One Piece Seat Void - Chapter 244

“The duel between Red-Haired Shanks and Hawkeye Mihawk spread across the entire sea a week later. Their duel ultimately concluded with the sinking of Arbor Island.

In the end, neither of them emerged as the clear winner. However, after this duel, they became friends who appreciated each other’s skills and spent several days celebrating together.

Once the residents of Arbor Island had been safely transported to another island town, Shanks and his crew parted ways with Mihawk to continue their adventures. Far away in the South Sea, Rockse gazed at the newspaper in his hand, a smile forming.

“Shanks, that guy, has truly become an incredible figure. And Hawkeye Mihawk, he’s also starting to make a name for himself.” Looking at the bounties for Shanks and Mihawk, Rockse remarked thoughtfully.

“Hey! Uncle Rocks! Hurry, Roux’s sister is about to give birth!” Just as Rockse pondered while fishing, Perona, the young girl, swiftly floated over to him and shouted.

Hearing Perona’s words, Rockse chuckled and slowly got up, walking toward the village. “Finally, the time has come for Roger’s son, Portgas D. Ace!”

“Come on, Uncle Rocks! Don’t stroll so slowly! Rouge’s big sister is about to give birth!” Perona floated beside Rockse, urging him loudly. Perhaps feeling annoyed by the noise, Rockse swept Perona into his arms and covered her mouth with his hand.

“I already know. Stop being so noisy.”

“Rouge, push hard! The head is already coming out! Keep pushing!” With the midwife’s encouragement, the cry of a newborn baby echoed through the village. The child with the world’s most sinister bloodline, Gol D. Roger’s son, was born.

Hearing her child’s cry, Rouge smiled with relief and then fainted. After a while, when she woke up again, she saw Rockse playing with the baby in front of her. When Rouge woke, Rockse smiled gently and handed the baby to her.

“It’s a boy. Have you thought of a name?” Rouge lovingly gazed at her child.

“Roger said, if it’s a boy, he should be named Ace; if it’s a girl, her name should be Anne. Since it’s a boy, let’s call him Ace, Gol D. Ace.” Rocks nodded in understanding, even though he had known the name Ace for a long time. Experiencing it firsthand brought an inexplicable sense of emotion.

“Well, Rouge, what is your choice now that the child has been born? Will you take him with me to the New World, or will you live an ordinary life with him?” Rocks looked at Rouge curiously. He was eager to know what kind of future she envisioned for Ace while she was still alive.

Rouge looked at Ace with motherly affection and a gentle smile. “Rocks, although it’s a bit selfish, I don’t want this child to follow in his father’s footsteps. I want him to have an ordinary, happy life.”

Her words were tender, but Rockse could sense her unwavering determination. Looking at Rouge, full of motherly love, Rockse nodded.

“I understand. I’ll take you both to an incredibly peaceful and tranquil village. It’s a small village in the East Blue, the hometown of the Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp, who was once Roger’s arch-nemesis.”

“Although they were rivals, their bond was as deep as that of comrades. Besides, it’s a peaceful and serene place since it’s Garp’s hometown.” After hearing Rockse’s words, Rouge nodded in acceptance of Rockse’s arrangement.

Though she didn’t want to leave her homeland, she was weak. In this vast sea, the weak had no say in their lives. “I understand, Mr. Rockse. Thank you for taking care of us during this time.” Rouge sincerely thanked Rockse.

“You’re welcome. Captain Roger once helped me a lot.” With that, Rockse left the room and removed a Den Den Mushi from his pocket. After a while, the Den Den Mushi call was answered.

“Hey, this is Garp. Spit it out if you have something to say. If not, I’m hanging up and returning to my donuts.” As soon as the Den Den Mushi connected, Garp’s impatient voice came through.

“………” Rocks remained silent for a moment but eventually spoke.

“Garp, it’s me.”

“……..” Hearing Rockse’s voice, Garp fell silent. More than ten minutes later, Garp spoke again. “Hey! You brat Rocks! How the hell did you get my Den Den Mushi number? And what do you want from me?”

Garp’s voice sounded angry and impatient through the Den Den Mushi. Fortunately, Rockse had placed the Den Den Mushi far away, so his ears were spared from the yelling.

“Garp, Roger’s son, has been born. Come to Peach Island in the South Sea if you’re free now. I’ll be waiting here.”

“……..”

“What did you say? You brat! What are you trying to do by telling me this? I’m telling you, don’t expect me to babysit Roger’s kid!” Listening to Garp’s words through Den Den Mushi, Rockse’s ears were again saved.

“I’m just waiting for you here for three days, Garp. If you don’t come within three days, you’ll have to deal with the consequences.” With that, Rockse hung up Den Den Mushi.

Garp looked at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, and his forehead turned green as he showed an anguished and conflicted expression. In the end, he couldn’t leave Roger’s child to fate. He took a leave of absence from the Marines and set sail on his warship across the Calm Belt to Peach Island in the South Sea.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and a massive dog-headed warship slowly docked in Peach Island’s port. Garp, with a severe expression, disembarked from the warship.

“All of you stay on the ship. I have a business to attend to. I’ll be back soon.” After telling his soldiers, Garp headed toward the address given by Rockse with determination. He saw Rockse standing at the village entrance, holding a baby in no time.

“You brat!” Seeing Rockse, Garp’s anger flared, and he clenched his fists as he approached Rockse, apparently wanting to punch him.

“Negative Ghost!” Just as Garp was about to strike Rockse, a transparent, somewhat cute-looking ghost passed through Garp’s body.

“Ugh, as a human, I’m such a failure. I wish I could turn into a worm.” Seeing Garp lying on the ground with a look of despair, Rockse couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Floating next to Rockse, Perona raised her head proudly, displaying arrogance.

“Hmph! Trying to bully Uncle is futile!” After a moment of sulking, Garp, who had recovered, exploded in anger.

“You little brat! What have you done to me?”

“Negative Ghost!”

“Sorry for my lack of respect as a human…”

“Cursed you!”

“Negative Ghost!”

“Stinking kid!”

“Negative Ghost!”

“……….”

Perona watched in astonishment as Garp, who had become lively once more, confronted Rockse again after their previous commotion. Frustrated, Garp resorted to using harmful ghosts to deal with Rockse. Perona felt her spirits drop as she watched the scene.

After a while, once again, Garp and Rockse sat on a seaside cliff, having caused an uproar. Garp looked at the baby in Rockse’s arms, eyes filled with loss and affection.

“So, this is Roger’s child.”

“That’s right, Garp. This is Roger’s child. I’m entrusting him to you now.” Rocks looked at Garp with a severe expression. “Rouge doesn’t want him to walk the same path as his father, so take care of them, the mother and the child, and take them to your hometown.”

Incredulous, Garp stared at Rockse and launched into a tirade. “You little brat! Are you trying to drag me into this? I’m a Marine! How could I possibly help raise a pirate’s child and the child of that pirate king Roger?”

Looking at Garp, who was angrily cursing but not refusing, Rockse laughed lightly.
“Alright, Garp, they’re in your hands now.” With that, Rockse got up and slowly walked away from the cliff by the sea.

Perona watched Rockse leave and then dropped her bag of biscuits. She chased after him. “Hey, grumpy uncle, Are you finished now? Where are we going?” Rocks ruffled Perona’s head and smiled warmly.

“Now we’re going to Uncle’s home. How about it, Perona? Do you want to come to Uncle’s home?”

“Yes!”

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