"Hahaha!"
Roger grinned widely and glanced at Shanks. In his heart, Shanks was the one who could inherit his will. That was why Roger entrusted the straw hat to Shanks—symbolizing that he, too, could start his own journey, gathering more and more companions and chasing his dreams just like Roger did.
"They're already making so much noise with just a few people here. I wonder what chaos will break out once all the crew members are gathered… hehe, there are 28 crew members in total, including Rayleigh, Oden, and Bullet. Since Roger isn't dead now, then maybe Bullet will come back too?"
Reid muttered to himself. After all, even a god-tier system wasn't all-powerful—it only gave him knowledge of the future. To change the outcome, he'd have to act ahead of time.
Thinking of this, Reid turned to Roger and said, "Roger, there's something I want to tell you, and I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Buggy and Shanks were still arguing in the control room and hadn't noticed Reid and Roger talking on the deck.
"Oh? What is it, Reid?"
"Roger, Bullet is one of your crew members, right?"
"That's right. Reid, have you foreseen something about Bullet?"
"Yes. Bullet recently challenged you for the last time, didn't he?"
Roger nodded. "That's right."
"Bullet's goal in life has always been to surpass you. If I hadn't shown up, you would've died. And without you as his goal, Bullet would have gone berserk. He would've rampaged across the seas, killing both marines and pirates."
Hearing this, Roger didn't seem surprised.
"Douglas Bullet… he is a madman. I only let him join because I thought he was interesting. Hahahaha."
"Roger, later on Bullet will be imprisoned in Impel Down, Level 6."
"Level 6? Hmm… looks like the Marines see him as a real threat. Reid, will Bullet die?"
Roger leaned on his hand and grinned, completely unconcerned.
"Uh… no, he won't die. He'll be rescued later."
"Hahaha, then we don't need to worry about him. Losing Bullet but gaining you, Reid—I'd say that's a good trade for me. Hahahaha!"
Hearing how highly Roger regarded him, Reid was genuinely touched.
"Roger, Bullet is really strong. Shouldn't we try to convince him to stay?"
"Hahahaha, no need. That's the path best suited for Bullet. Keeping him by my side would actually hinder his growth. No matter what, he's a member of the Roger Pirates. The stronger he gets, the more face I gain. Yahahahaha!"
"Alright then…"
"I guess this is fate. Even if I've told Roger about it, the outcome probably won't change. Blackbeard might take advantage of the chaos to help him escape. Whatever… it might end up being another trial for Luffy. If I forcefully change the future, it could mess up his growth."
Reid thought silently.
"Oh, right, Roger, do you have a Den Den Mushi? That way, we could contact Rayleigh directly."
Roger scratched his head. "Den Den Mushi? I gave it to Rayleigh."
"...Seriously?"
Reid was speechless. No surprise really, Roger had already made peace with dying, so of course he wouldn't keep such things on him.
Meanwhile…
News of Pirate King Roger's escape spread quickly.
"There's actually something like this? Hahahaha! Big news! Huge news! Get the factory printing presses moving, and tell the News Birds to start delivery! Oh, and raise the newspaper price to 500 Beli."
"Yes, Lord Morgans."
"Hehehe… I'm a professional journalist, you know. A little extra money helps me serve the people better. Who says I'm a money-grubber? Hahahaha!"
Morgans tipped his hat, eyes gleaming with cunning and excitement.
Marineford Headquarters
A stern-faced man sat at the head of a long table. He was Fleet Admiral Kong, nicknamed "Steel Bone" Kong.
Bang!
Kong slammed the table hard.
"Roger actually escaped?! He turned himself in, and someone still managed to rescue him? Garp, Sengoku, who do you think did it?"
Sengoku glanced at Garp, visibly itching to punch him.
"Fleet Admiral, it's strange. We stationed our forces at all possible hotspots for pirate interference, and yet we didn't detect anyone suspicious. We don't know who did it."
