South Blue - Royal Palace
"Do you think the Revolutionary Army will really show up?"
A nervous whisper echoed through the opulent chamber where several dignitaries had gathered around a massive projection screen. The live broadcast from Marine Headquarters cast an eerie glow across their worried faces.
"God, I hope not," another official muttered, wringing his hands. "The best thing that could happen is for this whole mess to end quietly. Just get the execution over with and let things return to normal."
The assembled nobles and government officials shifted uncomfortably in their seats. They understood the stakes all too well—their comfortable positions depended entirely on the World Government's continued dominance. If the Revolutionary Army made a move here, if they showed the world they could challenge the Marines directly, it would inspire uprisings everywhere.
Similar conversations were taking place in royal courts and government buildings across the world. Even among the common people, many shared these fears. They might not understand the full political implications, but they knew one simple truth: when powers clash, ordinary people suffer the consequences.
North Blue - Central Square
Hundreds of citizens packed the town square, their eyes fixed on the enormous projection screen that dominated the area. The tension was palpable as they watched the preparations at Marine Headquarters unfold.
"Is that really him? The Straw Hat Luffy they're going to execute?" an elderly woman asked, squinting at the screen.
"He looks so young," someone else murmured. "Doesn't seem like the type to cause all this trouble."
"Are you kidding me?" a merchant scoffed. "The Marines don't make mistakes about something this important. That boy must be dangerous."
But scattered throughout the crowd, men and women with determined expressions watched with different eyes. These were Revolutionary Army sympathizers, people who had grown tired of corrupt kings and tyrannical nobles. They desperately hoped their leaders would appear to save the young pirate, but they also feared what would happen if the attempt failed.
The Revolutionary Army couldn't afford to lose here. Too much depended on their success.
East Blue - Windmill Village
The small mountain village had never felt so tense. Every resident who could walk had gathered in the community center, their faces grim as they watched one of their own being led to his death.
"That damn Garp!" Curly Dadan slammed her fist on the table, her weathered face twisted with rage. "What the hell is he doing? That's his grandson up there!"
The mountain bandit who had reluctantly raised both Luffy and Ace paced back and forth like a caged animal. Despite all her complaints over the years, despite calling them brats and troublemakers, she loved those boys like her own sons.
Makino sat quietly in the corner, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. The gentle barmaid's eyes never left the screen, watching helplessly as the boy who used to light up their village with his laughter faced his final moments.
The village mayor and the other elderly residents watched in heavy silence, their hands unconsciously clenching and unclenching as tension filled the air. Today felt like the end of an era—the day their village's sunshine would be extinguished forever.
Marine Headquarters - Marineford
The greatest fortress in the world had been transformed into an impregnable bastion of military might. More than fifty warships formed a defensive perimeter around the crescent-shaped harbor, their cannons trained on the horizon. Each ship bristled with weapons and elite Marines, ready to repel any assault.
On the coastline itself, massive artillery pieces had been positioned at strategic intervals. The heavy cannons could reduce entire fleets to splinters, their imposing barrels gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Nearly one hundred thousand elite Marine soldiers filled Marineford's vast plaza, arranged in perfect formation according to their ranks and units. The sight was breathtaking and terrifying in equal measure—an ocean of white uniforms and disciplined faces, all prepared to fight and die for their version of justice.
Among the regular forces stood the giants—Vice Admirals whose massive frames dwarfed even the largest normal humans. Their Marine coats billowed in the sea breeze as they surveyed the scene with grim determination. For many watching the broadcast around the world, seeing these titans of flesh and bone was their first glimpse of just how serious the Marines were about this execution.
Rear Admirals, Commodores, and Captain took their positions throughout the plaza, each one a veteran warrior capable of decimating entire pirate crews single-handedly. Their very presence seemed to radiate an aura of intimidation that reached through the projection screens to viewers worldwide.
At the far end of the plaza, the execution platform rose like a dark monument to justice. Two figures sat chained atop it, awaiting their fate with very different expressions. Below them, three chairs had been positioned for the Marine Admirals—the organization's ultimate weapons.
And in front of the entire Marine formation stood the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Despite being only five in number today, their casual poses and relaxed attitudes somehow made them seem even more dangerous than the disciplined ranks behind them. These were pirates so powerful that the World Government had chosen to ally with them rather than fight them.
The sheer display of force was unlike anything the world had seen since the Pirate King's execution twenty-four years ago.
