In this cramped prison cell,
an old man and a young man sat facing each other,
gathered around a small, flickering oil lamp.
The dim light wavered, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
For the first time in days, Roger actually smiled.
"I only brought four bottles. When these are gone, that's it."
Ozz pulled out four bottles of rum from his bag and popped them open one by one.
He hadn't planned to drink himself, but since Captain Roger was about to set off on his final journey,
he figured he might as well join in.
"Here's to you, Captain Roger. I'm not much for drinking, but for you, I'll make an exception this time!"
Ozz said boldly, feeling a sudden surge of manly romance.
But to his surprise, Roger looked at him with a hint of disdain.
"What's that? If you don't like it, then just leave it all to me. I wasn't going to get enough anyway."
This old guy — should he call him childish, or just a pure-blooded drunk?
Ozz could only silently curse his luck as a vein throbbed on his forehead, his face darkening.
Still, after some coaxing, Captain Roger relented and gave him one bottle.
Ozz then took out some large, wrapped bone-in meat sticks from his bag.
After all, their execution was only days away;
even if it wasn't a feast, it would at least be a last meal worthy of farewell.
Roger was clearly pleased.
Staring at the meat and wine in front of him, his joy was obvious,
though the shackles on his wrists hampered his movements.
"Want me to help you get those off?"
"Oh? You can?" Roger asked with a smile.
His body was already weak from illness and long hunger,
even using Haki felt like a struggle.
Watching this, Ozz felt a pang in his heart.
He gently brushed his arm with his Observation Haki—
the sturdy shackles shattered instantly into dust.
Two men who once shook the seas sat together,
sharing food and drink in rare camaraderie.
This scene brought Ozz back to memories of happier, freer days aboard the Oro Jackson.
"Hey Ozz, how is everyone doing these days?" Roger asked with a flushed face, meat in one hand and wine in the other, clearly enjoying himself.
"Uncle Rayleigh has safely sent everyone back home. No Navy chases, no bounties. Everyone's doing well from what I hear."
"Is that so?" Roger sounded satisfied, taking a long gulp—
it was worth the special deal he made with the World Government to ensure his crew wouldn't be hunted anymore.
"But... my bounty was reinstated after a scuffle at Navy Headquarters. It's back up to over two billion berries," Ozz added, watching Roger's reaction.
"Pft... cough cough cough..."
Roger couldn't hold it in—he spat out his drink in surprise.
He was about to scold Ozz for causing trouble,
but then noticed another mouthful of rum wasted, and his mood shifted to frustrated regret.
"My wine!!!"
He opened his mouth wide, lamenting the lost liquor, until Ozz gave him the last of his own bottles, finally lifting his spirits.
"By the way, Shanks and Buggy said they're coming to watch the execution in two days. I'll be going with them."
"Shanks and Buggy?"
Hearing those names, Roger's face softened with nostalgia.
He turned to Ozz and said seriously,
"They're the hope of the new era, Ozz. You've got to look out for them."
"Huh? I'm part of the new era too. Why does that have to be my job?"
Ozz felt a bit unfairly singled out.
"The new era? You've already seen the One Piece. We went too early, so we lost our eligibility."
"That's not..."
Ozz's mind began to spin.
He was still young!
Back when they went to Raftel, it was all about passion and excitement,
and now, just like that, he'd been bumped up a generation?
Damn it!
I've become a relic of the old era!
Ozz sat stunned for a long while before coming to terms with it.
And judging by the upcoming Twelve-Person Competition, he wouldn't stand a chance of being selected.
Though he wasn't really bothered by that.
But suddenly being cast as an old-timer felt strange.
He hadn't even made his mark on the seas yet—
how did he suddenly become someone who should step aside?
Ah, whatever.
He never wanted to be Pirate King anyway. No big deal.
Once he accepted that, Ozz felt much lighter.
He could still roam freely on his own terms.
That night, they talked about many things:
their views on the World Government, memories of their seafaring days, and thoughts about the future.
After eating and drinking their fill, it was time for Ozz to leave.
But just before stepping out,
Ozz seemed to recall something and looked back at the man who had ruled the seas for a lifetime.
"Hey, Captain, I remember you have a wife and child, right?"
"Oh? How do you know that?" Roger looked a bit taken aback.
"You forgot? That's my Observation Haki for you."
"Hahaha, right. I almost forgot—what a miraculous ability."
"Well… do you want me to help take care of them? You know the World Government and Navy won't let them off easily."
Ozz said quietly, eyes deep and serious as he looked at Roger.
"Don't worry, Ozz. I've already entrusted them to..."
"Garp, right?"
Ozz turned to look at the still optimistic, bearded man before him.
He had to admit: Roger was a great captain—ambitious and full of spirit—
but a failed husband and father.
Ozz had no right to judge whether Roger's choices were right or wrong.
But as someone who had received his kindness, half an apprentice if you will,
he couldn't help but speak up.
"Just Garp, a Navy Vice Admiral—what chance does he have against the entire World Government and Navy?"
"Do you really think that so-called mutual respect between you two will make Garp betray the Navy?"
"She's just a defenseless pregnant woman now."
"..."
Faced with Ozz's probing questions, Roger fell silent.
The usual smile vanished from his face.
This was the first time Ozz had seen this side of Roger—
calm, quiet, weighed down by things unsaid.
Ozz's expression remained unreadable, then he continued,
"After all you've done for me over the years, I'll make sure mother and child are safe.
Of course, I won't interfere too much in their lives.
As for what path the child chooses later—that's up to him."
Finishing his words, Ozz looked down at Roger, still silent and lost in thought.
Then, with a swift move, he vanished from the cell, stepping away.
Just as Ozz was about to disappear from sight,
his Observation Haki caught a faint whisper:
"Thank you, Ozz."
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The next storm's already brewing—Patron's where it hits first.!
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