Chapter 98: Hero

Baterilla Island, West Coast Villa

In the simple-style living room, only Portgas D. Rouge was left. The old maid who opened the door earlier had quietly left at some point.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

A steady and powerful footsteps came from outside the room.

A moment later, Adrian's figure reappeared in front of Rouge.

Not seeing Mr. Dragon, Rouge couldn't help but feel a little strange. She asked in confusion, "White Ghost, where is Mr. Dragon?"

Adrian said, "The son of the hero is currently 'resting'. If no one bothers him, he will probably wake up in a short while."

Rouge fell silent. As intelligent as she was, she naturally understood the meaning of Adrian's words. In conjunction with what the two of them had said before they left, there was no doubt that Mr. Dragon had been defeated!

At this moment, a trace of deliberately concealed aura finally leaked out.

Adrian looked surprised and said, "So, another guest arrived just after we left? Lady Rouge, it's quite lively here today!"

"Ghost Boy..."

As the voice spoke, a tall, broad-chested man with well-developed muscles walked out. He had a rugged black short hair, with some white streaks on his temples, and a long, narrow scar at the corner of his left eyebrow.

"Isn't this Vice Admiral Garp, the [Marine's Hero]? You've come at such a perfect time, this lady..." Adrian pointed at Rouge, "Portgas D. Rouge, Roger's wife, and the one carrying the [Pirate King's heir], which the Marines and the World Government have been searching for in the South Blue recently."

Garp frowned and stared at Adrian, saying coldly, "This has nothing to do with you, Ghost Boy."

"Hahaha, nothing to do with me?" Adrian laughed. "Hero, do you know why I'm wanted by the Marines?"

Upon hearing this, Garp's frown deepened.

In recent times, although officially he had only taken a leave to return to his hometown in the East Blue, in reality, he had been lingering within the South Blue's territory. Naturally, he was aware of the title "Mr. Ghost" that had become a legend among the common people.

The White Ghost's criminal title was added for the sole purpose of preventing the World Government and the Marine Headquarters from committing acts of brutality in the South Blues!

"I'll repeat myself, White Ghost, this matter does not concern you!" Garp said. "In light of your previous actions in the South Blues, I do not wish to take action against you!"

"Ha ha ha ha!" Adrian laughed so hard that tears were almost coming out of his eyes. "Hey, 'Hero'... I'll just continue to call you that for now... First of all, regardless of whether this matter concerns me or not, I just want to ask, as the legendary Marine and the archenemy of Pirate King Roger, what are your plans for Lady Rouge and the child in her womb?"

Garp remained silent. He could not casually tell anyone about the matter that Roger had entrusted to him.

"Could it be that you're just going to let Lady Rouge go?"

Adrian waved his arms, his emotions overflowing, his gestures exaggerated.

"Hey, hey, hey, she's the Pirate King's wife, and the child in her womb is the 'Pirate King'! Don't tell me, this 'new pirate', that you, this 'Marine hero', are planning to do nothing!"

"Kid, your words are getting more and more infuriating!" Garp clenched his fists, making a series of crackling sounds of his bones. "But no matter what, Rouge and her unborn child are innocent!"

"Yes! I completely agree with that! No matter what, no matter how great Roger's reputation and title were before, it has nothing to do with Lady Rouge and the child in her womb! And I have always respected Lady Rouge's actions very much. From any angle, she can be considered a great mother!"

In this excerpt, Adrian is confronting Garp, the Marine hero, about his plans for Lady Rouge, the wife of the late Pirate King Roger. Adrian is a new pirate who is sympathetic to Rouge and her unborn child. He believes that they are innocent and should not be punished for Roger's crimes.

Garp is initially reluctant to talk about the matter, but he eventually tells Adrian that he will not harm Rouge or her child. He believes that they are innocent, and he does not want to become a murderer.

Adrian is pleased with Garp's decision. He believes that it is the right thing to do. He also expresses his respect for Rouge, whom he considers to be a great mother.

The next second, Adrian's expression turned cold. "But 'innocent'? Is that something you should be saying? The hero of the Marines?!"

Garp's face changed instantly.

Adrian continued, "There is no doubt that this world has its positions!"

"That is why I, who have done truly just deeds, am being hunted by the Marines, who pursue justice! The root cause is that my actions have offended the dignity of the World Government! They are in serious conflict with the Marine's position of maintaining the ruling order!

"So can you tell me, as a hero, what is your position in this incident, Vice Admiral Garp?"

Garp was speechless.

"Actually, you know, don't you?" Adrian's tone was filled with undisguised contempt and sarcasm. "The joint operation between the World Government and the Marine Headquarters in the South Blue!"

Those world-famous iron fists suddenly clenched, even trembling slightly!

Garp knew all too well about the recent violent turmoil in the South Blue!

But it was like a zero-sum game. Choosing one side meant inevitably losing the other.

Between the ordinary mother and child and the mother and child of Rouge, the hero ultimately chose the latter!

"So, can the Marines really represent 'justice'?" Adrian tilted his head, "Actually, I've vaguely sensed a truth for some time. In certain situations, this thing called 'justice' is more dangerous for innocent people than for those truly guilty."

After a long silence, Garp suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, "Rouge and her child! They are innocent!"

Adrian was taken aback, "Is this the true mindset of a 'hero'?"

"Yes! This is my belief!" Garp said firmly, "Although I regret not proactively reporting Rouge and her child to the World Government and not providing the necessary protection for others who were harmed, I don't think my actions were wrong!"

"Heh!"

Adrian's tone carried unclear meaning.

"Monkey D. Garp, I despise you! Why do you have such a firm mind and belief but haven't taken any action?"

"But I have to say, Monkey D. Garp, I also admire you a bit! As a Marine, you can actively defy the World Government's orders and protect the widow and son of the Pirate King!"

After saying that, Adrian simply turned and walked away.

"White Ghost!" Garp shouted.

"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Garp, I won't reveal the whereabouts of Mrs. Rouge!" Adrian turned back, expressionless. "But I'm curious about one thing. When one day, this "Pirate King's Son" bears his father's will and sets out to sea to become a pirate, how will you deal with yourself?

"When one day, this "Pirate King's Son" is discovered by the world and is publicly executed by the Marines like his father, how will you face the innocent souls who died in the South Blue Sea with what face?

"A "hero"? Ha!"