Until now, as he looked at the Seastone shackles binding his hands and feet, Golden Lion Shiki finally came to a realization.
Perhaps this was the best way for Caesar to achieve his ambitions—without risking his own safety.
Thinking of this, the Golden Lion raised his head and gazed at the sky. At this moment, he felt that perhaps the era of Rocks D. Xebec had been the most suitable era for him.
Of course, his emotions were understandable.
A generation of titans had fallen. Anyone would look back at their own life when faced with the end.
Amidst the heated discussions among the citizens, Caesar and his men escorted the Golden Lion to the prison.
After locking him inside and handing him over to Gnaly for custody, Caesar returned directly to the palace.
This time, he had been away for several days. Naturally, he wanted to see his children and share a meal with his family.
Before long, Issho called. The purpose was clear—to discuss the execution date for the Golden Lion.
"Captain, when should we execute the Golden Lion?"
"I don't think we should delay for too long!"
As soon as Caesar answered the call, Issho got straight to the point. After all, he was responsible for handling the matter.
Caesar remained silent for a while. He had already considered this for some time and now had an answer.
"It can't be delayed for too long. We need to strike while the iron is hot."
"If that's the case, then seven days from now. Lay the groundwork and give the world another spectacle."
"Yes, Captain!"
With just a few words, the decision was made.
Issho immediately set the preparations in motion.
Up until now, they had only released a vague message stating that Golden Lion Shiki would be executed.
Caesar's strategy was to build anticipation—to let the news ferment and maximize its impact.
Once the entire world was on edge, waiting impatiently for the execution, that would be the moment to unleash the grand spectacle.
And so, they agreed—the execution would take place in seven days.
The news spread instantly, broadcast across the world.
But of course, the Golden Lion was not the only significant capture in this battle.
Over thirty high-ranking officers from his forces had also been taken prisoner.
Among them, more than a dozen possessed Devil Fruit abilities—some quite formidable.
With the execution date set, Caesar made a special trip to the ruins of Skypiea to strip these prisoners of their Devil Fruits.
---
The Day of the Execution
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the central square of the capital was packed with people. Many had traveled from surrounding nations, purchasing boat tickets just to witness the historic execution of Golden Lion Shiki firsthand.
The sheer influx of visitors even caused a surge in local commerce.
Finally, the moment arrived.
Golden Lion Shiki was led onto the execution platform, shackles clinking against the stone steps.
The entire square fell silent as all eyes fixed on the legendary pirate.
Seated high on the execution platform, Shiki overlooked the sea of people below.
At this moment, he felt no fear, no regret—only contemplation.
Why had he lost?
And why was Caesar, a man he had never truly understood, rising to such prominence?
To be honest, the Golden Lion was reluctant to accept it.
But as he looked at the faces of the gathered crowd, a strange clarity washed over him.
He almost understood… but at the same time, he didn't.
Just then, a shadow descended from the sky.
Caesar had arrived—holding a jar of fine sake from Shiki's homeland.
"Hah! I thought you bastards had forgotten!"
A smirk curled at the corner of Golden Lion's lips as he turned toward Caesar.
"I'm the Golden Lion! Even if I die, I'll have my last drink!"
"Jiehahahaha!"
His laughter rang out—but only Caesar, standing beside him, could hear.
The moment Caesar had appeared, the crowd's excitement had erupted.
The roar of voices drowned out everything else.
To the spectators, the Golden Lion's lips moved, but his words remained unheard.
Caesar watched him for a moment before casually tossing the jar of sake.
Shiki caught it, removed the lid, and drank deeply without a word.
After finishing, he hurled the empty jar aside.
Then, he turned to Caesar and said:
"Come on, send me on my way."
A hero's end—nothing more needed to be said.
Seeing him ready to face death, Caesar gave the order:
"Execute."
"Yes, Captain!"
The executioners stood at attention, faces solemn.
Across the world, countless people watching the live broadcast fell into silence.
For them, this was not just an execution.
It was history in the making.
Then, Golden Lion Shiki burst into laughter.
"Jiehahahaha! I may have lost in the end, but—"
He locked eyes with Caesar, his gaze burning with intensity.
"You bastard… you'll definitely succeed!"
"You're different from Rocks… and from me!"
His voice grew even wilder.
"Take my dream with you—overthrow the World Government!"
"Slaughter those pathetic Celestial Dragons!"
"JIEHAHAHAHA!"
As Shiki's final words rang out, Caesar's expression remained unreadable.
He uttered just three quiet words:
"I will."
So softly that only Shiki could hear.
And yet, Shiki heard it clearly.
A look of satisfaction crossed his face.
Relief.
"Ah—"
He exhaled softly, lips curling into a grin as he gazed into the distance.
In that moment of blurriness, he recalled many things—
Sailing freely across the Grand Line.
The days of the Rocks Pirates.
Recruiting subordinates, dreaming of conquest, envisioning a future where he ruled the skies.
The executioner stepped forward.
The long blades were raised.
At the same time—
Across the world, in every nation, in every home watching the broadcast—
The tension reached its peak.
Excitement.
Anticipation.
History was unfolding.
"A legend… comes to an end!"
A flash of steel.
The blade pierced through flesh.
The Golden Lion did not make a sound.
Even in death, he remained defiant.
"My ambition… ends here…"
With one final breath, Golden Lion Shiki closed his eyes.
His head lowered.
The entire square erupted into cheers.
The Middle Kingdom cheered.
And across the world, countless people were either celebrating—or mourning.
---
Across the Seas
On the Moby Dick
Whitebeard watched in silence, head bowed slightly, his face hidden in shadow.
"Shiki… so that's how it ends."
Marco and the other commanders exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
They couldn't guess what their captain was feeling.
They hadn't been friends, exactly—
But they were from the same era.
The same battlefield.
To see one of their own fall so suddenly…
It left a strange feeling.
But they were pirates.
Everyone had their own fate.
And Whitebeard had simply borne witness to it.
---
In Totto Land – Whole Cake Island
Charlotte Linlin watched the broadcast from Cake Castle.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then, she laughed.
"Well, well, Shiki… you were the first to fall.
"Well, well, well!"
Yet, beneath her laughter, something was different.
Something… unspoken.
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