...
The scene on the light screen continued. Whitebeard's massive body swayed slightly amid the hail of bullets, blood blooming across his skin like red spider lilies!
It spread freely over him.
His signature crescent mustache was stained with blood and grime, yet those eyes remained sharp as blades, locked unyieldingly on the distant, laughing Blackbeard.
The air in God Valley seemed to freeze.
Everyone's heart felt unbearably heavy.
"What a… pathetic way to die."
Kaido's low voice broke the silence. Veins bulged on the hand gripping his kanabo…
"Even an enemy shouldn't be treated like that."
Charlotte Linlin—unusually—did not let out her signature laugh. Her expression was complex: "Newgate… is this really your end?"
On the Roger Pirates' side, Rayleigh silently adjusted his glasses, while Scopper Gaban spat hard.
Roger himself furrowed his brows tightly, unconsciously clenching his fists.
Yet the young Edward Newgate—Whitebeard—standing beside Rocks remained strangely calm.
He simply watched the aged version of himself on the light screen, his eyes holding neither anger nor sorrow.
"Hey, Newgate, you really don't care? Or should we just kill him right now…"
Golden Lion Shiki couldn't hold back anymore. His brows were furrowed in a knot. Though his relationship with Whitebeard wasn't particularly close, seeing the elderly Whitebeard subjected to such humiliation…
It made him furious!
"That bastard kid is the one who did this to you!"
Whitebeard turned his head. His gaze fell on the innocent, unknowing black-haired infant cradled in Rocks's arms.
Little Teach was clutching his own fingers, big eyes curiously observing the world around him.
"Who can say for sure what the future holds?"
Whitebeard spoke slowly, his voice low yet powerful. "But right now… he's just a child who needs protecting."
Rocks lowered his head to look at his son, his expression complicated.
As a father, how could he possibly raise a hand against his own flesh and blood?
Yet the Blackbeard on the light screen—who had betrayed everything and caused the death of his closest comrades—tore at his heart like a knife.
Eris gripped her husband's arm tightly, tears welling in her eyes.
As a mother, she could never accept anyone harming her child.
"But Newgate…"
Rocks spoke with difficulty. "If Teach really turns out like that…"
Whitebeard strode over to Rocks. He reached out his large, calloused hand and gently stroked little Teach's cheek.
Teach let out a delighted giggle and grabbed one of Whitebeard's fingers.
"Listen, Rocks!"
Whitebeard raised his head, his gaze firm…
"Everyone has their own choices. The Teach of the future chose his path, and I chose mine. This isn't anyone's fault—it's simply… the arrangement of fate."
Whitebeard paused, then looked around at everyone: "If we were to strangle an innocent life right now just because we saw a tragic future, then you'd be underestimating me, Newgate, far too much!"
Hearing these words, Saint Garling let out a cold laugh from nearby: "What a touching speech~ Whitebeard…
But when that precious son of yours really kills you, I hope you'll still feel the same way."
Whitebeard didn't even glance back at Saint Garling. He simply said calmly: "At least I'll never regret the choice I make today."
Rocks looked at the infant in his arms, then at the unyielding Whitebeard on the light screen. Finally, he made up his mind.
He took a deep breath and handed little Teach back to Eris.
"You're right, Newgate…"
Rocks's voice regained its former majesty.
"Who says the future can't be changed? I'll raise this child properly and guide him down a different path—at the very least, he won't become some scumbag bastard!"
Eris held the child tightly once more and looked at Whitebeard with gratitude. This man had saved Teach's life twice.
If not for his intervention, Rocks might really have killed Teach!
Golden Lion Shiki shrugged in midair: "Do whatever you want. In the end, it's not me who gets killed."
Though his words were casual, his gaze never left Whitebeard on the light screen.
Perhaps deep down—even someone as wild as Golden Lion—had to admit…
Some things were more important than life itself.
Little Teach slept peacefully in his mother's arms, completely unaware of the role he would play in his future fate.
Right now, he was simply an ordinary infant—loved by his parents and protected by the strong.
Perhaps this was exactly what Whitebeard wanted most.
To give everyone a chance to choose—regardless of where that choice might ultimately lead.
[The earth-shaking roar of cannon fire and battle cries seemed to have their mute button pressed in that instant.]
Everyone in God Valley—whether the overlords who ruled the seas, the Marines who upheld order, or the God's Knights—was drawn to the sudden, serene scene that replaced the carnage on the light screen.
