Time ticked by relentlessly as more and more Marines poured into Loguetown. Two more of the Marines' "monsters," Akainu and Kizaru, arrived successively. The coastline bristled with stationed troops, and Loguetown was placed under complete lockdown – entry permitted, but no exit allowed. The serious atmosphere hanging over the town grew increasingly heavy.
Elite Marine soldiers from Headquarters rotated in shifts, maintaining a constant, vigilant presence on every street, meticulously monitoring the town's occupants, especially the known pirates.
The naval blockade tightened further, its perimeter expanding outwards. Many pirates attempting to reach the island were turned away, though naturally, some resourceful individuals still managed to slip through the net and arrive in Loguetown.
The Marines largely turned a blind eye to the pirates already within the town limits. Fleet Admiral Kong had issued the highest priority directive: ensure Gol D. Roger's execution proceeds smoothly, without any unforeseen incidents. This command superseded all others, including the purging of pirates from Loguetown. It was the primary reason why individuals like Bege, despite being identified, had not yet been apprehended.
The oppressive atmosphere reached its zenith on the third day. That morning, Fleet Admiral "Steel Bone" Kong, Sengoku, and Garp – the Marines' three greatest combatants – personally escorted Gol D. Roger into Loguetown. With Admiral Zephyr presumably remaining to guard Marineford, the three strongest Admiral-level fighters were now present to oversee the event. Their arrival made the very air in Loguetown feel suffocating; one could almost taste the heavy tension with every breath.
Furthermore, the execution time was officially announced: noon, precisely when the sun would be at its most brilliant in the sky. This specific timing held profound symbolic meaning. The rise of the Pirate King represented the zenith of pirate power across the seas, as unstoppable as the midday sun. However, once the midday sun passes its peak, dusk and night inevitably follow. This was the Marines' declaration to the world: just as Roger would be executed, the era of pirates reigning supreme would end, their power waning as they entered their twilight.
Within an office at the Loguetown Marine base, a constellation of top officers convened. Every individual present held at least the rank of Vice Admiral.
Fleet Admiral Kong presided over the impromptu meeting. The first order of business was confirming the number and identities of significant pirates currently on the island.
"At present, the most significant pirate threat identified in Loguetown is 'Demon Dragon' Capone Bege," Aokiji reported. "Aside from him, 'Flamingo' Doflamingo, 'Red Hair' Shanks, 'Hawk-Eye' Mihawk, 'Sand Crocodile' Crocodile, and several other powerful figures from the newer generation of pirates are also present on the island."
"It's just as well these young pirates are here," Sengoku snorted coldly. "Let them witness firsthand the ultimate fate that awaits all pirates."
Fleet Admiral Kong's face contorted in fury at the mention of Capone Bege's name.
"Only Capone Bege is even remotely interesting among the lot here," Garp grumbled, nonchalantly picking his nose. He clearly had little interest in younger pirates like Doflamingo.
"Capone Bege poses a major threat, and he's known for his cunning," Sengoku stated gravely. "His appearance in Loguetown is suspicious. We should devise a plan to capture him."
"Any capture attempt must wait until after Roger's execution," Kong interjected firmly, suppressing his own anger. "The significance of this execution is too great; we cannot tolerate any disruptions. Its fundamental purpose is to deter pirates, boost Marine morale, and proclaim the strength of the Marines and the World Government to the entire world. The meaning is extraordinary." He added that the Five Elders had personally summoned him to Mary Geoise to emphasize that the execution process must be absolutely flawless.
Kong continued, his voice laced with contained fury, "Other pirates can be ignored for now, but Capone Bege must be dealt with. Immediately following Roger's execution, commence the operation to apprehend him. Sengoku, Garp, you two will handle it personally. You must capture him!"
Looking directly at his two most trusted subordinates, Kong elaborated, "After the Pirate King is executed, capturing the strongest pirate of the new generation immediately afterward will serve to further crush pirate morale and significantly enhance the prestige of the Marines."
"Rest assured, Fleet Admiral," Sengoku replied with confidence. "With Garp and I acting together, he won't escape."
Kong nodded. These two Admiral-level powerhouses had chased the entire Roger Pirates crew around the globe; capturing Capone Bege should be an effortless task by comparison.
"My primary concern now is whether other members of the Roger Pirates might appear," another Vice Admiral voiced worriedly. "If Roger's left and right hands – his 'killers' – Rayleigh and Gaban, were to interfere with the execution, Loguetown could descend into chaos."
Garp waved a dismissive hand. "You needn't worry about that. They won't interfere. Roger turned himself in; this is his own decision. Rayleigh and Gaban wouldn't disrespect Roger's final choice. Besides," Garp added, "I've spoken with Rayleigh and Gaban personally. Their only request is that they be allowed to handle Roger's burial after his death."
"Vice Admiral Garp, surely that is improper!" Akainu immediately stood, objecting vehemently. "Why should Roger's corpse be handed over to pirates? It should be nailed to a pillar of shame as a perpetual warning to all who would follow his path!"
Garp's gaze turned instantly cold and sharp, fixed on Akainu. Though Akainu felt a surge of pressure, he defiantly held his ground, neck stiff.
"Even if he was the Pirate King, he deserves respect in death," Garp stated flatly. He had spent years clashing with Roger, and through their battles, a grudging respect, even a strange sort of camaraderie, had formed. It was why Roger, facing death, had entrusted knowledge of his hidden family – Portgas D. Rouge and their son, Ace – to Garp alone. And it was why Garp had hidden Rouge's identity and ultimately adopted Ace.
"What we require is a complete victory," Akainu retorted coldly. "Handing Roger's body over to pirates is an insult to Justice itself."
Garp's eyes grew colder still, his anger threatening to erupt.
SLAM! Fleet Admiral Kong slammed his palm onto the desk, forcefully halting the escalating argument. He shot a displeased look at Garp, then snorted dismissively at Akainu. "Handing Roger's body over to Rayleigh was approved by me," Kong declared. "Our objective is solely Roger's execution. His death achieves our strategic goals; his corpse holds little practical value."
"This execution is historically significant and cannot be marred by any incidents," Kong continued firmly. "If trading Roger's corpse ensures Rayleigh and the others do not interfere, then his body will have served its final purpose."
With the Fleet Admiral having spoken definitively, Akainu fell silent, though his disapproval was clear. No one else in the room was foolish enough to argue; they understood the pragmatism. If Rayleigh, Gaban, and the remaining Roger Pirates attempted to intervene, the Marines would undoubtedly prevail eventually, but the execution would be disrupted – a cost far outweighing the benefit of keeping the body. Trading the corpse for their non-interference was, strategically speaking, a sound bargain.
On the day of the execution, the central plaza was a sea of people. Black masses surged shoulder-to-shoulder, filling every available space. Even the surrounding rooftops were crammed with onlookers, many holding binoculars trained on the imposing execution platform. Representatives from the world's major news outlets had been camped out since the previous night, securing prime locations to broadcast this globally anticipated event live.
Numerous Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and lower-ranked officers formed a tight cordon, heavily guarding the execution platform itself.
As noon approached, under the watchful eyes of the entire world, Garp and Sengoku personally escorted Gol D. Roger onto the platform. They took up positions flanking him, arms crossed, their expressions grim as they stared out at the massive crowd.
Roger himself, however, wore a smile, showing absolutely no fear in the face of his impending death.
Fleet Admiral Kong also stood upon the platform, ready to deliver his address to the world.