Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The impact of Roger's ascension to kingship was immeasurable.
The port was densely packed with warships.
Some warships couldn't even find a spot and were parked one after another.
Sakazuki's warship returned late.
Clearly, there were no more spots.
However, it didn't stop everyone from disembarking with Moon Walk and heading to the port.
After Sakazuki gave a few instructions, he headed straight for the massive fortress of Marine Headquarters.
Marine Headquarters Fortress, in the conference room.
They had been in meetings for four consecutive days, with all departments rotating and replenishing.
Sakazuki entered the meeting and found a corner.
After listening for a while, he understood that the general direction had been largely decided.
The current general direction was:
To spare no effort in the search for the Pirate King "Gold" Roger.
For the islands Roger passed through and the people he interacted with, they were to be screened and interrogated, ensuring no one was missed.
At this moment, a soldier ran up to Sakazuki and whispered a few words.
Sakazuki nodded, got up, and headed towards the Fleet Admiral's office.
He pushed the door open.
The sight that greeted him was a group of high-ranking Marines, most of whom were in the room.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Instructor General Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Momonga, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and others.
Sengoku saw Sakazuki enter and said,
"Sit down, Sakazuki."
Immediately, two soldiers brought over a single-person sofa.
Sengoku looked up at everyone and continued,
"Next, we will discuss the impact of this incident."
"According to intelligence."
"People have been setting sail to become pirates constantly during this period."
"The number of pirates worldwide has more than tenfold."
"It's getting out of control."
"The damned newspapers keep hyping Roger."
"The government has sent people to negotiate."
"But it hasn't had much effect; they're a bunch of lunatics."
"They only care about their own interests."
After speaking, he angrily slammed the table.
The loud noise conveyed the suppressed anger.
Taking a few deep breaths, Fleet Admiral Sengoku continued,
"The pirates are already in an uproar."
"Pirates in the New World are desperately searching for Roger."
"The excited pirates have completely lost all sense of decency."
"Next, Sengoku, Garp, and Sakazuki, all three of you will be stationed in the New World."
"To prevent the riots from escalating further."
Sengoku, Garp, and Sakazuki nodded; they had no objections.
Sengoku pondered for a moment and said,
"At the same time, this year's conscription will begin early."
"Regardless of their background or quality, we will recruit a large number of soldiers first."
"To cope with the upcoming situation."
"Then..."
The meeting continued until late into the night.
After it concluded, without any delay, everyone set off for the New World overnight.
------------------
New World, unknown waters.
Night.
Aboard the Oro Jackson.
Everyone gathered together.
After Roger announced the disbandment of his pirate crew during the day,
This was possibly their last gathering.
After chatting for an unknown amount of time, Roger suddenly spoke:
"That voice."
"It must be the truth."
"Someone is about to be born."
"And will surpass us."
The corners of everyone's mouths curved slightly, clearly confident that no one could surpass them.
Roger's voice rang out:
"We came too early."
Rayleigh's sigh could be heard:
"One Piece?"
"Who will discover it?"
Roger rubbed his chin and grinned widely:
"It will definitely be my son."
A dark line flashed across Rayleigh's head, and he smacked.
He hit Roger's hand that was rubbing his chin:
"You don't have a son, do you?"
Roger chuckled:
"I will have one later."
"Hahahahahahaha!!!"
As Roger laughed, everyone else also burst into laughter.
"Let's have a big drink!"
"Head towards waters without Marines!"
"I want to be the first to disembark!"
"Ooooh!!!!"
------------------
A year and a half later...
South Blue, Baterilla Island.
Roger, who was working at his home in the mountains, suddenly broke into uncontrollable coughing.
"Cough cough... cough cough..."
Blood continuously flowed from his mouth, sliding down his hand and onto the ground.
Roger's wife, Portgas D. Rouge, rushed over, gently patting Roger's back.
At the same time, she handed him tissues to wipe himself.
Roger took the tissues and managed a smile:
"Don't worry, I'm fine, it's just that time is running out..."
Rouge looked worried.
Late at night, the lights in the villa remained on for a long time; the two discussed for a long while.
After coaxing Rouge to sleep, Roger got up and went outside.
He unleashed his Observation Haki, which could hear all things, to its fullest extent.
After an unknown period, he was drenched in sweat, interrupted by a coughing fit.
Roger's brow furrowed:
"Marines?"
"How is this possible?"
The personnel who had retreated after just one probe were still traceable by Roger.
