As Cudius finished speaking, Roger's expression turned somewhat resigned. He took two more sips from his gss, sighed deeply, and said, "By your reasoning, of course, she's guilty. In fact, it's a serious crime, a capital offense."

  Cudius nodded, not denying anything. Just the fact that Rouge had hidden Roger here was already enough to warrant a death sentence, let alone marrying him.

  "You're right. Rouge is pregnant. I've been holding on, hoping to meet my child, but I'm starting to think I won't make it in time. My body just doesn't have much left to give," Roger said softly, a hint of sadness in his voice.

  Cudius nodded again, saying nothing.

  Roger took another drink, then smiled at Cudius. "But at least... the child is i, right?"

  "If you weren't the Pirate King, then maybe. But now? He carries the blood of Gol D. Roger. It doesn't matter if he's i. Do you really think the Wover would let him live?" Cudius sighed, shaking his head.

  Roger's hand tightened around his gss, and in a moment of suppressed anger, he crushed it in his grip. Shards of gss cut into his palm, and blood mixed with the wine oable. His fury was clear, but he didn't sh out. As a pirate, he might have done so, but now he was more than just a pirate. He was a husband, and soon to be a father.

  "Is there really no way around this?" Roger asked, his voice low, his eyes locked on Cudius.

  Cudius picked up anss from the table, filled it with wine, a down in front er. Then, rubbing his temples, he replied, "What exactly do you wao do?"

  "If it hadn't been for you finding us, I nning to leave my family in Garp's hands. Even though we're on opposite sides, I've always believed Garp's someone I trust. He would've protected my child," Roger said quietly.

  "Are you sure you'll get the eet Garp?" Cudius asked with a slight smile.

  "Of course. As soon as I'm arrested, Garp will e. I'm certain of that," Roger said fidently.

  "It seems like you've got Garp ed around your finger," Cudius chuckled, shaking his head. He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry farp, knowing Roger would drag him into this mess.

  her of them could have known that Garp was already in the South Blue, supposedly taking a vacation. And at this very moment, his small boat had docked at Bateril Isnd. In typical Garp fashion, he was traveling alone, piloting nothing but a small boat through the vast seas.

  Roger didn't respond to Cudius' remark, instead tinuing, "But no-X has discovered us, my previous pn is full of holes. If you're involved, even Garp won't be able to protect my family."

  "That's true," Cudius admitted. "So, what do you wao do?"

  "Are you really willing to help me? We're ly friends," Roger said, though there was a glimmer of hope in his voice.

  "I did eat two of your es," Cudius replied with a casual wave. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "And you're right, at least the child is i."

  Roger's face lit up. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you, hahahaha!" He ughed heartily, taking a long drink from his gss. "You're one of the Celestial Dragons, right? No one would question you. That makes things much safer. I was hoping you could help protect my wife and unborn child—"

  "Hold on," Cudius interrupted him without hesitation. "I only said the child is i. As fe, I promise I won't report her, but I'm not her any prote. If you want someoo protect her, go find Garp."

  Cudius knew he was treading carefully here. While he was willing to take care of the child maybe even raise him as his own and steer him away from the path of piracy, Rouge was a different matter. She was a liability. She koo much aber and his secrets, and harb her could easily backfire.

  Even if no one knew her identity now, there was always the ce that something from her past could surface. If the Wover caught wind of her, Cudius would be dragged into the mess, and that was a risk he wasn't willing to take.

  And besides, Cudius didn't need Rouge. She was just a civilian, a weak woman. What be could she possibly bring him? None. In fact, keeping her around would only cause problems. He wasn't a fool, and he wasn't about to plicate things unnecessarily.

  Roger, hearing Cudius' blunt refusal, fell silent. He khis was likely Cudius' bottom line. After all, they weren't friends; they were ehe fact that Cudius was willing to look after his child was already an ued kindness. Asking for more was likely too much.

  "Not rep Rouge... maybe that's enough. If she's lucky, she could live a peaceful life," Roger said quietly.

  "If that's the case, I'll make sure your child gets to see her regurly," Cudius replied.

  "Thank you. I never imagihat in the end, the one I could rely on would be a Celestial Dragon," Roger said with a rueful ugh. "Life's full of surprises, isn't it?"

  Cudius was about to respond when the door to the pub suddenly swung open. A rge, muscur man walked in, dressed in a loud, colorful beach shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. His entrance was as boisterous as his outfit, and he greeted the half-asleep tavern owner with a booming ugh.

  "Hey, old man! I just got to this isnd and I'm looking for someone. Have you seen a tall, blond guy? He's probably with two lovely dies. I've got something to deliver to him."

  The tavern owner zily poio the bottles on the wall and mumbled, "Help yourself. As for your friend, look around."

  Roger and Cudius both froze in peither of them had expected to run into Vice Admiral Garp here, of all pces!

  The man standing at the door was her than Garp himself. He had heard Cudius was on this isnd but hadn't mao find him. He thought he'd stop by the pub to gather information and grab a drink. But instead, he stumbled upon a se he never could have imagined: Cudius, a Celestial Dragon, sitting at a table with Roger, the Pirate King, sharing drinks like old friends.

  For a moment, even Garp eechless. What in the world was happening here?