Chapter 434: Warm Light and Shadows
Marineford · Above the High Platform
Garp and Zephyr walked shoulder-to-shoulder to Sengoku's side.
The three stood together on the high platform, calmly looking down at the heartwarming reunion on the pier below.
The sea breeze howled, the colorful flags snapped in the wind, and the brilliant sun cast its rays upon the silhouettes of the three older-generation veterans, as if coating them in a layer of golden light.
The cheers from the port shook the heavens like thunder, yet amidst this clamor, a sense of indescribable heaviness and gratification swelled simultaneously in the hearts of all three.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes, watching the scene of Roy reuniting with his parents, alongside Luffy and Ace. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly as he muttered with deep emotion:
"The era has changed... There is finally someone who can take over the burden on our shoulders."
Sengoku's expression was complex, a profound light flashing in the depths of his eyes.
It was the relief of a man who had weathered countless battles and endless storms, yet it was mixed with a certain reluctance to let go.
Garp, however, felt no such sentimentality. He threw his head back and laughed at the sky, his voice piercing the clouds:
"Bwahahaha!!! The changing of eras? Isn't that a great thing?! We old bones can finally slack off!"
Hearing this, Zephyr turned his head and saw that Sengoku's face was still clouded with gloom. He couldn't help but frown and ask, "What's wrong, Sengoku? This isn't like you."
Upon hearing this, Garp laughed even harder, rocking back and forth. He took the opportunity to slap Sengoku on the shoulder with a loud smack:
"Hey, hey, today is a good day! What are you pulling a long face for? Are you not happy?"
Sengoku's chest heaved violently until he finally couldn't hold it in any longer and erupted. His furious roar seemed to make the high platform tremble three times: "GARP!!! YOU BASTARD!!!"
His fury seemed ready to explode. With eyes wide with anger, he pointed right at Garp's nose and roared:
"Zephyr is one thing! At least he has taught batch after batch of juniors who can take over, passing down the burden on his shoulders from generation to generation!"
"But what about you?! Look at what you've done! Running around everywhere! Causing trouble everywhere! Refusing to return to your post!!!"
"Do you have any idea how busy I've been these past few months?!!"
Garp, however, wore an innocent expression. He even lazily picked his nose, a roguish smirk hooking the corners of his mouth: "Oh my, don't be so stingy, Sengoku!"
"Don't you love working the most? Bwahahaha—!"
"YOU—!!!"
Sengoku was so angry his beard puffed out and his eyes bulged. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to punch him.
Seeing this, Zephyr had no choice but to reach out and stop him, his mouth twitching as he advised, "Calm down, Sengoku. Today is a big day. Don't lose your dignity in front of the new generation."
Yet Garp couldn't stop laughing. As he laughed, he patted Sengoku's back: "Bwahahaha! Come on, you punch me once, I punch you once, and we'll be even, right?"
Sengoku completely lost it. His face flushed bright red as he roared like thunder: "GAR—P—!!!"
Below the high platform, the soldiers watched these three pillars of the Marines bickering, arguing, and nearly coming to blows. One by one, they couldn't help but snicker softly.
But in their hearts, they felt incredibly reassured.
—Their pillars were still as energetic as ever.
—This boisterousness was precisely the security and confidence that belonged to the Marines.
On the other side of the pier, Roc and Irene stood quietly, watching the scene of the three Marine veterans throwing a tantrum over a single disagreement on the high platform.
Sengoku's roar shook the sky, Garp laughed so hard he rocked back and forth, and Zephyr helplessly tried to break up the fight, his face full of resignation. The three of them brawled like a group of little kids.
This scene left Roc and Irene slightly stunned.
They had originally thought the legendary "Three Pillars" of the Marines would be as majestic as mountains and as steady as iron, never expecting them to be this lively and comical.
The two exchanged a glance and asked softly in almost perfect unison, "These... are the three pillars of the Marines?"
Their tone carried a trace of disbelief.
