The next day, sunlight bathed Loguetown.
With the towering Moria clearing the way, Doflamingo led Enel and the others toward the execution platform, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings in search of Crocodile.
The shadow Whitebeard had cast on Crocodile was far greater than he had expected.
Throughout their entire battle, the only time Crocodile had even attempted to use Armament Haki was in a last-ditch effort to escape, and even then, it crumbled upon impact. No wonder he had ended up in Alabasta, picking fights with children.
Play with weaklings long enough, and you become one yourself.
...
As the square filled with more and more people, those who couldn't secure a good spot resorted to violence.
"The hell are you shoving for?!"
"Damn bastard! Something just jabbed me in the ass! Screw you, die!"
"..."
"Moria, quiet them down."
"Hehihihihi, got it, Boss. Shadow Greatsword!"
With a bloodthirsty grin, Moria swung his now-massive blade, empowered by his own shadow. In an instant, nearby pirates who hadn't even grasped what was happening were sliced into pieces.
The lucky ones merely lost a limb.
"AAAAAAAH!"
"Help me!—"
"..."
A sudden clearing formed around the four of them.
Seeing this brutal efficiency, the surrounding pirates were stunned for a moment. Then, as if inspired, large-scale slashes and attacks began flying in all directions.
The Marines stationed at the execution ground, led by the radical Akainu and Aokiji, remained indifferent. The more pirates that died, the better.
...
A distinct rustling sound cut through the noise, carrying an eerie weight that silenced the crowd.
At the end of the path, escorted by Marines, walked the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, shackled in sea stone.
Sunlight illuminated his figure—his unruly black hair swayed in the breeze, and his dark red captain's coat billowed behind him.
There was no fear on his face. No regret. Only a wide, carefree smile.
Not the expression of a criminal about to be executed.
But that of a man walking steadily toward his throne.
...
"A shame," Doflamingo mused. "A man of his caliber, yet he doesn't even have the chance to fight back."
He could tell Roger was truly at the end of his life. But that fearless mindset—Doflamingo couldn't imagine himself ever achieving such composure in the face of death.
So, he pulled out a brand-new Den Den Mushi.
Might as well record this for Roger's wife and kid.
Before the World Government officials could even finish reading out the list of Roger's crimes, golden light streaked across the sky.
Golden Lion Shiki descended upon the execution platform.
Staring at Roger, now kneeling with his head lowered, Shiki took a deep drag from his cigar. He wasn't sure what he was feeling.
"Roger, so you really are going to die."
"Hahahaha, yeah, Shiki. I'm really going to die... but I won't truly be gone."
With effort, Roger lifted his head to meet his old friend's gaze. His strength was nearly spent.
"What the hell are you babbling about, Roger?! Let me bust you out of here so I can kill you myself!"
From the shadows, Garp's stern figure appeared—not in defense of Roger, but to keep a close eye on the madman known as Shiki.
"No need, Shiki. Dying in my homeland is a rare privilege."
...
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, the Five Elders watched in silence.
"Whether he dies today or not, the tests show Roger will be dead within the week."
"How far is Sengoku from Loguetown?"
"Half a day at best. He likely won't make it in time. And Shiki..."
"That lunatic Shiki. We can't afford any unexpected variables. Give the order—execute him immediately!"
...
Shiki, whose dream had always been world domination, suddenly found himself wanting to understand Roger's dream.
"Roger! The final island... does it really exist?!"
Roger burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! One Piece is real! I left all my treasure there! You want it? Go find it!"
A brief silence followed.
Then, summoning the last of his strength and Observation Haki, Roger roared his final words, sending his voice echoing into every heart present:
"Go on! I left everything this world has to offer there!!!"
"EXECUTE HIM!"
The two stunned soldiers finally snapped back to reality, plunging their spears into Roger's chest.
Blood sprayed into the air.
And with that, the legend of the Pirate King came to an end.
As if mourning his passing, the skies opened, and rain began to fall.
...
"His treasure? The Pirate King's treasure?!"
Roger was dead, yet the crowd was in an uproar.
"Did you hear him?!"
"Raftel!"
"A treasure like no other!"
"I'm setting sail!"
In an instant, not only the gathered pirates but even Loguetown's civilians were consumed by the fever of Roger's final words.
...
BANG!
Another table shattered in the Room of Authority.
"Damn that Golden Lion!"
"Damn Roger!!!"
The Five Elders' faces were as dark as the stormy sky over Loguetown.
Roger's execution had been meant to serve as a warning to the world—to crush the ambitions of all who dared dream of piracy.
Instead, his final words had fanned the flames of chaos.
"Notify Garp! He is to take down Shiki at all costs! Sengoku, pick up the pace!"
"Roger is dead, so why couldn't that lunatic Shiki just die with him?!"
...
Click!Click!
Doflamingo snapped two pictures of the bawling Shanks and Buggy, a malicious grin spreading across his face. He'd be sure to send these to them in the future.
As for Roger's death, he had no sentimental attachment.
The world was about to descend into even greater turmoil.
And he, Doflamingo, thrived in chaos.
"Let's go. With Shiki here, we don't have much to worry about."
He waved for his crew to follow. No fun, no profit—time to make an exit.
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted overhead, sending nearby buildings crumbling. Garp and Shiki were locked in battle.
And out at sea, a golden light burned like a second sun, streaking toward the shore.
Buddha Sengoku was on his way.
"Will Shiki die here, Young Master?" Enel gazed at the sky, intrigued.
"If he wants to run, no one can stop him." Doflamingo sighed as they walked away.
Roger was dead.
And that damned Pandaman was still nowhere to be found.
(T/N: Pandaman is a joke character created by Eiichiro Oda, and one of the most prominent easter eggs in One Piece.)
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