One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Farewell, Roger!

On an unnamed island in the New World a peaceful spring island with a mild climate that never changes, two of the most legendary pirates in the world were sitting under a sakura tree.

One of them was Gol D. Roger, recently crowned the Pirate King by the World Government. The other was none other than Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate, the man known as the world's strongest.

Newgate, a towering figure who looked almost like a giant as he sat beneath the tree, drank from a massive bowl of sake. By comparison, Roger appeared far more ordinary, his stature nothing remarkable. But the air around the two men buzzed with history, rivalry, and mutual respect.

They sat opposite one another, sipping from their bowls, chatting like old friends.

Roger and Newgate had a unique bond—rivals on the seas, but with deep mutual respect. This meeting wasn't for battle or business. Roger had come to say his final farewell.

"As for Oden," Roger began with a smile, "I'm pretty sure he's already back in Wano. He seemed to have some urgent matters to take care of. It looks like his father isn't going to return him to you. If you still want him aboard, you'll have to go to Wano and get him yourself."

Newgate drained his bowl in one gulp and grimaced. "What kind of booze is this? It's terrible!"

"Terrible?!" Roger looked offended. "This is from my hometown! I brought it with me all the way from East Blue. It's been aging for over 20 years. I saved it just for this occasion, to share it with you! And you call it terrible?"

Roger took another swig and smacked his lips. "Man, this taste really takes me back."

Newgate, despite his complaints, poured himself another bowl of the East Blue sake. He wasn't one to waste good liquor.

"How are Oden and the boy doing?" Newgate asked, his tone softening a little.

"They're doing well," Roger replied with a warm smile.

Newgate chuckled, a rare smile flashing across his face. "Good. Oden's not really cut out to be a pirate. It's best for him to stay in Wano. His journey ended with you, didn't it?"

Roger looked at him, then laughed. "Family's the most important thing, huh?"

"You got that right," Newgate nodded. "Oden's found his treasure. He doesn't need to keep searching for anything else."

Roger took another sip, smiling. "Well, I've told you what I came to say. You'll figure the rest out on your own."

The two pirates shared a few more drinks before Newgate finally shot Roger a look and asked, "So why'd you call me out here, anyway? Just to show off that shiny new title of yours? If you're here to rub 'Pirate King' in my face, I'll sink you to the bottom of the sea."

"Ahahahaha! You think you can manage that? My bounty is more than double yours now!" Roger laughed heartily.

Newgate scowled, not pleased. "You wanna test that out?"

Although Whitebeard didn't care much for titles, having Roger wear the crown of "Pirate King" irked him a little. If Roger kept bragging, he'd have no choice but to teach him a lesson.

But before Newgate could say anything more, Roger grinned and said softly, "I came to say farewell."

"Huh?" Newgate's grin faded, replaced by confusion. "What are you talking about? Are you afraid of something? Since when do you talk like this?"

"I don't have much time left," Roger said, his smile unwavering. "I'm not going to waste what little time I have left fighting with you over meaningless things."

Newgate's frown deepened as he tried to make sense of Roger's words.

"I'm terminally ill," Roger explained calmly. "It's been years since it started, and now I can't stop it anymore."

"That's why you were in such a hurry to find Raftel," Newgate said after a long pause.

"Exactly," Roger nodded. "You remember my real name, don't you?"

"Gold Roger?" Newgate raised an eyebrow.

"No, you idiot. It's Gol D. Roger. Don't you remember?" Roger laughed, but there was an intensity in his voice.

Newgate smirked. "The newspapers don't print it that way."

"That's because the World Government has been hiding it," Roger explained. "It's connected to Raftel. There's a massive secret there. But we were too early. The world's not ready for what we found. Maybe in 20 years, everything will change."

Newgate stared at Roger, his expression unreadable. "What are you getting at?"

Roger's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You want to know the secret of Raftel? I could tell you. Want to hear it?"

Newgate looked like he was ready to punch Roger in the face. But instead, he shook his head. "If I want to know, I'll find Raftel myself. I don't need a dying man to tell me."

"Still so proud," Roger chuckled. "But that's why I like you. We all have our treasures to find on the sea, don't we? Yours is your family. You've already found it, haven't you?"

Newgate ignored the question, taking another sip from his bowl.

After a moment of silence, Roger spoke again. "But I'll tell you one thing—it's no secret, but the name 'D' is special. You should pay attention to it."

"D?" Newgate frowned. "I've got a guy on my crew with that name. Teach."

"Maybe someone like him will find the treasure I've left behind. I'm waiting for that person," Roger said with a soft smile.

"Waiting, huh?" Newgate muttered, not asking any more questions.

After a few more words exchanged between them, Roger downed the last of his sake, and Newgate knew what that meant. Roger was about to leave, and this would be the last time they would ever meet.

"Ahahahaha! So, how was it? The sake from my hometown wasn't so bad, right?" Roger asked with a laugh.

Newgate finished his drink as well, smiling. "Just like you—unforgettable."

"That's good to hear. I've told you enough, and I've had my fun. Now, it's time for me to go. The Roger Pirates... we're disbanding. This sea belongs to you now."

"Get the hell out of here," Newgate grinned. "You trying to piss me off with that line?"

Roger didn't respond. He simply stood up, and with his trademark carefree swagger, walked away. When he was almost out of sight, he waved, not looking back. That was his goodbye.

"Farewell, Roger," Newgate whispered softly, watching his old friend disappear from view.