Baterilla Island.
Wayne emerged from a narrow alley. His prison uniform was gone, replaced by a coarse, grey-brown civilian outfit.
Arriving on the island, Wayne's gaze quickly swept over key areas like the docks and intersections. There were no figures in white uniforms, no checkpoints set up. It seems the navy had not yet blockaded the island. Now, it's time to get to work...
Inside a restaurant, Wayne rapidly shoveled a bowl of seafood paella into his mouth while casually chatting with a nearby waiter.
"Excuse me, have you seen this lady? She's very distinctive: long, wavy blonde hair, a red flower decoration tucked behind her ear, freckles on her face, always wears light blue dresses, and has a very quiet demeanor."
This was Wayne's summary of key features from Roger's description, and his own first impression of Rouge.
The waiter thought for a moment before replying, "I think there was such a person. She and her husband used to come here occasionally, but they rarely spoke, so I don't know much about them."
"Have you seen this lady recently?"
"Uh… I think so. It was about three days ago, I remember she bought a lot of supplies that day…"
Wayne mulled over the information the waiter gave him, and an answer gradually formed in his mind: Roger's secluded residence on Baterilla Island was most likely in the deep mountains or on the outskirts of the city. Such places would be quiet enough for a low-key life.
"Thank you." Without any further delay, Wayne dropped some Berries and got up to leave.
However, he didn't go far. He found a quiet, empty alley and activated his Float-Float Fruit ability.
Wayne's form became an afterimage, soaring across the sky, looking down on the island from high above.
Dense forests, winding streams—they flew by rapidly beneath Wayne.
Soon, a sunny hillside came into view, with a delicate wooden house nestled at its base.
And on the grassy cliff not far in front of the wooden house, a woman stood silently, unmoving, gazing at the vast, boundless sea.
Seeing her familiar attire, Wayne immediately recognized her as Roger's wife—Portgas D. Rouge.
Wayne's quietly landed a few meters behind Rouge, not making a single sound.
"Rouge."
Rouge's body trembled violently in surprise, and she spun around abruptly. The confusion on her face was instantly replaced by terror. She instinctively took half a step back, her hands protectively covering her swollen abdomen.
"Who are you?! What do you want?"
Wayne looked at Rouge's panicked expression and couldn't help but show a business-like smile. "Mrs. Portgas D. Rouge, don't think about running away, after all, you wouldn't want your identity as the Pirate King's wife to be known by others, would you?"
Upon hearing this, Rouge's breath hitched, and her body swayed uncontrollably.
"Haha, I'm just kidding." Wayne's tone suddenly shifted, and he waved his hand with a smile. It felt good to mess around a bit. "Don't be nervous, madam. Roger sent me."
Rouge remained silent, her eyes still full of vigilance. Clearly, she didn't trust Wayne.
"Roger asked me to give you a message. Do you want to know what it is?"
Rouge quickly asked, "What did Roger say…"
Wayne closed his eyes, took a deep breath, seemingly recalling—but really, he was making it up on the spot.
"Rouge, I'm sorry. When you needed me most, I couldn't be by your side. I wasn't a good husband, a dutiful father. I don't hope for your forgiveness, but I beg you, you must live strong with our child, and witness the arrival of the new era for me."
"…" Rouge's body swayed, and she suddenly covered her mouth with her hand. Tears streamed from her eyes like a broken dam, slipping through her fingers.
Finally, Rouge collapsed onto the soft grass, raising her tear-streaked face. "Did he… did he say anything else?"
Wayne shook his head. "Beyond his last words, nothing else. But between him and me, there's a deal that must be completed." Wayne pointed at Rouge. "And my condition for completing the deal is to take you away from here immediately before the navy finds you, to a safe place."
Just then, on the horizon, five steel warships broke through the sea-sky boundary, approaching Baterilla Island.
"Shit!"
Wayne's pupils suddenly constricted. "How could they be so fast?!"
Rouge followed his gaze. When she saw the warships, her body visibly stiffened, but surprisingly, she didn't panic again. She vigorously wiped away the remaining tears from her face, turned to Wayne, her gaze full of determination.
"The navy is here! How do we leave this island? And where are you taking me?"
"How we leave is none of your concern. As for the destination, it's the East Blue."
"East Blue?!" Rouge seemed to realize something, and her eyes suddenly lit up. She grabbed Wayne's forearm, pleading, "Since we're going to the East Blue, please! Take me to Loguetown! Let me… let me see Roger off one last time before his execution!"
Wayne wagged his finger. "No, no, no! That's too dangerous for you, and it could very likely jeopardize my deal with Roger, so…"
"You'll have to pay more!"
"How much? Name your price!"
Wayne grinned. "No, no, no, Berries are worthless in my eyes. What I need is anything valuable, anything you can offer. No matter what it is, as long as it has value, you can trade it with me."
Rouge was stunned for a moment, then shouted, "Ace!"
"Uhh, no children."
You want me to be a single dad? No way!
"What?" Rouge shook her head. "I'm talking about Roger's sword, Ace. He once told me this sword is a Supreme Grade Sword. It should be valuable, right?"
"Oh!" Wayne patted his chest. So it was that Ace, he thought… "Alright, then it's a deal!"
[Commission Order: Final Farewell]
Commission Requirement: Travel to Loguetown with Rouge, allowing Rouge to see Roger before his execution.
Commission Reward: Supreme Grade Sword, Ace; Commission Points * 500.