Chapter Text
Before the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, even before the name of Gol D. Roger echoed across the seas, before the God Valley incident, there was an island shrouded in mystery. Many believed it to be Baterilla, but that was only the version Garp would tell Ace years later, saying that his mother had been born there. The truth, however, was deeper and forgotten by history.
This is the story of a pirate who lived in the shadows of Rocks D. Xebec and Gol D. Roger. A woman who marked an era and was erased from it.
June 10, 1467
The wind blew gently across the island, carrying the salty scent of the sea mixed with the perfume of wildflowers that grew in abundance on the rocky slopes. The sky was tinged with golden and orange hues, and the light of dusk streamed through the wooden windows of the small house, casting long shadows on the ground. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks was constant, as if the whole world were holding its breath.
Inside the house, a fragile, insistent cry could be heard. It was a small sound, but full of strength—proof that someone had just arrived in life. A newborn came from a cruel world, but already showed that she had a will of her own.
Mário held his daughter carefully in his arms, trembling slightly. The straw hat he always wore rested beside the bed, decorated with red hibiscus flowers, a reminder of the flowers he had always loved. He looked at the child with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His fingers caressed the baby's tiny, warm body, feeling the rapid, irregular beating of her heart against his chest. Each of her breaths seemed too precious to be just a fleeting moment.
"I'll call her Rouge," he murmured softly, almost to himself. "She reminds me of a flower I loved... strong, vibrant, red like a heart."
The room was silent, except for the child's cry, which mingled with the sound of the sea outside. But the silence would soon become heavy. Mario's wife, his wife, had died during childbirth. At 60, after decades of trying to have a child, she had finally managed to bring a life into the world—but she wouldn't live to see it grow up. Her body lay motionless on the bed, covered by a white sheet, her face serene, as if she had departed in peace.
Mario looked away for a moment, feeling the emptiness that the room now held. Each beat of his heart seemed to remind him of both luck and pain. He pressed Rouge against his chest, protecting her from the world that had just taken everything she could have had. He felt his tears stream down his face uncontrollably, burning his cheeks and dripping onto his daughter's hair.
Rouge stirred in his arms, stretching her little fingers as if searching for the mother she would never know. The sound of her crying softened for a moment, and she snuggled closer, seeking warmth and security. Mario closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel the weight of the loneliness that was already beginning to haunt his life. He didn't know how he would explain to the child that her mother wouldn't be coming back. He didn't know how he would continue living. But at that moment, one thing was certain: he would do everything to protect that little life.
"No..." he murmured, his voice trembling and broken. "You don't deserve this. You're not to blame for anything... nothing."
Outside, the waves crashed against the rocks, scattering salt through the air. The wind entered through the open windows, swaying the light curtains and carrying the scent of wildflowers. The sky remained tinged with red and orange, as if the world were painting that moment with colors of farewell and hope at the same time.
Mario felt something he had never felt before: a mixture of fear, love, sadness, and determination. The world was cruel, but in that little life there was something that could be pure. He looked at Rouge again and silently vowed that he would make her someone who wouldn't be forgotten, someone who would survive everything, who would fight and leave her mark on the world, even if everyone tried to erase it.
In that instant, without anyone else knowing, a legend was born. A child destined to walk among monsters like Rocks and Roger, a woman who would change the seas... and whom the world would make sure to forget.
Mario knew he needed to act. He didn't have much time left, and the sadness he felt came from the weight of the decision he had to make: to entrust Rouge to a young vice-admiral named Kong, to protect her from the World Government. There was no way they could find out that the Portgas clan still existed.
Kong had arrived while Mario was still holding Rouge in his arms. The vice-admiral didn't want to accept the task, he didn't want to separate the child he had cared for since birth. He had promised the newborn that he wouldn't abandon her. But Imu hated the Portgas clan, and the World Government was after Mario. Even the Gorosei had ordered other marines to hunt down any remaining Portgas. It was a race.
Against the clock.
Kong had dark hair, slightly tousled upwards, and round, intense, completely black eyes. He looked at Mario with a serious, almost heavy expression and asked:
"Are you sure? That you want me to keep the baby?"
