Dying in Bed is the Greatest Tragedy

Sabaody Archipelago, "Finally, we're back."

As the ship under Sammy's command slowly docked, Austin disembarked with Rouge. This was a port that led directly to District 17.

The vicinity was filled with Sammy's businesses, so there were no idle onlookers.

Upon returning, Austin immediately spotted several familiar faces.

"Hey!! Austin!!!"

Before Austin could even speak, a figure lunged forward. The most obvious feature was that red nose.

"Long time no see, Buggy!!!"

Seeing this figure, Austin was also very happy.

It wasn't just Buggy; following closely behind were Rayleigh and Shanks. Austin had told them his address long ago.

"That's so cool, Austin! We've all seen the reports about you!" Shanks also came up to greet Austin, speaking with a grin.

"Well... that was just a coincidence."

Austin felt a bit awkward. The newspapers had exaggerated things too much. It was one thing with strangers, but it was truly embarrassing with acquaintances.

Rayleigh also patted his shoulder with great satisfaction, looking at Austin with a smile.

This kid, who couldn't even last one round under him and often sought his guidance, had now become a Great Pirate capable of standing on his own...

Thinking back now, It felt like just yesterday that the long-haired kid, shirtless, had declared he wanted to join the Roger Pirates.

It made one sigh with emotion.

"Right, I almost forgot to introduce you all. This is Rouge."

After all, she was Captain Roger's wife and was carrying his son. Austin felt it was necessary to introduce her to them.

However, before he could even finish speaking, All three looked at him with expressions of surprise, especially after noticing Rouge's slightly bulging belly.

Austin: ???

"Hey! Austin..." Buggy said with a hint of disappointment, putting an arm around Austin's neck and whispering, "I know you're interested in the red-light district, but this is too fast! You've only been off the ship for a few months, you scoundrel..."

Shanks, standing beside them, remained silent but his expression was similar, looking at Austin with some surprise.

Even Rayleigh was the same.

"If you're this indulgent at such a young age, your future path will be very short, Austin."

Hearing them all say this, Austin's face turned a bit awkward.

"You guys... what are you all talking about!

This is Captain Roger's wife, and the child in her belly is Captain Roger's child!"

As soon as he said this, all three froze. The air even fell into a brief silence.

After a long while, "Huh!?!?!?"

Without lingering, After entrusting Rouge to the care of Sammy and Rayleigh, the three immediately set off for Loguetown.

On the passenger ship, "I never imagined~ Captain Roger would have a wife, and why would she be entrusted to you for care, Austin?"

In the dining room, the three ate and chatted, catching up after their long separation.

Shanks was still somewhat surprised by the sudden appearance of Captain Roger's wife and child, and couldn't help but ask.

Buggy was also curious, looking at Austin.

"Well, you see," Austin swallowed the noodles in his mouth, "it was something I discussed with Captain Roger when I went to visit him in Impel Down."

Hearing this, Buggy nodded.

"I see... What is it, so it was when Austin went to Impel Down..."

He trailed off, his voice growing quieter. Buggy's eyes widened, and he suddenly felt something was wrong.

"Pfft..."

"Wha- What did you say!!!"

"You mean that, Impel Down!?"

Even Shanks next to him gaped in surprise, let alone Buggy, whose eyes and tongue were bulging outwards.

"Or what, is there a second Impel Down? Why are you so surprised."

Austin replied with a hint of amusement.

"Are you an idiot?! It's normal to be surprised! That's Impel Down, the legendary prison that holds countless monsters of the sea, a hell that's said to be impossible to escape from!"

Buggy shouted, his face flushed, "You think everyone is a monster like you? No, you're a monster among monsters!"

Austin, however, was unfazed by this remark.

While he might be the first, a second would soon follow.

It was his temporary ally with whom he had fought side-by-side not long ago, Golden Lion, Shiki.

The three of them had much to discuss after their long reunion, but as they chatted, the conversation eventually turned to the purpose of their journey, Captain Roger's execution.

As this topic was brought up, the atmosphere gradually grew somber.

Only Austin

kept stuffing food into his mouth, as if the matter didn't concern him.

Shanks, looking somewhat dejected, couldn't help but ask, seeing Austin's unaffected demeanor, "Austin, aren't you sad?"

"After all... Captain Roger is about to be executed. Just a year ago, we were all sailing freely on the seas..."

Austin shook his head.

"Of course, there's reluctance."

"But it's more happiness, isn't it? Captain Roger died for his dream. Is there anything more romantic than that on the high seas?

On the contrary, if Captain Roger had died painfully in bed, tormented by illness, I would truly be sad."

Hearing this, Shanks and Buggy were stunned.

They felt, from the bottom of their hearts, that Austin's words made sense, but being young kids psychologically, even if they agreed, they couldn't help but feel sad.

And to say Austin wasn't sad at all

would be a lie.

After all, he had been cared for by Captain Roger for many years, and there were genuine feelings there.

However, having seen the opening scene of Captain Roger's execution over a thousand times in his past life, Austin's feelings about this long-anticipated event were naturally much more subdued.

Because they were chatting, time on the ship didn't pass too slowly.

On the second morning, the three of them finally set foot on the land of Loguetown.

The execution was in the morning, and they had managed to make it just in time.

"By the way, Austin, Shanks, have you noticed? There seem to be a lot of Marines around!"

Buggy said nervously, looking at the several warships docked at the pier and the Marines occasionally walking around Loguetown, "It's okay, Buggy. You don't have a bounty anyway."

Austin smiled faintly. He looked at the bustling crowd around them, Pirates, civilians, nobles... In this small East Blue town of Loguetown, there was almost everyone.

The Marines couldn't possibly make a big show of arresting people here.

If a riot broke out, this execution, which the Marines and the World Government attached great significance to, would become a global laughingstock spread through Den Den Mushi.

This was absolutely unacceptable!