Six years had passed, yet Rhett's face showed no trace of time's passage. He wouldn't age naturally, as long as he willed it.
He consciously worked to improve Roger's health, but while replenishing Roger's vitality, Rhett sensed no signs of terminal illness. Was it really just plot convenience?
Rhett was skeptical.
The azure sea sparkled under the sun as the Oro Jackson sailed leisurely. Rhett lounged lazily on the lookout platform, a blade of grass dangling from his lips. Suddenly, his Observation Haki stirred.
"Hmm?" He squinted, gazing toward the distant horizon.
A faint black dot slowly approached. As the distance closed, the dot gradually took shape—a massive whale-headed battleship with the iconic Newgate Jolly Roger painted on its sails.
"Hey, Captain," Rhett called down to the deck, "we've got company."
Roger, who was being pestered by Shanks and Buggy for stories, looked up. "Who is it?"
Rhett smirked. "Guess."
Rayleigh, sensing with his Observation Haki, adjusted his glasses. "From this direction… Newgate?"
Roger's eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet. "Kuhahaha! It's him!"
Shanks and Buggy immediately got excited. "Newgate? The pirate who's as strong as the Captain?"
Rhett leapt down from the lookout platform, landing smoothly. "Yep, and…" He paused, a playful grin spreading across his face, "they've got some kids on board too."
Meanwhile, on the deck of the Moby Dick, several small figures were busy.
Twelve-year-old Marco trailed behind his siblings, making sure they didn't trip. The fledgling bird mom was quite the busybody.
Nine-year-old Jozu's body glimmered faintly with diamond-like light as he struggled to carry a barrel.
Fourteen-year-old Vista and Thatch squatted in a corner, "dueling" with wooden swords and a spatula.
"Take this—'Rose Sword Dance'!" "Hmph! Taste my 'Delicious Slash'!"
Newgate sat on his specially crafted giant chair, watching the rowdy kids with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
"Pops! A ship ahead!" a crew member reported loudly.
Newgate looked up, his gaze piercing the sea to land on the familiar dark red pirate ship.
"Gurararara…" He chuckled deeply. "It's Roger's brat."
Marco immediately flew over, eyes sparkling. "The Roger Pirates? The ones on par with you?"
Newgate ruffled his hair. "That's right, and…" He paused, his smile deepening, "they've got some interesting kids on board too."
As the distance closed, the Oro Jackson and Moby Dick slowly drew alongside each other, coming to a halt on the calm sea.
Roger stood at the bow, hands on his hips, laughing heartily. "Kuhahaha! Newgate! Long time no see!"
Newgate rose to his feet, Murakumogiri thudding lightly on the deck, causing it to tremble slightly. "Gurararara! Roger, you're as noisy as ever."
Crew members from both ships eyed each other, and when their gazes landed on the kids aboard the opposing vessels, the atmosphere turned subtly tense.
Shanks and Buggy leaned over the railing, curiously staring at Marco and the others.
"Hey, Red Nose, look at that guy with the blue fire!" Shanks pointed excitedly at Marco.
"Don't call me Red Nose!" Buggy roared, but his attention was quickly drawn to Jozu's diamond-like skin. "Whoa! That guy glows! How much would that be worth in Berries?"
On the other side, Marco glared back. "What are you looking at!"
Jozu scratched his head sheepishly. "They've got kids on their ship too…"
Vista and Thatch had already assumed battle stances, having swapped their weapons for wooden swords and spatulas—tools of childhood practice.
"Wanna fight?!" they challenged, pointing at Shanks and Buggy.
Roger and Newgate exchanged glances, both wearing mischievous grins.
"Kids!" they shouted in unison, "Plunder their treasures!!"
"YEAH—!!" The six little ones roared with excitement, charging forward!
Marco's blue flame wings spread out, still unsteady but full of spirit. "I'm the future First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Shanks drew his wooden toy sword, grinning fiercely. "I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
"Bam!"
