"Hahahahaha! Is it finally about to begin?"
Morgans, who had arrived early in Loguetown anticipating a front-page story, was trembling with excitement.
This world-shaking execution was finally about to start!
The Bosses are here too, hahaha. What will happen next? I can hardly wait!
He wasn't the only one. The moment Roger stepped onto the execution platform, the Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snails) in the hands of reporters from various news agencies below the platform began to flash wildly.
It wasn't just photos. Various news agencies had already set up video Den Den Mushi, which immediately began transmitting the scene around the world.
The Government and Navy not only did nothing to stop these media actions, but they themselves had set up quite a few video Den Den Mushi.
The entire purpose of this public execution was to boost the World Government's prestige.
The blow dealt by the Pirate Alliance a year ago was too severe for the World Government, especially after the news of the New World being seized by pirates could no longer be completely concealed.
The Navy Headquarters was destroyed, the Fleet Admiral was publicly executed, and they still failed to hold the New World. Not to mention ordinary citizens, even the World Government's affiliate nations had their confidence in the government severely shaken.
Furthermore, after Roger became the Pirate King, countless pirates—inspired by him—set sail, adding more chaos to an already turbulent world.
Hence, this public execution.
The entire world needed to witness firsthand that the so-called Pirate King's only fate before the government was to bow his head and die.
The open eyes of the video Den Den Mushi immediately captured the scene in the plaza, transmitting the images from multiple angles and perspectives across the world.
And so, the entire world boiled over.
"It's finally starting! Is that Roger? Hahaha! The so-called Pirate King can only be a prisoner before the government!"
"It's Hero Garp and Admiral Zephyr! They came out personally!"
"If Roger dies, the chaos he caused might finally subside, right?"
"He should have died long ago! All pirates deserve to die! After Roger, it'll be the turn of those bastards in the New World!"
"That's right! Roa is the one who deserves to die the most! He's a lunatic crazier than Roger!"
"I'm more concerned about where Roger's treasure is hidden! He couldn't have spent that much money in just a year!"
It wasn't just ordinary people; major figures were also watching the execution.
On Whole Cake Island:
"Mama-mama! Roger, you bastard should have died ages ago! You made this old woman wait!"
On Hachinosu Island:
"Haha, Garp and Zephyr are both there? Then I'm starting to look forward to what happens when Roa and his crew show up!"
In the North Blue:
"Pops! It's starting!"
In Calamity City:
"It's finally begun! Iron Fist Garp and Black Leg Zephyr—that's probably just the surface strength. If the Bosses show up, it's bound to be a tough fight!"
At the New Marine Headquarters:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, none of the monsters in the New World have shown unusual movements!"
"Good, but remain prepared. Headquarters is currently under-staffed. We must be vigilant against pirates trying to sneak-attack!"
In the Pangaea Castle's Authority Chamber:
"It's begun. Prepare for battle, in case those individuals from the New World actually appear there."
"We're already ready. Garling is also prepared on the God's Knights side."
Of course, the most intense reactions came from the scattered members of the Roger Pirates across the world.
Relief, sadness, confusion—all kinds of reactions were evident.
But here in Loguetown, some people were watching the broadcast.
In a civilian house near the execution plaza.
Roa was comfortably seated in a chair. A Den Den Mushi on the nearby table projected the current scene from the plaza onto the wall.
"Why are we still watching a live stream here!"
Shiki the Golden Lion was restless. "Roger is right there!"
"Exactly!"
The urgency in Kaido's voice was similar to Shiki's. He was sitting cross-legged in the house, which seemed cramped and tiny for him.
"No matter what Roger is trying to do! Wouldn't simply snatching him reveal everything?"
"Don't rush, Uncle Shiki, Big Brother Kaido,"
Roa raised a finger and pointed at the image on the screen. "Look at Roger's expression. He seems... to be rather looking forward to this execution, doesn't he?"
