Three days later, at the Loguetown Navy Branch.
"The path from the prison to the central square's execution platform has been fully secured, with the base commander of Loguetown Navy Branch in charge. Even the local gangs have been lying low recently, and the rats from the Grand Line who've come to witness the execution have stayed quiet."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, wearing his Justice coat, stood ready, gazing out the window at the street below.
From today onward, this East Blue town of Loguetown would become the end of the line for pirates.
Executing the Pirate King, who had just completed a world-circling journey by reaching the final island, would mark a turning point for the Navy's influence and an increase in their prestige. Conversely, the era of pirates could also be reshaped from this point.
After all, both marines and pirates began as ordinary people who had yet to set sail, much like the young Roger who once wandered Loguetown before taking to the sea.
Once this execution is done, the scourge of pirates will fade into history. In twenty years, the Navy will possess absolute dominance, and the legend of the Pirate King will be no more than a tale.
"Is the executioner confirmed?"
Sengoku's voice broke through.
The communications officer behind him replied promptly, "Yes, sir. Vice Admiral Kuzan recommended Seaman First Class Kevin from the 80th West Blue Branch in Lasgap Town. He's prepared."
Sengoku turned to look at Kuzan, who was also in the room. "If I remember correctly, the commander of the 80th Branch is that guy Bartholomew? Trying to get you to take him to the elite class at Navy HQ?"
Kuzan rubbed his forehead with one hand. If anyone else had asked him that, he wouldn't have bothered to respond.
That incident back at HQ had ensured that even a base commander from West Blue would be remembered by an admiral like Sengoku.
As for this executioner, Kevin…
Well, he seemed to have only three activities in Loguetown: drinking, watching performances, and sleeping.
Despite Kuzan's warnings about the dangers of the Roger Pirates and the weight of Roger's status among pirates, this guy seemed utterly unfazed.
Whether he was confident or simply indifferent, Kevin's attitude was certainly something.
"It's nearly time."
Sengoku glanced at the clock on the wall, then turned to face the assembled marines.
"Everyone, today, in one hour, we will begin ending the era of pirates."
"After today, the world will see that even Gol D. Roger, hailed as the Pirate King, can be captured by the Navy and executed here, in his birthplace of Loguetown, East Blue."
"To erase pirates from these seas and end this chaotic era!"
With those words, everyone, including Kuzan, nodded solemnly.
They understood the gravity of executing the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. This would mark the start of a new era for the Navy, one where pirates would fear them, not the other way around.
...
An hour passed swiftly.
At the central square of Loguetown, crowds gathered from across the four seas and even the Grand Line, comprising pirates, merchants, and numerous ordinary people.
Video transponder snails, capable of broadcasting live, were set up in every direction, all focused on the execution platform.
From the beginning, the Navy intended for the whole world to witness this execution. Reporters from the World Economic News Agency had secured prime spots long before the event, just waiting for the execution to begin.
At this moment, in the designated corridor separating the crowd, two soldiers led Gol D. Roger forward.
In an instant, the once-noisy crowd fell silent.
Everyone's gaze turned to Roger, including Kevin, who held a spear behind him.
Not many sin points.
With his prison's special vision activated, Kevin could see that Gol D. Roger's sin points totaled a mere 1,635.
Though he'd expected it to be low, this was far less than anticipated.
For a pirate with power on par with the world's strongest, even one who forbade his crew from harming civilians, surely he should have more points, especially given the impact he'd have on the Great Pirate Era. And he'd forgotten—Roger's execution in Loguetown was actually handled by two executioners in his memory.
I'll need to stay alert. Roger's value to me isn't only in his sin points. If this other guy acts before I do, then besides meeting Dragon, this trip to Loguetown will have been a complete waste.
Wait!
The Great Pirate Era…
It hasn't started yet!
As these thoughts raced through Kevin's mind, the nervous soldier beside him failed to notice, resulting in a slight delay between them.
Clang!
The chains clinked, prompting Kevin to follow along.
Roger turned his head slightly. "Seems this young marine was a bit distracted. Were you nervous? Relax; the execution will go smoothly."
Smoothly?
Kevin's gaze turned complex.
For a man facing death, Roger seemed surprisingly calm.
A flash of a memory appeared—Roger's smile just before his execution. Back then, it hadn't seemed so impressive, but now, it was clear… Roger had never feared death.
What he regretted was not being born in the same era as Joy Boy, not being able to witness the next great chapter by being born twenty years too early.
If the power in this world called Haki originates from one's spirit, then Roger was indeed the most dignified man.
Before long, Gol D. Roger stepped onto the execution platform.
His old rival, Sengoku, didn't force him to kneel in humiliation but instead calmly watched as he sat down, lowering his head in silence.
"Gol D. Roger, in the Sea Circle Calendar…"
Sengoku listed a series of charges against Roger, from destroying nations to demolishing countless Navy vessels.
Note: In Chapter 588, Garp recalls that Roger once destroyed a country's army for the sake of his crew.
Note: In Chapter 966, Roger's memory of Oden shows that he forbade his crew from attacking civilians or even stealing, and would kill any crew member who disobeyed.
But Kevin knew these charges were fabrications. After all, in two years, even an eight-year-old Nico Robin would be accused of sinking five Navy ships—what wouldn't they make up?
One by one, the charges were announced to the public. After a lengthy list, Sengoku finally paused.
Kevin's pulse quickened.
Is it time?
Not yet? That unknown figure who, in another sense, truly initiated the Great Pirate Era…
Looking back, it almost seemed like Roger had staged it himself...
"Hey, Pirate King!"
"Where did you hide all the treasure you found? It's on the Grand Line, right? You got it, didn't you? The legendary, one-of-a-kind Great Treasure—One Piece!"
The shout rang out.
In the next moment, Roger threw his head back and laughed heartily.
He looked out over the crowd, at every video transponder snail facing him, as if he were staring directly into the eyes of everyone in the world.