Onboard the ship, Reid planned to share crucial intel regarding a potential danger to Kozuki Oden.
He had one simple goal in doing so, to see what level of strength Oden would reach if he didn't die. Some people said Oden wasn't that strong, while others claimed he wasn't weaker than Kaido, maybe even stronger.
Beside him, Roger laughed heartily. "Hahahaha! Brother Reid, what's going on now? Don't worry, my body's already healed. With your incredible medical skills, everything will be just fine. Once I settle things with Rouge, we can sail the seas freely again."
"Roger, Oden should be in Wano right now, right?"
Reid asked grimly.
"You know Brother Oden too? Ah, that's right, you're the Child of Destiny. Wait… does that mean Oden is in danger?"
Roger suddenly became serious. He never feared death himself, but if something were to happen to one of his brothers, he absolutely wouldn't stand for it.
Reid nodded heavily, face darkening.
"Roger, the journey to Wano will take time. If we don't hurry, Oden will be thrown into a pot of boiling oil and cooked alive… then shot while still inside it."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Roger stepped forward and grabbed Reid's shoulders, his pupils narrowing into blood-red pinpoints.
"It's true. This is all about to happen. So we need to find Rouge first, and then rush to Wano to save Brother Oden."
"Reid, Oden's strength may be a bit lower than mine, but killing him isn't something that can be done easily."
Roger was clearly still in disbelief. Reid could tell Roger wasn't entirely convinced—there was still hope in his heart that this fate could be avoided.
Reid sighed and shook his head. "Roger… Oden values relationships and loyalty above all. He puts his family and friends first."
"You mean…"
"Yes. He got tricked. The enemy used his family to trap him. Oden had the power to survive, even to defeat his enemies. But his wife and child… they were his greatest weaknesses. In the end… sigh…"
Reid couldn't continue. He remembered reading that part in the manga—he'd been furious. Watching it in the anime later… the tragic farewell had been soul-crushing, even giving him chills.
Roger was plunged into darkness. In that moment, time seemed to stop, the air froze, and a terrifying pressure radiated from him.
In the control room, Shanks noticed the situation on deck.
"What's going on with the captain? I haven't seen Roger this angry in a long time…"
Buggy was still grumbling, but when he heard Shanks mumbling, he turned and looked out toward the deck.
"What a terrifying aura…"
Buggy shivered. He had never seen Roger like this. Scared, he adjusted his red hat and cautiously tiptoed toward the deck.
Shanks also wanted to check on Roger, but remembered the task Roger had given him earlier and held himself back, though he couldn't help feeling worried.
"Did Captain Roger fall ill again? Doesn't seem like it… I just hope he's alright."
Back on deck, Reid was closest to Roger and could feel his overwhelming rage.
"When Roger found out Rouge would die, he was angry too—but nowhere near this intense," Reid thought in shock.
Buggy finally approached Roger cautiously.
"C-Captain Roger, are you okay…? Are you feeling sick? I can perform some acrobatics for you to cheer you up!"
Buggy started waving his limbs around, doing weird stunts on the spot.
"Reid… do you know where Rouge is now?"
Roger looked up at Reid, his face expressionless, the fury from before hidden beneath a calm exterior.
Reid knew better. He could tell Roger was burning with rage inside, ready to explode at any moment.
"I'm not entirely sure if Rouge is already in that place or not…"
"That's okay. Just say it. I have her Vivre Card, if the direction is right, it will point the way."
Roger pulled out a small piece of paper from his clothes.
"That's Rouge's Vivre Card, isn't it?"
Reid looked at the paper in Roger's hand. The card swirled slightly, then pointed in a specific direction.
"Yes. Reid, where is Rouge likely to be right now?"
While speaking, Roger followed the direction indicated by the card.
"If I'm not mistaken… she should be on an island called Baterilla. It's probably in the South Blue."
"South Blue… Baterilla Island. So it really is there."
Roger muttered.
"You know the place, Roger?"
Looking at the Vivre Card's direction, Roger nodded.
"Yeah. It's Rouge's hometown."
"I see… I totally forgot about that," Reid thought.
"Of course, most people miss their hometown. It brings a sense of comfort."
Buggy, nearby, didn't understand what they were talking about. Although he was curious, Roger's grim expression told him not to interrupt.
"Roger, do you want to go to the South Blue first?"
Roger didn't answer that question. Instead, he looked at Reid seriously.
"Reid, when… will Oden die?"
"What?! Oden's going to die?!"
Buggy's eyes bulged in disbelief.
"What?! Oden's going to die?!"
Shanks, steering the ship, couldn't hold back any longer. He burst out of the control room and ran over.
"Captain, is Oden in danger?"
Shanks asked, eyes welling with tears—Oden meant a lot to him too.
Roger placed a hand on Shanks' head, motioning him to stay quiet.
"Let me think."
Reid sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and after a moment stood up.
"I'm not entirely sure… but it should be in three or four years."
"Whew…"
Roger let out a breath and smiled again.
"Hahaha, plenty of time. Let's go to the South Blue first."
Shanks tugged at Roger's cloak.
"Captain, aren't we going to Wano to save Oden? Isn't he in danger?"
"Yeah, Roger! If anyone dares hurt Oden, I, Pirate King Buggy, will be the first to strike them down!"
"Hahahaha… you two brats, relax. Oden won't die, yet. But just in case, after we take care of Rouge, the Roger Pirates will head straight to Wano."
Roger stared ahead, a weight lifted from his heart.
"Rouge?"
Shanks scratched his head.
"Who's Rouge?"
Buggy rubbed his red nose and looked at Roger.
"They don't know yet? Oh, right… it's currently the year 1498 of the Sea Circle Calendar. Roger and Rouge should've fallen in love last year, after the crew disbanded. According to Garp, Rouge should be a few months pregnant now."
Reid thought silently.
"Hahahaha… she's your captain's wife."
"WHAT?!"
"HUH?!"
Shanks and Buggy's jaws dropped.
Shanks, overjoyed, rushed forward and hugged Roger.
"Captain Roger, has a WIFE?!"
"Hahahaha! Let's go find her then! Shanks, back to the helm, we're heading for the South Blue!"
Roger patted Shanks on the head. He really liked this feeling.
"Oh yeah~!"
Shanks jumped in excitement and ran back to the helm.
Buggy was also thrilled. "Captain Roger's wife must be really pretty. Hehe, I, Buggy, will find someone even more beautiful one day!"