If everything went smoothly and Roger successfully spoke his last words, then all would be well. Whether they slipped away or stayed to play with the Marines didn't matter.
But if something went wrong, he would have to intervene urgently.
He was already worried about the Butterfly Effect; he couldn't have these two running off to mess things up as well.
"Looking forward to it?"
Shiki and Kaido subconsciously looked at the image.
"It's true!" Kaido found it hard to believe. "What in the world is that guy trying to do!"
"Just wait a little longer," Roa said with a smile. "Perhaps the answer will be revealed soon."
At that moment, in the broadcast, Zephyr, the highest-ranking Marine at the execution, had naturally begun his speech.
"This public execution carries significant meaning for the entire world!"
"Decades ago, Gol D. Roger began wreaking havoc on the seas as a pirate! He committed arson, murder, and robbery, trampling on justice and leaving countless civilians homeless!"
Zephyr's stern voice traveled through the Den Den Mushi across the world. Not just the plaza, but the entire world fell silent.
"The title of Pirate King has since caused countless pirates to set sail and commit atrocities in his name! His very existence is the most brazen provocation to world order!"
"However, justice may be delayed, but it is never absent! All nightmares have an end; the dawn will eventually come! Today, we finally conclude his wicked life here!"
"This is not just an execution; it is a declaration to the world: Justice will never bow to evil! Any pirate who threatens peace and tramples on life will inevitably meet the same end! Starting today, the seas will welcome a new order, and the people will welcome true tranquility!"
Zephyr raised his only remaining left fist high, roaring his declaration to the entire world: "This moment is the victory of justice! It is the victory of all the innocent people of the world!"
"Oh!!"
Cheers instantly erupted in the plaza, echoed from the streets of Loguetown, and resounded across the globe.
People cheered for the triumph of justice, and for the impending doom of the Pirate King.
However, not everyone was cheering.
In the crowd in the plaza, Buggy gritted his teeth, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
The Captain was never that kind of man!
Zephyr slowly exhaled. He turned to look at Roger.
The man who was about to be executed wore a relaxed smile. "So, is it finally starting?"
Zephyr stared intensely at Roger.
What in the world was this man planning?
This was the very last moment!
Whatever it was, keeping a close eye on him wouldn't be wrong!
Zephyr raised his voice again, "I declare, let the execution begin!"
Before his voice faded, the restless plaza instantly fell silent.
Or rather, the entire world fell silent. Everyone was watching intently.
From behind the high platform, two executioners, carefully selected Marines carrying sharp spears, stepped onto the platform.
The two soldiers, who had rehearsed countless times, stood still behind Roger. Their spears were lowered, passing over Roger's shoulders and crossing in front of his neck.
In the plaza below.
The young man with the slicked-back hair was so focused he forgot the cigar in his mouth. He murmured softly, "Just like that, it ends?"
On the rooftops.
"Dragon, how much longer do we have to wait for Roger's plan! The execution is about to begin!"
"..."
In the crowd.
Buggy was weeping profusely, but to avoid disrupting the Captain's plan, he could only cry silently.
Beside him, Shanks also quietly lowered his head, unable to bear the sight of what was to come.
Behind the two boys, the disguised Rayleigh's lips were tightly pressed together.
On Fish-Man Island:
"Roger, may you rest in peace."
On Amazon Lily:
"Olvia, are you really going to keep watching? Robin and Hancock went off to play. Why don't you—"
"No, Miss Gloriosa, I must watch. My husband has made a commitment and is willing to offer his life for it. As his wife, I must witness it all firsthand!"
Loguetown, on the execution platform.
Zephyr looked down at Roger and asked, "Roger, finally, do you have any last words for your life, which has been full of wickedness?"
Roger slowly raised the corners of his mouth.
In the civilian house, Roa's eyes widened.
Is it coming?
It's coming, right!
The true, iconic scene!
"No! I can't stand this anymore!"