Into this tense, military atmosphere came a voice that completely shattered the mood:
"Yo! Sorry I'm late, guys! I didn't miss anything important, did I?"
Every head turned toward the source of the cheerful, completely inappropriate greeting. Jerry strolled across the plaza as if he were heading to a beach party, wearing his trademark shorts, Hawaiian shirt, and flip-flops. A fishing rod rested casually on his shoulder, a tackle box dangled from one hand, and behind him...
Behind him, he was dragging an enormous fish by a rope, the creature still flopping and struggling despite being out of water.
The juxtaposition was so absurd that even hardened Marines found themselves staring in disbelief. Here was supposedly one of the most dangerous pirates in the world, a man with a bounty exceeding a billion berries, and he looked like he'd just returned from a relaxing day of fishing.
"Fufufufu... you and Blackbeard disappearing for so long had some people worried," Doflamingo chuckled, his perpetual grin widening with amusement. "Though I suppose if you'd skipped out entirely, you would have lost that Warlord position you worked so hard to get."
Jerry blinked innocently, his expression the picture of wounded virtue. "How could you even suggest such a thing? I'm completely loyal to the Celestial Dragons! I hope they all live long, healthy lives and definitely don't have any heart attacks or unfortunate accidents."
He paused, seeming to realize what he'd almost said. "I mean, uh... anyway, my position as a Warlord is totally secure! Right, Kuma?"
Jerry turned toward the towering figure of Bartholomew Kuma, expecting some kind of response. When the massive man simply stared straight ahead with empty, mechanical eyes, Jerry's confusion was obvious.
"Huh. Scholars these days, am I right?" Jerry shrugged, missing Doflamingo's knowing smirk. "Guess everyone's feeling antisocial today."
He made his way to the empty spot beside Jinbe, still dragging his catch behind him. The Warlord acknowledged him with a slight nod, the only one of the group who seemed unsurprised by Jerry's unconventional entrance.
Behind the Scenes
While the world watched the spectacle unfold, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was dealing with a crisis that hadn't made it into the broadcast.
"What do you mean you didn't report this earlier?" Sengoku's voice carried all the authority of his position as he glared at the Marine intelligence officer standing before his desk.
"Sir, I... we tried to get surveillance ships into position, but they were sunk almost immediately upon leaving port," the officer stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "We couldn't gather specific intelligence on their movements or numbers."
Sengoku's hands clenched into fists. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to think clearly despite the growing pressure. When he opened them again, his expression had hardened into resolve.
"Very well. The die is cast now—we're committed to this course of action." He picked up a Den Den Mushi, quickly relaying updated orders to his commanders throughout the fortress. "We still have the advantage here. Whatever's coming, we'll be ready."
As he prepared to make his public address, Sengoku noticed Garp standing alone in the shadows at the back of the platform. The old hero's shoulders were slumped, his usual boisterous energy completely absent. For a moment, Sengoku considered approaching his old friend, but there wasn't time. The world was watching, and any sign of weakness would be magnified a thousandfold.
Sengoku stepped forward onto the execution platform, his presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone present. The murmur of conversation died away as one hundred thousand Marines and countless viewers around the world focused on his words.
"Citizens of the world," Sengoku began, his voice amplified by Den Den Mushi to reach every corner of the plaza and every projection screen globally. "You know why we have gathered here today, but I want to ensure there is no confusion about what you are witnessing."
His weathered face was grave as he gestured toward the two figures chained behind him. "Two criminals will be executed today. The first is Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and son of the Revolutionary Army's leader, Monkey D. Dragon. The second is Nico Robin, the last survivor of Ohara, who has repeatedly violated the World Government's laws and threatens the stability of our world."
The camera focused on the two condemned prisoners. Most viewers paid little attention to Robin—her crimes were academic, her threat abstract. But Luffy...
As the world watched, Robin's composure finally began to crack. "Luffy," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind. "I'm so sorry. I should have known that staying with your crew would bring you nothing but trouble..."
But before she could finish her self-recrimination, Luffy's voice cut through her despair with characteristic cheerfulness.
"Shishishi! Robin, quit saying dumb stuff like that!" His grin was as bright as ever, completely at odds with their situation. "There are still so many amazing places we haven't seen yet! So many adventures waiting for us!"
He turned toward her as much as his chains would allow, his eyes blazing with unshakeable determination. "Besides, you're my nakama. That means we stick together no matter what happens. And if we're gonna die today, then at least we'll die as pirates—free and unafraid!"
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