Four days later.
Marine Headquarters.
A fiery figure streaked across the sky, appearing above Marineford.
Sakazuki had rested for two days and replenished his stamina.
He had directly used his ability and flown for another two days to return.
As seen from the sky.
Marineford at this moment was covered in scaffolding.
The plaza in front of headquarters and the port had been destroyed.
The giant fortress in the distance bore several sword marks, and countless soldiers were busy with repairs.
Sakazuki said coldly:
"Damn pirates."
"One by one, they are utterly lawless."
He landed on the giant fortress of headquarters.
Tap tap—
The crisp sound of leather shoes hitting the ground echoed as Sakazuki deactivated his ability.
He walked towards the Fleet Admiral's office.
Just as he reached the door, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's slightly weary voice came from within:
"Enter, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki pushed open the door and entered:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku grunted and asked:
"Sit."
"Tell me."
"What exactly happened."
"What is the situation with the people of Kōrū Island."
"Roger's orphan."
"And you and Garp."
"Two Vice Admirals of the Marines fighting each other."
"Fortunately, it didn't get out."
"Otherwise, it would have been too embarrassing."
Sakazuki nodded and sat on the sofa beside him:
"The cause was that we recently received news that someone had seen Roger on Baterilla Island in the South Blue."
"At the time, we didn't approach, but just sent people to gather information on the island."
"We learned that Roger had a wife and was pregnant."
"Coincidentally, Roger surrendered, so we passed the news to the people of Kōrū Island."
"You know about the Kōrū Island tragedy, so I gave them the decision-making power."
"But for some reason, it was exposed. The day we returned, we received news that the pirate Rayleigh was heading towards Reverse Mountain."
"I suspected he was going to the South Blue, so I rushed to Baterilla Island."
"Fortunately, I arrived a step ahead and intercepted him before Rayleigh could make a move."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku furrowed his brow:
"So that's how it is."
"He stayed then."
Sakazuki's lips curled up:
"He stayed."
"Rayleigh's corpse is currently on my ship, killed by Barrett."
"After Roger's execution, we will announce Rayleigh's death and the imprisonment of the Golden Lion together."
"This will be a huge blow to the pirates."
Sengoku also showed a hint of a smile, imagining the scene:
"Good."
"Well done."
"What about you and Garp, what happened there?"
Sakazuki's expression suddenly turned grim:
"Is he really not a pirate spy, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
"I don't know how Vice Admiral Garp got his information."
"He actually appeared on Baterilla Island, trying to protect Roger's orphan."
"After hunting Roger for over a decade, it's one thing that we couldn't capture any of the Roger Pirates' crew."
"But when we were about to eliminate the descendant of that evil bloodline, he appeared to block us."
"He even attacked a fellow comrade in the Marines."
"What does he want!"
"I request a thorough investigation of Vice Admiral Garp."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression also sank after hearing this.
However, he also knew Garp's personality... he was rather reckless.
Betraying the Marines was unlikely, but this matter must be investigated clearly:
"I understand."
"When Garp returns, we will hold a meeting to deal with it."
"The most important thing now is Roger's execution in two days."
"Sengoku has already escorted Roger to Loguetown."
"Your injuries..."
"Take a few days off first."
Sakazuki shook his head:
"No need, I want to lead troops and return to the New World now."
"Currently, there is only G1 branch in the New World, which is too passive."
"Now with the death of the Pirate King and his right-hand man, coupled with the capture of the Golden Lion."
"This is the best time to fight our way back into the New World."
"Quickly seizing the Golden Lion's territory and establishing a foothold in the New World is the most important thing."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku seemed tempted:
"Do you have confidence?"
Sakazuki stated with certainty:
"Absolutely no problem."
"Although the New World is a paradise for pirates, and there are many strong individuals."
"Currently, there is no one who can stop me."
"And we don't need to occupy too many islands; a long front line is not conducive to management."
"As long as we occupy the islands on this side of the Red Line Continent, it will become the Navy's sphere of influence."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku said:
"Since you're confident, then go ahead."
"If you need any support, just say the word."
Sakazuki said:
"I'll take Enel and Borsalino for a surprise attack."
"It will be a good opportunity to train them both."
"Then, other Vice Admirals will lead their fleets to depart and take over island by island."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku nodded:
"Alright, I'll arrange the personnel now."
-------------------
Marine Headquarters Plaza, among the ruins.
Residents, soldiers, and cadets were all busy.
Enel, leading Rosinante, was moving fragments of the Hero Monument.
The great battle had shattered the Hero Monument erected in the plaza into countless pieces.
