Garp and Roger's Meeting on Bartilra Island

South Blue, Baterilla.

Garp, Gion, and Ortolan disembarked from a merchant ship.

Looking at the not-so-bustling port, Gion said softly, "Is this where Roger hid?"

After a slight pause, Gion glared at Ortolan with a hint of annoyance and said, "In your eyes, am I the kind of person who can't be trusted? Why did you hide those things from me? Do you think I'm the kind of person who supports the idea that bloodlines are guilty?"

Ortolan touched his nose somewhat awkwardly and said embarrassedly, "No, that's not it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen to tell you later. I just felt that it would be best to tell Garp about this first."

Gion a soft snort and didn't dwell on it any further.

Garp patted the two on the shoulder and said, "Alright, enough of this nonsense. Let's see if Roger's intelligence is accurate."

In a small house near the edge of the Baterilla, Roger was sitting at a table in the dining room, reading a newspaper.

Sitting opposite him was Rouge, Rouge had arranged a plate of fine fruit on the table into a pretty platter. Every now and then, she would glance at Roger across from her, a happy smile on her lips.

Roger, looking at the newspaper, suddenly spoke up, "The World Government's CP Agency wiped out a secret base of the Freedom Army in the South Blue... Speaking of which, this Dragon is Garp's son..."

"That seems to be the case. When he left the Marines, it caused quite a stir," Rouge said with a smile after thinking for a moment.

"I guess he saw through the Marines's terrible state, right? Garp just couldn't see through it. If he had had his son's decisiveness and determination back then, he might have become my comrade. Actually, I've always considered him a friend," Roger laughed.

After laughing, Roger put down the newspaper in his hand, got up and walked behind Rouge. He gently massaged Rouge's shoulders and said with a smile, "You're going to eat all of this anyway. If you put things together too nicely, you'll be reluctant to eat them. Besides, you're pregnant now, so it's best not to overwork yourself."

"Sitting here, it's just a matter of moving your fingers, what's so tiring about it?" Rouge chuckled.

Roger looked at the platter on the table and said with some emotion, "Sometimes, I'm quite envious of Garp, but now I'm about to have a child myself..."

I just... don't know if my body can hold on until that day?

Lately, Roger has felt his health deteriorating, and he experiences pain from time to time. He doesn't know how much longer he can hold on.

So much so that he even started thinking about how to arrange his affairs after his death.

When would be the right time for the Marines to surrender?

"I asked you to think about the name of our child before. Have you thought about it yet?" Rouge interrupted Roger's thoughts.

Roger chuckled, patted his chest, and said, "Of course I've thought it through. If it's a girl, then I'll name her 'An,' wishing her a peaceful and safe life. That would be my blessing as her mother. If it's a boy, then that's perfect..."

"What do you mean, just right?" Rouge asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Laugh Tale, it's too early for us, but sooner or later, the answer there will be conveyed to everyone on the sea. And if it's a boy, the answer will be revealed when he can sail the seas... Perhaps, he is the ace I left on this sea, so I want to name him 'Ace'," Roger said with some anticipation.

"Ace?" Rouge looked up and glanced at the sword hanging on the wall in the distance.

That was Roger's sword, his ace, and it was also called... Ace!

Just as Roger was about to say something more, his expression suddenly changed, becoming somewhat ugly and surprised, but in an instant, he regained his composure.

Rouge seemed to notice the pause in his movements and was about to ask something when Roger spoke up, "I didn't expect that they would come looking for us here. I thought I had hidden myself very well... You rest here, I have some friends visiting, I'll go see them."

Rouge didn't speak, but grabbed Roger's hand with some concern. Roger smiled and said, "I've already said we're friends, so there's still room for negotiation. Don't worry, I know that guy very well."

After saying this, Roger took a deep breath, left the restaurant, and walked outside.

Meanwhile, outside the small house, Garp was looking around at the surroundings and said softly, "If he just stays quiet like this... it's actually quite good, isn't it?"

"So what are you doing bothering me?" Roger's voice came from inside the door, and then he opened the door.

Roger glanced at the situation outside, his gaze lingering on Garp and Ortolan for a moment before he chuckled and said, "You hot-tempered brat, and Garp... it's been a long time."

Ortolan observed Roger for a moment and casually asked, "You seem a bit weak. Have you been feeling unwell lately?"

Roger laughed and said, "You figured that out? Actually, I'm not long for this world."

Garp paused for a moment, then asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Indeed, I didn't have a chance to tell you before, so I'll just say it now. I've been diagnosed with a terminal illness for many years now, and my time is almost up, Garp." Roger said these sorrowful words, but his expression carried a somewhat magnanimous smile.

Garp didn't doubt these words, because Roger had no reason to lie to him, so his gaze towards Roger became somewhat complicated.

"Come in, everyone's a guest too," Roger said.

Garp seemed to snap out of his daze, letting out a soft sigh, "Having known so many people, this is the first time I've spoken with you in such a peaceful setting..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped inside, and Ortolan and Gion followed suit without delay.

Soon, the four of them entered Roger's house and saw Rouge, who looked somewhat worried.

"This is my wife, Rouge." Roger first introduced Rouge, then took her Rouge and pointed to Garp, saying, "That guy is the old friend I was talking about, and that brat, if it weren't for Garp, I almost would have brought him on board too."

"Even without Garp, I would still become a pirate." Ortolan remarked, then added, "Nice to meet you. My name is Bane Ortolan, and this is my colleague Gion."

Although Rouge was somewhat worried and apprehensive, Yi responded politely, then said, "You two chat first, I'll go make you some tea..."

"I'll do it!" Roger immediately took the initiative and said with concern, "Why don't you go to the bedroom and rest first? Your health is important."

As he said this, he turned to Garp and the others and said, "As you can see, my wife is pregnant."

A knowing look appeared in Garp's eyes, clearly not surprised, since he had considered this before coming to the country.

After Rouge went back to rest, Roger made tea for the group and invited them to sit down in his living room.

Everyone held their teacups, but the atmosphere was rather silent. No one seemed inclined to speak; at that moment, no one really knew what to say.

It had to be Roger again. After taking a sip of tea, he suddenly said, "As expected, your Marines's intelligence capabilities are very strong. I was hiding here and they still found out. But actually, even if you hadn't come, I was planning to turn myself in after a while."

"Since he's already terminally ill, why doesn't he just leave this world quietly?" Garp asked Roger.

"Perhaps it's because I don't want to leave so quietly?" Roger thought for a moment, then stroked his chin and chuckled.

After a pause, Roger continued, "Wearing casual clothes, and only the three of you came to see me. It seems... you're very understanding of me, Garp."

Garp snorted and said, "It's just that the lack of information forces us to check the situation first."

"You're still so stubborn but soft-hearted..." Roger chuckled, then his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Things have come to this point, so I won't say anything more. Garp, one of the reasons I'm going to surrender to the Marines is that if I go to the Marines, I'll definitely be able to see you."

"What do you mean?!" Garp frowned.

"As you think, although we've been fighting for decades, Garp, I've always considered you a trustworthy friend in my heart..." Roger said earnestly.

Before he could finish speaking, Garp interrupted, "Don't say anything more. I'm Marines!"

Ortolan put down his teacup and said to Gion, "It seems they have some troublesome things to discuss. I hate trouble the most. The scenery on Batyra Island seems quite nice. Would you like to come out for a walk with me?"

"Okay." Gion smiled and stood up without hesitation, leaving with Ortolan.

Garp looked at these two disloyal guys and wanted to get up, but Roger grabbed his shoulder and said, "If that's the case, I can only ask you for help, Garp!"