Power is a curious thing.
When people stand on equal footing—or close to it—they can coexist peacefully. But once someone rises higher, gains greater authority, more wealth, greater status, the balance shatters.
And when the one seated upon the highest throne dies—
The empty seat becomes an object of universal desire.
Those who once lived in peace will smash their heads bloody fighting over it.
The king of the old era was dead.
His radiant throne now stood vacant.
Who would claim it next?
One of the so-called emperors who already dominated vast territories in the New World?
A rising "silver-tier" contender with astonishing talent?
Or some hot-blooded pirate from the first half of the Grand Line?
No one knew.
Yet everyone believed they had a chance.
At least, the fools did.
Roger died smiling.
But no one cared.
Chaos erupted in the square.
Yet the soldiers did not intervene.
In fact, many looked uneasy.
Because the crowd wasn't rushing the execution platform—
They were rushing toward the harbor.
The sharper Marines turned pale.
They could already see the future—
An explosion in pirate numbers.
Sengoku's expression was even darker.
The Marines' fears were optimistic compared to his.
Roger had declared his treasure lay somewhere in the Grand Line.
What did that mean?
It meant millions would surge toward it.
The Navy's burden would skyrocket.
Countless talented rookies would rise rapidly.
And if someone truly found that treasure—
Then the entire world would be dragged into a war of unprecedented scale.
"Even in death, you won't let us rest, you bastard…"
Sengoku ground his teeth at the smiling corpse.
After a long moment, he inhaled deeply and steadied himself.
No matter how terrible the future—
It would have to be faced.
Farewell, Roger.
The crowd surged.
But Roldy did not move with them.
He stood slowly.
Behind him, Crocodile and Sheen watched.
Roldy himself couldn't quite define what he felt.
His sworn enemy was dead.
He should feel satisfied.
And yet—
The way that man died…
Was worthy of respect.
"The sea had only just calmed down."
"Now it'll erupt again."
"Roger, you bastard."
The future would be interesting.
With that, Roldy turned and strode away with his two subordinates.
He made no effort to hide his presence.
Nor did he care about the countless gazes following him.
That was his confidence.
"Fufufufu… Former vice-captain of the Flying Pirates—'Rampage' Roldy."
"He's a terrifying man indeed."
A blond young man let out a strange laugh.
Pink feathered coat.
Long, slender legs posed arrogantly.
Distinctive sunglasses.
From afar, he resembled a flamboyant flamingo.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Shihihihihi! What a powerful man!"
"But one day, he'll fall beneath me!"
Youth breeds boldness.
Gecko Moria, hair wild and face demonic, radiated confidence.
More impressively—
His subordinates believed him completely.
"The Rampager… former vice-captain of the Flying Pirates…"
"A worthy blade to test."
Dracule Mihawk's hawk-like eyes never left Roldy.
A massive cross-shaped greatsword rested upon his back.
After a moment's thought—
He followed.
The journalists had already fled Loguetown.
They rushed to their presses.
For them, time was money.
The first to print this headline would reap enormous profit.
A handful of civilians returned home.
But most—
Feverish and reckless—
Gathered a few friends, acquired a small boat, and declared themselves some ridiculous "So-and-So Pirates."
They didn't even own firearms.
In reality, a single moderately trained Marine could rout them with ease.
Powerful figures departed one by one.
Sengoku watched with a grim expression.
And that grimness wasn't only because of the pirates.
It was because—
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
The endless chewing beside him grated on his nerves.
"Karp!"
"Throw away that damn rice cracker!"
Sengoku roared.
Garp flinched, looking oddly sheepish, muttering under his breath as he reluctantly tucked the senbei away.
"That bastard Roger… causing this mess even in death."
"Oh, right."
"The World Government has issued orders."
"Intelligence suggests Roger may have left behind a bloodline."
"This matter is assigned to you, Garp."
"However unpleasant it may be…"
"The blood of a criminal like Roger must not be allowed to live."
"You must be thorough. Be careful."
"Garp? Garp!"
Sengoku frowned.
His old friend was acting strangely.
Normally irreverent, yes—
But not like this.
Not today.
Not at a moment like this.
Was that rice cracker really so delicious?
If Sengoku weren't drowning in overwhelming matters—
If his mind weren't burdened by the coming storm—
He would have noticed.
The way Garp's eyes darted.
The faint scent of guilt.
The Great Pirate Era had begun.
And the sea—
Was boiling.
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