Shiki suddenly gritted his teeth. "If we don't go out now, Roger will be killed!"
"No! Wait!"
Roa abruptly reached out and grabbed Shiki's wrist. At the same time, he kept his eyes fixed on the video feed.
Shiki was startled.
This power?
He completely couldn't break free from the boy's grip!
Finally, Roa heard a desperate, frantic shout:
"Pirate King! Where did you hide all your treasure!!"
It was an utterly ordinary man, unremarkable in every way.
But at this moment, he shouted what was in countless people's hearts.
Yes, where exactly did the Pirate King hide that legendary great treasure—the immense fortune he had obtained?
On the execution platform, Zephyr's body instantly tensed. He instinctively turned his head to look at the man.
In that instant, a strong sense of unease suddenly welled up inside him!
"You want my treasure?" Roger's voice sounded from behind.
Oh no!
Zephyr's eyes widened instantly. He instinctively spun around, lunging toward Roger.
But someone was faster than him.
Boom!
With a loud crash, Roger's face was instantly grabbed by a large hand and firmly pressed back onto the execution platform.
Red light flickered in Garp's eyes, and his face was stern. "Roger! Don't say what shouldn't be said!"
He had been vigilant the entire time, too.
This is bad.
Roger, whose mouth was tightly squeezed shut, felt a headache coming on.
Because of the Seastone cuffs, he couldn't even use Observation Haki, allowing the old mad dog to glimpse the future.
So, at this moment... Roa, you must be here, right?
In the crowd, Rayleigh's pupils contracted.
Bad!
"Shanks, Buggy, hide yourselves first!"
His hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
"Execute him quickly!!" Zephyr roared almost hysterically.
The two Marine executioners instinctively raised their spears, ready to stab directly into Roger's chest.
Something had indeed gone wrong!
In the civilian house, Roa curled his lips in annoyance. He instantly shot up, dragging Shiki with him.
"Uncle Shiki! It's now!"
"It should have been done long ago!"
The moment the two crashed through the roof and launched into the air, a ferocious wave of Haki surged out.
Omm!!
The blast of Haki instantly transformed into a black bolt of lightning, streaking straight toward the execution platform.
"Oh no!"
Garp, who was pressing Roger down on the platform, suddenly looked up. His eyes widened, and an equally fierce wave of Haki roared out, colliding violently with the incoming lightning bolt.
The savage Haki instantly swept across the plaza. People who had come to watch the execution fell in swathes. Even large numbers of Marines were not spared.
Even many Den Den Mushi passed out.
But thankfully.
"Hahahaha! Don't underestimate the tenacity of the newsmen!"
Morgans roared with laughter, using his body to shield several video Den Den Mushi, keeping them aimed at the execution platform.
And it wasn't over yet.
"Then let's all come at once!"
Roa spread the wings on his back, and an equally ferocious surge of Conqueror's Haki ruthlessly pressed down on the execution platform.
And he wasn't the only one.
"Ugh-ro-ro-ro! Let's cause some trouble!"
"A long-overdue workout sounds good!"
Two more waves of powerful Conqueror's Haki crushed down.
Even Garp's formidable Conqueror's Haki couldn't completely withstand this!
The two Marine executioners passed out almost instantly, their eyes rolling back and foam escaping their lips. Their bodies were even thrown directly away, leaving only their two spears clanging onto the execution platform!
At this point, there were no conscious civilians left in the plaza. Even among the Marines, very few remained standing.
"Roger! What kind of trick are you playing!!!"
Roaring, Shiki was already flying straight toward the execution platform.
"They've come indeed! I'll stop them! Garp! You finish Roger first!"
Without any hesitation, Zephyr leaped up, charging directly toward Shiki.
Roger was completely defenseless now. It would only take Garp an instant to kill him!
And in the next moment, the Five Elders would arrive as reinforcements!
Garp had already picked up the execution spear that had fallen nearby.
