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

East Blue – Twin Capes.

At the edge of the sea, an old man with glasses lay back on a sun lounger, smoking a cigarette and reading a newspaper under the warm sun.

He was Crocus, former doctor of the Roger Pirates.

"Sigh… Even if he escaped, it won't change anything. Roger's time is almost up. That illness gives him only a few months at best."

Shaking his head, Crocus closed his eyes, deep in thought.

South Blue – Baterilla Island.

Portgas D. Rouge (Rogue), heavily pregnant, sat at a bar counter sipping wine.

"Rogue, should you really be drinking right now? Especially with Roger… Well, you're expecting," said a middle-aged man with long blue hair, a floral shirt, and a sideways cap. His name was Elio.

"It's fine, Elio. I know my limits."

Though she appeared calm, Rogue's mind kept drifting back to the newspaper from a few days ago—Roger was to be executed.

She downed another drink, seemingly indifferent to how it might affect her unborn child.

"But Roger asked me to look after you and the baby. He trusted me with this."

"I know. He told me everything—even that his illness was incurable. But I still chose to marry him. Ace is Roger's only child. I won't let anything happen to him."

Rogue gently caressed her stomach, thinking: This is the only way to delay the birth. If the Navy finds out, they won't spare Ace.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

"Big news! Roger has escaped!"

"Come and see! The Pirate King fled from the execution platform in Loguetown!"

"What?!"

Rogue jumped down from the barstool, heart racing, and ran out.

"Be careful, Rogue!" Elio called out as he chased after her.

She grabbed the newspaper, tears streaming down her face.

"Roger… You're alive. Thank goodness."

Elio joined her, looking at the paper. His eyes welled up. "Captain Roger… You made it…"

Impel Down – Level 6.

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!!"

Barrett, imprisoned deep in the sea prison, laughed wildly.

"You seem pleased, Barrett. I suppose you're happy for Roger, being your captain and all," said Magellan, the warden of Impel Down.

Barrett didn't reply—he just kept laughing.

East Blue – A Small Island.

Deep in the forest, Jabba stopped chopping wood. His axe remained stuck in the log as he looked up, smiling through tears.

"Captain Roger… Even if you don't have much time left, I'll be there for your final journey."

The Next Day – Baterilla Island.

The Roger Pirates' ship approached the island.

"Captain, is this where Rogue lives?" asked Shanks.

"Yes, Benitaro. It's been a year. I'm finally home," Roger replied with joy.

"Captain, please—call me Shanks. Benitaro was my childhood name."

"Hahaha, so you've grown up, huh?"

Bucky couldn't resist. "Hehe, Benitaro, such a baby name!"

"Watch it, Bucky!"

"You wanna go?!"

Just as Shanks and Bucky prepared to fight, Roger casually pushed their heads down.

"Enough fooling around. Time is short—the Navy will be here soon. Let's move."

Reid looked at the lush green island ahead. It seemed enormous to him, only the second island he'd seen after Loguetown.

So this is Baterilla, where Ace was born… And the Sea King... he glanced at the giant beast nearby.

He debated whether to warn Roger about it—but before he could speak, Roger raised his hand, and the Sea King dove back into the water.

Sigh… should've said something.

Reid followed Roger, vowing to be more proactive next time.

Back at sea, the Sea King grumbled, These humans treat me like a tugboat… One day, I'll eat them all!

Reid paused.

Did I just hear the Sea King? He turned back toward the ocean.

"Reid!"

Roger approached him.

"Roger."

Roger smiled, eyes sparkling. "Did you hear that?"

Reid nodded. "Yeah. It said it wanted to eat you."

"Hahahaha! I knew it! You heard it too… Reid, you're the second person I've met who can hear the Voice of All Things."

"Oden is the other one," Reid replied.

"Exactly. Come on. The Navy could arrive any minute."

"Right."

Shanks, watching the interaction, was curious.

Who is this Reid? The captain seems to care about him a lot. I need to find out more.

Bucky frowned. Strange guy. Doesn't seem all that strong…

As soon as the crew stepped ashore, people on the island noticed them.

"Is that… Roger? The Pirate King?!"

"Roger has come to Baterilla?!"

The villagers were either excited or terrified. After all, it wasn't every day the Pirate King himself showed up.

Roger paid no attention to their stares and kept walking, calm and cheerful.

Shanks and Bucky strutted proudly beside him, while Reid followed at the rear.

So these are the locals. Just regular people, Reid thought. We'll see Rogue soon… I wonder what she's like. Hopefully no pockmarks…

Word of Roger's arrival quickly spread across the island.

"Everyone, alert! Roger is heading to the island center!"

"He's here?! The Navy's going to massacre us!"

"Run! Run away!"

Panic swept through the town. Many fled, blaming Roger for bringing trouble.

Outside a familiar bar, Rogue waited, eyes filled with hope.

"This is where Roger and I used to spend time…" she whispered.

"He must be coming to take you and the baby away before the Navy arrives," Elio said.

At last, the man she had longed for came into view.

"Roger…!"

She ran into his arms, sobbing with joy.

"Rogue… I made you worry."

Roger gently stroked her hair, showing a tender side few had ever seen.

The two were finally reunited.