Three days later, Loguetown Marine Branch.
"The route from the prison to the central execution platform has been completely sealed off, under the responsibility of the Loguetown base commander. Over the past few days, the local gangs have behaved themselves, and the rats coming from the Grand Line to watch the execution have also stayed quiet."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, wearing a coat of justice, was already fully prepared. His gaze remained fixed on the streets outside the office window.
From today onward, this town in the East Blue, Loguetown, would become the end of pirates.
Executing the Pirate King, who had just completed a full voyage around the world and reached the final island, would greatly boost the morale of the Marines. The opposite would also be true.
Moreover, whether Marines or pirates, they all originally came from ordinary people who had yet to set sail, just like Roger in Loguetown back then.
After this execution, the rats known as pirates would fade into the river of history. Twenty years into the future, the Marines would possess overwhelming power.
And the legend of the Pirate King would remain nothing more than a legend.
"Has the executioner been decided?"
Sengoku's voice sounded.
The communications soldier behind him immediately replied, "Yes. The recommended executioner by Vice Admiral Kuzan, Seaman Rowan from West Blue Rasgap Town Marine Branch 80, is ready."
Sengoku turned to look at Kuzan, who was also present. "If I remember correctly, the base commander of Marine Branch 80 is that fellow Bartolomeo. He wants you to bring this kid to Headquarters for this batch of the elite training camp?"
Kuzan covered his forehead with one hand. If it were someone else asking, he really would not want to answer.
But the incident that happened at Headquarters back then had made even a West Blue branch commander someone Sengoku clearly remembered.
As for this executioner Rowan…
Well, since arriving in Loguetown, he seemed to have done only three things: drink, watch performances, and sleep.
Even after being reminded about the strength of the Roger Pirates and the significance of the Pirate King among pirates, this guy seemed completely indifferent.
Whether it was confidence or something else, his personality was somewhat unpleasant.
"It is about time."
Sengoku glanced at the clock on the wall, then turned to face all the Marines present.
"Everyone, today, in one hour, we will bring an end to the era of pirates."
"After today, the world will know that even the man called the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, can be captured by the Marines and executed in his birthplace, Loguetown in the East Blue."
"We will erase pirates from this sea and end this chaotic era."
As his words fell, everyone present, including Kuzan, nodded with serious expressions.
They all understood the significance of executing Gol D. Roger. It would mark the beginning of a massive rise in Marine prestige, and the beginning of pirates fleeing in fear.
…
An hour passed quickly.
At the central square of Loguetown in the East Blue, people from all four seas and the Grand Line had gathered. Pirates, merchants, and countless ordinary citizens filled the area.
Den Den Mushi capable of live broadcasting were already aimed at the execution platform from all directions.
From the beginning, the Marines intended for the entire world to witness this execution. Reporters from the World Economic News were already in position, waiting for it to begin.
At this moment, in the cleared passage through the crowd, two soldiers escorted Gol D. Roger from outside toward the platform.
In an instant, the previously noisy crowd fell silent.
All eyes were on Roger.
Including Rowan, who stood behind him holding a spear.
Too little sin value.
After activating the prison's special vision, Rowan saw that Gol D. Roger only had 1,635 sin points.
Although he had expected it to be low, this was still too little.
As a pirate whose strength stood at the peak of the world, even if he had ordered his crew not to harm civilians, even something like starting the Great Age of Pirates should have given him more than this.
Also…
Rowan suddenly realized something.
In his memory, there were indeed two executioners for Roger.
It seemed he needed to be quick. Roger's value to him was not just sin points. If the guy beside him acted faster, then this trip to Loguetown would be a complete loss aside from meeting Dragon.
Wait.
The Great Age of Pirates…
It had not started yet.
Rowan paused in thought, and the man beside him, already nervous, did not notice, creating a slight delay between them.
"Clang."
The sound of chains rang out, snapping Rowan back as he followed closely.
Roger slightly turned his head. "Looks like this Marine lad got distracted. Nervous? Relax, the execution will go smoothly."
Smoothly?
Rowan's expression became complicated.
At the edge of life and death, this man spoke so lightly.
A scene from his past life flashed through his mind. Roger smiling before his execution.
Back then, it had not seemed that impressive. But now…
This man had never feared death.
What he regretted was not living in the same era as Joy Boy, not being born twenty years later to witness the next era.
If Haki in this world came from the heart, then the man before him was the embodiment of it.
Soon, Gol D. Roger stepped onto the execution platform.
As a longtime rival, Sengoku did not humiliate him by forcing him to kneel. Instead, he watched calmly as Roger lowered his head and sat down quietly.
"Gol D. Roger, in the year…"
A series of charges were read out by Sengoku, including destroying nations and countless warships.
But Rowan knew clearly that many of these accusations were fabricated. After all, even eight-year-old Nico Robin would later be accused of sinking five warships.
One charge after another was announced. After a long time, Sengoku finally stopped.
At that moment, Rowan tensed.
It should be coming.
Why was it not happening yet?
That unknown man, who in another sense truly started the Great Age of Pirates.
Thinking about it now, it almost seemed like Roger had arranged it himself.
"Hey, Pirate King!"
"Where did you hide all your treasure? On the Grand Line, right? You got it, didn't you? That legendary treasure. The one and only great treasure. One Piece!"
The shout rang out.
In the next moment, Roger suddenly raised his head and burst into laughter.
Then he looked toward the crowd, toward all the Den Den Mushi broadcasting to the world, as if he were staring directly at everyone watching.