One Piece: Start by Saving Roger, I Was Invited to Join the Crew

Hearing what Marco said, Dr. Clover hesitated for a moment, shook his head, then nodded. Dr. Clover sighed. "Sigh... Very well. It's just as

Hearing what Marco said, Dr. Clover hesitated for a moment, shook his head, then nodded. Dr. Clover sighed. "Sigh... Very well. It's just as

Hearing what Marco said, Dr. Clover hesitated for a moment, shook his head, then nodded.

Dr. Clover sighed. "Sigh... Very well. It's just as you've said—perhaps the World Government has long wanted to eliminate us. In that case, come with me."

"Thank you, Dr. Clover," Reid said politely.

"Hehe~ Young man, I can sense that you're a good person. 'Clover'—it does sound quite friendly, doesn't it?" Dr. Clover turned and smiled at Reid.

"Hahaha, the doctor's right," Roger grinned. "Reid is indeed a great guy. Without him, I wouldn't have met you today."

"Really? Then you're quite lucky. After I learned you reached the Final Island, I had to admit—only a man like you, Roger, is worthy of discovering the One Piece."

"Hey, old man, what's that supposed to mean? My old man is amazing too, okay? We're just not interested in the One Piece—otherwise, we could've gone there too!"Marco interrupted, ignoring whether Roger would be upset. How could he let it slide when this old guy outright said only Roger was qualified to reach the Final Island, right in front of his father?

Whitebeard's face twitched slightly but said calmly, "The doctor's not wrong, Marco. Roger was the first to reach it, and later he told me the route. I just chose not to go."

"Oh... haha, then I'll amend my statement—Captain Whitebeard was also worthy of reaching it."

"Ha~ Dr. Clover really has a way with words," Reid chuckled to himself, wondering how Whitebeard felt hearing that.

Whitebeard glared at Roger fiercely. He looked genuinely annoyed.

"Hahaha, Doctor, you've suddenly become quite humorous. Why not join my pirate crew? It would be fun with you around!" Roger teased, winking at Dr. Clover.

"Roger, are you kidding? Me? Join a pirate crew?" Dr. Clover looked exasperated.

"Well, it's better than dying. The Buster Call is coming, I'd say within the next few days," Rayleigh said casually, flashing a grin at Dr. Clover.

"…Even so, I won't join."

As they spoke, the group arrived at a hidden chamber. Dr. Clover opened the door and stepped inside first, followed by Reid and the others.

Upon entering, Reid was stunned. The room was filled with manuscripts, books, and architectural sketches.

"This is our secret underground research room. To avoid detection, we only worked at night."

Dr. Clover clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes full of nostalgia and hope.

"Dr. Clover, did your research yield any results?" Reid asked curiously. He was never fond of reading, and seeing all these papers and books made his head hurt.

"Whew…" Dr. Clover exhaled.

"We've uncovered some results. I discovered that the 100-year Void Century from 900 years ago was likely erased by the Five Elders, or perhaps someone even more powerful than them. At the time, there was a massive, advanced civilization. Their ideas were truly astounding and admirable."

His tone was filled with longing and deep admiration.

"What?! Did Dr. Clover just say someone even more powerful than the Five Elders? Could it be… does he know about Imu?" Reid was shocked. If that were true, Dr. Clover was truly remarkable.

"Better not overthink it now, let the system scan and collect all the materials first."

Reid glanced around, letting his eyes sweep over everything. As expected, all the materials were recorded into the encyclopedia.Roger and the others had become visibly more serious, no more smiles or jokes on their faces.

"Doctor, so you really do know…" Roger said solemnly. Clover's words had reminded him of the meaning behind the "D" in his name.

"Roger's words... That's right. The Roger Pirates traveled the whole world, heard countless stories, read the Poneglyphs, and reached the Final Island. They learned the entire history." Reid reflected.

"That massive kingdom… its ideology was something the world had never seen before and probably never will again. I truly respect it from the bottom of my heart," Dr. Clover said emotionally as he looked at the documents.

"Dr. Clover, earlier you mentioned someone even more powerful than the Five Elders, who is that?"Reid couldn't hold back his curiosity. He suspected Imu was not a real name, much like Joy Boy might not have been.

"I don't know for sure. Much of history has been erased by the World Government. The documents you see here are only a portion of what we've gathered over the last 28 years from around the world."

Reid felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped to confirm his theory.

Just as Reid was growing disheartened, Dr. Clover continued:

"However, we of Ohara can read the ancient language. And through years of studying the ancient texts, we've discovered that the name 'D' appears repeatedly in relation to the great kingdom."

Hearing this, both Reid and Whitebeard turned to look at Roger in shock.

"Could it be that Imu is also a D? But wasn't the Will of D supposed to oppose the Celestial Dragons?" Reid's heart pounded with nervousness.

"D…"Whitebeard couldn't help but recall what Roger had once told him:

"Hahaha! Whitebeard, everyone calls me Gol D. Roger, but that's not my real name. It's Gol·D·Roger… hahaha, Whitebeard, let me tell you what the D really means…"

"Roger, the One Piece really does exist. The ancient kingdom's ideas were real." Whitebeard stared seriously at Roger, murmuring in his heart.

Rayleigh, Jabba, and Roger all wore different expressions now. They grinned widely.

Roger looked at Reid and smiled.

"Reid, the truth of history will soon be revealed. No need to rush."

"Ah, Roger… I…" Reid wanted to say, Since I've already joined your crew, shouldn't you at least tell me?, but he held back.

Rayleigh, catching on to what Reid was thinking, grinned.

"Reid, even though you've joined us, if we just told you outright, where's the fun in that? Besides, we still have 20 years. You can walk that path with us. Isn't that more meaningful than learning the answer early? Hahaha."

"Hahaha, Rayleigh's right," Roger added. "It's too soon to know. Besides, things might change along the way. Let's go on an adventure together, that's far more interesting."

Roger smiled as he looked at Reid, clearly waiting for his answer.

"Yeah… You're right, Roger." Reid nodded.It's true, knowing the result too soon isn't meaningful. Only the experience can lead to the real answer.

"Haha!" Roger laughed, then turned to Dr. Clover.

"Doctor, it may be a bit early, but thank you for your contribution."

Dr. Clover didn't quite understand what Roger meant by "early," but he knew Roger was thanking him for uncovering the truth of history.

"It's nothing. I'm just an ordinary archaeologist."

"No, all archaeologists are great people. Humanity's civilization depends on your discoveries."

Roger's words were full of genuine respect, a rare moment of solemnity from him.