One Piece: Peace Shattered By Roger (Completed)

"Kizaru, it's your fault for messing things up."

"Kizaru, seriously, why don't people like you just disappear?"

"You're useless, get lost!"

...

More than 30 years ago, a young Kizaru sat alone on the coast, legs crossed.

He felt like a lost bird, staring at the sea for a long time.

How boring! It would've been better if I hadn't come into this world.

It just adds to the confusion.

Tears burst forth uncontrollably.

Finally, he learned that taking things too seriously leads to loss.

Kizaru emerged from his memories, looked at Kaizen beside him, and let go of his arrogance.

"I'm not treating you like a stray dog. I'm speaking to you as an equal."

Kizaru wanted to say "friend," but it felt inappropriate, so he changed his words.

"Put it away and don't lose it, or it'll be hard to do business when you get back." Kaizen pretended to hand the transfer order back to Kizaru.

Kizaru didn't immediately take the paper but looked at him persistently. "Have you really thought it through?"

Kaizen didn't speak, just pushed the paper back. His answer was clear.

Kizaru withdrew the order and left the tavern silently.

Late at night.

So deep that even the taverns had closed.

Kaizen walked through the quiet streets.

Kizaru's words echoed in his ears. Refusing Shichibukai seemed like a tempting offer. Maybe he could finally live the life he wanted!

But he knew the Marine and World Government had their motives.

They wanted to use him against pirates.

The promise of power was a disguise; he would be a pawn.

His combat prowess was feared by the World Government.

Whether he accepted or rejected Shichibukai, the outcome would be the same.

In a moment, Kaizen's frown turned to determination.

Kizaru's words faded from his mind.

"World Government? Humph! I'll return the favor. Good luck."

Kaizen clenched his fists, a warm breath escaping his cold body as he looked into the darkness, a slight smile on his lips.

"Are you here to be alone with the night too?"

A voice broke into Kaizen's thoughts.

Startled, he turned to see a boy beside him.

"Tonight feels especially quiet!"

The boy had his hands in his pockets, kicking stones.

"Hahahaha! Are you the prince of this dark night?"

Kaizen looked at the boy. He seemed too serious for his age, yet it was endearing.

In an inexplicable night, he met an inexplicable boy.

"Nonsense, I'm friends with the night. I come to talk to it when I can't sleep."

The boy spoke as if the night were a real companion.

What a strange child! Kaizen knelt down and said warmly, "Do you want me to take you home?"

"Don't treat me like a lost kid." The boy's serious look didn't match his age.

He climbed onto a nearby stone pillar.

Intrigued, Kaizen followed.

"What's your name?" Kaizen leaned against the stone pillar, staring at the night with him.

"Vegapunk," the boy said casually.

What! Vegapunk? That genius scientist!

Kaizen turned, surprised and at a loss.

"Interesting." Kaizen smiled slightly, amused.

"Look, the moon is out." Vegapunk pointed excitedly at the moon emerging from clouds.

Why does this kid care about such common things? Kaizen wondered.

"What a sweet moon! Like my mother, bright but not dazzling." Vegapunk said, surprising Kaizen.

"You know, the moon doesn't shine on its own."

Kaizen said with a mysterious smile.

"Then where does its light come from?" Vegapunk was curious.

"The moon's light comes from the sun." Kaizen crossed his arms, confidently looking at the bright moon.

"Really?" Vegapunk's eyes widened, as if seeing a new world.

"Of course, it's a distant gift."

Kaizen smiled deeply.

Vegapunk's heart unlocked, excitement and joy overwhelming him.

"Then the sun must love the moon deeply, right?" Vegapunk asked, fists on his chest, waiting for an answer.

"Hahahaha! I wonder what you'll say next." Kaizen laughed, then answered seriously.

"Maybe. The sun's light travels miles to the moon, and the moon shares it selflessly. Isn't it like a love triangle?"

Kaizen mimicked Vegapunk's tone.

"I wanted to create a new moon to keep the original company, but now I don't need to."

Vegapunk said, both happy and disappointed.

"You're really capable!" Kaizen praised, knowing this boy might someday impact the world.

"You're not laughing at me?" Vegapunk was surprised.

"Every dream deserves respect. Laughing at others' dreams is the worst."

Kaizen said sincerely, smiling contagiously.

"Stranger, let's be friends!"

Vegapunk extended his hand, speaking firmly.

"Oh!" Kaizen agreed happily.

Their colorful conversation melted into the night like candy.

From afar, it seemed a halo of light surrounded them.