Roger was stunned for a moment, then looked at Diarmuid. "You're a reasonable man."
"You're a pirate. You have no right to say that," Diarmuid shot back, glaring at Roger.
Roger was at Diarmuid's mercy, so he had nothing to say. Since Diarmuid had shown up, he'd already figured out a lot of things. Before, he was unsure if the Marines were coming for him, so he held onto a slim hope.
But now that it was confirmed, he knew that even if he escaped or killed Diarmuid, as long as he didn't kill everyone on the island, Rouge and his child would not be safe.
The Marines could easily find out from the townspeople that he, "Goru," had a family. The only way to save them was to have them run with him, but then Rouge would become a wanted criminal, and how long could he protect her? He was running out of time.
So, this single Marine was the only hope for Rouge and his child.
"I was originally going to bring a whole team to capture you, but at the port, I heard you had a family here. So I came alone to meet you to avoid a messy situation," Diarmuid said.
Roger breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this Marine was truly righteous. He never would have expected it!
"Let's stop beating around the bush, Roger. You can't escape. We Marines will chase you to the ends of the earth and bring you to Justice," Diarmuid said.
Roger, being cunning, immediately dropped the idea of escaping and discarded his original plan. He slammed his hand on the table, coating it with Armament Haki. "You're right, I'm terminally ill and won't last much longer. But Diarmuid, what kind of trouble can a dying man with nothing to lose cause?"
"I took that into consideration, which is why I'm sitting here talking to you," Diarmuid said, nodding. Diarmuid was unsure if Roger could still use his full power. There was no way to prove it. If he pushed him too far, and Roger went crazy and killed him, his mission would be a complete failure.
"If you promise to protect Rouge and the child, I will surrender," Roger said seriously. He had planned to turn himself into a Marine base soon anyway, but the situation had changed, and he had to adapt.
Diarmuid looked at Roger and thought to himself, As expected, Roger isn't an idiot. He came up with a counter-plan in such a short time.
"I can't promise to protect them, Roger. You've come to the wrong person. Even if I did, would you truly trust me?" Diarmuid said without hesitation.
Roger fell silent, not answering.
Diarmuid sighed and looked at Rouge, this great mother. "I can only promise you that I won't touch them." He paused for a moment. "I will tell Vice Admiral Garp about this first. In two days, you will turn yourself in to the warship. At that time, I will report the news to Headquarters."
Roger was surprised. He looked at Diarmuid and said, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. It's just a transaction," Diarmuid said, shaking his head.
Roger knew that once Garp found out he was here, he would rush over immediately. And since Diarmuid wouldn't report the news to Headquarters for two days, Garp would have at least a two-day head start.
As for why Diarmuid wasn't just going back to Headquarters with him immediately, Roger knew that the Marines would never trust a single Vice Admiral and one warship to transport such an important prisoner. If something happened and he was rescued, they would be in a terrible spot.
Once he was in custody, they would have to stay put and wait for a proper escort from Marineford. The two-day window would allow him to have a private meeting with Garp. And the only Marine he trusted was that stubborn old man. If he could talk to Garp, Rouge and their child would have a chance.
After saying this, Diarmuid ate two more bites of food, stood up, and waved his hand. "I've said everything I need to say. I'm leaving."
Roger didn't say anything, but Rouge stood up and led Diarmuid to the door.
When she opened the door, Diarmuid walked out. Only then did Rouge put her hand on her belly and say, "Thank you, Marine."
Diarmuid looked at the sky and replied without turning around, "It's only right that I help a widow and her orphan after eating a meal in your house."
His words were sharp, almost cruel, but Rouge didn't get angry. Instead, she asked, "Aren't you afraid Roger will run now that you're leaving?"
"Hahahahaha!" Diarmuid laughed loudly. "If that guy runs, it just proves that he wasn't all that great anyway and doesn't deserve to be the Pirate King. I won't even bother to catch him."
"I won't run," Roger's voice came from inside the house.
Diarmuid didn't respond. He walked away.
On the warship, Diarmuid called over Doberman. "Order all the Marines to stay on their ships. They are not allowed to go ashore."
Doberman looked at Diarmuid in confusion but nodded. "Yes, Vice Admiral." He then asked curiously, "Vice Admiral, is Roger… on the island?"
"Yes," Diarmuid said, nodding.
Doberman was shocked. "Then shouldn't we act now to capture him? Staying here will alarm him. What if he runs away?"
"He won't. Just follow my orders," Diarmuid said, waving his hand, not offering any explanation.
