They waited on Baterilla Island for a little over a week.
Vice Admiral Garp's dog-head warship arrived. Judging from its speed, it had probably been sailing at full capacity without stopping.
Finn stood on his warship, watching Vice Admiral Garp's distinctive vessel slowly approach, preparing to meet this legendary figure.
Then he saw a black shadow flying through the air. It was Garp. He jumped over from his ship despite the dozens of meters distance.
Bang!
The deck cracked slightly under his landing. The sturdy figure stood not far before Finn.
Finn said with a grimace, "Vice Admiral Garp, no wonder Chief of Staff Tsuru doesn't want you boarding her ship. Judging from your habits, I'm afraid you'd dismantle the warship yourself before even reaching the enemy."
"Hahahaha! I'm just impatient. That guy Sengoku is chasing me. Can you hold him off for a few more days?" Garp laughed.
"Two days is two days. You should know I suppressed the news for you for two days. Admiral Sengoku nearly scolded me to death..." Finn rolled his eyes at Garp.
Garp nodded and patted Finn's shoulder. "I'll remember this favor."
He understood. For something this significant, Finn being able to suppress it for two days was already tremendous. It was only because Finn had connections and standing that anyone else would dare suppress news of Roger's capture for two days before reporting to Sengoku.
Sengoku probably would have had their head.
Finn indeed hadn't deceived Garp. After suppressing the news for two days, he'd reported everything directly to Admiral Sengoku. Sengoku had been so furious he'd nearly vomited blood, angrily declaring Finn was as outrageous as Garp himself, saying when he arrived he'd make sure both were punished. Then he'd personally led five warships from Marineford.
Judging from what Garp said, Sengoku was probably faster. He'd been chasing closely for two days.
"I won't waste time with pleasantries. It's just that Sengoku got lucky. I ran into a storm for an entire day and sailed straight through, letting him catch up. He'll probably arrive this afternoon. Where's Roger? I'll see him first..." Garp asked quickly.
"He's locked up inside. Doberman, take Vice Admiral Garp to see Roger," Finn waved his hand.
Commodore Doberman nodded. He'd been tremendously excited these past days. At first, he'd been quite surprised. The Vice Admiral had discovered Roger was on the island, so why didn't he simply storm in and capture him?
As a result, after waiting two days for no apparent reason, Roger had walked directly to the port and surrendered to the Vice Admiral.
This meant the Vice Admiral had captured Roger without any effort, without losing a single soldier.
What tremendous merit this was!
He didn't know exactly what had happened, but obviously the Vice Admiral had used some strategy to force Roger to surrender.
This was excellent. Doberman had no knowledge of Roger's physical condition, but he knew perfectly well that if they'd followed his advice and stormed in, Marine casualties would have been enormous.
After walking two steps with Doberman, Garp turned back. "You said there was an accident. What was it?"
"Go listen to what Roger says yourself. But let me warn you first. If you're soft-hearted, you'll be in tremendous trouble in the future," Finn waved his hand, unwilling to say more in this crowded place.
Garp looked stunned momentarily, then smiled. "Finn, you know I have some... how should I put it? But I'm a Marine after all. I won't make mistakes regarding my position. Don't worry."
Finn smiled. "Of course."
Seeing this, Garp said nothing more. He turned to Doberman beside him. "Bring me a bottle of alcohol."
Doberman looked stunned. "Vice Admiral Garp, you can't drink. This is a critical moment imprisoning Roger..."
Garp raised his leg and gave Doberman a light kick. "Go when you're told. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
"This..." Doberman hesitated momentarily. Finally, Finn said, "Go ahead."
Doberman then nodded and called a Marine to fetch alcohol.
At this moment, Finn was also very satisfied with Doberman. He dared question Garp, but didn't hesitate to follow Finn's orders.
It was clear this man had been won over completely. But he couldn't slack off. If trained well, he'd become a direct descendant of Finn's faction in the future.
Soon, Garp entered the cabin. Finn looked at the calm sea in the distance, clicking his tongue and thinking, Is Admiral Sengoku really going to flay me alive? Tsk... At least I caught Roger, so it shouldn't come to that. After all, he's been traveling for a while. Even if he's furious, it should have cooled somewhat...
Just as Finn was contemplating these matters, Garp also entered the serious criminal holding cell, carrying a bottle of alcohol.
This prison cell had no windows and was pitch black. Only a few lights burned inside, making it dim and eerie.
Roger's hands and feet were shackled. He lay lazily in the damp, dark cell.
Just when he was thinking Garp was about to arrive, sounds of a door opening and closing echoed in the distance, followed by footsteps slowly approaching.
Roger opened his eyes, sat up from the damp wooden board, and looked at the approaching figure.
The figure held an oil lamp in one hand and a bottle of alcohol in the other.
Roger's eyes fixed on the bottle. He couldn't help laughing. "Hahahaha, it's been two years. Two whole years. I haven't had a drink. Garp, you really are my good friend."
That's right. Even without seeing his face, Roger still recognized Garp.
