Chapter 56: Tsuru
Kuroha had always believed that a person's energy was limited—that being gifted in even one area was already a blessing.
He had studied history since childhood, learning to read fragments of ancient scripts. Now, in his thirties, he was considered the best historian of O'Hara's new generation.
Yet before him stood a boy—barely seven—who not only understood an extinct language but also wielded a sword with terrifying skill.
Was this the gap between people?
After training, Roy sat on the beach beside Kuroha. The man eagerly discussed historical theories while Roy listened quietly, never interrupting.
Roy had witnessed much of the history scholars risked their lives to uncover—but he knew such knowledge was dangerous to those without power. For other eras, he simply pretended ignorance and listened.
"Dr. Kuroha, your knowledge truly is impressive," Roy said at last. "But before I go, there's something I need to say."
He looked at Kuroha—the man who, in the future, would lead O'Hara's scholars in deciphering forbidden texts and die at the hands of the World Government.
"Please, go on," Kuroha replied with a warm smile.
Roy's tone grew calm and heavy. "The loss of history isn't always caused by time. Sometimes, it's because certain people don't want others to see what threatens their power. Scholars who chase the truth without the strength to protect themselves… will vanish with the truth they uncover."
Having said his piece, Roy returned to training. He'd given his warning; whether Kuroha listened was no longer his concern.
The one who sat upon the Empty Throne had ruled for eight centuries. For now, Roy had no power to change that.
In the following days, between sword practice and exercise, Roy occasionally helped Kuroha translate ancient texts about the lost kingdom. In return, the scholar gifted him copies of rare documents—so many that they filled two large crates.
When it came time to leave, Kuroha looked reluctant. "You have such a gift for this. Why not stay longer?"
Roy waved a hand dismissively. "I'm really not interested in history. I only read these to pass time at sea."
"Still," Kuroha said softly, "if you ever wish to study again, O'Hara will always welcome you."
He crouched down and gave the boy a firm hug.
That day, Roy left O'Hara. Later, in his diary, Kuroha would record the visit of a mysterious red-haired child—a swordsman fluent in a dead language.
---
The giant pirate ship sailed steadily across the ocean, pulled by three massive serpents.
On deck, Roy lifted a weighted barbell with one arm while reading through the documents stacked beside him.
He had kept copies of the most crucial texts—partly to ensure O'Hara's knowledge wouldn't vanish should disaster strike.
Someday, he thought, he could pass them to a certain girl named Robin. Perhaps as a gift… or a surprise.
Beside him, Amatsuki Toki lounged beneath the sunlight while Roy, the so-called "Sea King," daydreamed about future beauties.
Months passed. By the end of 1462, the crew left the West Blue, crossed the Calm Belt and the New World, and reached the North Blue.
The year turned to 1463. Roy still had two years left in this era.
His bond with Toki had long since reached an intimacy value of 260—a delicate threshold between friends and lovers. To move further, one of them would have to make the first move… and Roy wasn't about to lose that game.
Whoever confessed first, lost.
So for now, he waited.
Relaxing under a coconut tree, he flipped through comic books bought from a nearby island. The North Blue was famous for its comics, and one young artist had told him about a new story he was planning—The Adventures of Hero Kong versus the Germa Kingdom.
Roy grinned. "So this is how it begins."
He had met the future creator of the world-famous Germa 66 comic.
During his stay in the so-called "Comic Town," he also met a cheerful girl named Tsuru.
"Roy, here I come!"
From the coconut grove, a girl with a blue ponytail and a red hairband ran toward him, waving happily.
"Oh, Sister Tsuru—you're here," Roy said, closing his comic.
"Huff~" Tsuru stopped in front of him, panting lightly, her chest rising and falling. Her deep-blue eyes flicked toward the pirate ship, where the green-haired woman on board was watching her with quiet intensity.
Then she looked back at Roy and grinned.
"Roy, let's continue our sparring!"
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