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

"Hahaha!"

Roger grinned broadly and glanced at Shanks. In his heart, Shanks was someone who could inherit his will. That was why Roger had given his straw hat to Shanks—symbolizing that Shanks, like him when he first set sail, would gather more and more comrades along the way and pursue his own dreams.

"They're already making such a ruckus with just this few people. I wonder what it'll be like when the whole crew is gathered. Heh, there are 28 crew members in total, including Rayleigh, Oden, and Bullet. Oh right, since Roger isn't dead now, does that mean Bullet will return?"

Reid pondered silently. Even a god-tier system wasn't omnipotent—he only knew the outcome. To change the ending, he had to take action in advance.

Thinking this, Reid turned to Roger and said, "Roger, there's something I need to tell you. I'd like your opinion."

Buggy and Shanks were busy arguing in the control room and didn't notice the conversation between Reid and Roger on the deck.

"Oh? Reid, what else is on your mind?"

"Well, Roger… Barrett is one of your crew, right?"

"That's right. Reid, have you foreseen something about Barrett?"

"Yes. Not long ago, Barrett challenged you for the last time, didn't he?"

Roger nodded.

"Correct."

"Barrett's goal has always been you—his entire life has been dedicated to becoming the strongest. If I hadn't appeared, you would have died, and without you as his target, Bullet would have gone berserk. After that, he would have rampaged across the seas, killing both Marines and pirates alike."

Hearing this, Roger didn't seem surprised.

"Douglas Bullet… he really is a madman. I let him join back then because I found him interesting. Hahahaha!"

"Roger, Bullet will later be captured by the Marines and imprisoned in Impel Down's Level 6."

"Impel Down's Level 6? Hmm, so the Marines consider Bullet a dangerous threat. Reid, will Bullet die?"

Roger rested his chin on his hand, grinning without a trace of worry.

"Uh… no, he'll eventually be broken out by someone."

"Hahaha! Then there's no need to worry about that guy. Losing Bullet but gaining you, Reid—this trade isn't bad for me. HAHAHAHA!"

Touched by how highly Roger regarded him, Reid felt a warmth in his heart.

"Roger, Bullet is incredibly strong. Shouldn't we try to keep him?"

"HAHAHA! No need. This is the right path for Bullet. Staying by my side forever would only hinder his growth. No matter what, Bullet was once part of the Roger Pirates. The stronger he becomes, the more it reflects well on me, Gol D. Roger! YAHHAHAHA!"

"Alright then."

"It seems this is fate. Even though I've warned Roger, the final outcome will probably still happen because of Teach's interference. Oh well, it'll serve as a trial for Luffy in the future. Changing the outcome now might actually hinder Luffy's growth."

Reid thought to himself.

"By the way, Roger, do you have a Den Den Mushi? That way, we can contact Rayleigh and the others directly."

Roger scratched his head.

"A Den Den Mushi? I gave mine to Rayleigh."

"…Right."

Reid was speechless. Of course—since Roger had been prepared to die, he hadn't bothered keeping anything on him.

Meanwhile…

News of the Pirate King Roger's escape quickly spread.

"What?! There's such a thing? HAHAHA! Breaking news! BREAKING NEWS! Tell the printing press to work overtime! Have the News Coo distribute the papers immediately! Oh, and raise the price to 500 Berries per copy!"

"Yes, Chairman Morgans!"

"Hehehe… As a professional journalist, charging a little more just means I can serve the public better. Who dares call me a miser now? HAHAHA!"

Morgans adjusted his hat, his eyes gleaming with cunning and pride.

Marineford

At Navy HQ, Marshal Sora—nicknamed Cyborg Kong—slammed the table.

"Roger escaped? He surrendered! This is a slap in the Navy's face!"

Sengoku, the Admiral known as the "Buddha," calmly replied, "Marshal, this time we deliberately stationed only ordinary soldiers to show the world that even the Pirate King could be handled without our top brass. But something went wrong…"

Sora scowled. "So Roger fooled us. He clearly had another motive."

Zefa, known as "Black Arm," added, "This order came straight from the Five Elders. They wanted to prove the Navy's dominance and insisted on a public display of power—even if Roger surrendered."

Sengoku warned, "Zefa, don't speak too freely about our superiors."

"What now?" Sora growled. "Our credibility taken a hit. Pirates will become more arrogant."

"We could issue a full-scale hunt for Roger. Even if we don't catch him, the pursuit will deter others," Sengoku suggested.

"Let those three brats go too," Zefa added, pushing his sunglasses up confidently.

Sengoku glanced at him, noting how fond Zefa was of his star students. He really wants them promoted…

"Hmm, those three…" Sora nodded. "Fine. Do it. Also, bring Garp here. That guy's been slacking off at HQ long enough."

Sengoku sighed inwardly. Sora's really pissed. Garp could easily be the next Marshal if he wanted to.

"Take this," Sora said, tossing a golden transponder snail to Sengoku.

Sengoku and Zefa were stunned. "The Buster Call?! But won't that harm innocent people?"

Zefa frowned. "I don't kill unless necessary, let alone civilians."

"Hmph! Do what you think is right. Now get out of my sight."

"Yes, sir."

As they left, Sengoku brooded over the difficult path ahead. The Buster Call might hurt innocents, but the Navy's image is on the line. Damn this position… And the Five Elders will definitely come down on me again…

Unseen, a newsbird wearing a Navy hat quietly flew away.

Later…

"Are you serious?!" Morgans shouted, jumping out of his chair in shock as the newsbird relayed its report with gestures and sounds.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Morgans burst out laughing.

Grabbing the transponder snail, he barked orders: "It's Morgans! Tell every paper across the world to run this story! Raise the price to 800 Berries—don't argue. People will pay for this!"

He hung up and watched the newsbird take off, eyes twinkling.

"This is huge. Roger's escape, the Navy preparing a Buster Call… and the top brass involved! Hahahaha! I, the great journalist Morgans, am about to strike gold! Hahahaha!"