"When there is a Legacy to be Continued, the Whole world will have their eyes on you to see if you're up to snuff…" - Gol D. Roger, The King of The Pirates
All around the world there were eyes locked onto a single island. The forward base of all Naval Marines. Where every decision, every recruit, ever Soldier and Sailor steps foot on at least once in their careers. It was a testament to what they served, and what they had become
In the East Blue. Mamtha gripped her hand tight. The Rest of the Family coming up from behind her to check on her. Tears were streaming down her face. She didn't want to touch the clicker. To do so would mean that perhaps she resigns herself to accepting she was about to watch her Grandbaby's execution.
Click. The Static Came on. And the Cameras were live. Showing the enormity of Ingens
South Blue. On an island that no one truly cared about, even the residents, huddled around a Radio, where a commentator reporter was actively talking about the sheer size and scale of the island "Listeners, Imagine for a moment if you will, every member of your family, and then take that group and have them fill up your entire Island! That is the sight that I am beholding right now!" Anchor Lowell, the first Radio Newscaster, who was aged nearly 90, and was still going strong, was at the Island, not amid the crowd of soldiers, but was within the base itself from a protected room. Where only he and his equipment sat
West Blue. Children Played in the streets. Playing Marine and Pirates, shouts about how one of the Children were Jack, the Hero, and the other was Redbeard the Villain could be heard. A Conversation between a mother and a father who had been a Marine at one point in his life talked "Do you really think he'll show up? To do so would be War…Total war…"
"Of course he will. This is Redbeard. The Strongest Man in the World. If he wants that Pirate of his back. Then he'll die trying…Surely. Even the children know his name. Everyone in the world Knows that name. And the Death that it brings."
To some, Redbeard was a Hero, a man who saved their island. Such as the island of Qrown in the Grand Line, where currently all the civilians sat around a Projection machine Den Den Mushi that had been dropped off to them by Redbeards crew some years prior
"He's not made any strides in the world in decades. Do we really think that he'll pull this off? I get that he's the reason we don't have to bay the Tithe anymore…But still…" A Heckler said.
"That doesn't matter. Redbeard will surely do something that none of us will ever forget. Like he always does. No matter how old he is." A Believer said, her hands crossed in a small prayer. "If it wasn't for him, our own children on this Island would not have the lives they have now…"
To others. Redbeard was a Villain. A terrorist. A Destroyer. Such as the ruined island of Schis, which from the out side looked to be a mess of jagged mountains as if teeth from a monster shot from the sea.
In reality, in a small scuffle against a notorious pirate, Redbeard had with a single blow destroyed the entire island to ruin. Now those that live on it were only told stories of the fight…And not why.
"I hope The Fleet Admiral kills him!" A hooded person said "No I want Kuroryu to do it!"
"Maybe it'll be a small upstart!" Another said "Nah! I bet it'll be The Apex! He's the Strongest Swordsman in the world!"
Pirates on the ocean listened too "I went up against the man once! No one man should have all that power! He's a monster! I'm lucky I survived with my Life!" He drank deeply from his tankard
Marines not on Fortezela watched with trepidation "It'd be best if he didn't show up…My Brothers out there! Why can't Azar just die! Its all his Fault that all of this is going to be happening in the first place!" A Cadet cried
"Get a hold of yourself! Every Marine on Ingens Fortezela is a Hero! They are laying down their lives to prevent the Rescue of that Scum!"
As for those on Ingens Fortezela, Commonly Known as 'Marineford' in some capacity, over 200,000 troops sat armed and ready at the Bay Port labeled as 'Launch Port'. It was an expanse of concrete that sat the lowest to the sea, as the rest of the Island was elevated into tiers. With the city be the next, elevated some dozen meters or more up. A Giant would have to climb to reach
A Large wall separated it from Ingens City, Where the over 100,000 civilians lived with their Marine relatives.
There was the Fortezela Bay, a large Bay carved into Launch Port. Where currently 12 10k Guns sat aimed out, dozens of 5k, and even more 1k cannons sat with countless Traditional Cannons, and now even machine mounted turrets with dual barrels that fired 30 mm rounds.
In the Sea surrounding the Island, the equivalent of nearly 10 Buster Calls Sat, the War Ships surrounding the Island from all sides. But there was only one way in from the riptide current that connected Ingens, The Former Citadel, And Styx. The Same monumental gate that Azalea Raven nearly went through for her own Execution had it not been for the Red Sash pirates.
The Doors of the Massive base opened. And out walked Eudora D. Azar. Chains binding his hands behind him. High concentration sea stone sapping him to the point where it took every ounce of his being to just walk.
The Courtyard was enormous. A giant archway where a clock tower known as 'Tempo' sat a top it. This was where all the records of everything relating to the Marines were stored. And yet, it was dwarfed by the other buildings around, and the main base itself, where its peak sat over a mile into the air
Within in the Ingens Fortezela Courtyard, known as Huang Plaza, named after the Fleet Admiral who commissioned the construction of Igens Fortezela over 700 years ago.
In the middle of the Plaza. Which held a few that that stretched all the way down to the bay, sat massive metal scaffolding. A permanent fixture. A symbol of Justice.
Azars footsteps echoed from against the metal stair case. The Fire Brands eyes widened as he neared the top. And the face of his grandfather came into view. "Papaw…" Jacks eyes shut for a moment at the name…Azar and Leroy both only called him that when they were crying, wanted something, or were in trouble
"Azey." The Executioners pushed the Pirate to his Knees, allowing him to look out to the rest of the Island. Muromachi then came onto the platform "Jack. I'm gonna do it now. Only 2 hours remain."
"Fine. I'm going down to the Plaza." Jack descended. And once he was in front of the Scaffold, he looked back to where, half way up the 70 foot metal structure. Three figures sat in three thrones…
The Greatest Military Power: The Three Admirals
Argento: Murausagi
Seiko: Nokotori
Asashi: Kuroryu
Jack breathed deep through his nose, and sighed…
To the Front of the wall at the bay…All the Current Royal Marshal Privateers stood: Delehaye Eliza, Hannibal Wolfheart, Barbary, Benjamin Condent, and Tizona De Leon.
Muromachi brought a radio up to his mouth, and through the PA system across the entire Island, he addressed the Marines!
"Attention Men! My Marines, you are all here to serve a great duty to the world. We are all here today to prevent the halting of Eudora D. Azars execution! Today we all lay down our lives in the name of protecting the world! You and I are all the only line of defense between the Civilized, and the Uncivilized!"
"The Reasonable, and the Barbaric!" De Leon smirked.
"And above all else. Today we end a sin that has permeated society for over 25 years!" Murmoachi looked down to Azar who began to sweat, because he knew just exactly what was going to be said
"This Man! The Second Division Commander of The Redbeard Pirates, Eudora D. Azar! Is the Son of Pirate King Gold Roger!" Those words…Shook the world