"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… Bullet is one of your crew, right?"
"That's right. Reid, have you foreseen something about Bullet?"
"Yes. Not long ago, Bullet challenged you for the last time, didn't he?"
Roger nodded.
"Correct."
"Bullet'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
A stern-faced man sat in the highest seat—Marine Fleet Admiral Kong, also known as "Sengoku the Buddha."
"BANG!"
Kong slammed his fist on the table.
"Roger actually escaped?! He turned himself in, only to run away?! Is this some kind of joke at the Marines' expense?!"
"Fleet Admiral, this situation seems… unusual."
The speaker was a man with a large afro, black hair, and glasses—Marine Admiral Sengoku, the "Buddha."
"No kidding! You think I don't know that?!"
Kong snapped irritably at Sengoku.
"If I speak up, you scold me. If I stay quiet, you ask if I've gone mute. Make up your mind!"
Sengoku grumbled inwardly but maintained a respectful expression.
Beside him, "Black Arm" Zephyr wisely kept his mouth shut, though a faint smirk hid behind his sunglasses.
"Well?! What's your plan?! The Marines' reputation is in ruins!"
Kong clenched his fists on his knees, his sharp eyes boring into Sengoku and Zephyr.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. Should we mobilize all Marine forces to hunt down Roger? Even if we can't recapture him, at least we can send a message."
Sengoku stood stiffly, forcing himself to respond.
"Fleet Admiral, perhaps—"
"Let those three brats tag along—I think they could be quite useful."
Zephyr grinned, adjusting his sunglasses with confidence.
Sengoku glanced at him and felt a twinge of unease.
"So, he wants his three students to earn promotions to Admiral through this mission. Zephyr really does favor those three over all his other trainees."
"Oh? Those three brats?"
Kong pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Good, it's settled then. You two will go as well. And call that idiot Garp—tell him to stop lazing around HQ drinking and fooling around. It's time he did something useful."
"The old man is truly furious this time. Garp's real strength isn't any weaker than mine—hell, if he wanted to, he could even become Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku's expression turned grave. This operation to eliminate Roger would shake the entire world.
"Wait—take this with you."
As he spoke, Kong tossed a golden Den Den Mushi into Sengoku's hands.
Both Sengoku and Zephyr were stunned.
"Fleet Admiral... are we deploying a Buster Call?"