Garp snorted coldly. "I don't remember ever becoming friends with a bastard like you."
Wouldn't have guessed it, but Garp was quite tsundere. When he'd come, he'd been in a hurry. Now seeing Roger, he looked like he didn't want to acknowledge him.
His mouth was too honest.
But ultimately, he just said that one sentence. He walked before Roger, looked at him through the cage bars, sighed softly and said, "It's been a long time."
Roger didn't bother with pleasantries. He reached through the bars, grabbed the bottle, pulled it over, opened the lid, and took two large gulps. "You don't know. I haven't tasted alcohol in the past two years..."
He'd come to Baterilla Island and been forced to quit drinking under Rouge's "supervision."
Otherwise, he might not have survived these two years.
"Is there actually someone who can control you?" Garp muttered first.
Then he slowly sat cross-legged on the dark, damp floor, facing Roger across the bars.
After taking two sips of alcohol, Roger smiled. "In this world, no matter how unruly you are, there are always one or two people who can control you."
Garp didn't respond, just watched Roger drinking there.
After a long while, he asked, "So, before you die, what did you want to see me about?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Roger stopped drinking and grinned. "It seems Finn wasn't lying to me. You Marines have known about my health problems for a long time?"
"Yes, Finn deduced it from traces of your supply purchases..." Garp nodded. No need to hide anything at this point.
Roger said with some emotion, "Your Marines truly are full of talented individuals."
"You don't need to tell me that kind of thing," Garp said dismissively.
Roger didn't care. He took another sip of alcohol. "Garp, even though we've been fighting across the seas for so long, in my heart, I've already regarded you as a trustworthy and reliable friend..."
When Garp heard this, his expression changed. He remembered Finn's warning. "Shut up. I never considered you a friend."
As he spoke, Garp moved to stand, but at that moment, Roger grabbed his wrist, staring at Garp intently. "I'm going to have a baby, Garp..."
Garp's face, already dark, became impossibly stiff. He regretted that he'd rushed here after answering Finn's Den Den Mushi...
"What are you blabbering about!" Garp said as he broke free from Roger's grip.
"It's true I'm guilty. I've never thought of escaping these things. What's coming will eventually come. Now it's time to pay the debt. But Garp, even if I'm guilty, can an unborn child be guilty? Or is this your Marines' justice?" Though Roger no longer held Garp physically, his words captured Garp's heart.
"The World Government will definitely investigate my whereabouts in the South Blue these past two years. They won't spare anyone around me. I've thought about this for a long time. Finally, I feel that only you, only you, Garp, can help me," Roger said again.
"I will not help a pirate like you. Stop talking. I came here just to see your pathetic state. Drink this bottle and wait for your death, Roger," Garp said deeply.
At the same time, the oil lamp placed beside them flickered. The shadows of the two men became hazy.
"Her name is Rouge. Portgas D. Rouge. She's on the island... I'll leave my child to you, Garp," Roger said to himself.
As though he hadn't heard Garp's refusal at all.
Garp's fingers trembled slightly. If he hadn't heard these words, he wouldn't have thought much about it.
But having heard them, how could he not think too much?
Though he didn't admit it, just as Roger acknowledged Garp as a friend, Garp also had feelings for Roger in his heart.
What's more, Roger was right. He was guilty, but could a child who hadn't been born, who was pure and innocent, also be guilty?
With his sense of justice, Garp naturally didn't agree with judging people by bloodline.
He stood and tried to leave, but he was already wavering.
He vaguely remembered Finn's words. If you're soft-hearted at this moment, you'll be in tremendous trouble.
Yes, this was tremendous trouble. Roger was the Pirate King...
His bloodline...
Finally, Garp stood, took a last look at Roger, and without saying a word, turned and left with the oil lamp.
Roger didn't insist on anything this time. He smiled, took two more sips of alcohol, and disappeared into a dark corner.
He knew that though Garp had made no promises, he'd already made his decision without saying a word.
After walking out of the cabin and breathing fresh air, Garp felt somewhat angry when he saw Finn leaning against the railing observing the scenery.
He took several steps forward. "Finn, you already knew about this, right?"
"Knew what?" Finn asked, turning around.
"That bastard Roger's private affairs," Garp lowered his voice.
"Isn't that natural?" Finn rolled his eyes at Garp.
"You already knew everything, and you still called me here? You're pushing me into a fire pit!" Garp said unhappily.
"If you hadn't come, Roger wouldn't have surrendered so obediently. Who knows what would have happened then. I just happened to receive intelligence about Roger here and came casually to investigate. Who knew he'd really be here? I hadn't made any preparations. How could I catch him without using strategy? As for fire pits and such, I've said it before. As long as you, Garp, are tough enough, there's nothing you can't handle, right?" Finn looked at Garp and smiled.
After hearing this, Garp knew Finn had done nothing wrong. He sighed and said nothing more.
Looking at Garp's expression, Finn knew he'd made his choice. Even though many things had changed because of his interference, Garp had still softened his heart.
Alas, meeting Roger ruined your life, Finn sighed internally but said nothing more.