As night deepened, the once bustling and lively Water 7 gradually quieted down.
Only the ceaselessly flowing seawater continued to surge to the island's peak, cascading down as fountains.
The sound of rushing water resembled a lullaby, lulling the city into slumber.
Tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed from outside the dimly lit room, growing closer.
Then, a soft voice spoke from beyond the door.
"Brother Rorschach, are you… still awake?"
Sitting on the bed, Rorschach was momentarily stunned. He quickly got up and opened the door.
Outside, a young girl stood, dressed in a loose sky-blue gown. Her long black hair cascaded over her delicate collarbones, accentuating her slender neck.
Her exquisite features were entirely natural, untouched by makeup.
"Hibari? It's so late. Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Hibari pursed her lips, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "I… I couldn't sleep. I wanted to ask if you'd like to go see Water 7's night scenery."
"Water 7's night view? That sounds nice. Give me a moment to change."
Rorschach glanced down at his conspicuous military uniform.
Before long, he changed into casual wear and quietly followed Hibari out of the Galley-La Company building.
Tonight, their accommodations—arranged by Iceburg—were located right next to the Galley-La employees' residence.
This place was typically used to host wealthy merchants, nobles, or government officials.
The streets of Water 7 at night were silent.
The wide roads were empty except for the two of them walking side by side.
Yet, the streets did not seem dark.
A bright moon hung overhead, its gentle glow illuminating the city below.
Their shadows stretched long beneath the moonlight.
Rorschach couldn't help but look up at the vast night sky.
"Aren't we supposed to be expecting a tsunami soon? Why does the sky still look so clear and endless?"
"That's just the unpredictable climate of the Grand Line."
Hibari tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"No matter how much people try to predict and analyze it, nature always finds a way to surprise—or terrify—us."
"Haha, well said. As expected from the Navy's best navigator."
A warm hand landed gently on her head, ruffling her hair.
Hibari's cheeks flushed pink.
"Brother Rorschach, stop teasing me. I'm not the best navigator in the Navy."
Rorschach chuckled. "Oh? Weren't you always saying your dream is to become the best navigator in the Navy—no, in the entire world?"
"That's my dream, but right now, I'm still far from it. I haven't even fully charted the Grand Line yet, let alone the Four Seas or the New World."
Hibari looked slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, so you mean you're the future number one navigator in the Navy—wait, no, the best navigator in the world, right?"
Rorschach couldn't help but ruffle her hair again.
He didn't know what shampoo she used, but her black hair was unbelievably soft—like the finest silk.
"Mmm… mm! That really is my dream!"
Despite her shyness, Hibari declared it with unwavering determination.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, lifting her delicate face to look up at Rorschach.
"Brother Rorschach, what's your dream?"
Rorschach was caught off guard.
He gazed into the girl's bright, moonlit eyes, momentarily dazed.
"My… dream?"
Yeah…
What was his dream?
In the world of pirates, dreams were an eternal theme.
Pirates, marines, civilians—everyone had a dream.
Some dreams were grand, some were simple, some were so fantastical they seemed impossible, while others required a lifetime of effort to pursue.
Luffy's dream was to become the Pirate King.
Zoro's dream was to become the world's greatest swordsman.
Sanji's dream was to find All Blue.
Hibari's dream was to become the best navigator in the world—a dream similar to Nami's.
But what about his own dream?
Rorschach found his thoughts drifting.
Was it to change the world?
That sounded a bit grandiose, even pretentious.
Rorschach knew he wasn't some saint set on saving the world.
But because of his own harsh childhood, he deeply wanted to do something for the suffering civilians—for the children who grew up like he did.
"If one is capable, they should serve the world; if not, they should at least stay true to themselves."
Before he had the power to change the world, he simply wanted to protect the people around him and do what he could.
Of course, sometimes, his reckless passion led him to make impulsive, life-threatening decisions.
"Brother Rorschach?"
Hibari's voice, crisp like a nightingale, pulled him back from his thoughts.
"You still haven't told me—what's your dream?"
Rorschach smiled and looked down at Hibari's expectant eyes.
"My dream? It's to protect you—"
"Ah?"
Hibari's eyes widened in shock.
Her lips parted slightly as she stood there, completely stunned.
Then, a visible pink hue spread rapidly across her cheeks, all the way to her ears.
"…to protect Uncle Sakazuki, Uncle Kuzan, Uncle Borsalino, Grandpa Sengoku, Teacher Zephyr, Grandpa Garp, Granny Tsuru—to protect everyone in the Navy Headquarters."
