him, his foot already swinging toward Roy's head in a blinding kick. BOOM! A laser blast struck the root of a Yarukiman Mangrove tree, causing a massive explosion. Roy looked back at the explosion site, patted his chest, let out a breath of relief, and mocked. "Scared the hell out of me. Is sneak-attacking just standard practice for you, Marines?" Behind his glasses, Kizaru's eyes sharpened. That kick had been light speed—faster than most in the world could react to. Yet Roy had dodged it effortlessly. Just how...? "Make sure you send our man back safely. I was this close to kidnapping a Celestial Dragon instead. Lucky for you, you agreed to the exchange in time," Roy said casually. Kizaru stiffened. 'Lucky they agreed?' 'Or else... a Celestial Dragon would've been taken hostage?' "So that's your plan. Two options—either the Marines agree to the exchange, or you kidnap a Celestial Dragon to force it?" "Exactly. Backup plans are important. Though I'll admit, you guys caved faster than I expected," Roy chuckled. "How frightening~ Vice Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. Looks like this whole operation was your idea," Kizaru said, staring intently. "Guilty as charged. You took one of ours, did you really think we'd just let it slide?" Roy smirked. "I'll be sure to report this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. A man who hid in the Whitebeard Pirates for 36 years without revealing his strength... just what kind of monster are you?" Kizaru said seriously. "It's not that I never showed my strength—you just weren't around to see it. Anyway, Admiral Borsalino, mind if we leave? Doesn't look like your targets are here anymore," Roy said, still smiling. "I'd love to kill you right now... but it seems I can't do it alone," Kizaru admitted. "You could always try." Roy's voice came from behind Kizaru, his finger lightly tapping the Admiral's hands. Kizaru flinched like a startled bird, his scalp tingling. For the first time since becoming an Admiral, he felt the sense of death hovering over him. That single tap... it felt like the Grim Reaper had just placed his scythe at his neck. "Relax, just messing with you. We've got places to be, Rayleigh still needs to coat my ship," Roy said, walking past Kizaru toward Kuma. "You felt it, didn't you? Don't underestimate him. If he went all out just now, even if you didn't die, you'd be seriously injured," Rayleigh said as he sheathed his sword and chuckled. Kizaru didn't respond. Sweat formed on his forehead as he watched Roy stand in front of Kuma. "36 years... long time no see, Kuma." Rayleigh and Kizaru both froze. 36 years? Did they know each other a long time ago? "You are...?" Kuma hadn't yet been fully mechanized, his brow furrowing as he studied Roy. He'd only recently heard the rumors, the Whitebeard Pirates' newly revealed Vice Captain, a man who'd seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The world had been stunned. The idea that Whitebeard had a second-in-command all this time? Unthinkable. Many assumed Whitebeard, in his old age, was grooming a successor, most likely Marco or Ace. But no. It was this man, an unknown man, Roy. According to the Whitebeard Pirates, he was Whitebeard's first crewmate, joining 36 years ago. He'd personally raised many of the division commanders, earning their unwavering respect. Kuma racked his memory, but couldn't place him. Until— 36 years ago. A fragment of the past surfaced. Kuma's eyes widened. "Wait... could it be you were also...?" "I was the kid trailing behind you three. After you grabbed two Devil Fruits, I snatched one too. I didn't eat it, but I escaped God Valley with Newgate." "We were lucky. We're all survivors of God Valley," Roy said quietly. Kuma's breath hitched. That's right. There had been a boy with them. While he, Ivankov, and Ginny had taken two fruits, that boy also took one. "Did you ever eat that fruit?" Kuma asked. "No. I gave it to a dying child instead. After he ate it, he survived. His name is Marco, he's the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. And we were lucky, Newgate, back then still a member of the Rocks Pirates, led us out of God Valley," Roy said calmly. Rayleigh and Kizaru listened intently. God Valley. Devil Fruits. The Rocks Pirates. Rayleigh stared in disbelief. Were these two survivors of that massacre? "To think you both lived through that nightmare..." Rayleigh murmured. "If you guys hadn't crashed the party, maybe the Rocks Pirates would've won," Roy joked. "None of us expected it to get that chaotic," Rayleigh laughed. Kizaru remained silent. He'd heard of God Valley, but never the full story. Now, pieces were falling into place. Kuma and Roy, both miracles who'd escaped that hell. "I know you don't like remembering the past. But here's some good news: your daughter's on this island. She's looking for you. If you care about her, take her and run." Kuma's entire body tensed. "Vegapunk already treated her. She's healthy now. There's no reason for you to keep serving the Marines—it'll only turn you into a mindless killing machine. You might even hurt your comrades... or your own family." Roy leaned in, his voice dropping. "By the way, Vegapunk is in our custody now. If you want to break away from the World Government, this is your best chance. Take your daughter and run. She's still waiting for you to come home." ... If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead. [email protected]/DaoistJinzu

Chapter 50: A Reunion After 36 Years

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