I agreed to win with Roger, but the guy I met was too young Chapter 073

The entire場 was silent.

Rett knew that no matter what the Five Elders said next, whether it was enticement or threats,

Their feud was already established. The World Government would not allow a person who threatened the Celestial Dragons to live forever.

Did they really think a favor would make the World Government back down? Rett’s strength was evident; he was merely giving the Five Elders a way out.

The Five Elders were silent for a long time, then finally spoke:

“……Warlord.”

“Accept the first Warlord position, and you can take Roger’s body.”

Rett smiled.

He knew that the Five Elders didn’t care about the Marines’ reputation; they only cared about the Celestial Dragons’ safety. The Warlord system, the Marines probably didn’t even know about it.

“Deal.”

Rett knew the Five Elders wouldn’t let him go, and the Five Elders knew Rett wouldn’t obey their commands, but it was enough. The World Government’s face was saved. Who cared about the Marines’ face?

For Rett, this Warlord position was just a trial card.

Rett turned and walked towards the execution platform. The Marine soldiers instinctively retreated, no one daring to block him.

He reached out, gently picked up Roger’s head, and used mist to place it back in its original position, then carried the already cold body on his back.

Roger’s head hung low, as if he were merely sleeping on Rett’s shoulder.

Then—

“Boom!!”

Rett stomped and shattered the execution platform!

The entire high platform collapsed, wood splinters flying. He wielded the Black Tide Greatsword with one hand, the blade’s wind stirring up a sky full of shattered wood, which shot like a torrential rain towards Loguetown’s port!

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The splinters accurately embedded themselves into the port ground, stacking into a simple yet solemn pyre.

Using Moonwalk, strolling above Loguetown,

Rett jiggled Roger: “Captain, you’re so light.”

But Rett was destined not to get a reply.

Arriving at Loguetown port,

He gently placed Roger’s remains on the pyre.

Dark clouds pressed down, lightning flickering.

Rett looked up at the sky,

“Captain, this weather isn’t suitable for an adventure.”

“Mist World: Reincarnation Flower”

Rain evaporated the moment it touched the scarlet mist.

Reincarnation Flowers formed by mist bloomed in the mist, each petal flowing with a bloody glow, gently lifting Roger’s remains.

Rett stood before the pyre, the Black Tide Greatsword plunged beside him. He reached into his embrace and pulled out a bottle of rum,

“Last drink, old bastard. Drink as much as you want up there.”

The liquor was poured onto the pyre, the strong scent of alcohol mixing with the salty tang of the sea breeze. Rett snapped his fingers, and a Reincarnation Flower drifted down. The moment it touched the rum—

“Boom!”

Azure flames shot into the sky!

That wasn’t ordinary fire, but the flame of reincarnation, a fusion of blood mist and Haki.

The phantom of the Oro Jackson appeared in the flames. Roger smiled at Rett, giving him a thumbs-up.

Rett’s mind echoed:

“Pirate King?! Hahaha, interesting!” Roger wiped away tears from laughing. “Then it’s settled! We’re going to be the Pirate King!”

“Haha, little Rett, you’re already doing great!”

Rett looked at Roger and said firmly: “Captain, I’ll become even stronger!”

“Mmhahaha, really? I believe you.” He said, patting Rett’s head with a look of gratification.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed, sunlight spilling through the gaps, shining on Roger’s body.

Flames ignited, the pyre turning into a towering pillar of fire, Roger’s body gradually disappearing within the flames.

The sea wind howled, ashes drifting towards the sea.

Rett stood at the port, his long hair dancing wildly in the heatwave,

“The new era opened by Captain,”

“I will witness it.”

Donquixote Doflamingo’s sunglasses reflected the azure firelight, his lips curled to his ears: “Fufufu… What an interesting way to send him off.”

Shanks clutched his straw hat, tears mixing with rain as they streamed down. Buggy bit his lip tightly, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth.

Rett drew the Black Tide Greatsword, its blade pointing to the sky: “Blood Dawn Pirates—Set Sail!”

