Chapter 382: Execution Day!
Marineford · Execution Plaza
The morning sun pierced through the eastern sea of clouds, casting a golden glow over the solemn plaza. A new day had arrived, yet it brought no warmth; instead, it only made the oppressive tension in the air feel even more chilling.
High upon the towering execution scaffold, the "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh knelt in the center, bound tightly by thick, heavy chains. His head hung low, his silver hair swaying in the wind, his face completely devoid of its former carefree and wild demeanor.
His conversation with Sengoku, Garp, and the others the night before had thoroughly shattered his final convictions.
Sengoku stood on the platform, his Fleet Admiral coat snapping sharply in the wind. His face was as hard as iron, his presence as imposing as a mountain.
At the base of the execution platform, three heavy, custom-made chairs sat as symbols of absolute power:
Sakazuki sat with his arms crossed, magma slowly bubbling at his cuffs. His gaze was like a blade, looking ready to incinerate any insubordination to ash.
Kuzan leaned back lazily, but a wisp of ice crystals had quietly formed at his fingertips, a freezing chill permeating his entire seat.
Borsalino casually crossed his legs, his sunglasses reflecting the glaring morning light, a faint, almost imperceptible sneer hanging on his lips.
Below the execution scaffold, upon a raised platform, the silhouettes of the Seven Warlords were lined up: Dracule Mihawk's blade radiated a cold luster, Boa Hancock exuded an icy, piercing aura, standing alongside Jinbe, Crocodile, Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, and Aramaki...
Though each harbored their own hidden agendas, in this moment, they were all forced to act as a piece of the "Order," symbolizing the Marines' absolute control.
Below the platform, thirty thousand Marine elites stood in formation like a dense forest! The cold gleam of blades, spears, and artillery flashed in the sunlight, their murderous intent piercing the heavens!
At the very front, Gion and Tokikake led the new generation of elites holding the line:
Law's gaze was sharp and cold, his fingers resting on the hilt of his nodachi, ready to draw at a moment's notice.
Luffy pulled his Marine cap low, his shoulders tense, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to explode.
Nami gripped her Clima-Tact tightly with both hands, mist swirling around her as sparks of lightning flickered faintly.
Sanji bit down on his cigarette, his aura heavy amidst the curling blue smoke, his eyes burning with battle intent.
Usopp had his sniper rifle positioned, his pupils perfectly calm, his finger resting lightly on the trigger.
This entire scene, captured by massive broadcasting Den Den Mushi, was projected to every corner of the world!
In the New World, pirates watched in stunned silence, their hearts filled with dread.
Across the Four Blues, common citizens waited with bated breath, their eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and disbelief.
Kingdoms and regimes across the globe were rendered speechless, keenly aware that this public execution would rewrite the very structure of the world.
"The Marines... are truly too powerful!!!"
"Is this the Justice of the New Era?!!"
"With a lineup like this... would anyone actually dare to come and save him?!"
"The Great Pirate Era... is it really going to end?!"
Under the gaze of millions, Sengoku's voice boomed across the sky and sea through an amplification snail:
"Today—"
"We shall execute the right hand of the Pirate King, the 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, in the name of Justice!!!"
"With this, we declare that the Marines shall completely and utterly end the Great Pirate Era!!!"
The entire plaza fell into a deathly silence. Only the low, distant beat of war drums echoed, sounding like a death knell for the Old Era.
Meanwhile, Sacred Land Mariejois · Holy Knights Headquarters
Inside a dimly lit hall, Shanks sat alone on a cold stone chair. A massive projection screen cast the image of the execution plaza onto the wall.
The sight of Rayleigh kneeling on the execution scaffold was like a rusted dagger plunging ruthlessly into Shanks' chest. That was the "teacher" he had once looked up to and fought alongside. Now, he was nothing more than a sacrifice used by the Marines to herald their new era.
Footsteps slowly approached from behind.
