The moment Finn spoke, Dragon followed his gaze toward the square's far end.
The crowd had parted like a sea, forming a clear passage. Two columns of Marine soldiers stood as living walls, holding back the pressing masses on either side.
At the passage's distant end, Roger appeared.
Sea-stone shackles bound his wrists and ankles, but he still wore his burgundy captain's coat like a royal mantle. He walked toward the execution platform with measured steps under the brilliant sun, each footfall deliberate and unhurried.
Two executioners followed behind him. Four Marine officers flanked them as additional security.
The moment he appeared, the square erupted into agitation. People pressed forward desperately, craning for better views of the Pirate King in person. Only the Marine human wall prevented complete chaos.
At an angle Finn couldn't observe, a white-haired child squeezed to the crowd's front and watched Roger pass within arm's reach.
That guy's actually smiling? Smoker thought with shock. Isn't he about to die?
As Roger continued forward, the restless crowd fell into strange, reverent silence. The charisma and presence Roger radiated unconsciously affected everyone who witnessed him.
Each step produced crisp clanging from his shackles, a rhythm that echoed across the square.
Though clearly a prisoner, he bore no trace of defeat or misery. Instead, he walked with chest out and head high, a bright smile illuminating his features.
At this moment, he didn't seem to be walking toward death at all. He appeared to be ascending toward a throne awaiting his coronation.
The metallic ringing of his chains sounded almost like ceremonial fanfare announcing royalty's passage.
Finn and Dragon stood silently on the bell tower, their eyes locked on Roger's advancing figure.
After a long pause, Finn spoke with genuine emotion. "What magnificent bearing. Truly unrivaled in presence and aura. Even I must admit he's a rare hero the world seldom produces. Such a waste that he chose piracy."
Dragon returned from his own captivated silence. "Such bearing... truly worthy of the Pirate King title."
Finn and Roger shared no real connection. They'd met only once during the capture on Baterilla Island in South Blue. Before that encounter, despite considerable interest in Roger's legend, they'd never crossed paths.
When they'd met in South Blue, Roger had displayed no kingly aura whatsoever. His demeanor had been that of an ordinary peddler. Eating at home with Portgas D. Rouge, he'd seemed like a househusband living contentedly on his wife's income.
Finn had possessed no sense of Roger's charisma or temperament as Pirate King from that domestic scene.
But now, watching Roger walk calmly toward death, about to ignite a new era, he made no unnecessary movements or dramatic gestures. Yet the sheer presence he possessed was something ordinary people could never replicate.
Anyone appearing beside him would lose their luster by comparison.
Finn had encountered many powerful figures: Sengoku, Garp, Fleet Admiral Kong, even Golden Lion Shiki roaring across the seas. But standing beside Roger at this moment, even those titans might be overshadowed by the light emanating from him.
"Some people are born to be their era's pride," Finn said quietly. "In this ocean of stars, countless individuals shine brightly, writing legends and stories. But he must be this era's brightest star. What a tragedy."
Dragon nodded, then smiled slightly. "What's tragic? As a Marine, that's not really something you should say."
"That's not what I meant." Finn waved his hand, regret clear in his eyes. "I regret not being born twenty years earlier. If I could have become his rival or friend during those turbulent times, competed with him across this ocean... what a blessing that would have been. What joy."
Dragon paused, considering. He recalled his father Garp, who despite being Roger's enemy had praised the Pirate King countless times with genuine respect.
"You're right," Dragon said thoughtfully. "If he were absent from this ocean, it would be genuine tragedy for many people. Real shame we weren't born twenty years earlier to compete with him at sea."
Finn nodded. In this moment, he suddenly understood heroes like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Garp, all of whom Roger had thoroughly defeated.
He understood why Shiki had gone mad over Roger's capture, why the Golden Lion had dared attack Marineford alone just for the chance to kill Roger personally.
Before witnessing Roger's heroic march toward death, Finn couldn't comprehend why Shiki had invaded Marineford solo. Why Garp had adopted Roger's bloodline. Why Newgate's crew had risked everything at the Battle of Marineford years later.
He hadn't understood their obsession with Roger.
Now he did.
Meeting Roger ruins you for life.
Because they were all top-tier heroes of their generation, all proud individuals. The prouder you were, the more Roger affected you.
Just like Finn's current mindset: extremely proud, with towering ambitions.
Roger was the perfect opponent, the perfect enemy that fate had granted them.
But such a man, after winning every important battle, simply walked away to die on his own terms. Never gave them the opportunity or time to claim decisive victory.
That was the greatest regret imaginable.
That bastard Roger was departing after a lifetime of narrow victories over them all.
For the heroes of this era, that was truly unacceptable.
"If I were Shiki, I'd probably go mad too," Finn murmured.
