There were still a few days left before Roger execution so the ship wasn't sailing at full speed.
Roger, however, was allowed to move freely aboard this vessel—a flagship typically reserved for Vice admirals.
Garp had tacitly permitted it.
After agreeing to Roger request to take care of his unborn child… Garp understood one thing with absolute certainty: Roger would never try to escape.
Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King—his charisma was simply off the chart.
Bold, yet full of humor.
At a glance, no one would ever associate him with the title "Pirate King."
But everyone aboard Garp ship knew exactly who he was, which meant that no matter how nice his personality was, no one dared to speak with him too casually.
Except for the cook.
This left the naturally sociable Roger feeling a bit frustrated.
Still, no matter how slow the voyage, the day of arrival would eventually come.
"Hey, Roger, we'll reach Loguetown in about an hour" Michael said, leaning against the railing as the sea breeze gently lifted his platinum-blond hair.
In the distance, the faint outline of Loguetown island was already visible on the horizon.
"This journey is finally coming to an end, huh?" Roger nodded. "Seems the Marines are taking this execution very seriously."
"'Very' is an understatement. This is the Marine top priority right now."
"If they weren't worried about potential disasters—like someone wiping out the entire leadership in one strike—you'd probably see every Marine vice admiral and above gathered here today."
Michael was taken aback by Roger indifferent tone.
Even if he had willingly chosen to sacrifice himself for the sake of his wife and child, this reaction was… unexpected.
He genuinely didn't care that he was about to be executed.
Over the course of the voyage, Michael and Garp had become the only two people Roger could confide in.
"Don't you have anything you want to ask? Like how to get to Laugh Tale?"
"Cut the nonsense. Whoever wants to go to that godforsaken place can go—I sure won't" Michael replied, glancing at Roger.
"You're the end of an old era. Nothing about you matters anymore."
Roger chuckled but didn't argue.
After a long silence, Michael finally spoke again.
"...If your son became a pirate and was eventually brought to the execution platform, would you feel guilty?"
"My only—and greatest—regret is that I won't be there to watch my child grow up" Roger sighed, though his gaze remained steady.
"But if that day ever comes… well, I suppose it'd just be fate."
"Is that so?" Michael nodded. "If your kid does become a pirate and gets executed by the Marines… I'll try to make it quick for him."
"Hey! Don't just casually talk about killing someone child!" Roger frowned in displeasure. "And why are you so convinced my kid would become a pirate anyway? Wouldn't it be more natural for Garp to raise him as a Marine?"
How could one man be so oblivious and yet so perceptive at the same time?
Strange.
Come to think of it, wasn't this the same kind of personality most of the world legends had?
"Garp character is beyond reproach, sure. Of course he'd want to raise the Pirate King child as a Marine, but…" Michael glanced around, confirming Garp wasn't nearby, then continued.
"Does he really seem like the type who could raise a kid properly?"
"...Hah. You've got a point there!" Roger gasped sharply!
He always forgot that Garp eccentricity was on par with his own.
"Then you must lend me a hand!"
Roger eyes sparkled as he pondered for a moment before patting Michael on the shoulder.
"You're looking for a babysitter here!? No way!"
"Please! Michael! This is the greatest request of my life!"
"Your life doesn't have much left anyway!?"
Garp watched Roger and Michael from afar.
After a long while, he sighed deeply.
The ship would dock in just a few dozen minutes.
This meant that the man who carried no respect, even resorting to childish pleading to get Michael help, was about to reach the end of his journey.
Or perhaps...
March toward his predetermined fate.
***
The next day, at high noon.
The plaza of Loguetown stood dominated by an imposing execution platform.
Even under the blazing sun, it exuded a chilling coldness.
Numerous high-ranking Marines and World Government officials observed the execution platform from all directions.
Beyond witnessing the execution, they were also guarding against any attempt by the Roger Pirates to rescue their captain.
They had all reached a consensus—this time, they would focus solely on these two tasks.
Even though they had spotted many notorious pirates among the gathered civilians, come to witness the execution.
This time, the Marines would let them be.
Or perhaps... this was the Marine true objective all along.
Execute the Pirate King, intimidate the other pirates.
If even the Pirate King fell to the Marines' execution blades, how could the rest of you hope to escape?
"The time has come!"
"Pirate King, Gold Roger! You stand convicted of forty-three capital crimes!"
"Sentenced to death! Execution to be carried out immediately!"
The judge read out Roger charges.
Though most were fabrications, Roger couldn't be bothered to refute them.
To obscure the truth about the "D" lineage, the World Government had even altered his name to Gold Roger.
Pathetic.
Roger lifted his head as the judge command echoed. The massive gates before him swung open abruptly.
Shackled heavily, Roger raised his gaze and slowly walked toward his final destination.
The towering execution platform.
Kneeling on the platform, Roger expression remained as calm as still water, utterly composed as he gazed down at the sea of faces below.
Fear, reluctance, schadenfreude, anticipation, confusion...
Whatever emotions had brought them here, they all waited for him, for the final act of Gold Roger!
And so...A defiant grin crept across his lips one last time!
An overwhelming surge of indomitable spirit effortlessly dispersed the pall of death hanging over Loguetown!
Then he raised his head.
The Pirate King, Gold Roger, would leave his final words to the world.
"Do you want my treasure?"
"You can have it all!"
"Go find it!"
"I left everything I own in that place!"
From Roger first word, the judge roared furiously, ordering the executioners to strike immediately!
Yet both men stood frozen, awestruck by Roger final display of unyielding will!
Only after Roger finished speaking did they raise their long swords high.
The blades crossed as they plunged downward.
Piercing through a body already ravaged by illness.
The Pirate King was dead.
The old era had finally reached its end.
But a new age had just begun!
The Great Pirate Era has come!
Whether this era would be one of glory or ruin remained to be seen.
But that arrogance which scorned the Marine, scorned death and scorned all things would be etched deep into the memories of everyone present.
***
Michael stood atop a distant tower.
His wings spread wide, holy light streaming forth, faint hymns drifting around him.
He caressed the supreme-grade blade named "Ace" in his hand.
Murmuring to himself
"I am Alpha, I am Omega."
"I am the First, I am the Last."
"I am the Beginning, I am the End."
He was reciting a scripture.
As if in mourning.