Time passed swiftly.
Two and a half days later, Roldy returned to the place where he had grown up.
"Marine Headquarters…"
A black coat draped over his broad shoulders. Though his towering height still drew attention, in a place like Marine Headquarters—where monsters and prodigies gathered—it was not particularly unusual.
It was near dawn.
With Roldy's current strength, infiltrating Marine Headquarters was effortless. In an unguarded corner, he stepped into the air with Geppo (Six Powers), rising silently into the night sky.
Even with his eyes closed, he could find the residence he once lived in.
Under the cover of darkness, his eyes gleamed sharply.
He had returned with a different identity—
Yet when that familiar little building entered his sight, an indescribable emotion welled up in his chest.
It had been a long time since he'd seen Aunt Sinteigwa.
How was she now?
And Zephyr's son—
That little boy named Ann.
He probably hadn't even learned to walk yet.
For once, the decisive Roldy hesitated for nearly a full minute.
Then he inhaled deeply.
His massive frame blurred into an afterimage, appearing before the residence door in the blink of an eye.
He raised his thick arm—
And knocked gently.
"Who is it?"
Despite the late hour, no curse greeted him.
Sinteigwa was as gentle as ever.
"Auntie… it's me."
The door opened.
Sinteigwa froze.
At first, all she saw was a wall—
Then the voice reached her ears.
Before her mind could process it, tears were already streaming down her face. She covered her mouth, stumbling back several steps.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly grabbed Roldy and pulled him inside with what little strength she had.
"Roldy… is it really you?"
When she had learned that Roldy left the Marines and was branded a traitor, she had done something she had never done before—
She slapped her husband.
She had watched Roldy grow up with her own eyes.
How had that good child ended up like this?
And yet—
She could do nothing.
The feeling peaked the day her own child was born.
She could not imagine the hardship of a child growing up without parents.
And to be abandoned again—
How bitter must that heart have been?
"It's me. I'm back, Auntie."
Roldy said little.
In truth, the moment he tried to speak more, the tightness in his chest threatened to overwhelm him.
He was a man who stood tall against the heavens.
He would not shed tears before his family.
Separation was painful.
But reunion—
Was happiness.
Ann was already asleep. Roldy did not disturb him. He simply watched the child's adorable sleeping posture and gently brushed the boy's cheek with a thick finger.
The house remained simple, just as before.
Roldy sat at the dining table.
Before him was a steaming bowl of noodles—
Served in a massive bowl.
Far too large to belong to Zephyr.
It had always been his.
He devoured the noodles in great mouthfuls.
The rising steam masked the complicated emotions in his eyes.
Sinteigwa seemed to have much to say.
In the end, she only said one thing.
"It's good that you're back."
Then—
There was another knock at the door.
Strange.
Twice in one night.
Sinteigwa rose to answer it—
But Roldy extended his arm to stop her.
He lifted the enormous bowl and drained the last of the broth.
Through Observation Haki, he already knew who had arrived.
"Yo~ Long time no see, Roldy."
That lazy tone.
Borsalino.
Dressed in his usual attire, he carried a small gift. He removed his shoes politely before entering and greeted Sinteigwa with courtesy under her wary gaze.
Then he pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You didn't come all the way here at this hour just to reminisce with an old friend, did you?"
Roldy instinctively reached for a cigar—
Then paused when he noticed his aunt nearby.
"Honestly, it's been so long and you're still the same," Borsalino shrugged, seeing Roldy's unwavering focus locked onto him.
"In one sense, you shouldn't have come back. But in another sense… your return is exactly what I hoped for."
His words were cryptic.
Sinteigwa, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward and stood protectively in front of Roldy.
Her expression turned icy.
"My husband is away on a mission. It's late. Please leave."
The hostess had spoken.
Borsalino sighed helplessly.
"Now that's unfair. I was also Zephyr-sensei's student, you know? Why the different treatment?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"But I'm here on official business."
"So, Roldy…"
Sinteigwa was about to speak again—
But Roldy gently stopped her.
"Auntie, go back to bed. I'll be fine."
He stood.
Through his Observation Haki, he sensed more than ten unfamiliar presences approaching Zephyr's residence.
He looked at Borsalino.
The latter wore an expression that clearly said those people had nothing to do with him.
The violence in Roldy's heart surged uncontrollably.
If he had arrived any later tonight—
He dared not imagine what hellish scene he might have witnessed.
Sinteigwa was intelligent.
She understood that staying would only hinder him.
After telling him to be careful, she returned to her room, holding her son close, her hands trembling faintly.
"Those people… sent by the World Government, right?" Roldy asked coldly.
"As expected of you," Borsalino replied calmly. "Still sharp as ever. So tonight, I've eaten something bad. I'll probably arrive here… in about an hour."
"Not necessary."
Roldy stood, removing his coat.
"You only need to have stomach trouble for ten minutes."
"Oh? That's wonderful~"
Under the cover of night, Roldy stood before Zephyr's residence.
His towering figure radiated overwhelming pressure.
He waited quietly—
Like an immovable mountain.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789