Location: Loguetown
Time: The day before Gol D. Roger's execution
While the Five Elders were requesting an urgent audience with Imu, the Marines in Loguetown had already begun their mobilization. Following Sengoku's orders, Borsalino, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Zephyr each led their assigned divisions toward their designated defensive positions.
Sengoku and Garp, meanwhile, accompanied Ezra D. Vale toward the central plaza of Loguetown. Standing before the towering execution platform, nearly three meters high, Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. This height is just right."
Garp paced around the area, scrutinizing every corner with rare seriousness. Since he was responsible for overseeing the plaza's security, he had to make certain that nothing within close range could be used for an assassination attempt or a last-minute rescue.
"You there, get to the top of that building!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"And over there. That one too. Also the building right behind the platform!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
The Marines hurried to carry out his orders, spreading across the surrounding rooftops. When everyone was finally in position, Garp paused, rubbing his chin, wondering if there was still something he missed.
Ezra watched the whole scene unfold and pressed a palm to his forehead. He walked over and patted Garp on the shoulder.
"Uncle Garp, are you nervous right now?"
Garp snorted. "Brat, this isn't nervousness. This is discipline!"
Ezra rolled his eyes. "Right, right. Discipline. Sure."
"Then look up, please."
Ezra wasn't trying to sabotage Garp's work. He simply knew that Garp was the type of man who wasn't suited for detailed planning. Ezra once believed Garp only acted carefree and clueless on the surface, yet was secretly sharp inside. But now it was obvious.
Garp was careless from the surface all the way down to his soul.
Because after all his frantic pointing and shouting, the plaza was now completely empty. Not a single Marine remained on the ground.
Sengoku's forehead twitched violently.
"Garp!! You damn fool! You sent every Marine away! Who is supposed to maintain order in the plaza?!"
Garp froze. Then he let out an awkward laugh and scratched his head.
"Ahahaha! Slipped my mind, Sengoku."
Genius? No. Absolute disaster.
Sengoku had no choice but to swallow his frustration and personally reorganize the entire deployment, repositioning Marines exactly where they needed to be.
He finally exhaled and nodded proudly. "There! This is how you secure an execution site!"
But when he turned around, Ezra and Garp were sitting comfortably on a bench, munching on rice crackers as if they were spectators at a festival.
"Ezra! Garp! Both of you get over here right now!"
The two exchanged a sigh of resignation and walked back to Sengoku. They listened as he lectured them about proper strategic arrangement. Out of courtesy, they both nodded and praised him.
"Yes, yes, Sengoku. Brilliant work."
Sengoku rubbed his temples. "Forget it. You two just stand aside. Please."
Every time those two appeared together, the atmosphere instantly turned ridiculous. Sengoku genuinely wondered, who influenced who? Or were they both like this from the start? The thought alone gave him a headache.
On the northern side of Loguetown, Zephyr looked around at the Marines stationed under him and nodded.
"We will set up camp here for the night."
"Yes, Admiral Zephyr!"
Zephyr gave a faint smile. Soon, he would no longer hold the title of admiral. There was no regret in him. He had been in the position long enough, and this transition was only natural.
Elsewhere, Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan also completed the arrangement of their divisions. Each group established temporary camps, waiting for the coming dawn.
Tomorrow would be a historic day. The beginning of everything.
Everyone held different thoughts. Some felt anticipation. Others, dread.
At Loguetown's harbor, two small figures jumped down from a ship.
"Buggy! This way!" Shanks called.
"Shanks... Is the captain really going to be executed tomorrow?" Buggy's voice trembled.
Shanks bit his lip. "Buggy, I know you don't want to believe it. But this was Captain Roger's decision."
"I don't want him to die!" Buggy shouted, attracting several stares.
Shanks immediately grabbed him and dragged him into a narrow alley. Both boys panted heavily. Buggy realized he had nearly shouted Roger's name in public. Fortunately, the townsfolk shrugged it off, paying no mind to two children.
"Buggy, what's done is done. Let's find a place to wait, and tomorrow we'll see the captain one last time."
Buggy lowered his head, nodding silently.
In a tavern near the plaza, a silver-haired man sat alone with a glass of local liquor known as the Silver Bullet.
"Puh... Your hometown's drink really is top-notch," he murmured.
A shadow approached and sat down beside him.
"One glass of the same."
The silver-haired man turned his head and chuckled. "Garp. You sure you should be drinking at a time like this?"
Garp grunted. "Rayleigh, you're here too, aren't you?"
Indeed, this was Silvers Rayleigh, the Right Hand of the Pirate King.
"I'm not like you, Garp," Rayleigh said with a laugh.
Silence settled between them.
"Rayleigh, what are you planning to do next?" Garp asked quietly.
Rayleigh took a slow sip. "Maybe I'll become a coating craftsman."
Garp blinked, then nodded. "Probably for the best. Leaving the pirate life behind."
Rayleigh returned a small nod. The two continued drinking without speaking.
"So, I heard you Marines have a rising star recently?" Rayleigh finally said.
At the mention of Ezra, Garp couldn't suppress a proud grin.
"That kid... he may not be a mere newcomer for long."
Rayleigh's expression froze. He understood immediately.
"No way."
Garp shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe it's exactly what you're thinking."
Rayleigh sighed. "If that's the case, life for pirates is about to get a whole lot harder."
Elsewhere in Loguetown, countless other factions had gathered for Roger's final day.
Among them was a young swordsman, fully recovered from his injuries, strolling the streets with a blade at his waist.
Mihawk.
"Oh? You're that swordsman," Hina said as she approached during her patrol.
Mihawk turned. "Lieutenant Hina. It has been a while."
Hina smiled. "Here to see Roger too?"
"Yes. This will be my last stop before leaving the East Blue. I had some time, so I came to take a look."
"Oh? You're setting sail? Going to become a pirate?" she teased.
Mihawk shook his head firmly. "Do not joke like that, Lieutenant Hina. I will become a bounty hunter."
"Good. Otherwise Admiral Ezra would be very angry."
Mihawk blinked. "Admiral Ezra still pays attention to me?"
"Of course he does! He sees potential in you. Don't let him down. We will meet again."
With that, Hina returned to her patrol, leaving Mihawk standing with renewed determination.
"Admiral Ezra... watch closely. I will become the world's greatest swordsman."
Far away on the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat quietly, gazing across the shimmering sea.
"Father, are we really not going to see him?" Marco asked softly.
Whitebeard shook his head. "There is no need. Roger's death will echo across the world. All we must do is wait."
Marco hesitated, then gathered the courage to ask, "Do you think Roger is truly willing to end his life like this?"
Whitebeard froze, then burst into laughter.
"Gurararara! Just watch, Marco. Even in surrender, Roger will shake the world."
Marco nodded, though still confused.
"Prepare to set sail."
"Where are we going, Father?"
"Roger's death will bring change. I do not know what yet, but we must secure the Whitebeard Pirates' dominance."
"Set course for the New World!"
"Yes, Father!"
On Cake Island, Big Mom sensed the same shifting tides. She nudged the drunken Kaido awake.
"Kaido, we must reinforce our hold over the New World."
Kaido groaned. "Something happen?"
Big Mom shook her head. "Just intuition."
Kaido shrugged and began organizing the Beasts Pirates.
Time continued to flow. And finally, dawn broke on the day of the execution.
The day that would reshape the world.
_______________________
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