About an hour later…
A tall and a short figure walked out of the small house.
Rouge turned back to glance at the tiny cabin that once held so many memories between her and Roger, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes.
They had spent truly wonderful days here.
Carrying the massive bundle over his shoulder, Orin didn't rush her when he noticed this moment.
"Let's go, Orin-san."
After a while, Rouge turned back with a gentle smile.
Perhaps Ace's gentle and shy nature came from his mother.
Orin thought this, smiling softly and nodding.
Say what you will—Rouge sure brought a lot. Anyone with less strength might not have been able to carry it.
She'd practically packed everything related to Captain Roger.
Bowls they used to eat together, the pants Roger washed but never got the chance to wear, even his captain's hat…
Yeah.
If Rouge weren't a complete romantic, a middle-aged man like Roger would've never won her heart.
...
Although the cabin was built by the sea, it wasn't close to the nearest pier. On their way, Orin noticed many residents going about their lives.
"The Marines will come to search soon. Too easy to get exposed."
If they walked too openly, people would definitely take notice.
Not because of anything special—Orin was just too tall and too burly, and that luggage he was carrying was nearly as big as himself. Hard not to be noticed.
If someone looked into it, it'd be obvious who he was.
He wasn't afraid of trouble.
He just didn't want Rouge to get dragged into it.
Maybe noticing the way Orin's eyes narrowed, Rouge stiffened slightly, uncertainty flashing in her gaze.
"Wait… Orin-san, are you planning to..."
Kill everyone to erase the trail?
She didn't finish the sentence.
But the possibility flashed through her mind, and it even startled her a little.
"...Not to that extent."
Orin chuckled. Did he really seem that violent?
Buzz—
A burst of controlled Conqueror's Haki surged out. Though still far from the docks, people who had been working or eating suddenly collapsed one after another, eyes rolled back.
Just like that, they moved forward without resistance.
Soon, the two reached the dock.
If they sailed in a straight line, it should take two days.
Orin estimated silently.
Stepping onto the pier, they saw many ships docked—most were merchant vessels.
There were also a few luxurious yachts, probably belonging to nobles from some kingdom here to enjoy the scenery of Baterilla Island.
"Orin-san, which ship is here to pick us up?" Rouge asked as Orin came to a stop at the dock.
"Hmm… how about that one?"
"Huh?"
Rouge froze. Was he… asking her?
Was there no pre-arranged ship?
It felt like he was picking one right now…
"Well, since you're still pregnant, let's go with the most luxurious one."
Still dazed, Rouge followed as Orin hoisted the luggage and casually walked up the gangway of the largest and most extravagant ship.
But before long, guards spotted them.
"Hey! Who are you? This is the personal vessel of His Majesty, the King of the Soliran Kingdom! You filthy peasants—"
Buzz—
Thud.
Just as he was about to curse, the guard collapsed into sleep from Orin's Haki.
Naturally, once on board, they quickly drew the attention of more guards.
Led by the head of the royal guards, the intruders were soon surrounded.
An armored man stepped forward and pointed a spear at them.
"Who are you?!"
Rouge was a little tense, but Orin, even surrounded, remained completely unfazed. Guns? Please. He was confident he could take them all out before anyone could even fire.
Problem was, if he did that, there'd be no one left to sail the ship.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it over.
"Here. My identification."
Huh?
The guard commander, just about to give the order to shoot, froze.
Identification?
That word made him hesitate. Was this man a high-ranking official from the World Government trying to hitch a ride?
After all, the Soliran Kingdom was a member of the World Government.
If that was the case, it wouldn't be impossible to give him a lift... once His Majesty returned, of course...
With that thought, the guard commander took the paper and slowly unfolded it.
Three big words:
WANTED POSTER
???
Staring at the poster, which featured a picture identical to the man in front of him, the commander's brain short-circuited.
Then he saw the ten-digit bounty.
And his mind exploded.
Wasn't this the same guy the newspapers had been talking about recently—the infamous pirate whose name had been rising like wildfire?
Blood vessels began bursting in his eyes.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
"You… you… you…"
"So, can we set sail now?" Orin asked with a gentle smile, like a kindly traveler asking a favor.
He leaned down slightly, whispering into the trembling guard commander's ear like a devil:
"If you dare say no, I'll wipe your whole country off the map."
The guard commander turned green.
There wasn't a sliver of doubt in his heart that this man meant it.
After all—
This was the man who destroyed Marine Headquarters and got away with it. A legendary pirate roaming free!
"Notify all crew! Depart immediately!"
"But... His Majesty hasn't returned yet—"
"Shut up!"
The commander, nose running from fear, kicked the dissenter to the ground and pointed a gun at the captain's head.
"Set sail! Now!"
As for His Majesty, who was still on the island with no boat to return?
Well...
He'd just have to suffer for the good of the kingdom.
Seeing this, Orin nodded in satisfaction.
Some people saw a bounty poster as a death sentence.
Orin saw it as an ID card—sometimes even a travel pass.
Super convenient.
...
The luxurious cruise ship was soon underway. The terrified yet compliant guard commander even arranged for Rouge to have the most comfortable royal suite, which left her feeling a bit guilty.
Now that she knew...
This wasn't a proper ship—Orin had just taken it.
As expected of a former crewmate of the Pirate King.
Still, Orin never planned to ride it all the way to Sabaody Archipelago. Once they neared the surrounding seas, he disembarked.
After all, he didn't want anyone on this ship to know his final destination.
Before leaving, he casually took a few treasure chests filled with gold.
Not like he needed the money.
Just figured it could be Rouge's living expenses.
Watching the ship slowly disappear into the horizon, he finally pulled out a Den Den Mushi and made a call.
"Moshi moshi, Sammi?"
"I'm on Tamyala Island. Send a ship to pick me up."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo