Chapter 288: Captured
The warship set sail at night, carrying Sengoku, the Navy's three Logia Type Vice Admirals, and 1300 elite Marines.
When they arrived at Loguetown, they found the Loguetown Navy Branch already in chaos and on high alert.
At this moment, Loguetown's Port was densely packed with warships, and a large number of Marines held their breath, nervously preparing for battle.
Almost the instant Sengoku and the others arrived, the 1300 elite Marines from Marine Headquarters, led by their officers, swiftly took control of all of Loguetown.
Watching this sudden scene unfold, a group of Pirates who were in Loguetown to resupply before heading to the Grand Line were completely Dumbfounded. Initially, when they saw the Marines, they mistook them for the weaklings from Loguetown.
But as soon as they clashed, they realized the enemy's Strength was on a completely different level from those Loguetown guys. Even a small squad could easily crush them.
"Sakazuki, you're in charge of all matters in Loguetown. Borsalino, your Speed is unmatched, use it to swiftly eliminate all Pirates and clear out all bases of other forces in Loguetown!"
"Understood!"
"Got it, what a pain."
Despite complaining about the trouble, Kizaru still transformed his entire body into light and vanished before everyone's eyes.
Sengoku then followed the highest-ranking Officer of the Loguetown Navy Branch to where Pirate King Roger was being held under strict guard.
As Sengoku and the others arrived, Roger, who was sitting cross-legged facing Garp, seemed to have heard them and looked up at Sengoku, Kuzan, and the group of Marines behind them.
Even now, seeing Roger sitting behind the Iron Bars, the Marines present still couldn't quite believe that Roger had been so easily captured by their Hero, Lord Garp of the Marines.
It was only now that they understood why such a large-scale operation had been kept completely secret from the start. This news, if it were to spread, would undoubtedly be a world-shaking Major event.
The Captain of the Roger Pirates, Gol D. Roger, who had once circumnavigated the World and reached Final Island, and who had vanished for a long time after becoming the Pirate King, had reappeared before everyone, only to become a Prisoner of the Navy.
"Roger?" Sengoku asked tentatively.
"Sengoku, long time no see. How can you not recognize your Old Friend after such a short time?"
Roger looked at Sengoku, who wore Glasses and had a serious expression, and joked with a smile.
Even now, Sengoku still couldn't believe that Pirate King Roger had been captured so easily!
As for Garp's story about bumping into Roger and then capturing him with a couple of punches, Sengoku didn't believe a word of it.
While Sengoku was well aware of Garp's Strength, he was even more familiar with Roger's Strength. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the love-hate relationship between Roger and Garp was even more intense than the one between Garp and Tsuru.
Seeing Garp sitting there cross-legged, dozing off with even a snot bubble forming, Sengoku didn't say anything more and simply sat down cross-legged in front of him.
Behind them, on both sides, stood Navy Officers with solemn faces, a hint of nervousness in their expressions.
Their Eyes occasionally darted towards Roger, silently observing this King among Pirates, this Big Shot who instilled Fear in the Whole world.
"Roger, what exactly are you trying to do?" Sengoku asked seriously, his Gaze fixed on Roger behind the prison bars.
In his view, Roger's easy surrender must be part of some scheme, something that would have a huge impact on the Whole world.
"Ara ara, don't be so tense, Sengoku. I'm already your Navy's Prisoner, aren't I? You can do whatever you want with me."
Roger laughed heartily, completely unconcerned, and even waved the Shackles on his wrists at Sengoku.
As far as he was concerned, he had already made his Resolve when he left Windmill Village with Garp.
But Sengoku completely dismissed Roger's Words as Fart. He was all too aware of Roger's Strength. This guy, Shackles were nothing to him. Even if they locked him up in Impel Down, Sengoku wouldn't be surprised to hear news of his escape.
After all, this guy's life was just too much of a Legend.
"Roger, what are you really planning?" Sengoku roared, his voice so loud it startled Garp, who was dozing off, making him jump.
"Who's making all that noise? Have they no consideration for others?" Garp grumbled sleepily, then saw Sengoku sitting right next to him, staring intently, and couldn't help but give an embarrassed chuckle.
"Ah, Sengoku, when did you get here? And Kuzan, you! Why didn't you tell me Sengoku was here?"
Garp then looked at Kuzan, who was standing with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the Wall, a look of Resentment on his Face.
Faced with his superior and 'teacher's' complaint, Kuzan could only offer a helpless smile.
He wanted to remind him too, but Admiral Sengoku was right there, what could he do?
"By the way, Sengoku, what are you planning to do with Roger? Are you sending him to Impel Down or Justice Island?"
Garp asked, looking at Sengoku.
Sengoku glanced at Garp. If he didn't know Garp better, he would have suspected that Impel Down or Justice Island had offended Garp, and Garp was planning to use Roger to destroy both places.
"Nowhere. He'll stay in Loguetown."
He added, glancing specifically at Roger.
Roger remained silent, as if Sengoku's words weren't directed at him.
Sengoku then turned to Garp.
"Garp, I need the full story."
Sengoku's expression was serious, and he was clearly full of doubt.
But facing Sengoku's inquiry, Garp remained silent.
Seeing Garp's Silence, Sengoku sighed, a faint smile appearing on his Face.
"Forget it. If you don't want to talk, then don't. I'll figure out how to handle the World Government."
"Roger's capture, especially by our Navy, is a Good Thing."
Garp's lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
"This time, you did a fantastic job, a truly great achievement. Maybe those guys will nominate you for Admiral again."
Sengoku patted him on the shoulder, clearly immersed in the joy of Roger's capture, and no longer concerned about anything else.
Garp knew it wouldn't be long before Rumor spread that Roger had been captured by him, just like what happened at God Valley. This kind of intentionally fabricated information filled Garp's heart with helplessness.
He knew very well that the Navy desperately needed 'achievements' to promote, to prove their Power to the World.
He couldn't stop it, and Garp wouldn't try to.
This kind of Face-saving project was needed everywhere. For the Officers, this was merit, an achievement made during their tenure.
For the Navy, this would undoubtedly strengthen their Status in the eyes of the People, encouraging more to join the Navy.
For the countries of the Four Seas and the Grand Line, and for Ordinary People, this news would undoubtedly bring some peace of mind. After all, under the World Government's propaganda, Roger had long been portrayed as a demon who ate ten children for breakfast.
And for Pirates, this News was undoubtedly a crushing blow. 'Even the Pirate King has been captured by us! If you know what's good for you, you'll behave yourselves and not cause trouble!'
Outside the pitch-black cage in Loguetown Prison, an Oil Lamp cast light over a small area.
"The Execution will be in Loguetown, and the Time will be one month from now."
Garp conveyed this News to Roger in a Calm voice.
The hand holding the Wine Glass paused for a moment. His brow was furrowed with fatigue, and there was a hint of unbearable pain.
"Thank you, Garp."
After downing the Wine in one gulp, Roger said seriously.
"They... I'm entrusting them to you."
Garp looked deeply at Roger and nodded firmly.
"Rest assured."
Then, the two of them drank Wine in Silence.
(End of Chapter)