Sengoku's afro and frog-like glasses made his frustration even more obvious.
Garp, looking a bit awkward, turned to Kong. "The person was cloaked… but it might've been my son."
"What?! Dragon?! That guy really hates the World Government this much? Doesn't he understand the simplest logic? A Marine's duty is to uphold justice and maintain world peace. Everything else is irrelevant."
Kong's face darkened. He tapped the table irritably, clearly annoyed at Garp.
"That Garp bastard… I'm never helping him again." Sengoku cursed internally.
"The Five Elders wanted a grand public execution. If we'd just killed Roger outright, we wouldn't be in this mess."
Zephyr, also known as "Black Arm," muttered, clearly displeased.
"Zephyr, don't speak so casually about the higher-ups," Sengoku warned.
"So what now? Our prestige has taken a hit, and pirates around the world will become even more lawless."
Kong clenched his fist on his knee, staring sharply at Sengoku and Zephyr.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. Shall we issue a global manhunt for Roger? Even if we can't catch him, it'll send a message."
Sengoku braced himself and responded.
"Fleet Admiral, we could send those three kids too. I think they'll perform well." Zephyr grinned, lifting his sunglasses with confidence.
Sengoku glanced sideways, heart skipping a beat.
"Trying to use this as a way to promote his three star pupils, huh…? Still, none of the other recruits are as promising."
"Oh? Those three brats?"
Kong rubbed his chin thoughtfully and nodded.
"Alright, let's do that. You two will go as well. And Garp, you're going too. Stop lazing around at HQ drinking all day."
"Crap, the old man's really pissed. Garp's actual strength isn't any lower than mine… honestly, he could've been Fleet Admiral himself if he wanted."
Sengoku thought grimly.
This mission to hunt Roger would shake the world.
"Wait, take this with you."
Kong tossed a Golden Den Den Mushi into Sengoku's hand.
Both Sengoku and Zephyr were shocked. Garp's expression also shifted.
"Fleet Admiral, are you authorizing the Buster Call? That might harm innocent people…"
Despite knowing Kong was furious, Sengoku couldn't help but raise the concern. He believed in justice, but not at the cost of civilians.
"Sengoku has a point,"
Zephyr added. He wouldn't even kill pirates casually, let alone innocents.
"Hmph! Use it as you see fit. Now go, get out of my sight!"
"Old Kong, if we can avoid using the Buster Call, we should. If we don't… Dragon might really…"
"Shut up! Garp! Remember, you're a Marine! Don't forget why you joined in the first place!"
Kong roared, clearly seething.
Roger's escape was a disaster, and to make it worse, it was apparently Garp's son who helped him.
"…Yes. I'll go now."
Sengoku was eager to get out. Zephyr followed, grinning from ear to ear.
"Even if the Buster Call hits some innocents, the Navy must restore its reputation. Dammit… sitting in this chair sucks. The Five Elders are definitely going to scold me again."
Kong was utterly frustrated, worn out by endless political games.
Meanwhile, in the distance, a News Bird wearing a Marine cap quietly flew off.
"You're telling the truth?!"
Morgans' beak opened wide in shock as he jumped out of his seat.
The News Bird chirped and flapped its wings, mimicking various gestures.
"Hahahaha!!!"
Morgans burst into laughter, then grabbed his Den Den Mushi.
"Hello, Morgans here. Tell all the world's news outlets to print this story. Send it out via News Birds. And yeah, jack up the price to 800 Beli per copy. Stop whining, do it! This kind of earth-shattering news? People will pay."
After hanging up, Morgans waved his hand, and the News Bird flew out the window.
"This news is a total bombshell. Roger escaped. The Navy is mobilizing a Buster Call. Two Admirals and Marine Hero Garp?! Hahahahaha! I'm gonna make a killing! Hehehehe…"
Morgans danced in place, eyes closed, basking in the joy of this massive scoop.