Two executioners forced Gol D. Roger down onto the execution platform, gripping long, ceremonial execution blades.
Below, countless pairs of eyes stared fixedly at Roger. Some faces showed excitement, others sorrow, still others cheered raucously, the crowd buzzing with conversation. An incessant barrage of camera flashes illuminated the scene as reporters from across the globe documented this history-making event. Video Den Den Mushi were aimed squarely at Roger on the platform, broadcasting his image live to every corner of the world. Billions watched the final moments of the King.
"Sengoku, quiet the assembly," Fleet Admiral Kong ordered, looking down with a solemn expression at the noisy crowd below.
"SILENCE!"
Sengoku nodded and bellowed. His voice instantly exploded outwards, somehow overpowering the cacophony generated by tens of thousands of people. It resonated like rolling thunder in every individual's ears, immediately commanding control of the scene. The entire plaza fell silent, countless eyes turning upwards, waiting quietly.
Fleet Admiral Kong then began to speak slowly, his voice amplified.
"Today is a day worthy of remembrance. Because today, the most heinous pirate to ever sail the seas, Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, will face his final judgment – execution!"
"This signifies that Justice is invincible! Even the most powerful pirate the world has ever known cannot escape the righteous judgment of the law!"
"It also represents the unwavering resolve of the Marines and the World Government in our unending war against piracy! We will absolutely not spare any evildoer!"
Kong looked towards the nearest broadcast screen, his expression stern and earnest. "I know that pirates across the seas are watching this moment. On behalf of the Marines, on behalf of the World Government, I issue this warning to all you criminals: Any villain who dares to harm innocent civilians, no matter who you are, no matter where you hide, we, the Marines, will use every means at our disposal to hunt you down and bring you before the sword of Justice!"
"Let everyone believe: Justice. Will. Prevail!"
His voice was deep, powerful, his tone firm and resolute. No one dared to underestimate the declaration of this Fleet Admiral. Whether they were in the crowd below or watching the broadcast from afar, pirates across the world felt a chill of fear, of dread, creep into their hearts.
"JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!"
On the platform and in the ranks below, every Marine roared in unison. The cry was sharp, powerful, shaking the heavens, capable of shattering the courage of lesser men.
Among the ordinary citizens in the plaza, and indeed across the globe, cheers erupted, celebrating the Marines.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... Quite the talent for stirring hearts, isn't he?" Doflamingo muttered from within the crowd, his trademark arrogant smirk playing on his lips, his strange laugh barely suppressed. Nearby civilians recoiled, unnerved by the unsettling sound.
"Captain!" Shanks and Buggy whispered, their eyes filled with sorrow, their voices choked with pain.
"Prepare for execution!" Kong's command silenced the plaza once more. Everyone held their breath, waiting silently for the inevitable moment. Tension, anticipation, excitement – a potent mix of emotions permeated the execution square.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice erupted from the crowd, easily overpowering the hush. "ROGER! WHERE DID YOU HIDE ALL YOUR TREASURE?!"
The question hung in the air. Instantly, every eye in the plaza, every eye watching worldwide, snapped back to Roger, gazes burning with sudden, intense heat.
"Capone Bege!" On the platform, Fleet Admiral Kong instantly pinpointed the source of the voice. That arrogant face, the cigar clamped between his teeth – who else could it be?! "That man truly cannot remain quiet!" Kong fumed inwardly, his face darkening.
At that moment, Roger, who had kept his head bowed, suddenly looked up. His eyes found Capone Bege in the crowd. An indescribable, broad, and hearty smile spread across his face.
"Capone Bege!" Roger called out, his voice surprisingly strong. "You came to see me off, did you? For you to ask that question... you must have guessed my intentions." He chuckled. "Back on Skypiea, you predicted the coming of a Great Pirate Era. Today, just as you foresaw, I shall be the one to ignite it! Let the seas plunge into chaos once more! Let a new order be born from the ensuing turmoil!"
Roger looked directly at Bege, a challenging glint in his eye. "I eagerly await to see if a man with your foresight can truly reign supreme over this uncontrollable, wild Great Pirate Era that is about to begin!"
Taking a deep breath, Roger tilted his head back and roared, his voice booming across the plaza and through the Den Den Mushi to the entire world:
"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it! If you truly desire it, I'll give it all to you! Go find it! Everything this world has to offer, I left it all... there!"
His voice, deep and resonant, spread through Loguetown, reached every ear, and simultaneously echoed in every corner of the globe via the live broadcast. The entire world heard his final words.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath, utterly silent. Roger's voice resonated in every mind. The very air grew thick with the scent of something palpable – desire. Faintly, as if in the distance, the calm river of time suddenly erupted into monstrous waves, the roar of a tsunami echoing from afar.
It signified the arrival of an uncontrollable, irrepressible new age. The Great Pirate Era had begun.
"My heavens... what did I just hear?!"
"Treasure! The Pirate King's treasure!"
People trembled. Some were overcome with excitement, others driven to near madness. The brief silence shattered, replaced by a deafening roar of frenzy and exhilaration from the crowd.
"Pirate King! Where did you hide it?!" some screamed desperately towards the platform, hoping for more information.
"QUICK! EXECUTE HIM! NOW!!" Kong roared, his face pale with panic and fury.
The executioners reacted instantly. Two long execution blades plunged deep into Roger's back, shredding his heart. Crimson blood flowed freely, staining the wooden platform dark red.
Yet, the eyes of everyone in the execution square burned with a terrifying, feverish light. Not just in Loguetown, but across the entire world, in every town and village, people were talking, shouting, arguing frantically about Roger's words. A visible, burning red glint of ambition ignited in countless eyes.
Everyone had been driven into a frenzy. The seeds of desire had been sown, taken root, and were already beginning to bloom.
On the execution platform, Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku, and Garp stared down at the wild-eyed crowd, their faces grim, extremely somber. They knew, with chilling certainty, that Roger's final words would plunge the world into chaos.
Was this why you turned yourself in, Roger?! Garp wondered silently, a heavy weight settling in his chest.
Damn him! Can't even die without causing trouble! Kong thought, staring resentfully at Roger's corpse. He clenched his fists so hard the veins bulged, furious that the execution had ended this way, completely deviating from his intended outcome.
"Capone Bege!" Kong roared, his eyes scanning the crowd for the instigator. "You vile criminal!" But Bege was nowhere to be seen. He had vanished immediately after shouting his question.
"GET HIM!" Kong bellowed.
Sengoku and Garp vanished from the platform simultaneously. Using Geppo, they launched themselves into the air, running at full speed across the rooftops, their Observation Haki spreading out, blanketing the entire island as they searched for Bege's location.
"The Marines are attacking the pirates! Run!" terrified shouts erupted from the crowd below. Panic set in, and the massive assembly began to stampede, desperate to flee the plaza. The Marines attempting to maintain order were quickly overwhelmed by the surging mob. Utter chaos ensued.
"Fuffuffuffuffu..." Doflamingo chuckled darkly amidst the pandemonium, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "This is merely the beginning. The new era... has finally dawned."
Watching from a hidden vantage point far away, a rare, faint smile touched Dragon's usually stoic face. "An era of chaos has arrived," he murmured. "The Marines and the World Government will have their hands full. This presents a perfect opportunity for the Revolutionary Army to grow."