Chapter 53: So You're Looking Forward to It Too!
"Let's talk here," Redding said calmly, making it clear he wasn't moving an inch. John Giant's face fell in quiet frustration.
He knew exactly what that meant.
They really had considered using force before—just grab Roy and be done with it—but Redding's vigilance made that impossible. Between the giants standing guard and the Happo Navy's presence, they couldn't risk it.
Besides, Roy himself was far from helpless. If they pushed him too hard, he'd side with his own—giants, Toki, and the crew—not the Marines preaching about justice.
And if things got violent… tomorrow's headlines would read: "Child Prodigy Slays Marine Lieutenant Commander with a Single Sword Slash! Vice Admiral Sent Flying with One Punch!"
Recruitment chances? Zero.
"Our Navy recently negotiated with the World Government," John began carefully. "They said that if Roy joins CP, they can help him investigate his background—information about his parents."
The vice admiral beside him frowned immediately. "We don't like CP. They're machines for killing and control. Roy should think twice. The Navy can investigate his origins through other channels."
Redding's gaze softened as he turned toward Roy, while Amatsuki Toki lowered her head beside him, her eyes filled with worry.
For orphans, questions of family always struck deep—but this time, they were completely off the mark.
Roy wasn't from this era at all.
Investigate his background? Even if the Navy and the World Government scoured every record from the Grand Line to Mariejois, they would find nothing.
Eight hundred years ago, Roy had been an ordinary child—so unremarkable that even history forgot his name.
"Roy," Redding said quietly, "we'll respect your choice. If you want to uncover your past, maybe… it's worth listening."
"Whatever you want to do, I'll support you," Toki said softly, looking at him with gentle resolve.
Roy tilted his head, meeting their pitying eyes. "What nonsense are you all talking about? They abandoned me. Why should I go looking for them?"
His words struck like a whip.
To them, he sounded like a hurt child. But deep inside, Roy's anger wasn't about abandonment—it was about contempt. He remembered.
The moment his soul had crossed time, he'd opened his infant eyes and seen the couple who discarded him.
Eight hundred years ago, his family had been rich, secure, untouched by war—and they'd tossed him aside for profit and convenience.
Why should he forgive that?
"We won't look for them, we won't look…" Toki said quickly, hugging him tightly as if shielding him from ghosts.
Redding turned a sharp glare toward the Marines. "You heard him! Roy isn't interested in his background—or in those so-called parents! So drop it."
"...Sorry," John murmured, bowing slightly. Their intelligence had been wrong—again.
The vice admiral sighed. "Still, we hope his past won't affect his future… or lead him down the wrong path. You understand, Redding."
Redding's eyes hardened. "I understand that you've said enough."
With that, the vice admiral signaled the warships to turn. Sails shifted; anchors were lifted. Their grand plan had crumbled. What they thought would be an easy win had backfired completely.
"Hypocritical fools," Redding growled, holding the hilt of his sword until the warships faded from view. Only then did he exhale.
Toki stayed crouched beside Roy, her arms still around him. The longer she stayed near him, the more she pitied him—not because he was weak, but because of the weight he carried.
That disgust in his eyes—was it truly just because he'd been abandoned? Or had he seen far worse than any of them imagined?
"We'll never be apart," Toki whispered, brushing his hair back and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Sister Toki will always be by your side. Don't be sad…"
Roy hugged her back, smiling faintly. "Yeah. Sister Toki will always be mine."
"Mm. It's a promise."
"It's a deal."
She held him close again, neither speaking for a long while.
Roy's expression looked sorrowful, but inside he was practically humming a tune. His "dead parents" had probably turned to dust centuries ago, their names erased from time.
But if playing the tragic orphan made Toki melt like this… well, he'd play it perfectly.
[Intimacy with Amatsuki Toki +5!]
A few hours later, the Niho Navy finally arrived. Roy, Toki, and Redding thanked the Happo Navy, the Niho captains, and young Chinjao for their help.
He hadn't known Chinjao long, but the teen had gathered men to defend them without hesitation. Roy appreciated that kind of loyalty deeply.
"Chinjao," Roy said seriously, "remember this—there are always people stronger than you, and fists harder than your forehead. You have to train harder than ever.
Master Hasshoken, sharpen your Armament Haki, and never underestimate your enemies."
He gave the advice with a rare note of sincerity.
Truth be told, he hadn't even fought Chinjao seriously. If he had, that cone might've been dented long ago.
Still… the future Marine hero Garp would probably handle that part for him.
Roy hoped Chinjao would grow strong enough to avoid that fate—or at least, survive the punch better next time.
"Got it!" Chinjao nodded earnestly. "I'll train harder and beat you one day, little guy!"
"Ahhhh!" Chinjao howled as Roy stomped on his foot, nearly toppling him.
"Don't call me little!" Roy barked, turning on his heel and marching toward the ship, hand still holding Toki's.
She laughed softly, letting him lead her without protest.
"Goodbye, Chinjao!" she called gently.
"Goodbye, Roy!" Chinjao waved, grinning through the pain. "Next time, I better see you grown up—and married to Sister Toki!"
Toki's cheeks turned crimson. "W-what nonsense…"
Roy looked up at her and chuckled, then turned to the cone-headed friend waving from shore. "Definitely."
[Intimacy with Amatsuki Toki +1!]
Roy caught the flicker in her flustered eyes and grinned inwardly. So you're looking forward to it too, huh?
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