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Marines lined both sides of the street, maintaining strict order.
Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Kyle formed a loose encirclement as they escorted Roger toward the execution platform in Central Park.
Behind them marched elite Marines with grim expressions, fully alert.
In the surrounding alleyways, even more Marine units were sprinting toward the execution site.
"Move it! Get into position early!"
"Today is Roger's execution. No mistakes allowed!"
The officers at the front barked low commands.
Every Marine wore the same tense, solemn look.
For the Navy, this was a day of immense significance. For the world, it was a turning point that would echo for generations.
The eyes of the entire globe were fixed on this small town.
Among the nearby crowd, countless faces stared at Kyle and the others, each with a different expression.
"That's Admiral Zephyr and Sengoku from Marine Headquarters!"
"And Vice Admiral Garp, the Hero of the Marines!"
"That's Kyle, the vice admiral who captured Roger and the Golden Lion!"
"With a lineup like this, it's unbeatable!"
"No matter how insane someone is, they wouldn't dare cause trouble under this kind of guard."
"I heard someone tried to sneak into Roger's prison a few days ago. They all vanished."
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Roguetown's morning buzzed with excitement.
The mass of people moved forward with the escort, slowly inching along. By the time they gathered at Central Park and the towering execution platform came into full view, the sun had risen completely above the horizon.
"Kyle, keep order on the ground," Sengoku said quietly.
Kyle understood at once. He nodded, peeled away from the escort, and joined Kuzan and the others already stationed beneath the platform.
He swept his gaze across the area. Central Park and the surrounding streets were packed to the brim, not a single gap left.
Judging from the aura many carried and the scarred faces among them, pirates and underworld figures were everywhere.
Silently, he expanded his field of awareness.
As expected, familiar presences surfaced almost immediately.
Not far behind him stood a young man with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
Dracule Mihawk, the future world's greatest swordsman.
Looking to one side, a tall figure stood out in the crowd. Lean but powerfully built, wearing a confident grin.
Gecko Moria.
Farther away, at the mouth of a street, a man watched the execution platform intently.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
Even farther, hidden among the masses, a figure in a green cloak lifted his head slightly when he sensed Kyle's attention.
Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army.
"So many people," Kyle murmured.
"Yeah," Kuzan replied with a nod. "Roguetown probably doesn't have a single empty spot today."
Everyone was waiting, waiting for that moment that made their blood race.
Second by second, time slipped past.
Standing below the platform, Kyle watched Garp and Zephyr step onto it and begin their address under the gaze of the entire world.
This was a formal occasion. Reporters from every nation filled the area, writing, snapping photos, while transponder snails broadcast the scene live in all directions.
Sengoku spoke in a calm, steady voice, listing Roger's many crimes.
Kyle and the others listened in silence. Compared to their usual briefings, this was painfully long.
It was obvious the script had not been written by Marine Headquarters, which favored ruthless efficiency.
By the end, even Sengoku frowned, his lips twitching slightly as he read on.
The crowd below had long since grown impatient.
At last, when Sengoku finished and let out a long breath, his gaze shifted to the side.
"Bring Roger up!"
In that instant, all of Roguetown fell silent.
Countless eyes locked onto the execution platform, waiting for that man to appear.
Escorted by Garp and the guards, Roger walked at the front.
Heavy seastone shackles bound both his hands and feet. His head was slightly lowered, long hair veiling his face so no one could see his expression.
Creak.
His right foot stepped onto the wooden stairs, followed by the other.
With the guards close behind, Roger climbed steadily under the world's gaze, step after step, until he reached the top of the platform.
The distance felt endlessly long. The wait was agony.
Some people were already sweating, their brows and cheeks damp.
When the guards forced him down to his knees at the highest point of the platform, beside Sengoku, Central Park erupted.
"Roger!"
"Gol D. Roger!"
"No, wait, I heard his name is Gol D. Roger!"
"It's a D!"
"I can't believe it. The Pirate King was really captured, and he's being executed here!"
The noise exploded all at once, the atmosphere surging out of control.
"Captain!"
Two figures in the crowd suddenly broke down in tears.
Kyle looked toward them, barely visible amid the sea of people.
A red-haired boy in a straw hat sobbed openly. Beside him, a red-nosed boy wailed just as hard.
The sun hung high in the sky, yet dark clouds gathered over Roguetown. A fierce wind swept through the square.
"Looks like rain," Borsalino sighed.
To be fair, the weather had been strange for days.
Kyle glanced up at the clouds that had appeared without warning, his expression calm.
Boom!
Thunder roared as lightning split the sky.
At that moment, Sengoku finished the formalities and turned toward Roger, kneeling beside him.
"Roger."
"Do you have any last words?"
His deep voice echoed through the air, and the crowd fell silent once more.
Everyone leaned in, desperate to hear the final words of the man on the platform.
"What will he say?"
Someone clenched their fists, trembling with excitement.
"Last words?"
Gol D. Roger suddenly lifted his head.
A huge grin spread across his face, shown clearly to everyone present, and to the entire world watching.
"He's smiling?"
Someone gasped in disbelief.
"Hey, Pirate King! Where did you hide all the treasure you plundered?"
"You found it, didn't you? That legendary treasure!"
"The great treasure that brings everything together. One Piece!"
Suddenly, someone shouted the question at the top of their lungs.
Everyone heard it.
Including Roger.
He raised his head, then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Hahahahaha!"
The laughter grew louder, then he shouted,
"My treasure?"
"If you want it, you can have it! Go find it!"
Sengoku's expression changed instantly. Realizing something was wrong, he roared, "Execute him!"
The executioner raised his blade and brought it down.
"I left everything the world has to offer there!"
The voice rang out, bright and full of laughter, echoing across Roguetown and burning itself into the ears of all mankind.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Everyone heard the Pirate King's final words.
And then, the world went mad.
Boom!
Thunder crashed as violent winds howled.
Torrential rain poured down over Roguetown.
Kyle tilted his head back, watching the raindrops fall. His right hand rested on the hilt at his waist, then slowly relaxed.
"It's over."
"And yet, it's also a beginning."
He turned away.
"Time for us to go."
"..."
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