Returning to Su Lian's perspective, the moment he stepped out of Loguetown, his resolve was as firm as a rock. Without hesitation, he issued the order to set sail for the South Blue, joining his revolutionary comrades aboard to welcome an extraordinary woman—Portgas D. Rouge.
She was the beloved wife of Gol D. Roger, the man who had once stirred up the great seas and become known as the King of the Pirates. In the world, the name Rouge represented far more than just a title; it embodied unyielding maternal love and the spirit of sacrifice. To protect Roger's bloodline, she had resolutely prolonged her pregnancy to a staggering twenty months—a display of grit and courage worthy of the utmost respect. Yet, this superhuman endurance also exhausted her last reserves of strength, bringing her life to an end soon after giving birth to Ace.
Filled with reverence for this great mother, Su Lian crossed the churning oceans by ship and finally arrived at Baterilla in the South Blue. As soon as he disembarked, he quickly gathered the revolutionary comrades who had accompanied him and gave clear instructions: together, they would search for a pregnant blonde woman named Portgas D. Rouge. They had to be extremely careful not to alarm her or bring her any unnecessary trouble.
After a grueling search, Su Lian finally found Rouge in a quiet and beautiful town. Heavily pregnant, she still radiated an indescribable strength and gentleness. Her golden curls shone brilliantly in the sunlight, and her freckles only added to her lively and endearing charm. A red camellia pinned in her hair lent her an air of elegance and nobility, while her blue dress made her look like a spirit of the ocean, breathtakingly lovely.
Gazing at this remarkable mother, Su Lian felt a wave of deep respect and emotion. He recalled Ace's freckled face, realizing that those features were genetic gifts inherited straight from his mother. Smiling, he walked toward Rouge and greeted her with polished courtesy: "Hello, Sister Rouge. My name is Su Lian. Three years ago, I spent a few days in the Grand Line in the company of Captain Roger, and even received his kindness. You don't need to be nervous. My purpose in coming here is simply to take you to a safe place to live—for your sake, for the child in your womb, and for the bloodline of the King of the Pirates."
At the mention of the child she carried, a flicker of tension and worry crossed Rouge's face. But upon hearing Su Lian's name, she gradually relaxed. Letting out a soft breath, she smiled and said, "I know you. Roger used to tell me interesting stories from his voyages, and he mentioned you among them."
Indeed, after disbanding his pirate crew, Gol D. Roger had come to this peaceful island of Baterilla. Here, he met Rouge and spent a wonderful year with her. Throughout that year, they supported one another through countless joyful and tender moments. Roger had shared tales of his nautical adventures with her, including that witty, capable, and humorous young man he had met on the Grand Line—Su Lian.
To Rouge, who had just received the devastating news of Roger's execution, Su Lian's appearance was nothing short of an unexpected blessing sent from the heavens. She knew well that with Su Lian's protection and assistance, she and her unborn child would be kept far from danger, allowing the baby to come into the world safely. Smiling, she accepted Su Lian's invitation and, full of hopeful anticipation, set off with him on an unknown yet promising journey.
Once Rouge was safely aboard, Su Lian gave the decisive order to return to their headquarters in Baltigo. At his command, the crew sprang into action, bustling about in an orderly fashion to prepare for the voyage back. The ship cleaved through the towering waves, sea spray flying and the salty wind howling as if cheering for their reunion.
Upon arriving in Baltigo, Su Lian and Rouge disembarked to find Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, waiting to greet them. Dragon, a man of immense dignity and wisdom, understood the vital importance of Rouge and her child; he personally arranged her living quarters and assigned dedicated attendants to look after her daily needs.
Having seen to Rouge's comfort, Su Lian walked over to the training grounds. This was the place where the revolutionary soldiers tempered their wills and honed their skills. Seeing them train with such intense dedication filled him with respect and expectation. He knew that the addition of Portgas D. Rouge would inject fresh vitality into the Revolutionary Army, and that her child, Ace, would grow up nurtured by its ideals, inextricably linked to its future.
Standing quietly at the edge of the training grounds, Su Lian watched the fighters. He saw their resolute gazes, their agile movements, and their indomitable spirit. They fought for an ideal and sacrificed for justice, and their fearless bravery profoundly moved him.
His thoughts drifted into the distance. He envisioned the future life of Rouge and her child, safe and peaceful under the protection of the revolutionaries. At the same time, he thought of the broader future of the Revolutionary Army, continuing to fight and give their all for their cause. In this moment of hope, Su Lian felt the heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He needed to lead the soldiers ever onward, striving tirelessly to realize their dreams. He knew that only through the unyielding pursuit of justice and truth could the world be made a better place.
As night deepened, the lights around the training grounds flickered on. Emerging from his deep thoughts, Su Lian finally returned to the conference room, his gaze momentarily distant before clearing once more.
At that moment, Dragon pulled a strange creature from his coat. It looked something like a snail, covered in spots, and was making a peculiar "Buru Buru" sound. Placing the "snail" gently on the conference table, Dragon looked at Su Lian and said, "Ivankov wants to talk to you."
Looking closely, Su Lian realized this was no ordinary snail, but a Den Den Mushi. He let out an internal sigh at the sheer wonders of this world. Stretching out his hand, he picked up the Den Den Mushi with care and held it to his ear. Immediately, a familiar voice came through its receiver:
"Su Lian baby, Tesoro wants to talk to you."
Without needing to ask, he knew the speaker was none other than Ivankov.