Roger and Rayleigh glanced at each other, both seeing the bewilderment in the other's eyes.
Greedy? Vulgar?
But how could a powerhouse of this level be such a person?
"Then what do you want?" Roger asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
Tatsuki took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled, his gaze becoming profound. "You're going to die, Roger. We both know that very well. If you don't die by my hand today, you'll die in a few months, tormented by illness. The era that belongs to you is destined to end this year."
His voice was very light, yet it struck deep into Roger's heart.
"Since you're going to die anyway, why not make your death a bit more valuable?"
Roger's pupils suddenly constricted.
Tatsuki's voice took on a hint of devilish temptation. "Your reputation, your identity, the title of 'Pirate King'... these are the greatest treasures of your life."
"To die silently of illness on some deserted island, don't you think that's too much of a waste?"
"Use your life as my stepping stone, Roger."
Tatsuki opened his arms as if embracing a brand-new era, his face showing unmasked ambition. "I need an achievement significant enough to shake the entire world."
"After a world-shattering 'tragic' battle, I, Tatsuki, successfully 'arrested' you."
"I will become the hero who personally ended the Pirate King. I will get everything I want: fame, status, power, and... supreme glory."
"You..." Rayleigh trembled with rage, about to curse his shamelessness.
But Tatsuki's next words caused both their hearts to stop. "And in exchange—"
Tatsuki's gaze became sharper than ever before. "I will use all my future power and resources as a Marine Hero to ensure the safety of your child and the rest of your lover's life."
"Portgas D. Rouge."
"And the unborn child in her womb, the future... Portgas D. Ace."
The impact of these words on Roger was a hundred times greater than the Getsuga Tenshō from before.
"You... how do you know?!"
Roger's pupils shrank to pinpricks, and his weakened body actually sprang up due to extreme shock.
Portgas D. Rouge.
And the unborn child, Ace.
That was Roger's last concern in this world, an absolute secret he would risk everything to hide.
Except for him and the core members of the ship, it was impossible for any outsider to know.
This Marine... who on earth is he?
"There are no walls in this world that don't leak air, Roger-san." Tatsuki replied calmly.
"The World Government already suspects you have a bloodline remaining. After you die, the CP Organization will turn the South Blue upside down. Every woman related to you and every infant born recently will be purged."
"You should know better than I do that those mad dogs are capable of it."
Roger's face instantly turned as pale as paper. He knew, of course, that they would rather kill a thousand innocents than let one slip through—that was exactly the World Government's style.
"How can you guarantee you can protect them?" Rayleigh gritted his teeth and questioned in a raspy voice.
But his hand holding the sword had already loosened. It was even trembling slightly.
Because he knew this might be the only way out.
"Because I am currently the master of the G-5 Branch."
"Because I am about to step onto the peak of power by riding the massive achievement of 'Arresting the Pirate King'."
Tatsuki spread his hands, a playful curve hooking the corner of his lips.
"As long as Roger cooperates and plays this scene with me, letting me become the hero who ends the old era, I will have enough power and resources to hide that mother and son under my wings."
"A new identity, a fortune that can never be squandered, and a peaceful future that will never be disturbed by anyone."
"I can even train your child to be the most outstanding Marine."
Tatsuki's smile took on a hint of mischief. "The son of the Pirate King becoming a Marine Hero, don't you think that's quite interesting?"
"As for you, Rayleigh." Tatsuki's gaze turned toward him. "Three years ago at Edd War, Roger spared my life."
"Consider that debt settled today. I'll act as if I didn't see you. You can go anywhere you want."
Rayleigh fell silent.
He looked at his Captain, then at this unfathomable young man before him.
Absurd.
All of this was too absurd.
A Marine, after defeating the Pirate King, not only didn't finish them off but instead negotiated terms, planning a world-deceiving spectacle.
This guy... what is he really after?
Just fame and status?
No, Rayleigh felt that his schemes were far larger than that.
"Why should I believe you?" Roger's voice regained a trace of composure.
"You have no choice." Tatsuki's answer was crisp and clean as he stubbed out his cigarette.
"You can only gamble."
"Gamble that the credibility of this 'Just Marine' is a bit more noble than those sanctimonious scumbags in the World Government."
"..."
Roger fell silent.
Yes.
He had no other choice.
He could face death calmly, but he couldn't let his lover and unborn child pay such a tragic price for his dream.
A long time passed..
"Haha..."
"Hahahaha!"
Roger suddenly burst into a world-shaking laugh, laughing until tears came out.
He laughed at his own naivety, at the absurdity of fate, and even more at this Marine who was more lawless than all the pirates in the world combined.
He stopped laughing, a final light erupting in his eyes. "I promise you!"
Roger propped himself on his knees and used his last bit of strength to stand up unsteadily.
He sheathed the famous sword "Ace" and threw it to Rayleigh behind him without looking. Then, he held out his hands, putting them together and offering them to Tatsuki.
This gesture signified surrender.
It also signified the conclusion of a devil's contract.
"Then it's a deal." Roger grinned, revealing a row of blood-stained white teeth.
"My life, my reputation, my everything—it's all yours."
"But kid, if you dare break this contract..."
"I'll crawl out of hell and tear you to shreds."
Tatsuki looked at those hands that had once stirred the winds and clouds of the entire world, the smile on his face as bright as the midday sun.
He took out a pair of pre-prepared handcuffs from his waist.
Click!
With a crisp sound, they locked away the king who had dominated an era of the sea.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Roger-san."
"Welcome to being the most important stepping stone in my script."
[Ding!]
At that very moment, an unprecedented system notification rang out in Tatsuki's mind.
[Detected that the Host's actions have caused an irreversible epic deviation of the world line!]
[Subversion Factor Determination: MAX!]
[Influence Factor Determination: MAX!]
[Deceiving the World for Personal Gain: Through a private deal, you have stolen the supreme glory of "Arresting the Pirate King," deceiving the entire world and the World Government!]
[Nurturing the Enemy to Enhance One's Importance: Privately releasing the legendary criminal Dark King Silvers Rayleigh!]
[Causality Reversal: Destining the Pirate King's son to be a Marine, severely damaging the original world line!]
[Comprehensive settlement in progress...]
[Congratulations to the Host! Violation Points: 1,000,000!]
(End of Chapter)
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