Doberman was bewildered but respected Diarmuid and nodded. "Yes, Vice Admiral sir."
A moment later, Stussy walked over. "What are you waiting for?" she asked.
"Stussy, as allies, I'm giving you your first mission," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Stussy was taken aback. "What is it?"
"Roger will be captured soon, so you don't need to worry. You'll get your credit. But Roger has been in the South Blue for two years, and the World Government will definitely conduct a large investigation to find out what he's been doing. Both the CP and the Marines will be involved. I believe the Marines will put Vice Admiral Garp in charge, and you will be in charge of the CP investigation, correct?" Diarmuid asked.
Stussy frowned slightly, unsure of what Diarmuid was plotting. But she nodded. "That's right." If she was part of the capture, the CP agency would have no reason not to put her in charge of the follow-up.
"If you are put in charge, I hope you will cooperate with Vice Admiral Garp on this matter," Diarmuid said.
"That's not a problem. You don't need to tell me that specifically, do you?" Stussy asked, still confused.
"Garp might do something unexpected. Even if you see it, I hope you'll pretend you don't," Diarmuid said.
Stussy was silent for a moment, then said, "You want to save Roger's wife?"
This was something Diarmuid couldn't hide, since he was including her in his plan. Doberman and the others didn't know, but Stussy had gotten off the ship with Diarmuid and knew that "Goru," the alias for Roger, had a wife on the island.
"Is that a problem?" Diarmuid asked, turning to Stussy. He didn't mention the child.
Stussy looked into Diarmuid's eyes, and finally, she smiled. "I thought you were a ruthless man, Diarmuid. I never thought you would have this kind of compassion. For me as your ally, it's a good thing to see this side of you. It puts my mind at ease… Since you're asking, it's a small matter. Stussy won't make it difficult for you."
It was a small matter to her. She didn't care about Roger's wife. As long as Roger was captured, she would pretend not to notice whatever happened to his wife.
"Hahaha, thank you," Diarmuid said with a smile.
This whole operation was a way for him to take credit for Roger's surrender, but it was also a way to plan for the future.
Roger's son, Ace, would be a very important chess piece, but Diarmuid hadn't figured out how to use him yet. He wasn't a chess player yet, but that didn't stop him from setting up the board.
Aside from the future, this was enough to earn a huge favor from Marine Hero Garp. And if Garp really did raise Roger's child like his own grandson, that favor would only grow over time! This was very valuable.
Even though Diarmuid always talked badly about that stubborn old man, he had to admit that Garp was a very influential person in the Marines. He was a Marine Hero and one of the big shots who could effectively influence the decisions of the higher-ups.
Owed a favor by him, this was very valuable indeed. In the future, Diarmuid was planning to compete for power within the Marines, so he had to find a way to win over the big shots. Even Garp was no exception!
Thinking of this, Diarmuid didn't say anything more to Stussy. He turned and walked into the cabin, taking out a Den Den Mushi. A moment later, the call was picked up.
"Vice Admiral Garp?" Diarmuid said softly.
"Hahahaha! Diarmuid? It's rare for you to call me. What's up?" Garp asked casually.
"Is anyone around?" Diarmuid asked, his voice a little more serious.
Garp didn't reply, but Diarmuid heard the sound of him opening and closing a door. Then Garp asked, "What is it?" This time, his voice was serious.
"South Blue, Baterilla Island. Roger is here. I have him under control, but there's a small complication. Roger wants to see you…" Diarmuid said softly.
Garp was completely baffled. What the hell? Weren't you supposed to be dealing with the Sorbet Kingdom? How did you suddenly get Roger under control?
"You mean… that Roger?" Garp asked cautiously.
"What do you think? Is there another Roger we should be concerned about?" Diarmuid replied helplessly.
Garp's voice became serious. "Did you report this to Headquarters?"
"Not yet. I thought I would let you know first, Vice Admiral Garp. I'm about to report it now," Diarmuid said with a laugh.
"Hahahaha! Good boy! I knew my care for you would pay off!" Garp said, chuckling. Diarmuid was completely baffled. What good things have you ever done for me, besides ruining my reputation? What are you talking about?
"Diarmuid, consider me owing you a favor. Can you hold onto the news for two days?" Garp asked.
Diarmuid smiled. He knew Garp wouldn't be able to resist. He paused for a moment. "Two days at most."
"Okay, thank you. Two days is enough. I'm on my way now. As long as I get there two days faster than Headquarters, it'll be enough," Garp said quickly.
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