"Damn it! It's too late!" Kaido, who had landed heavily in the plaza, roared.
Too late?
Following the growth of his wings, a pair of sharp horns suddenly sprouted on Roa's forehead.
The spear Garp held high suddenly sparked with electricity. Massive lightning was drawn down from the sky.
But, in that very instant, the wall of a house behind the execution platform shattered, and a figure shot out.
An elderly man with long white hair and a long white beard fiercely kicked the scattered lightning.
The massive lightning was instantly exploded by a single kick mid-air.
Seeing the old man's face, Roa squinted.
An old acquaintance!
At the same time, thick smoke began to billow over the plaza. Massive Magic Circles were appearing out of nowhere.
Ha, this is getting exciting!
But, it still wasn't over!
The spear in Garp's hand began to twist in the very next instant.
An invisible force was causing it to collapse inward! It instantly warped into a sphere!
Chibaku Tensei (Planetary Devastation) - Unfinished!
The weapon was sufficiently destroyed!
Meanwhile, in the sky, Shiki and Zephyr had already clashed.
"Get out of the way, Zephyr!" Shiki swung his two swords down.
"Now that you're here, don't think about leaving!" Zephyr met the attack with a whip kick.
On the execution platform, Garp casually threw away the twisted spear, raising his right hand with his index finger pointed up.
Finger Pistol!
Without a weapon, his finger would suffice!
However, Roa smirked.
While he could interfere further, there was no need now.
Because the moment Garp threw down the spear, a figure had instantly breached the Marine blockade. Akainu, who tried to stop him, was immediately cleaved away by a sword stroke.
And now, this figure leaped onto the execution platform, his long sword slashing toward Garp.
"Don't get in the way, old mad dog!"
"Rayleigh!!" Garp's face changed drastically.
Not just the Pirate Alliance, even Rayleigh had come!
He could only hurriedly counter with a Finger Pistol.
Boom!
Amidst a deafening explosion, the execution platform was instantly shattered. The two figures retreated rapidly from the violent boom.
At this moment, Roger was suspended in mid-air.
"Hahahaha! Thanks, Rayleigh!" the Pirate King roared with laughter.
I'm free now!
"So, Roger!" Roa shouted, laughing heartily, completely ignoring the old man charging straight at him.
"Where exactly is your treasure hidden?"
And so, with the attention of the video Den Den Mushi in Morgans' hands, and the cameras of those far-off Den Den Mushi, Roger yelled out to the entire world:
"You want my treasure? Go find it! I left everything in that place! Laugh Tale! Everything in the world is there!"
With that declaration, the entire crowd fell silent.
No, the entire world fell into silence.
The furious Five Elder Mars couldn't bother chasing Roa anymore. He angrily turned back and roared, "You bastard!"
This was Roger's true purpose?
He played us!
"Hahahaha!" Roger laughed heartily.
This was all he could do!
The New Era starts now.
Then, the moment he landed, a figure shot up, and a long katana pierced through Roger's chest.
"Agh!" Roger grunted, but the smile on his face was completely unaffected; it remained radiant.
The bald Five Elder Nusjuro, dressed in a white dōgi and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, had pierced Roger's heart with his sword, but his expression was incredibly grim:
"This is going to be a huge problem!"
Roger actually left the Great Secret Treasure on the Final Island! And now that news has spread across the sea!
How many ambitious people would set out to sea because of this?
Unprecedented chaos was coming!
Around him, three more figures had emerged from the giant Magic Circles.
Had all the Five Elders arrived?
Roa smirked.
No, not just the Five Elders!
Roa looked to the side. There was a fifth Magic Circle, one without a number, that had appeared besides the four summoned Five Elders!
And several figures had appeared from this Magic Circle.
The leader was another old acquaintance.
A Moon-Head!
Is that the God's Knights!
"Haha, back at God Valley again? Haha, this is really getting exciting!"
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