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

Aboard the ship, Reid was preparing to tell Roger about the dangers facing Kozuki Oden. His true motive wasn't just concern—it was curiosity. He wanted to know how strong Oden could become if he were to survive. Some claimed Oden wasn't all that powerful, while others believed he could rival, or even surpass, Kaido.

Roger, cheerful as ever, laughed. "Hahaha! Brother Reid, what's troubling you? Don't worry about me—I'm back to full health. With your amazing medical skills, everything's fine now. Once I settle things with Lu Jiu, we can continue sailing freely!"

Reid's expression turned serious. "Roger, Oden should be in Wano right now."

Roger blinked. "You know Oden too? Ah, right—you're the Child of Destiny. Wait… is Oden in danger?" Roger tensed immediately. He never feared for himself, but if someone threatened his crewmates or friends, he couldn't stand by.

Reid nodded gravely. "If we don't hurry to Wano, Oden will be thrown into a boiling pot of oil and then executed inside it."

"What did you say?!" Roger grabbed Reid by the shoulders, eyes narrowing sharply.

"It's true," Reid confirmed. "That's why we need to find Lu Jiu first, then immediately set course for Wano to save Oden."

Roger frowned. "Oden might not be as strong as me, but he's no pushover either. He wouldn't go down easily."

Reid could tell Roger still doubted him. But he had to try. Maybe, just maybe, Roger could change the future.

He sighed. "Roger, Oden is a man of loyalty and righteousness. He always puts his family and friends above himself."

"…You mean?"

"Yes. He was tricked. The enemy used his family to lure him into a trap. Oden had the strength to win… but his loved ones became his weakness. In the end…" Reid couldn't finish. The scene of Oden's death had left a deep impression on him—it was painful even to recall.

Roger's face darkened. The air around him froze. He radiated an overwhelming pressure that made time itself feel like it had stopped.

From the cockpit, Shanks noticed the change.

"What's going on? I haven't seen the captain this furious in a long time."

Bucky, mid-complaint, followed Shanks' gaze to the deck. He immediately felt the ominous pressure.

"W-What is that aura…?"

He trembled and adjusted his red hat nervously, tiptoeing toward Roger.

Shanks wanted to check too but remembered Roger's earlier instructions and held back, though he remained deeply worried.

"Is the captain sick again? No… this feels different."

Reid, standing closest, could feel Roger's fury more clearly than anyone. Even when Roger had learned of Lu Jiu's future death, he hadn't been this enraged.

Bucky cautiously approached. "C-Captain Roger… are you okay? Want me to do a trick for you? I can cheer you up…"

He began doing bizarre little dances and gestures to lighten the mood.

Ignoring Bucky, Roger turned to Reid. "Do you know where Lu Jiu is now?"

Though Roger looked calm, Reid could sense the boiling rage beneath his expression.

"I'm not sure if she's reached the location yet."

"That's fine. I have her life card." Roger pulled a small piece of paper from his clothes. It shifted slightly, then pointed in a specific direction.

"That's her life card, right?" Reid confirmed.

"Where do you think she is?"

"If I'm right… she's probably on an island in the South Blue—Batelila Island."

Roger narrowed his eyes. "Batelila… Yes, that's her hometown."

Reid nodded, recalling how people often seek the comfort of home in times of hardship.

Bucky was still confused, but when he saw Roger's somber face, he wisely kept quiet.

Roger turned again to Reid. "Should we go to the South Blue first?"

Instead of answering directly, Roger asked, "Reid, when does Oden die?"

"What?!" Bucky shouted in shock. "Oden… dies?"

Shanks burst out of the cockpit. "Captain, is Oden in danger?"

Roger silenced him gently, resting a hand on Shanks' head.

"Let me think…"

Reid sat cross-legged and concentrated. A few moments later, he stood up.

"I'm not sure of the exact time, but probably three or four years from now."

"Hah…" Roger finally exhaled, the tension easing from his face. A smile returned. "Then we've got time. First, we'll head to the South Blue."

Shanks tugged at Roger's robe. "But Captain, shouldn't we go to Wano right away?"

"Yeah!" Bucky added. "If anyone tries to hurt Oden, they'll have to answer to me—Pirate King Bucky!"

Roger chuckled. "Relax, you two. Oden won't die just yet. But once we settle things with Lu Jiu, we'll head to Wano without delay."

Hearing that, Roger's heart felt lighter.

"Rogue?" Shanks tilted his head. "Who's that?"

Bucky scratched his nose in confusion.

They don't know? Reid realized. Right, it's the year 1498 on the Sea Calendar. Roger and Lu Jiu must have only recently met. The Roger Pirates were already disbanding, and according to Garp, Lu Jiu should be a few months pregnant now.

Roger grinned. "She's my wife."

"EH?!"

Shanks jumped up, overjoyed. "Captain Roger, you have a wife?!"

"Let's go find her now!" Roger said, ruffling Shanks' hair. "Shanks, take the helm—we're heading to the South Blue."

"Yessir!" Shanks shouted, sprinting back to the cockpit with excitement.

Bucky also beamed. Captain Roger's wife must be super beautiful. Hehe, one day I'll find a woman even prettier than his!