Outside the main gate of Impel Down, the Gates of Justice slowly swung open, and blinding sunlight poured in.
Roger squinted, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "Ah… the smell of freedom."
"Enough nonsense. Get moving!" Garp shoved him forward.
On the deck of the warship, three Admirals had already been waiting for quite some time.
Kizaru sat cross-legged on the railing, a Den Den Mushi in his hand. He glanced over lazily. "Oh my, how scary. To think the legendary Pirate King would end up like this."
He then put on a look of exaggerated regret, folded away a lounge chair someone had left behind, took a sip of wild fruit juice, and opened a parasol that seemed to come out of nowhere. "I thought Garp would chat a bit longer. Didn't expect him to be so serious today."
Aokiji leaned against the side, hands in his pockets, the brim of his hat pulled low to hide his expression. "…Vice Admiral Garp, you've worked hard."
Akainu stood at the bow, arms crossed. "Hmph. You're finally here."
Roger looked around, his smile unchanged. "Wow, you brought this many top-tier Marines just for me? I'm flattered. Really."
Akainu's gaze sharpened. "Tomorrow, the greatest evil in the world will be brought to an end."
"Alright, alright." Garp cut him off impatiently, shoving Roger toward the center of the ship. "I've delivered the man. Set sail already. I don't want to hear Kong and Sengoku nagging me again."
Kizaru shrugged and dialed the Den Den Mushi. "Hello, hello. This is Kizaru. Prisoner secured. Preparing to transport him back."
Aokiji sighed and turned toward the cabin. "I'll go confirm the route."
Akainu shot Roger a cold look, then turned and walked away.
Only Garp and Roger remained on deck.
Roger stretched his wrists, the cuffs clinking. "Hey, Garp. At least loosen these a little, will you? They're so tight my blood can barely circulate."
"Dream on," Garp snapped.
Roger pouted. "So stingy."
The sea breeze blew past, messing up both their hair.
Garp was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "…You really don't plan to escape?"
Roger laughed. "What, are you hoping I will?"
Garp did not answer. He only clenched his fist tightly.
Roger looked up at the sky. White clouds drifted lazily, seagulls circling above.
"Garp, you know something?" he said softly. "This vast ocean has never belonged to anyone."
Garp frowned. "What are you getting at?"
Roger turned back to him, his smile bright. "So even if I die, new idiots will come rushing in one after another. Hahahaha! Just thinking about it gets my blood boiling."
Garp stared at him for a few seconds, then sneered. "You're insane."
Roger laughed openly. "That I am!"
The warship slowly sailed away from Impel Down as the Gates of Justice closed behind them.
On the distant horizon, the sun sank into the sea, dyeing the sky a deep, blood-red hue.
Roger gazed at the lingering glow beyond the bars, his eyes reflecting the blazing light.
"So beautiful…"
Garp followed his gaze, stayed quiet for a moment, then suddenly pulled out a bag of rice crackers and tossed it to him. "Eat. Your last meal."
Roger caught it and smiled like a child. "Thanks, old friend."
For reasons unknown, perhaps reluctance or something else, Garp stayed on deck and did not return to Roger's cell.
Night fell. The three Admirals came to relieve Garp.
During the day, Roger was guarded by Garp. At night, all three Admirals watched over him together.
Garp needed rest and recovery, in case the remnants of the Roger Pirates attempted retaliation the next day. After all, the announcement had gone out a month ago.
The enemy hid in the shadows, while they stood fully exposed.
Kizaru idly examined his nails. "Honestly, working the night shift is way too much effort."
Aokiji leaned against the wall, eyes half-open beneath his hat. "Stop complaining. After tomorrow, things will be easier."
Akainu snorted. "Don't let your guard down. The remaining members of the Roger Pirates could very well…"
None of them noticed that a faint blood mist had already spread through the air. It was the seed Reed had quietly left behind in their wounds during the battle at Marineford.
At this very moment, the mist seeped silently into their senses, weaving a vivid illusion.
In their eyes, "Roger" was still locked in seastone cuffs inside the cell, head lowered, pretending to sleep.
But in reality
As Roger rested with his eyes closed, he suddenly heard a faint click from his cuffs.
He opened his eyes.
Reed could not directly form a key out of blood mist. But like the Wax-Wax Fruit, he could sense the shape of the keyhole, melt a bit of wood, and fashion a key that fit.
"Hey, kid." Roger grinned. "Finally decided to show yourself?"
The mist condensed, and Reed's figure quietly emerged.
He knelt on one knee. "Captain. I'm here to take you away."
Roger stretched his wrists, his smile as wide as ever. "Hahahaha! I knew you wouldn't behave yourself."
Reed did not reply. He pulled out a sea chart. "There's an uninhabited island to the southeast."
"I've prepared a ship and supplies. You can stay there…"
As he spoke, Reed watched cracks begin to form across his own hands.
"You should go straight to Loguetown. On that day, you must hide near Loguetown properly, because I'm going to rewrite history."
The cracks no longer faded.
In fact, they had begun the moment he planted the mist seeds into the three Admirals and slowly tore his own body apart in the process.
Before the sentence even ended, the pace suddenly accelerated. Reed immediately understood that Roger had to be in Loguetown that day.
Roger raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
Reed stood up. Blood mist surged around him, his form twisting and shifting. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into Roger's appearance, even perfectly replicating the cuffs.
"I'll stay here with you."
Roger stared at him for a few seconds, then burst out laughing and slapped Reed hard on the shoulder. "Good kid! You've got guts!"
Reed's lips curved slightly. "Hurry. This illusion won't last much longer."
Roger nodded, then looked back at him. "Thank you, kid."
He took the equipment, then suddenly reached out and rubbed Reed's head. "Thanks, kid."
Reed knocked his hand away, but beneath the mask, the corner of his mouth lifted faintly. "Move. The illusion won't last long."
Roger nodded. His figure turned into a shadow and slipped silently into the sea.
On deck, the three Admirals were still immersed in the illusion.
Kizaru yawned and stretched lazily. "Ah, so boring."
Aokiji rubbed his temple. "…Something feels off."
Akainu snorted, magma erupting suddenly. "Boom!"
The illusion shattered.
The three snapped back to their senses, only to find everything around them unchanged.
Kizaru tilted his head. "Huh? Did I just fall asleep?"
Aokiji frowned and walked quickly toward the cell. "I'll check on Roger."
Akainu followed close behind, his expression grim. "Something's not right."
Inside the cell, Reed, or rather "Roger," leaned in the corner, eyes closed in rest.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes and showed that familiar smile. "Oh? A late-night visit from three Admirals? What's the matter?"
Aokiji stared at him for several seconds, then finally turned away. "…Nothing."
Akainu snorted, flicked his hand, and left.
Kizaru shrugged. "What a wasted trip."
After they left, Reed let out a quiet breath. Through the small vent, his gaze drifted toward the distant horizon.
"Captain. Next… it's my turn to step onto the stage."
It was worth noting that after using the mist seeds, Reed voluntarily dissolved himself. As his body slowly repaired, he gained a deeper understanding of the saying that those who play with time will eventually be played by time.
There was a loophole to exploit.
During this period, Roger had to remain in the cell, while the real Roger had to be present in Loguetown at the time of the execution.
As long as the timing was right, Reed could use this fact however he wished.