Roger wanted to relocate but it was too late. His body could not hold on.
If he delayed any longer, his body wouldn't last until the execution of his plan...
After some thought, he walked back into the house.
He dialed the Den Den Mushi that had been dormant for a long time:
"Hello, Rayleigh..."
------------------
Three days later.
"Pirate King" Gol D. Roger was arrested.
Shaking the world...
The world, which had just settled down, became restless once more.
Golden Lion Shiki, upon hearing his subordinate's report, couldn't believe it:
"What a joke!"
"A man like Roger!"
"How could he be caught by these useless Marines!"
Bang—
He directly killed the messenger.
But looking at everyone's expressions, he knew... it was true.
Anger overwhelmed his reason, and he shot into the sky.
He flew towards the distant Marine Headquarters.
"How could this be... Roger!!!"
----
Meanwhile, Rayleigh, who had just found a foothold in the Sabaody Archipelago, headed towards the South Blue...
----
Kogashi Island, Kingdom of Darlans, inside the royal palace.
King Darlans held a secret letter in his hand.
He looked in disbelief at the detailed address and content on it:
"The bloodline of Gol D. Roger, that bloodthirsty butcher..."
He summoned many ministers to discuss; their opinions varied regarding taking action against a pregnant woman and an infant.
Some couldn't overcome the moral barrier, while others wished they could devour them alive.
It continued until late into the night...
Announcements were dispatched from the royal palace, informing the people of the entire nation...
The entire kingdom was in an uproar.
The unforgettable hatred, the bloody massacres, seemed to be happening right before their eyes.
Countless people with bloodshot eyes were determined to eradicate the butcher's bloodline.
The afternoon of the day after the announcements were posted.
Countless people boarded ships and set sail for the South Blue...
Many others, lacking ships, even frantically seized ships docked in the port.
Whether they were merchant ships, pirate ships, or Marine warships, they were all stolen, carrying shiploads of people, heading towards the South Blue.
----
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sakazuki, who had just disembarked with everyone, suddenly received a transmission from Carrol.
The Pirate King's right hand, "Underworld King" Rayleigh, had suddenly appeared in the Grand Line and was heading towards Reverse Mountain.
Sakazuki frowned, thought for a few seconds, and called out to Barrett, who had just disembarked.
He turned and walked back towards the port:
"Barrett."
"Set sail for the South Blue."
Sakazuki, who had just entered Marine Headquarters, rushed out again.
Late at night, in the Marine Headquarters prison.
Garp and Roger briefly reminisced.
Suddenly, Roger became serious:
"Garp."
"Can I trust you?"
Ignoring Garp's reaction, Roger spoke to himself:
"My child is about to be born."
"Regrettably, I will no longer be in this world at that time."
Garp's expression became solemn:
"Why are you telling me this, a Marine?"
"Roger."
"His mother, and that woman related to you,"
"Will both be executed."
Roger lowered his gaze and walked over:
"That's why I'm telling you."
"The government will surely investigate my whereabouts over the past year."
"They will find her and kill her."
"But..."
"The child in her womb is innocent."
Roger, gripping the bars with both hands, said:
"Garp!"
"Our friendship was forged through countless battles."
"You are as trustworthy as my comrades."
Garp's eyes widened, and he turned his head away.
Roger grinned widely and laughed:
"You go and protect her."
Garp glared at him angrily:
"Don't make assumptions!!!"
Roger, enduring the torment of his illness, smiled with certainty:
"No, you will help me."
"My child, I'm entrusting them to you!"
With that, Roger, sweating profusely from the agony of his illness, revealed the name of the island and his wife's name.
And the news that he suspected he was already being watched by the Marines...
He then collapsed weakly.
Garp called for a doctor and walked out with clenched fists.
As soon as he stepped outside, he was summoned to the Fleet Admiral's office for a meeting.
Garp, seated, could not calm his heart.
At this moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku seemed to notice something:
"Where is Sakazuki?"
"Didn't he return this afternoon?"
Everyone shook their heads, unaware of Sakazuki's whereabouts.
He gestured to his adjutant.
The adjutant returned after a moment of inquiry:
"Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Sakazuki, after returning this afternoon,"
"Departed again as soon as he landed, heading towards the Four Seas."
Garp's eyes suddenly widened, and he suddenly thought of what Roger had said about being targeted...
"Not good!"
Bang—
He burst through the door and rushed towards the port.