One Piece: Start by Saving Roger, I Was Invited to Join the Crew

"Hey! Bucky, you're such a coward. You can't even hold onto a newspaper. How pathetic."

Shanks waved his finger mockingly in front of Bucky, wearing a look of utter disdain.

"Damn you, Shanks! I've had enough! Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson! You dare insult the future Pirate King?!"

Bucky lunged at Shanks, and the two began scuffling like kids. Reid stood nearby, watching with amusement.

"So this is what it's like in real life too… These fights look rough on the surface, but they have a playful energy—just like in the anime."

Roger chuckled but didn't share their light-heartedness. His mind was elsewhere.

"The Navy must be furious after this failure... To resort to a Buster Call means they're desperate. Garp will be involved too. I just hope he can hold them off, so innocent people don't get caught in the crossfire."

Roger recalled the moment he entrusted Ace to Garp in prison. In his eyes, Garp was the one true embodiment of justice in the Navy—no one else came close.

"Bucky, you seriously call yourself the future Pirate King when you can't even hold a newspaper?" Shanks taunted.

"Screw you, Shanks! You think you're so great? I bet if you saw what was in that newspaper, you'd wet yourself!"

Shanks stopped. He remembered Roger's reaction earlier and grew serious.

"…What's in the news?"

"Heh! Prepare to be terrified. The Navy deployed two Admirals, three Vice-Admirals, and a full fleet of battleships. That's basically the scale of a Buster Call!"

"Buster Call?" Shanks froze. "You mean… that attack that wipes out everything—no matter who's there?"

He wasn't scared for himself, but for the families of the Roger Pirates.

Seeing Shanks pale, Bucky pounced. "Hahahaha! What did I say? You're a coward, Shanks! And you want to be a captain? Don't make me laugh!"

Shanks ignored him and turned to Roger, eyes wide. "Captain… is it true?"

Roger didn't answer at first—then he burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha!"

He ruffled Shanks' hair gently. "What's the matter? Are you scared?"

"I'm not afraid! But… What about everyone else? My family… Rogue's village… Wano… They're all in danger, right?"

Shanks' voice trembled slightly, tears forming in his eyes. Despite being picked up from a treasure chest by Roger, he valued family above all.

"At a time like this," Roger said, placing his hand on Shanks' head, "we stand tall and protect the ones we love."

Roger's eyes softened with pride. This kid… he truly inherited the will of freedom. He'll grow into something great—my instincts aren't wrong.

"Yes, Captain!" Shanks wiped his eyes. "I'll never let anyone hurt my family!"

"Hahaha! That's the spirit. Then train hard and grow stronger."

"I will! I'll become a real man!"

"Tch. Brag all you want," Bucky muttered. "Only I—Pirate King Bucky—am a real man."

Despite his grumbling, Bucky's heart was touched seeing Roger treat Shanks so warmly. "Family, huh…"

Reid smiled quietly, watching the scene unfold. This is the essence of One Piece... Red-Hair, even as a kid, held such conviction. No wonder the strongest all carry this sense of loyalty—Roger, Red-Hair, Oden, Whitebeard…

A sense of pride and longing welled up in Reid. I'm glad I came to the One Piece world. With this god-level system, I'll make a real mark here.

He gazed toward the horizon with a hopeful glint in his eye.

Meanwhile, across the world, the newspapers had spread.

"What?! Roger escaped? How is that even possible?!"

"This is huge! It's going to be all anyone talks about."

"He really is a legendary pirate. The Navy looks like clowns compared to him!"

"Don't joke around—the Navy's invoked the Buster Call. That's no laughing matter."

—

Zou, Whale Forest – Mink Tribe

A young jaguar-like mink stood on a tree, eyes brimming with tears.

"Roger… I knew it. A great man like you would never fall so easily."

—

Sabaody Archipelago

A blond man with glasses smiled slightly, light glinting off his lenses.

"So Roger's okay. Guess those rumors about his execution were wrong after all."

"Reilly," said a woman with short black hair, a gold necklace, and a cigarette in her hand. "Did Roger really escape?"

"Yes, Xia Qi."

Xia Qi exhaled smoke and sat next to him, crossing her legs. "Roger really is something. Much more charming than you, Reilly."

Reilly's face turned red. "W-What are you saying that for, all of a sudden?"

"Haha~" Xia Qi laughed, her eyes shining.

"But with the Navy calling for a Buster Call, we should act quickly. I'm going to meet Roger."

Reilly nodded and pulled out a life card. It pointed south.

Xia Qi watched. "South Blue? Why would Roger head there?"

She puffed on her cigarette thoughtfully.

"Hmm… the South Blue?"

"Yes," Reilly replied. "It must be something important. If the Navy's launching a Buster Call, they'll send top warships and generals. Roger won't be harmed—but others might not be so lucky."

"You're saying… Roger might be trying to protect someone?"

"Could be. Maybe he met someone important down there recently."

Xia Qi nodded. "Maybe."

She looked out the window and exhaled. "Huh…"

"By the way, Xia Qi, you should smoke less," Reilly said, a note of concern in his voice.

"Worried about my health?" she asked, twirling her hair and giving him a teasing look.

Reilly smiled. "Yeah. We've been friends a long time. I want you to live a little longer."

"Tch. You just don't want to be lonely."

Xia Qi scoffed but didn't hide the warmth in her eyes.

"Hahaha, maybe so. I don't want to lose an old friend."

Reilly stood up and headed for the door. "See you, Xia Qi."

"Go on, then."

She waved without turning.

She's so cold sometimes, Reilly thought, smiling as he waved without looking back.

"Wait."

Reilly turned. "Changed your mind? Want to come with me?"

She blew smoke and said calmly, "I gave up on that 20 years ago. Just be careful, alright?"

"I will," Reilly replied, then stepped into the light, ready for the journey ahead.