Chapter 36: Wait for Him to Grow Up
The battle ended as swiftly as it began.
The bodies of the pirates lay scattered across the street, flames licking at the remains as Pandora calmly burned everything to ash.
Roy sheathed his sword, gave the ruins one last glance, and turned to leave.
"Master, everything's burned," Pandora reported, drifting down beside him. His voice was quiet but steady, like a loyal attendant's.
"Yeah," Roy replied simply, stepping through the silent streets. Pandora floated behind him, softly glowing and lighting his way.
As night fell, the town was wrapped in darkness and uneasy quiet. The townsfolk who had survived still hid behind doors and broken walls, staring at the boy who had slaughtered pirates as if he were a demon in human skin.
Then—
"Thank you…"
Roy stopped. A small voice broke through the silence.
A little girl with golden braids stood trembling at the corner, her wide eyes reflecting the faint glow of Pandora's light. She took a hesitant step forward.
Roy turned to look at her, nodded once, and continued walking without a word.
Most adults saw him as a monster—but a child, innocent and brave, had seen him as a savior.
A small smile tugged at Roy's lips.
Pandora, however, was less amused. "How about I burn all these ungrateful fools to death?" he growled, flames flaring faintly.
Roy stopped, caught Pandora in his arms, and pressed him gently to his chest. "Don't do anything stupid."
Pandora narrowed his eyes in irritation, then let out a small hum of contentment as Roy patted his fiery head.
Not long after, Roy's training for the day came to an end.
When he reached the shore, Amatsuki Toki was waiting by the boat. The moment she saw him, she hurried down the ramp with a towel in her hands.
Without a word, she began wiping the blood from his face.
Earlier, she had asked Redding why they hadn't followed him to the town.
Redding had replied calmly, "He went there to train. None of us could stop him—and honestly, there's no need. Those pirates can't even scratch him."
The other giants had agreed. "We believe in him."
But watching Roy up close now, Toki felt a pang of guilt. His small hands, his calm eyes, his face still so young—and yet covered in blood.
She knelt beside him. "Aren't you afraid?"
Roy tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Why should I be? Children born on the sea don't get to choose fear."
Toki froze. That answer—so cold, so mature—struck deeper than any blade.
He was just a boy, and yet he carried himself like someone who had already seen the cruelty of the world.
She thought she understood him during their time together, but the truth was far harsher. Despite his absurd talent and the giants' protection, Roy wasn't living a carefree life. He was surviving—facing the world head-on.
And one day, she realized, she might be the one needing his protection.
Toki's heart tightened. She couldn't bear the thought that a child had to shoulder so much.
Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him.
Roy blinked, startled. What's this woman doing?
He hadn't even tried to charm her today, and yet she was the one hugging him first.
"Uh… hey," he mumbled, awkwardly patting her back.
Toki only held him tighter.
Stop, stop—! Roy thought helplessly. I can't breathe!
…
Later that night, the giants held a feast on the beach. Gigantic slabs of meat roasted over bonfires, filling the air with a rich, smoky scent.
Roy sat cross-legged on the sand, devouring a chunk of meat almost as big as his torso.
Toki watched him in disbelief. "Slow down," she said softly. "You'll choke at this rate."
Roy ignored her, tearing through the meat with wolfish appetite.
He grabbed a cup beside him, drank deeply—then realized too late.
"That… that was my water…" Toki murmured, staring at the empty cup in his hands.
Roy glanced down. The two cups had been sitting side by side. He'd picked up the wrong one.
"Oh," he said casually.
"It's fine," Toki said quickly, flustered. "You can have it."
She turned away, cheeks slightly red, and fetched another cup.
Roy glanced at the one in his hand, where a faint lip mark remained on the rim. He smirked. "Sweet."
Toki froze mid-step. "W-What nonsense are you talking about!?"
Her face turned crimson.
Across the fire, the giants erupted in laughter, raising their mugs and giving Roy approving thumbs-ups.
Roy only grinned, savoring his victory and the lingering scent from the cup.
When Toki finally returned, she had managed to calm herself. She sat back down beside him—but this time, a little farther away.
For a while, neither spoke.
Toki didn't understand her feelings anymore. She could tell Roy was… interested in her in his own mischievous way, but she couldn't bring herself to be angry. If anything, his presence felt strangely comforting.
"Hey, Sister Toki," Roy said at last, lying back on the sand and gazing at the stars. "Let's talk about something serious."
"Hm?"
"About Wano Country."
Toki turned toward him, her expression soft but curious.
"Can we go there later?" Roy continued. "Not saying we won't go—just not yet."
Her brow furrowed. "Why?"
Roy chuckled. "To reach Wano, we have to climb the waterfall. We'll need the giant carp to pull us upstream… but look at them."
He gestured toward the towering giants who were now laughing and drinking around the bonfire.
Toki blinked, then sighed, realizing his point. "Even they wouldn't make it?"
"Not a chance," Roy said, sitting up. "Even if they pulled until they died, they couldn't get all of us up there."
Toki lowered her gaze. "Then what should we do?"
Roy smiled faintly. "When I grow up, we'll go together. I'll protect you."
Toki looked at him quietly, her heart heavy and warm all at once.
Wait for him to grow up? she thought, watching the boy who spoke like a man.
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