Saint Shamus, draped in the silver-white cloak of the Holy Knights, strode into the silence, his posture as straight as a spear. Illuminated by the candlelight, he glanced at the screen for barely a fraction of a second, his eyes as cold as ice.
The life or death of a mere insect was never worth a Celestial Dragon's attention.
"The matter you spoke of has already been arranged," Saint Shamus said, his voice deep. "However... is everything you said truly the truth?"
Shanks did not turn around. His knuckles were white from gripping the chair, his voice hoarse. "Yes. As long as that matter is completed... I will willingly remain in the Holy Knights to assist you."
He slowly stood up and turned to face his older brother, his gaze heavy. "And... I will tell you everything about our 'mother'."
"—!" Saint Shamus' pupils shrank violently, the fingers beneath his cloak visibly trembling.
After a brief moment of faltering, he quickly regained his icy composure. He let out a heavy, cold snort and turned to leave. "I hope you keep your word..."
The silver-white cloak swept across the floor, leaving a chilling arc that completely severed the dimness from the light. The moment the heavy doors closed, the hall fell back into a deathly silence.
Yet, within that silence, Shanks' expression gradually began to twist!
A dark, chilling smile surfaced on his lips as a manic fire ignited in his eyes.
"Celestial Dragons... heh, still acting so high and mighty," he mocked in a low whisper, his tone dripping with disdain.
His fingertips brushed across the projection screen, his crimson pupils locking dead onto the kneeling figure of Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh-san..."
"You once taught me the weight of 'freedom'. But only now do I truly understand—true freedom only belongs to the one who can overturn the chessboard!"
"Roy... Marines..." Shanks violently clenched his fists, blood vessels spiderwebbing across his eyes. "Do you really think that executing Captain Roger and executing Rayleigh-san will end the Great Pirate Era?!"
"The gears of fate will never stop turning!!!"
Dawn Island · Dawn Village
The sky was gloomy and oppressive, the dark clouds as thick as ink. This usually sunny village was experiencing a rare, torrential downpour today.
Raindrops battered against the eaves and cobblestones with a rapid patter. The entire village was deathly quiet, with almost everyone staying indoors behind closed doors.
Inside Rock's Home—
In the living room, the fireplace cast a faint glow. Grandpa Rock chewed on his pipe, his expression grim. Grandma Irene sat with the visual Den Den Mushi in her lap, her eyes glued unblinkingly to the global broadcast.
On the execution plaza, Rayleigh was chained to the center of the high platform. Standing side-by-side at the very front of the Marine formation were Luffy and Nami, their Marine caps and uniforms standing out brightly in the sunlight.
Irene's hands trembled slightly as she murmured, "Luffy... Nami... I hope all of this ends smoothly without any more fighting... But... where is Ace? Why isn't he there?"
Rock exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his voice steady. "Didn't Luffy tell us when he came back? Ace went out on a mission, and Roy is with him. Don't worry..."
Despite his words, the shadow of concern in his eyes could not be hidden.
Outside the window, the rain fell even harder. Thunder rolled, and the dark clouds hung so low it felt suffocating.
Rock looked away, staring out at the dead, black sky beyond the glass. He frowned deeply, his tone heavy. "Strange... why did the weather turn so suddenly today?"
Irene also looked toward the window, a wave of unease rising in her heart. "You're right... the broadcast shows Marineford bathed in bright sunlight..."
Thump—Thump— Suddenly, a heavy knocking echoed from the front door!
They both jumped. Irene instinctively grabbed Rock's arm, her voice trembling. "With the rain this heavy, who could be visiting at a time like this?"
Rock slowly stood up, the glowing ember of his pipe reflecting in his eyes. His footsteps thudded against the wooden floorboards as he walked steadily toward the entrance. "Who is it?"
Click— The sound of the lock turning was exceptionally piercing amidst the noise of the rain. The heavy door was pushed open slowly.
Outside, standing amidst the curtain of rain, loomed two tall, imposing silhouettes.
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