Kaido's thunderous exclamation was the only sound to break the brief silence: "Everyone, look! That's… Roger?!"
On the light screen, the brutal battlefield and tragic Whitebeard were gone. In their place was a scene like a paradise on earth.
Pink-white cherry blossoms drifted down like snow. Beneath a massive cherry tree, two men sat facing each other.
One was the young Whitebeard. His brilliant golden hair gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the petals. His face had not yet been carved with the deep lines of age—only the sharp edge and wild freedom of a true powerhouse remained.
And opposite him, the man laughing heartily—could only be Roger.
"Pfft, hahahaha!"
Below the light screen, young Roger himself couldn't hold it in. He pointed at the bearded, wrinkle-lined version of himself on screen and laughed so hard he doubled over.
"Me in the future… I end up looking like that?! Rayleigh, Scopper—look at this! Time's butcher knife really didn't hold back on me!"
Even so, Roger stroked his chin and studied himself carefully for a moment. A hint of understanding and acceptance appeared in his eyes.
"But… looking closely, that weathered vibe actually has some charm."
"Yeah… Roger, you're always the most handsome no matter what!"
Gloriosa—paying no mind to faction lines—immediately rushed over and clung to Roger's arm, staring at him with starry eyes.
As expected of the man she had chosen—even older, he was still so handsome!
Love is blind—Gloriosa adored Roger to the extreme.
No matter what form he took, to her he was always the most handsome.
On the light screen, middle-aged Roger lifted the sake bowl in front of him and took a hearty swig. Then, with a playful look, he turned to young Whitebeard: "Newgate, how about it? Want me to tell you how to get to Laugh Tale?"
Roger's tone was casual, as though discussing the weather. Yet the content of his words was enough to drive the entire sea mad at that time.
However, young Whitebeard simply downed a large gulp of sake, wiped his mouth carelessly, and replied calmly—even with a hint of disdain: "Forget it, Roger.
Even if I knew, I wouldn't go. I have zero interest in that kind of thing!"
Their conversation was relaxed and natural, like old friends catching up—nothing like the tense hostility the outside world imagined.
They talked about the sea, about dreams. The clear sake in their bowls reflected the swaying shadows of cherry blossoms.
Suddenly, as though remembering something amusing, Roger smiled and asked: "Hey, Newgate—do you know what the guys on the sea are calling me these days?"
"Gold Roger…" Whitebeard answered casually, not thinking much of it.
Roger's smile deepened, carrying an indescribable meaning. He leaned forward slightly, his voice low yet clear enough to carry through the light screen and echo across all of God Valley: "Actually… my real name is Gol D. Roger."
"!"
"D?!"
A single simple letter exploded like silent thunder across God Valley!
Saint Garling—who had worn a somewhat amused expression until now—suddenly had his pupils contract. The relaxed ease on his face was instantly replaced by shock.
After the shock came an icy killing intent that made the surrounding air seem to freeze.
The members of the God's Knights almost simultaneously placed hands on their sword hilts. Their sharp gazes locked onto Roger below the light screen.
Those looks were no longer appraising a troublesome pirate—they were the resolute stare one gives a "forbidden" existence that must be eradicated!
Behind them, the Celestial Dragons heard the name "D" and their expressions turned to panic and terror, as though deeply afraid of that single letter!
"The Will of D…"
Saint Garling's voice sounded as though pulled from an ice cellar—carrying a bone-chilling cold.
"As expected… Roger, you're also one of that sinful bloodline!"
The Marine camp erupted into commotion. Officers exchanged stunned glances—clearly the impact of this revelation far exceeded their expectations.
Garp glanced at Roger; his expression grew extremely grave.
On the Rocks Pirates' side, the atmosphere was similarly subtle.
A strange glint flashed in Rocks's eyes. The corners of his mouth curved into a barely noticeable arc—seeming neither surprised nor entirely caught off guard, as though it brought many associations.
Roger's crewmates appeared to have known this name for a long time; they showed no particular surprise.
And at the center of the storm, Roger—facing countless gazes filled with shock, killing intent, or curiosity—merely scratched his ear carelessly and grinned.
On the light screen, cherry blossoms continued to fall. The two men drinking and talking seemed completely unaware.
The mere utterance of a name had already unleashed unimaginable waves in another time and place.
...