Two Fools' Dream... What Could It Be?

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Reverse Mountain, Twin Cape:

In this secluded place, far from the rest of the world where no birds fly and no humans walk, an art store proudly stood not far from one of the lighthouses.

The exterior of the art store was adorned with countless drawings of the Straw Hat Pirates, as well as Laboon, Crocus, and some scenes from the Reverse Mountain Arc.

Every ship passing through, be it a pirate ship, a merchant vessel, or even a naval or government ship, made it a point to stop at this particular art store.

Not too long ago, Crocus returned here to take a break from sailing and settle back into his home. He was a bit saddened by the fact that he was no longer close to an art store. However, to his surprise, the first thing that caught his attention upon arrival was a massive art store.

Of course, after Roger successfully traversed the Grand Line and miraculously survived the incurable disease, Crocus decided to retire from piracy.

They were deeply saddened by the loss of another crewmate after Bullet, but it was not by his hands or actions. He bid farewell to the Oro Jackson and chose to live peacefully from that point on.

In the present day, Crocus was thoroughly enjoying his current life. With an art store nearby, he felt like he was in heaven. He no longer had to worry about food or entertainment, as he had enough money to sustain him for the rest of his days.

"Haha, Rayleigh hasn't changed, even in his old age." A big smile spread across Crocus's face. Following that, a small tear rolled down his cheek. For some unknown reason, he spent five years on Roger's ship instead of the three years that Rayleigh acknowledged in the manga.

Originally, he set out to find the Rumbar Pirates before joining Roger, but with Rob leaving Roger's crew, the era of the manga officially began, bringing changes that affected the lives and destinies of everyone in the world. Thus, the three years he was supposed to spend on Roger's ship became five years, not that he minded since he cherished the art store.

"That's very true," Crocus affirmed, seeing Rayleigh talk about how Roger always loved doing things in the most extravagant manner possible.

"So, this was the ending in the manga world where you didn't overcome the disease, Roger?" Crocus pondered.

"The entire crew disbanded, and one by one, they vanished... It's truly heartbreaking."

I'M NOT GONNA DIE… PARTNER…

These words, engraved with the familiar face of his captain, always made the usually quiet Crocus shed silent tears.

…

•———•———•———•———•———•

"One Piece" Events:

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("My treasures? If you want it, you can have it…")

("Try and find it, I left everything I have there.")

These were the last words of Roger. Everyone was aware of them at this point. However, Rayleigh must mention them in his story.

"In his final moments, as the spark of his life faded away, he ignited the entire world."

Rayleigh paused for a moment, but he continued in the end:

"I've never laughed more... I've never cried more... And I've never drunk more either...!! He was my captain, and he lived a magnificent life...!!!"

"I feel like I just heard something amazing... It's totally different hearing it from someone who lived through it," Nami said in astonishment.

"Then... It's almost like Roger planned and made this era," Usopp concluded.

"... Well, I don't know about that... Roger is dead."

Rayleigh poured a bottle of wine into his mouth before saying:

"The only people who can create an era... are the people living it...!!"

•———•———•———•———•———•

Ohara:

At this moment, Vegapunk's long tongue was spinning constantly, and his eyes sparkled with admiration.

"The only people who can create an era... are the people living it? What a profound saying, what flowing wisdom!"

"Strong people are wiser than ordinary people because they often go through the hardships of life, unlike ordinary people... Rayleigh is such a person," Clover said with an admiring smile.

"Yes, that's true, but it doesn't change the fact that Roger, until the last moment of his life, shaped an entire era in the manga," Saul added.

"Of course, this is self-evident. At the moment when the Great Pirate era was taking shape, Roger was still alive, so Rayleigh's words are true," chimed in Homing.

"Yohohoho! It's possible that my counterpart in the manga doesn't know anything about Roger's true greatness; otherwise, he wouldn't have called him a rookie... wouldn't he?"

Brook felt helpless in the face of the foolishness displayed by his counterpart in the endless manga.

...

•———•———•———•———•———•

"I'm certain that the people in the plaza that day received something from Roger..."

"You know one of them, Shanks, pretty well." Rayleigh pointed to Luffy, who was still eating and listening.

"Eh? You know Shanks, Old Man!?" Luffy exclaimed when he heard the name; Shanks.

"If you're from East Blue, then maybe you know a pirate called 'Buggy'?"

"Buggy," both Nami and Zoro repeated with clear annoyance on their faces.

"Those two were cabin boys on our ship," said Rayleigh.

"EEHHHHH!!! Shanks was on the pirate king's ship!!?" exclaimed Luffy.

"What... You didn't know...?"

"Just about 10 years ago... I ran into him on this island. He was missing his trademark Straw Hat... and his left arm," said Rayleigh.

"Huh!" Upon hearing that, Luffy nearly choked on his food.

"When I asked him about it, he looked happy and talked about you...!!"

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[Flashback]

Shanks said with a rare smile on his face, "Rayleigh, I was truly surprised!!! In East Blue...!! There was a kid who said the same thing as Captain Roger...!!"

"The same words as the captain...!!!"

[End of flashback]

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On the grassy island of the New World:

"Damn you, Zoro and Nami!! What have you got against Buggy-sama that you get so upset after mentioning my honorable name?!"

At this moment, Buggy's face turned red with anger upon seeing Nami and Zoro's reactions when Rayleigh reminded him and Shanks as cabin boys.

"Hahahaha! It's okay, Buggy... You've done a lot of bad things to them in the manga, have you forgotten?" Shanks laughed as he playfully hit Buggy's back repeatedly.

"It's natural for them to get upset at the mention of your name. If Rayleigh-san hadn't said it, it would have been impossible for them to believe that someone like you had such an amazing background as an individual on the Pirate King's ship in the first place."

"What are you saying?! I'm Buggy-sama! I don't have the qualifications to be one of Roger's Pirates!" exclaimed Buggy.

"Huh? I... didn't say that..." Shanks replied shyly, scratching the back of his head.

"Yes, you said it—"

"Enough, guys, Wahahahaha!" At this moment, Roger playfully slapped them away, laughing.

"Rayleigh is right. Both of you have received a lot from me. There are those who have received strength, and there are those who have received wisdom. Both of you are like my children, so don't fight among yourselves again~"

"Luffy has said the same words as me, heh~ that's why, isn't that right, Shanks?"

"Wahahahaha! Incredible... no, only kids like him have the right to dream such foolish dreams..."

"Gurararara! That's right, when you told me and Oden about it at the time, I thought I was talking to a 7-year-old kid."

Newgate smiled before saying, "What a foolish and childish dream you have, but the world will be in good hands with fools like you and Luffy having such extraordinary dreams."

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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):

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Chapter 553: Admiral Kizaru's Arrival! Rayleigh Knows Everything About This World.

Chapter 554: I'm not going on a boring adventure!!!

Chapter 555: Marine Headquarters Admiral — "Kizaru"

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