Everything Roger did was for his goal, his ideal. No matter how despicable he appeared in the world's eyes, Roger knew exactly what he needed to do.
In Sal's memory, Roger and Rouge behaved like big children, and he was very happy during those days.
When they parted, if Rouge had used herself and Ace as an excuse, Roger might have stayed to spend those final happy moments with her. But she didn't. She just gently supported all his decisions.
And how much Whitebeard resembles Roger from those times. His body was already ravaged by illness. In this war, he sustained injuries that surpassed his limits. The combination of these two factors has brought his body to the brink of collapse.
Even if he survives the war and manages to return to his family with the help of the ship's doctor, Whitebeard won't last even a few months. In his final days, he may lay in bed awaiting death.
A emperor of the sea, a pirate who roamed the seas for decades, doesn't want to quietly await death in bed.
Moreover, if the children rush to save him again, significant losses are inevitable. Sacrificing many children for his sake is a choice Whitebeard would never make.
Sal understood what Whitebeard meant, but his children might not, especially those who were young, impulsive, and easily swayed by emotions.
Ace, pinned to the ground, continued to struggle and even growled.
"Let me go, let me go, Roger, you don't know how important Father is to me."
Sal didn't move. In the original story, Ace died because he was too emotional.
When Ace's voice trembled with tears, Sal wrapped his arms around his shoulders and helped him up. Two pairs of very similar eyes stared at each other, and Sal saw the tears running down Ace's cheeks.
Sel spoke heavily:
"Portgas D. Ace, I don't care how important Whitebeard is to you, and I don't want to know about your feelings. I only know that your recklessness will break Whitebeard's heart and cause him to die in vain. The power of choice at sea is authority, and right now, you don't have the right to choose."
Sal threw Ace straight into Marco's arms.
"Marco, you must know what Whitebeard means. So, do you also want to be a rebel? And take this reckless boy with you."
...
Marco closed his eyes painfully and didn't loosen his grip, even as he hesitated. When he finally opened his eyes, there was only determination in them.
"Whitebeard Pirates, follow Father's order, we're leaving..."
Following Marco's order, many pirates looked sad, but they still followed their father's last command and quickly headed toward the pirate ship. They couldn't let their father down.
[S-rank characters exhibit normal emotions towards the Host, slight and medium astonishment, adding 43,431 experience]
[A, B-rank characters exhibit normal emotions towards the Host, slight and medium astonishment, adding 113,797 experience]
[C, D-rank characters exhibit normal emotions towards the Host, slight and medium astonishment, adding 293,231 experience]
This was the story of Roger's surrender, told by Whitebeard and broadcasted live by Buggy and his crew, who had already started retreating. Many ordinary people in front of the screens, unaware of the truth, experienced emotions once again. This must be the final experience of slipping through the net in the war at the summit.
At the same time, Sal looked at the remaining 20 Pacifistas. Each of their beams could inflict significant damage on the pirates trying to escape.
So Sal asked Rayleigh for help.
"Rayleigh, please handle these steel debris."
Rayleigh drew his sword and turned decisively, leaving only a phrase that warmed Sel's heart.
"Roger, don't overexert yourself, just be careful."
"Don't worry, old man, I'm not planning on dying..."
As Whitebeard's pirates were leaving, Sengoku's face suddenly twisted. He wanted to detain most of the other pirates after dealing with Whitebeard.
"Fire all long-range cannons. We can't let the pirates escape easily."
All the marines who could still fight didn't have time to rescue the wounded lying on the ground and immediately opened fire on the retreating pirates.
Until now, the pirates were taking the wounded for treatment during their retreat, but the marines still hadn't started a full-scale rescue operation and watched as the severely injured soldiers on the ground were dying in vain.
Sengoku, the commander of the operation, suddenly saw Garp in tatters approaching him. This marine hero was too slow.
"Garp, you're late."
"Sengoku, I was injured by Roger and need some rest. Urgent assistance must be given to the wounded on the ground."
...
Garp's ghost
Sengoku did not believe a single word, but still hesitated for a moment and accepted the suggestion of rescue. Even though this was the last chance to pursue the pirates, capturing them could expand their victory, yet the wounded on the ground could also die because of this.
In the end, Sengoku didn't make such a cold-hearted decision. As long as it didn't come from the higher authorities, he remained true to his principles.
Sengoku lost interest in the battle. Whitebeard was close to death, and he lost the desire to chase the pirates.
Garp sat in a lotus position and looked at Ace and Luffy as they were leaving. Then he focused his gaze on Whitebeard, who was inching closer to death. Kizaru and Aokiji had played their role in delivering Whitebeard's fatal wounds.
But even with such numerous fatal injuries, Whitebeard's body seemed untouched, and he was still waving Murakumogiri to stop the marines who wanted to pursue him. The waving Murakumogiri suddenly slipped from his grip, and Whitebeard clenched his hands into fists, concentrating a halo of vibration, and struck the ground. The shockwave quickly spread around, blowing away the marines who wanted to approach again, some of the unfortunate ones even thrown into the fissures.
The shockwave raised a thick cloud of dust, and from the dust, Whitebeard's voice echoed once more. Although the voice still sounded loud, it no longer had the heroic spirit it once did.
"Roger... After my death, the places I protected will inevitably suffer. Most of them are ordinary people who want to live a normal life. I ask you to continue to protect them after I'm gone. Roger... please.
Sal was momentarily stunned by the unexpected request.
At the same time, his eyes became serious. This was no joke. If he agreed to this request, it wouldn't be a simple task; it would inevitably lead to conflicts with other powers eager to seize this territory. It was tempting, but at the same time, it was also a responsibility or burden.
If these territories were truly protected, it would be much easier to gain experience in the future.
As for why Whitebeard did not entrust this responsibility to Marco and Ace, it was because they were not yet capable of handling such a task.
Sal did not respond immediately but continued to watch as Whitebeard deflected attacks after the smoke and dust settled. Even in death, besides his own children, he worried about the future of ordinary people.
Newgate, you really weren't suited for the pirate life.
From the beginning, you went to sea to find your family.
You are too different from other pirates.
As for whether the world after the war will be as peaceful as the World Government describes, that's a debatable issue.
After Whitebeard's death, the New World will plunge into an age of chaos once again.
Besides the Four Emperors, there are countless jackals hoping to snatch a piece of the pie.
Then many of the countries protected by Whitebeard will face unprecedented turmoil.
Pirates who can become one of the Four Emperors are no longer mere pirates. Each of them has a vast territory and governance system. They can be compared to rulers of countries.
Like Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, the Four Emperors who drain the lifeblood of many countries, they may have economic ties with the World Government.
From the future that can be seen in the original story, the New World and Whitebeard's former territory will only become more chaotic, and the Navy Fleet will not be able to handle it.
Sal thought for a moment and finally gave an answer that satisfied Whitebeard.
"I will protect them to the best of my ability, and no assurances will convince me otherwise."
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