Roy couldn't help but chuckle. He smiled, shook his head, and stepped forward to gently pat his parents' shoulders: "Yeah, that's them."
"Don't mind how noisy they usually are. Actually, the Marines have only made it to today thanks to the indispensable contributions of those three."
Irene froze for a moment before she couldn't help but laugh out loud, the moisture in the corners of her eyes diluted somewhat by this lightheartedness.
Roc also burst into hearty laughter, his booming voice blending into the clamor of the port.
Seeing this, the corners of Roy's mouth curled up slightly. He reached out and gestured, "Let's go, I'll take you to my place. Today is a day for our family reunion."
With that, he led his parents and the new generation slowly away from the noisy pier.
Behind them, Garp's unrestrained laughter, Sengoku's furious roars, and Zephyr's helpless mediation intertwined into a lively musical movement.
The entire port remained boiling with excitement, laughter and applause ringing out continuously.
—Until a soft sigh drifted over:
"These old fools are making a racket again..."
Staff Officer Tsuru walked over slowly, holding a thick stack of documents in her hands.
A look of helplessness colored her face as she shook her head: "Honestly, acting like children at their age..."
With that, she stepped toward her three old friends, taking on the role of the "situation savior" once again.
This day was destined to be recorded in the memories of Marineford.
...
Marineford · Roy's Residence
Sunlight spilled through the window lattices into the courtyard. The courtyard was bustling with activity, as festive as a holiday.
In the kitchen, Melbel had finished her mission early and hurried back. Tying on an apron, she personally took charge. Sanji was beside her, flipping a spatula, while Baby-5 held a plate of snacks, her face full of anticipation.
Pots and pans clinked and clattered, and a mouth-watering aroma had long since filled the entire house.
"Hurry up, hurry up! This is the first time Roy's parents are visiting; the menu has to be absolutely perfect!" Sanji said, though his hands moved swiftly and decisively with the spatula.
Usopp taste-tested a snack, mumbling with a full mouth: "Delicious! Absolutely no problem!!!"
The dining room was equally lively. Ace and Luffy were setting up the tables and chairs, occasionally reaching out to steal some food.
Nami and Nojiko set the tableware, unable to hold back their giggles: "These two... even after putting on Marine uniforms, they're exactly the same."
Law sat quietly by the window, a rare, relaxed smile hanging on the corners of his lips.
Soon, a massive feast covered the entire table: stewed meat, grilled fish, clear soup, pastries... the aroma was tantalizing.
Roy took off his Vice Admiral's cape and casually hung it to the side, shedding a bit of his iron-blooded aura and gaining a bit of a homely vibe.
When he sat down, Irene immediately served him soup, nagging while doting on him: "You've lost weight, haven't you? Don't just look after others, you need to eat more too."
Roc laughed heartily, slapping his son heavily on the back: "God of War or Hero, it doesn't matter! In front of us, you are just our son!"
Roy froze for a moment, then smiled, a boyish ease rarely seen in the depths of his eyes.
In this moment, he was no longer the Vice Admiral carrying the hopes of countless people, but simply a child who had returned to his parents' side.
Laughter rang out continuously around the dining table: Ace and Luffy were fighting over meat before being pulled back by Nami and Nojiko; Sanji was busy refilling plates; Baby-5 was eagerly helping out; Usopp was vividly recounting his adventures, drawing roars of laughter from everyone.
The dining table was instantly filled with laughter.
Although Zoro and Kuina were still far away challenging Hawkeye, and Chopper was away on medical escort duties, at this moment—almost everyone closely connected to Roy had gathered.
The sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the clatter of bowls and chopsticks wove into the warmest of melodies.
Night fell. The house was brightly lit, filled with joyful chatter.
Outside the window, the sea breeze blew gently, leaving behind only the scent of home.
—In this moment, the God of War Roy was simply Roy.
He was a son to his parents, a brother to his comrades, and an irreplaceable member of this large family.
The warm light and shadows were frozen in this moment forever.
♧♧♧
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