The two collided, Marco flapping his fiery wings while Shanks dodged nimbly, occasionally jabbing Marco's rear with his sword.
Rhett crouched nearby, munching on sunflower seeds. "Shanks, go for his legs!"
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. "Marco, use your talons!"
Both boys attacked simultaneously—
"Whoa!" Shanks was knocked back.
"Ow!" Marco clutched his rear, hopping up and down.
At that moment, Rhett couldn't help but marvel at how these future Yonko were already showing their combat prowess.
The result? A draw!
Jozu's body shimmered faintly with diamond-like light. Though he couldn't fully harden yet, his fists were rock solid. "Take this punch!"
Buggy's red nose twitched, and he suddenly burst into tears. "You're bullying me!"
Jozu froze. "Huh? I-I didn't even hit hard…"
Taking advantage of the moment, Buggy slipped in with a slide tackle!
"Smack!" Jozu faceplanted into the deck.
The Whitebeard Pirates collectively shouted, "Cheap shot!!"
The Roger Pirates cheered, "Nice one, Buggy!"
Rhett gave a thumbs-up. "All's fair in love and war. I taught him that!"
Buggy emerged victorious—just as he was reveling in his triumph,
"Hey! That's not fair! Why are four of you ganging up on two?!" Buggy protested tearfully, clutching his reddened nose.
On the other side, Marco, Jozu, Vista, and Thatch stood in a line, glaring fiercely.
Marco planted his hands on his hips. "There's no fairness in the pirate world!"
Jozu clenched his fists. "Pops says numbers are part of strength!"
Vista and Thatch nodded in unison. "Exactly!"
Shanks wiped the sand from his mouth, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Buggy, looks like we'll have to use that move!"
Buggy blinked. "Huh? What move?"
Shanks suddenly lowered his voice. "The one Rhett taught us—!"
Shanks charged at Marco, shouting, "Take this!"
Marco immediately spread his flame wings to counter, but Shanks screeched to a halt, pulling a handful of sand from his pocket—
"Eat sandstorm!!"
"Ahhh! My eyes!" Marco staggered back, clutching his face.
Buggy seized the opportunity to sneak behind Jozu, thinking, A handful of chili powder ought to do it.
"Achoo! Achoo!" Jozu's diamond skin was impervious to strikes, but his nose wasn't so lucky. Tears and snot streamed down his face.
Amid the chaos, Shanks snatched Vista's wooden sword, and Buggy pilfered Thatch's spatula.
"Give it back!" Vista stomped his feet in frustration.
"Want it? Come and get it!" Shanks dangled the sword over the ship's edge.
Vista and Thatch hesitated, wary.
Shanks extended the sword,
Vista and Thatch looked horrified,
Shanks pulled it back,
They sighed in relief,
Extended again, more horror,
Pulled back, relief again,
Extend, horror, pull back, relief,
Hehe (??ノ｀*)ノ
Vista and Thatch bared their shark-like teeth. "You've had your fun, haven't you?"
Now, the tables had turned!
Marco was still rubbing his eyes, Jozu was sneezing uncontrollably, and Vista and Thatch were at Shanks' mercy.
Shanks and Buggy exchanged glances, their grins turning devilish.
"Charge!"
Both lunged at Marco—
Shanks swept his leg!
Buggy unleashed the "Red Nose Charge"!
Marco was sent flying by the combined force, tumbling into Jozu's arms. The four kids rolled into a heap, the scene descending into utter chaos.
The Roger Pirates cheered, "Well done!!"
Rhett, watching from afar, gave a thumbs-up. "Not bad for my students! They've got a bit of my flair, hahaha!"
Roger doubled over with laughter: "Kyuhahaha! Newgate, your brats still need more training!"
Whitebeard didn't take offense. Instead, he eyed Shanks and Buggy with approval: "Gurararara! These two rascals—now there's potential!"