Mario turned to him, his eyes filled with sadness and resignation. His voice was weak but firm:
"Yes... I don't have much time left. Please... my daughter's name is Rouge... take care of her for me."
He brought the little girl close to his face, still crying silently, and placed a hibiscus from his hat in his daughter's hair. It was a simple gesture, but laden with meaning: a last memory, a last affection she could keep forever. Kong tried to say something, but it seemed too heavy to speak, as if each word could further shatter that moment.
"Will you protect her from the Government?" Kong finally asked.
—She... doesn't deserve to die just for being a descendant of...— Mario sighed deeply, as if wanting to swallow the rest of his words. —There's no point in going into details. Don't insist.
Kong looked at him, neutral, but with a shadow of pity. I understood the weight of abandonment, but I knew it was necessary. Then Mario, with tears in his eyes, handed Rouge to Kong. A deep silence hung between them. Mario knew that at that moment he was making the most difficult decision of his life. He also knew, somehow, that one day he would regret it.
They exchanged one last look, a silent wave of farewell. Kong held Rouge tightly, protecting her as if she were the whole world in his arms, and set off towards another island.
Nothing more, nothing less... God Valley.
The journey to God Valley lasted a few hours. The sea was kind to Kong; there weren't many waves, nor any signs of bad weather. When he finally approached the port, Kong sighed, carefully holding Rouge in his arms, and observed the island ahead. God Valley carried ancient stories of the Davy clan and seemed to hold long-forgotten secrets.
The island wasn't as arid as Alabasta. A tall rock formation split vertically in two, forming a vast ravine that resembled a valley. According to the World Nobles, the island was abundant in natural resources. There was only one season—autumn—and the leaves fell slowly, floating through the air until they touched the ground. The sound of the island was calm during that time. Horses grazed to the west, and the island's sheriff, known as the mayor, approached Kong suspiciously.
"Who is this baby, Vice Admiral? What is your interest in this island?" asked the sheriff, observing Kong cautiously.
Kong took a deep breath and replied, trying to sound natural:
"She's my daughter. She's going to live on this island, where her mother was."
He lied. But the Vice Admiral was surprised and somewhat relieved to realize that the sheriff had believed him, allowing him to proceed. Kong then climbed onto a large rock. From up there, I could see the bandits who lived in the island's highlands. Maybe Rouge would be safe there.
He knocked on the door of a rustic wooden house. A figure approached, suspiciously.
"Well, well... a Marine rookie around here? What do you want, Kong?" said the man, crossing his arms.
Kong sighed wearily and replied firmly:
"I want you to take care of my daughter."
The bandit frowned suspiciously and gave him a disdainful look:
"Why would I take care of a sailor's child?"
Then Kong unleashed a menacing haki that only affected the bandit and spoke in a serious and intimidating tone:
"Then, if that's the case, I'll leak to the World Government where you're hiding! Either they take care of her, and I'll visit her once a month, or they won't have their freedom anymore, and they'll be arrested!"
The bandit grew fearful. He snorted, furious. His name was Zeca, a recently retired man who terrorized the Grand Line as a rock bandit, attacking pirates and hunters who stood in his way. He was a tall man, with stubble, gray hair, and beginning to go bald. He couldn't bear the idea of caring for a child, but he realized that, to protect himself and keep his hideout safe, he had no choice.
"If that's the case... fine. I'll take care of her!" Zeca finally said.
Kong handed Rouge to the bandit, waved goodbye, and left, leaving a heavy and tense atmosphere. Zeca looked at the little girl, holding her carefully. He couldn't believe he had just taken on such a responsibility. Would he be able to care for the child? Only time would tell.
Silence spread across the island. Kong's shadow disappeared on the horizon, and Zeca stood there, with Rouge in his arms. He entered the house, and the sound of falling leaves mingled with the wind that swayed the trees. The sun was beginning to hide behind the clouds, casting a diffuse golden light over God Valley. It was there that Rouge's story would continue, amidst dangers, mysteries, and a world that was not yet aware of her existence.