Three days later, at the Marine base in Loguetown.
"The entire route from the prison to the central execution platform has been sealed off. It's under the supervision of the Loguetown Marine base commander. Even the local gangs have been quiet these past few days. The rats from the Grand Line who came to witness the execution are also keeping a low profile."
Admiral Sengoku, draped in his cloak of justice, was already fully prepared. His gaze remained fixed on the streets beyond the window of his office.
Starting today, this town in the East Blue—Loguetown—would mark the end of the Pirate Era.
Executing the Pirate King—who had just completed a full circumnavigation of the globe and arrived at the final island—would greatly bolster the Marine's momentum. Conversely, failure would be disastrous.
After all, both Marines and pirates began as ordinary people yet to set sail—just like Roger had once been when he lived here in Loguetown.
Following this execution, those pirate rats would vanish into history. And twenty years into the future, the Marines would wield overwhelming power.
The legend of the Pirate King… would become just that—a legend.
"Has the executioner been confirmed?"
Sengoku's voice broke the silence.
A communications officer behind him immediately responded, "Yes. The executioner is Kevin, a Seaman First Class from the 80th Marine Branch in Lasgapu Town of the West Blue, personally recommended by Vice Admiral Kuzan."
Sengoku turned to look at Kuzan. "If I remember correctly, the commanding officer of the 80th Branch is that guy—Bartholomew, right? The one who wanted you to bring Kevin to this round's elite training camp at HQ?"
Kuzan covered his forehead with one hand. If it were anyone else asking, he wouldn't even want to answer.
That incident at HQ had left a deep impression—even a minor base commander from the West Blue had been remembered by a Marine Admiral like Sengoku.
As for this executioner, Kevin…
Well, he seemed to only do three things in Loguetown: drink, watch shows, and sleep.
Even after Kuzan had reminded him of the Roger Pirates' strength and the significance of the Pirate King's status, the guy just didn't seem to care.
Whether he was being reckless or simply confident, Kevin's attitude was… not exactly endearing.
"It's almost time," Sengoku said, glancing at the clock on the wall. He turned to all the Marines present.
"Everyone, today—one hour from now—we will begin the end of the pirate era."
"After today, the world will know that even Gol D. Roger, crowned the Pirate King, can be captured by the Marines—and executed in his birthplace, Loguetown in the East Blue."
"We will wipe pirates from the seas and end this era of chaos!"
As his voice fell, everyone—including Kuzan—nodded solemnly.
They understood well what executing Gol D. Roger meant: it would mark the rise of Marine prestige and the start of an era where pirates would flee in fear.
An hour passed quickly.
At the central plaza of Loguetown, people had gathered from all over the Four Blues and the Grand Line—pirates, merchants, and countless ordinary citizens.
Live-broadcast-capable Transponder Snails were already trained on the execution platform from every direction.
From the start, the Marines had planned for the entire world to witness this event. The reporters from the World Economy News Paper had long secured the best vantage points—just waiting for the execution to begin.
At that moment, from the isolated passage separating the crowd, two soldiers escorted Gol D. Roger into the square.
Instantly, the noisy crowd fell dead silent.
Every eye turned toward Roger—even Kevin, who stood behind him holding a spear, was no exception.
Too few sin points.
With his prison vision ability activated, Kevin observed that Roger's Sin Value was only 1,635.
He'd expected it to be low—but this was way too low.
This was the Pirate King, a man whose power rivaled the world's strongest. Though he had forbidden his crew from harming civilians, even starting the Great Pirate Era shouldn't only carry such a light burden of sins.
Also… Kevin suddenly realized—there were supposed to be two executioners at Roger's execution in the original timeline!
He had to stay alert. Roger's value to him wasn't just about sin points. If that other guy acted faster than him, this trip to Loguetown—aside from meeting Dragon—would be a complete waste.
Wait a second…
The Great Pirate Era… hasn't started yet!
Kevin's thoughts came to a screeching halt. Meanwhile, the nervous Marine beside him failed to notice and kept moving forward, resulting in a staggered pace.
CLANG!
The sound of metal chains clashing snapped Kevin back to focus, and he quickly caught up.
Roger tilted his head slightly. "This young Marine just got distracted, huh? Nervous? Relax—it'll be a smooth execution."
Smooth?
Kevin's expression grew complicated.
To speak so lightly of life and death…
Images from his previous life flashed in his mind—the famous scene of Roger's smile before his execution. Back then, it hadn't seemed extraordinary. But now… it was different.
This man truly never feared death.
His only regret was not being born in the same era as Joy Boy—not being born twenty years later so he could witness and take part in the next great age.
If the power known as Haki truly stemmed from the spirit…
Then this man before him was the most dominant man of all.
Soon, Gol D. Roger stepped onto the execution platform.
As his lifelong rival, Sengoku did not humiliate him by forcing him to kneel. Instead, he simply watched calmly as Roger lowered his head and sat quietly.
"Gol D. Roger, in the year of the Sea Calendar…"
A litany of crimes was listed by Sengoku—destroying nations, obliterating Marine warships by the dozen.
[Note: In Chapter 588 of the manga, Garp recalls that Roger once destroyed a country's army for the sake of a friend.]
[Note: In Chapter 966, Oden's flashback shows that Roger forbade his crew from harming civilians or stealing. Anyone who broke this rule would be killed by the captain himself.]
But Kevin knew most of these charges were fabricated.
After all, even an eight-year-old Nico Robin would be blamed for sinking five warships two years from now. What couldn't they accuse someone of?
Crime after crime was read aloud—until at last, Sengoku fell silent.
In that moment, Kevin's nerves tensed.
Here it comes.
Or… not yet?
Where was the guy—the one who would unknowingly trigger the Great Pirate Era?
From hindsight, it really looked like Roger had arranged that shout himself…
"Hey, Pirate King!"
"Where did you hide your treasure? Is it in the Grand Line? You found it, didn't you? That legendary treasure—the One Piece!"
As the voice rang out—
Roger suddenly raised his head and burst into laughter.
He turned to face the crowd… and looked into the many recording Transponder Snails, as if he were gazing into the eyes of the entire world.