Rorschach barely held back his laughter as he messed up Hibari's hair again.
As he laughed, however, his eyes subtly reddened.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke in the same determined tone as Hibari:
"Originally, in this world… I was alone again."
"I had completely given up on the courage to keep living.
It was Uncle Sakazuki who pulled me back from the edge of the abyss.
It was you, it was Dawes, it was Uncle Denor, it was everyone in the Navy… who gave me the courage and hope to keep going.""
"Big Brother Rorschach…"
Hibari reached out and grasped Rorschach's hand.
Tightly.
"I have no home. From now on, the Navy will be my home."
"I have no family. You are my family."
A gentle smile once again appeared on Rorschach's face.
His deep blue eyes shimmered under the moonlight.
"Big Brother Rorschach, you are my family too."
Hibari bit her lower lip, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Thank you. Shall we continue enjoying the night view of Water 7?"
"Mm!"
Their moonlit silhouettes stretched long as they walked down the steps. Before long, they reached the high walls leading to the lower city.
Here, the sea breeze from the distant ocean became much stronger.
The wind lifted their long hair, disturbing the moonlight, rippling across the shimmering sea, and revealing the vast, endless darkness of the open ocean before them.
Such a vast and desolate scene—standing here alone would surely evoke a sense of loneliness and emptiness.
But tonight, there were two of them on the high wall.
And so, a faint smile appeared on Hibari's face.
She rose onto her toes, her figure light as a butterfly as she leaped onto the wall. She gently adjusted her skirt and sat down facing Rorschach.
Behind her was a cliff dozens of meters high, yet she showed no fear.
The girl slipped off her shoes, revealing a pair of smooth, fair, delicate feet. They swayed lightly in the breeze, in rhythm with her billowing skirt.
Rorschach's gaze was drawn to the movement.
He wanted to look away.
But those playful little feet seemed to have a magical charm, tugging at his heartstrings.
Noticing Rorschach's gaze, Hibari's swaying feet suddenly stopped.
Her fair arches lifted slightly, and her ten soft toes, round and smooth like pearls, pressed together.
With a slight tilt of her chin, she gazed at him with a flushed, delicate face, her expression shy.
The gentle breeze stirred a few strands of her hair, brushing against Rorschach's lowered face.
Her hair carried a familiar scent.
The air was unusually silent. At this moment, the only sound they could hear was each other's heartbeat.
Rorschach felt a rush of heat, his cheeks growing warm. Just as he was about to stand and step aside—
Suddenly, a pair of soft hands grabbed his and pulled him forward.
Rorschach froze.
Like a stiff block of wood, he found himself enveloped in a warm and gentle embrace.
"Hibari… you…"
Rorschach's body stiffened, utterly at a loss.
He never expected Hibari to suddenly reach out and hug him.
He felt those small, gentle hands hold his head, pressing his cheek into a warm embrace.
Hibari's face was tinged with shyness, but her eyes held a trace of tenderness.
"Big Brother Rorschach…"
She paused for a moment, then continued:
"The uncle who grilled meat for us in Sabaody… is he… is he already gone?"
Rorschach stiffened.
"You… found out?"
"Mm."
Her voice was very soft, barely a whisper.
She ran her fingers through his silver hair, just as he often did to her.
"I guessed from the way you and Law were acting."
"Big Brother Rorschach, have you been feeling guilty all this time? Do you think… do you think it was your fault that the barbecue uncle died?"
Rorschach's lips trembled. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.
"Idiot!"
Her voice suddenly rose as she held his head even tighter against her chest.
"Big Brother Rorschach, you're such an idiot!"
Drip. Drip.
Tears fell onto Rorschach's head. He could hear her quiet sobs beside his ear.
"Hibari…"
"Big Brother Rorschach, I won't tell you to stop feeling guilty, or to stop grieving over what you've done."
"My father always said that everyone must take responsibility for their own actions."
"But… I won't allow you to lock all that guilt, sadness, and pain inside yourself."
"If you're in pain, you can talk to me."
"Aren't we family?"
"If we're family, then no matter whether it's happiness or sorrow, we can share it with each other."
Listening to her tearful words, Rorschach felt his eyes grow hot. Unable to help himself, he reached out and hugged the girl in front of him.
"I promise."
"Thank you, Hibari."
Happy Qixi Festival! Wishing you all the chance to meet that kind and gentle person.
(End of Chapter)
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