Born twenty years too late, he'd caught the Great Pirate Era but missed Roger and the other legends in their most glorious period. Finn's feelings were profoundly complicated. He wanted desperately to battle these heroes, to see who would shine brightest across the vast ocean.
"Never mind. His story ends today, but ours has just begun," Dragon said with a knowing chuckle.
Hearing that, Finn laughed, gathering his scattered thoughts. "Yes. This ocean never has only one protagonist. One era's end marks another's beginning. Roger's story concludes, his era closes. But perhaps an even more glorious age approaches. You and I will both shine on that stage."
"Hahahaha! Such heroic spirit!" Dragon's laugh was genuine and warm.
"If you can't leave your own story in this world, wouldn't life be far too lonely?" Finn grinned back.
Roger reached the execution platform's base and began climbing without hesitation, his steady steps carrying him upward toward the apex.
"The sunlight's really dazzling," Roger said, raising his shackled hands to shade his eyes, chains clanking loudly. "But today's also a good day to close one's eyes."
Yes. A good day to close your eyes.
Even at life's final moment, reaching his absolute end, Roger harbored no fear of death. His spirit remained indomitable.
Finn vaguely recalled someone once saying: Once a person disregards life and death, whatever they do becomes heroic.
With no fear in your heart, you naturally move forward.
Without the executioners urging him, Roger sat cross-legged on the platform casually. Despite the shackles' awkwardness, he reached up to scratch the stubble on his chin, smiling as he surveyed the crowd below.
"Now I don't have to worry about dying too lonely," Roger said with genuine amusement.
Then he spotted Buggy and Shanks embracing and crying in the square's midst. Relief and nostalgia touched his expression.
Haven't seen them since we parted at Raftel. You two little guys have grown taller. Here to see your captain off?
His story was ending, but Roger knew he was about to bring revolutionary change to the world. Perhaps he'd personally open the door to a new era even more brilliant than the decades he'd experienced.
The tide of the times will sweep away everything. The new era is yours, Shanks, Buggy.
While laughing internally, movement caught his peripheral vision. He glanced toward the distant bell tower.
Oh, Finn? Come to witness my death personally?
His feelings toward Finn were complicated. This man had disrupted Roger's plans for life's final act, yet had also shown mercy, sparing Rouge and their bloodline. Though they'd met only once, Roger found the Marine genuinely interesting.
Such a shame. If not for this terminal illness, if I could continue living, I'd definitely fight you in the future. An interesting prospect to consider.
"Roger, do you have any last words?" an executioner asked.
"Ah, well... could you please remove these?" Roger smiled carelessly, gesturing at his shackles. "My wrist itches terribly, and I can't scratch it with these on."
The executioner's face darkened. "Don't be ridiculous! How could we possibly remove them?!"
"Tsk, how boring. At this point, am I going to run away?" Roger muttered with mock disappointment. After a pause, he looked at the crowd below and grinned broadly. "That's all. I have nothing more to say."
At the Marine base, Chief of Staff Tsuru held a Den Den Mushi, checking the time. "Three minutes remaining. Begin the live broadcast. Prepare for public execution."
"Yes, ma'am!" came the response.
The broadcast Den Den Mushi positioned on the high building opposite the platform activated. Across the entire world, everyone watching witnessed it clearly: the Pirate King who'd dominated the seas for over twenty years, who'd fought through countless rivals to claim that throne, sitting cross-legged on the execution platform with utterly carefree bearing.
The entire world seemed to hold its breath.
Sea breeze swept across Loguetown's square, bringing coolness to the tense atmosphere. Every eye fixed on the Pirate King seated on his final "throne."
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted: "ROGER! You're about to die! Before you die, tell us where you hid your treasure!"
This unknown bystander immediately captured everyone's attention.
There he is, Finn thought.
The legendary member of the D clan… Ask D. Question.
Yes! Roger's the Pirate King. How enormous must his treasure be?
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Roger's laughter exploded across the square, deep and genuine.
He'd never imagined someone would actually ask that question. He'd originally planned to declare the new era himself, but this was even better.
Tsuru's face darkened as she watched the broadcast screen. She shouted into the Den Den Mushi: "Execute him! Execute him NOW!"
Too late.
"You want my treasure?" Roger's voice carried to every corner of the square, broadcast across every ocean. "If you want it, you can have it! I left everything in that place! GO FIND IT!"
Fame! Power! Wealth! Status!
Everything is waiting on the seas!
If you want to claim it, muster your courage and head for the blue ocean!
Alongside Roger's heroic laughter, two sharp blades descended from left and right, piercing his chest simultaneously.
Blood stained the platform. Blood stained the era.
And Roger's death opened the door to a new age.
The Great Pirate Era had begun.