Rett had already noticed Shanks and Buggy, but he didn’t greet them. At that moment, they didn’t have the ability to swagger away from the heavy Marine encirclement.

Rett walked past the burning flames, murmuring softly,

“Rest in peace, you old bastard.”

The Five Elders’ orders prevented the Admirals from pursuing Rett.

When the Marine fleet finally broke through the blood mist blockade, all that remained at the port was a burnt-out ash platform.

As the “Oro Jackson” slowly sailed into Water 7 port, the setting sun cast a long shadow of the ship.

The ship’s new coating reflected an orange-red light, a polish Tom had made from scraps of Adam Wood—the old shipwright said it would “make the old fellow look more presentable.”

How childish.

At Water 7 port,

Rett stood at the bow, blood mist flowing slowly around him. He looked at the figure in the plain cloak on the shore, his throat suddenly tightening.

He didn’t know how to face Rouge, he didn’t even know what emotions to use to face her.

Portgas D. Rouge stood there, holding a bouquet of sunflowers. The sea breeze blew her long hair, revealing a gentle yet firm smile, but her eyes held an unresolvable sadness; it was clear she had cried a lot.

As Rett jumped off the ship, Rouge quickly walked over.

Rett opened his mouth, the words he had prepared all caught in his throat—

“I saw it all, it’s enough, you worked hard! Rett.” Rouge gently embraced him, the scent of sunflowers enveloping them both. “You must have been in great pain too, right?”

Rett froze. He was supposed to comfort Sister Rouge, but she had seen through him first.

“I’m fine.” He turned his face away, his voice hoarse, “Captain, he…”

Rouge suddenly hugged him even tighter.

Rett’s forehead wasn’t resting on her shoulder, but he could smell the scent of sun-dried cotton, mixed with a faint medicinal aroma—it was the year’s worth of medicine Rett had prepared for Roger after he left the ship, and that was the smell when it was boiled.

“Cry it out.” She patted his back, like comforting a child. “There are no Marines here, no enemies, only family.”

When the first tear hit the sand, Rett heard the sound of his heart shattering.

Rett’s body suddenly trembled violently. He clutched Rouge’s cloak tightly.

“That… that bastard…” His voice was broken, large tears falling onto Rouge’s shoulder. “He clearly said… we’d watch… the new era together…”

Rouge gently stroked the back of his head, feeling Rett’s violent trembling due to his emotional agitation.

Rett’s crying grew louder, finally turning into heart-wrenching wails. This was the first time Rett had cried so heartbreakingly in so many years.

The emotions accumulated over twenty years burst forth at this moment, that feeling of knowing the outcome yet being powerless.

He was clearly so reluctant, but to respect the Captain’s wish, he had to appear nonchalant. Rett had been Roger’s crewmate ever since he came to the world of One Piece.

“How could he… just leave like that…” Rett’s voice was hoarse beyond recognition.

Blood mist uncontrollably overflowed from his body, forming a scarlet domain around him.

Rouge’s cloak was soaked with tears, but she only held this man, who was much taller than her, even tighter.

“He… he was smiling until the end…” Rett murmured. “That idiot… must have been proud of himself for ushering in a new era.”

“I know I should be strong. I’m too old to cry, but the tears just won’t stop. I’m Shanks and Buggy’s big brother, so in Loguetown, I acted nonchalant.

But at that time, I wished I could kill all the Marines, kill the World Government, kill the Celestial Dragons. What evil era? I only knew that my big brother was about to be executed in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything.”

Rouge felt the wetness on her shoulder continuously expand, Rett’s cries gradually changing from initial roars to deep sobs.

She softly hummed an old East Blue lullaby, one Roger used to sing to them.

“Did he… did he say anything in the end?” Rett finally looked up, his eyes red, his voice still choked.

Rouge gently wiped away his tears, softly saying: “He said, ‘If you have a chance, take care of my stubborn little brother for me’.”

Rett paused for a moment, then cried out a curse: “That bastard old brother…”