Some say Orochimaru is evil.
But in truth—
All of it stemmed from his obsession with life, from his attempt to heal a heart ravaged by endless war.
He sought immortality.
He did not want life to remain so fragile—where death meant losing everything.
He wanted to witness the wind arrive with his own eyes, to see it turn the windmill.
That was what Orochimaru had pursued his entire life.
"You're truly persistent."
"One day, you'll grow tired of it."
"Just like I did."
"After three hundred years of tempering, everything in this world eventually becomes dull."
Yuan Tiangang merely smiled, unmoved.
"Even after a thousand years," Orochimaru replied calmly, taking a sip of wine, "I won't feel that way."
"Because I will learn every technique and grasp all truths of this world."
"As you wish."
"I hope that when we meet again, you still think the same."
"Boss, I'll be back."
"Yang Shuzi's time has come. I'll go see it personally."
After placing several ingots of gold on the counter, Yuan Tiangang left the tavern.
Watching his departing figure, Ron knew—
He was tired.
To win his wager against Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang had gambled everything—including the three centuries of life he had carried.
He spoke of having lived long enough, of boredom.
Yet when death approached—
Even he realized there were regrets he had never expected to carry.
Just as Ron was lost in thought—
The system's mechanical voice rang in his mind:
[Ding. Customer Orochimaru has completed his confession!]
[Ding. Customer Orochimaru: Wind Release, Curse Mark Techniques, Sealing Techniques, Genetic Modification Technology, Impure World Reincarnation… Host may select one ability!]
[Ding. Customer Yuan Tiangang has completed his confession!]
[Customer Yuan Tiangang: Tiangang Art, Huayang Acupuncture, Spirit-Binding Array… Host may select one ability.]
[Customer Yuan Tiangang: Huayang Needles… Host may duplicate one item.]
[Ding. Customer Jiraiya has completed his confession!]
Ron thought for a moment before speaking softly:
"Select Yuan Tiangang's Tiangang Art and convert it into a skill book."
"Select Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation."
As for Jiraiya, he chose Fire Release.
[Ding. Beginning integration of Impure World Reincarnation. Ability defects compensated. Integration complete!]
In an instant—
All knowledge regarding Impure World Reincarnation flooded into Ron's mind.
This was a forbidden technique created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Its principle was simple.
It summoned the soul of a deceased person from the Pure Land into the living world.
It required a portion of the deceased's remains as a medium.
Then a living body would serve as a vessel, covered in ash and earth to assume the appearance the deceased once had.
After absorbing everything about the technique—
Ron couldn't help but wonder.
Could he now resurrect Roger?
Or perhaps… Joy Boy?
He glanced at Rayleigh and asked casually,
"Old man."
"Is Roger's body still around?"
Rayleigh curled his lip. "After the execution, he was buried on an island in the New World."
"His bones should still be there…"
Then he shot Ron a wary look.
"What are you planning?!"
Bringing up Roger suddenly—
It felt wrong.
No… very wrong.
Was this brat planning to do something strange with Roger's remains?
"I can try to resurrect Roger. Want to give it a shot?" Ron said lightly.
"Oh, I thought it was something serious."
Rayleigh waved dismissively. "Don't interrupt my chat with the Holy Lord."
"Holy Lord, tell me more about succubi."
Then—
Rayleigh suddenly froze.
Wait a minute.
What had Ron just said?
Resurrect Roger?
His head snapped toward Ron, aged face suddenly more serious than ever before.
"You said you can resurrect Roger?!"
Ron shrugged. "Not certain. But we can try."
"Though…"
"It'll cost a bit. And we'll have to dig up Roger's grave. Isn't that a bit disrespectful?"
Rayleigh waved his hand grandly.
"No problem!"
"Money isn't an issue. I extorted five hundred million Berries from Morgans for information about Imu."
"And I still have two Devil Fruits on hand. That should be enough, right?"
Ron blinked.
"More than enough."
Good grief.
Who knew this old man was so loaded?
Though…
You mentioned money.
You conveniently skipped over the grave-digging part entirely.
Meanwhile—
Rayleigh had already taken out a Den Den Mushi and contacted an old crewmate.
"Gaban, dig up the captain's grave immediately. Bring the bones to Sabaody Archipelago."
On the other end, Gaban sounded stunned.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Rayleigh snorted. "Back then he burned down my house. Now I dig up his grave—we're even."
"Besides, I'm doing this to revive him!"
Silence fell across the line.
After a long pause, Gaban's voice returned.
"You're serious?"
Rayleigh didn't answer.
He simply hung up.
Leaning back in his chair, his cloudy eyes fixed on the tavern ceiling.
How many years had it been?
He finally had a chance to see him again…
Roger.
Something long dormant rekindled within his heart.
Rayleigh even began to fantasize—
If Roger truly returned…
Could they gather the old crew? Form a "Sunset Red Pirates" and sail the seas once more?
But—
Seeing the thoughts in his eyes, Ron smiled faintly.
"You'd better not think too far ahead."
"Setting aside whether the Roger Pirates have already settled into peaceful lives…"
"It's another question entirely whether Roger would even want to return."
Rayleigh's fantasy shattered instantly.
Ron's words were like a splash of boiling water, extinguishing his dream in one blow.
Yet—
Rayleigh did not grow angry.
Instead, he laughed from the heart.
"You're right."
"They all have their own lives now."
"No need to return to being hunted by the Marines."
"A man can't live in the past forever."
He lifted the bottle and took a deep swig.
The liquor burned down his throat.
Tears rolled silently down his cheeks.
As if bidding farewell to the past.
As if this legendary pirate was finally drawing the curtain on his life.
Just then—
The bell above the tavern door rang.
Ding-ling…
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