Somewhere in the Grand Line.
"Can we open the treasure chests yet? I've waited so long the flowers have wilted!"
"No! Captain Roger isn't awake; how could we open them on our own? You know opening a chest is the most exciting part! Until it's cracked, no one knows what's inside—just thinking about it makes me itch with anticipation, ahhh!"
"Stop talking, Jabba! You're making us even more impatient!"
"Captain Roger~~! Wake up! The crew wants to open the chests!"
"Open them! Open them! Open them!"
Inside the slowly sailing oro jackson, in the cabin.
Roger, wrapped head to toe in bandages, woke with his head in his hands and scowled at the doorway.
"What's all that racket out there? Can't a man rest?"
"Roger! You're awake—great!"
A beautiful figure who'd waited at the door for ages squealed with joy, pounced, and pulled Roger into her ample bosom.
"Mmmph…" Caught off-guard, Roger's groggy face sank into two soft, fragrant mounds, a heady scent flooding his nose and turning his weathered cheeks crimson.
"G-Gloriosa?! What are you doing on the oro jackson? Show some restraint—let go!"
He struggled free, but his hands inevitably brushed her supple waist.
The silky touch made Roger's heart flutter.
Gloriosa released him, saw his flushed face, and couldn't help giggling.
"Oh my~ Roger, you're totally into me. So? How about we date? I wouldn't say no."
With that she proudly thrust out her curvaceous chest; Roger's nose burned and he yelped:
"Stop, stop! I have no intention of dating you—don't flatter yourself! Right… what's all that noise outside? It's getting worse."
Terrified she'd say something even wilder, Roger quickly changed the subject and looked toward the door.
Gloriosa pouted, saw right through him, but only smiled. "What else? Your crew's worried about their Captain. Since you're up, go see them."
Roger figured she was right.
So, with Gloriosa's gentle support, he left the cabin, stepped onto the deck, and greeted the Roger Pirates with a grin.
"Yo! Sorry to worry you all, I—"
Before he could finish, the crew on deck burst into cheers.
"Woohoo! Great, you're okay! But more importantly—come open the chests, Captain! We can't wait!"
Roger stumbled, almost face-planting.
"You louts—do you actually care about me at all?!"
"Heh-heh." A sweet laugh drifted in from the side.
Roger looked over.
There stood Rayleigh and Shakky by the rail.
Shakky was nestled happily in Rayleigh's arms.
Rayleigh wore a gentle smile.
Their blissful grins stabbed Roger's heart.
He clutched his chest in mock agony. "Damn it, Rayleigh! While I was asleep you completely stole Shakky's heart, you sly dog! I'm crushed."
Rayleigh laughed. "Hahaha! We're pirates—when we want something, we take it fast. But Roger, you could have happiness anytime too."
Roger blinked. "Huh? How?"
Rayleigh winked behind him.
Roger's eye twitched; he got the hint.
"Roger~~" came a forlorn call from behind.
"Eek!" He shivered, plastered on a huge smile, and bolted toward the fore-deck where mountains of loot and chests waited.
"Whoa! What a haul! Look at all this treasure!"
Jabba sauntered over, slung an arm around him.
"Right? This trip was worth it. Anyway, pick a chest and open it first—you're the Captain."
"Alright! I'll choose the most valuable one!" Roger rolled up his sleeves, eyes scanning the hill of chests.
Suddenly he froze, as if hearing something.
"Did any of you hear that?" he asked, puzzled.
"Hear what?" Jabba and the others blinked.
Then, from within the stacked chests, came a tiny "Waaah—"
It was faint.
But everyone present was a seasoned fighter with keen ears.
"There really is a sound!" Rayleigh exclaimed, bringing Shakky over.
"It came from that big ornate chest," Shakky said, pointing.
"Something alive might be inside. Careful—open it slowly."
Roger knelt, eased the lid open.
Beside him Jabba, Rayleigh, and Shakky leaned in.
When the lid lifted, the whole crew froze.
"Huh??" Roger's eyes bulged.
"So… so cute~!" Shakky squealed, heart aflutter.
Rayleigh and Jabba stammered in unison: "A-a baby!"
There, nestled in the chest, lay a chubby red-haired infant.
The baby was irresistibly adorable.
Facing a crowd of strangers, it didn't cry; instead it giggled and stretched tiny arms toward Roger, asking to be held.
At that moment every heart aboard the oro jackson melted.
"Argh, so cute~~~~ahhh!!"
Roger gently lifted the infant as though handling fragile porcelain, raised it high, and laughed,
"Gahaha! Boys, I declare—this child is the greatest treasure we found on this voyage!!"
"Let's all raise him together!!"
"Yee-haw!! Agreed! Long live Captain Roger!!"
The whole ship erupted in jubilant cheers.
Only Rayleigh muttered worriedly, "Hey, Roger, isn't this wrong? We should find his family—imagine how frantic they must be…"
But Roger hugged the baby protectively and backed away. "Rayleigh, this kid came from God Valley—you know what that place is like. His parents… might already be… Look, search if you want, but until we find them, we're raising him right—agreed?"
Rayleigh started to object, but Shakky pressed a finger to his lips and smiled. "Let him. It's rare to see you all so taken with a child."
"It's fate—let's celebrate! Feast time, boys! Welcome our newest nakama!" Roger hoisted the baby again.
"Whoo! Party! Welcome aboard!"
"The tiniest crewmate ever!"
The oro jackson was swallowed by joy.
"Oh, right…"
As if remembering something, Roger turned to Shakky and Gloriosa, baby giggling in his arms. "Either of you have milk? Babies need to nurse, right?"
Before he finished, two long legs kicked him in the face and sent him flying.
Rayleigh dashed over and gently caught the airborne infant.
Shakky and Gloriosa stood blushing furiously.
"Idiot Roger—what are you saying!!!"