Makino was startled for a moment, then took her hand: "The newspaper didn't say anything about that, but look, Lord Rhett won! He's now recognized as an Emperor of the Sea!"
Rouge was silent for a moment, then turned her gaze to Ace, who was making a ruckus in the yard, and Ann, who was sitting quietly in the corner.
"Ace, come here for a second," she called softly.
Ace dropped his wooden stick and ran in excitedly, sweat still beaded on his forehead. "What is it, Mom?"
Rouge handed him the newspaper. "Take a look at this."
Ace took the newspaper, his eyes lighting up immediately. "It's Uncle!" His finger poked at Rhett's picture, and he jumped up excitedly. "Uncle defeated two big-time pirates! That's amazing!"
Rouge ruffled his black hair and said gently, "Yes, he's amazing. But you should also remember that fighting is very dangerous, and being a pirate is also a very dangerous profession."
Ace pouted. "But Uncle said in his letter that real men face challenges bravely! Speaking of which, when can I actually see Uncle for real?"
Rouge smiled helplessly and turned her gaze to the corner. "Ann, come take a look too."
Ann slowly raised her head, her golden hair swaying gently with her movement.
She hummed a soft "Mm," just hugging her sunflower doll. Her eyes were excited, but her face was expressionless as she slowly walked over. Wow! What an incredible emotionless little girl!
Her gaze fell on the newspaper and lingered for a few seconds. Then she reached out her little hand and gently touched Rhett's picture.
What? You ask about Ace? Hmph, he's just a wild little boy. Not worth a single strand of Ann's hair.
Well, there's no helping it. Let's take a look at the replies Rhett received.
Let's rewind time a little and take a peek.
Rhett sat at his desk. Two very different letters were spread out before him.
The first letter's paper was wrinkled, the edges stained with some suspicious grease marks, and the handwriting was crooked and messy. To put it bluntly, it was ugly:
"Stupid Uncle!
I beat up three older kids in the village again today! I'm amazing, right!! I didn't embarrass you!!!!!
Let me tell you, it was me against a hundred of them.
---Omitted here are several pages of Ace describing how he defeated the entire New World and became the strongest in the world with a few punches.
When I go out to sea, I'm definitely going to defeat you and become the new Pirate King!
— Future Pirate King, Ace
PS: That old man Garp's punches really hurt. When are you coming back to teach me some cool moves? Once I learn them, I'll send him flying too!! Ahahahaha."
Rhett's mouth twitched.
He shook his head and picked up the second letter.
This letter's paper was smooth, the folds neat and precise, the handwriting delicate and tidy. Without even looking, he knew it was from his beloved niece:
"Uncle Rhett:
Are you doing well lately? (^_^)
(^▽^) Have you been eating properly? Ann is writing you a letter!
The Sky Island apples you sent last time were super—delicious! I shared half with Ace (even though he kept saying 'they're just okay' while eating them, he actually nibbled the apple cores clean!).
Mom says the weather in the New World changes a lot — hot one minute, cold the next. So... ta-da! I knitted you a scarf!
In winter, Mom prepares a scarf for both Ann and that silly Ace. Wearing it feels so warm. So Ann wants to prepare one for Uncle too (even though I couldn't finish the end myself and had to ask Aunt Makino for help).
But Aunt Makino says this scarf will definitely keep you warm in winter!
Mom says you won another lot of tough fights! Even though Uncle is super—strong, Ann is still a little bit worried...
Are you hurt? Be careful when you fight, okay? Remember to drink warm milk! Every time I fall down, Mom says drinking milk makes the pain go away. Mom also secretly told Ann a secret.
Mom says drinking milk also helps you grow taller. That silly Ace thought Mom only told him alone. He specifically pulled me to a place with no people and told me this secret. At that time, he had that stupid look on his face and even said this was what a big brother should do.
...
You should eat well and remember to rest.
We all miss you at home.
— Love, Ann
P.S. I really like 'Little Sunflower.' I will always treasure it."
There was also a small sunflower drawn in the bottom right corner of the letter.
Rhett: Sigh, Ace, don't blame Uncle for being biased. Ann is just way ahead of you.
Back to the present.
"Ann misses her uncle too, doesn't she?" Rouge asked gently.
Ann didn't answer. She just hugged her doll even tighter, her little fingers gripping the fabric.
Rouge sighed softly and pulled both children into her arms. "When your uncle comes back, I'm definitely going to give him a piece of my mind for always doing such dangerous things."
Ace squirmed in her embrace. "I want to become as strong as Uncle!"
Ann remained silent, but her gaze stayed fixed on the newspaper, as if trying to etch Rhett's image into her heart.
Even though Rouge was grateful to Garp, she was still closer to Rhett. Adding to that, Rhett's ruthless killing of Celestial Dragons, the two little ones had grown up listening to their mother tell stories about Uncle Rhett and Grandpa Garp.
Unlike the original story, Ace had a loving mother, so he never lacked affection and never thought of himself as a child of sin. They also knew that their father had loved them, and naturally, they learned how he died. They developed a natural aversion to the Navy, even though Grandpa Garp was very good to them.
But still...
(Rhett: Garp can go photoshop himself!)
In the hearts of the two little ones, the man who had saved their mother in a time of crisis, who had stood up to the highest powers to retrieve their father's body, combined with Rhett's straightforward way of doing things and the constant flow of newspapers praising Rhett, especially recently, "Mist Lord" Rhett had become the character all the kids wanted to role-play as. All of this made the two little ones see Rhett as more of a hero.
Makino watched this scene and couldn't help but smile. "If Lord Rhett knew how much you all worry about him, he'd be really happy."
Rouge shook her head, but a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "He never has been the type to let people feel at ease."
Outside the window, the sea breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of distant places.
Rouge looked toward the direction of the sea and murmured softly, "Please... come back safely."
Ace broke free from her embrace and raised his fist. "When Uncle comes back, I want to spar with him!"
Ann still didn't say anything. She simply folded the newspaper neatly and put it away in her own little drawer, where every piece of news about Rhett was already neatly arranged.
This was also why Rouge called Ace over first to look at the newspaper. Because Ann would just put it away immediately, completely ignoring her silly brother jumping around behind her.
Ace had a history, after all.
The Bruma Jackson was quietly anchored among the clouds. The gilded hull gleamed with a soft halo in the morning light.
Rhett stood on the deck.
"Lord Rhett!" A clear child's voice interrupted his memories.