Enel found a large piece and lifted it with force. The stone monument fragment, over four meters tall, was directly lifted.
He turned to look at Rosinante carrying a smaller fragment and laughed:
"Rosinante, you still need to train."
"I'll throw you to Instructor Zephyr for special training later."
"Hahahahaha."
Thinking of Chief Instructor Zephyr's devilish training methods...
Rosinante's face crumpled:
"No way!!!!"
Enel laughed heartily:
"Then let's have a competition!"
"Let's deliver the stone blocks there first!"
Saying that, he ran off at full speed, carrying a stone block several times larger than himself.
Rosinante quickly followed, carrying his stone block:
"Brother Enel, you're too cunning!!!"
"Hahahahahaha!!"
Enel's laughter echoed from afar.
Borsalino wiped his forehead, where there was no sweat, and sighed:
"Young people are so energetic~"
He said to Kuzan beside him:
"It's so hot~"
"Kuzan-san, make some ice cream."
Kuzan lifted a huge boulder, helpless:
"I have the Mera Mera no Mi, not the Ice Cream Fruit."
Borsalino lifted a giant rock:
"Eh eh~!"
"That's truly a pity~"
Kuzan looked helpless:
"You guy..."
In the distance, Sakazuki approached, holding the latest map of the New World's spheres of influence.
"Enel! Borsalino!!"
"Come with me!"
Boom—
Then, Sakazuki's fiery red figure shot straight into the sky.
Enel's clear voice came:
"Understood!" 138 Reading Network
Crack—
A flash of lightning struck, and he instantly disappeared.
Borsalino put down the giant rock and scratched his face:
"So troublesome~"
Looking in the direction they had left, he placed his hands together, palms facing each other, and brought them to his abdomen:
"Yata no Kagami~"
Light, like a mirror, shot straight into the sky, forming a beam of light that disappeared as a point of light.
---------------
Two days later.
East Blue, Loguetown.
Midday.
The road leading to the execution platform was lined with dense crowds.
Among them were civilians, pirates, bounty hunters, and newspaper reporters...
Countless soldiers were maintaining order.
"They're coming! They're coming!"
"What!!!"
"Where!!!"
"Hiss!"
"The Pirate King!!"
In the distance, two lead flag bearers holding the World Government's flag walked towards the execution platform.
Behind them, several soldiers holding long swords, surrounded Roger in the center, escorting him to the execution platform.
Roger in the center, with shackles and chains on his hands, was calm and composed.
Like a victorious general... no one knew what he was thinking.
In front of the execution platform.
The surrounding soldiers stopped, and Roger slowly stepped onto the execution platform alone.
Doflamingo in the corner.
Shanks and Buggy in the crowd.
The young great swordsman Hawkeye.
Crocodile, who had become a Shichibukai.
The young pirate from the New World, Moria.
And... the future leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon.
These figures, covering almost all the mainstream powers of the future world, had all gathered here.
In the distance, Smoker, who had come to Loguetown with his parents, ran over breathlessly... afraid of being late.
He gazed at that figure.
As he stepped onto the execution platform, Roger directly sat down cross-legged, a wide grin on his face:
"Alright, let's finish this quickly."
The executioner raised his long sword high after performing the ritual.
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from the crowd:
"Hey! Pirate King!!"
"Where did you hide the treasure you plundered!!!"
"You got that legendary treasure, didn't you!"
"That treasure that connects into one!"
"One Piece!!!!"
Roger suddenly burst into laughter:
"Ah ha ha ha ha!!"
"You want my treasure?"
"If you want it, you can have it all."
Sengoku, watching from a tall building in the distance, suddenly had a bad premonition... he roared:
"Execute him quickly!!!"
The executioner's long sword was pointed at Roger.
Roger's voice, amplified by Haki, echoed through the heavens and earth:
"Go look for it!!!"
"I've put everything in the world there!!"
*Ptsh—*
The long sword instantly pierced Roger's body, but... the world erupted!!!
In pursuit of the immense treasure he left behind, that legendary connected "Great Treasure."
People of all sorts began hoisting pirate flags and setting sail.
The Great Pirate Era had begun.....
On the night of the execution..... Marine Headquarters and the Holy Land Marijoa were brightly lit.
But... this had nothing to do with Sakazuki.
----------------
New World, above an island belonging to the Golden Lion.
Three figures and a small ark appeared at an altitude of a thousand meters.
Sakazuki took out a pen and drew a red cross on the island on the chart:
"Alright, let's begin."
Borsalino sighed:
"This is already the eleventh island, can't we rest a bit~"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki~"
Despite his complaints, he crossed his hands, formed a delicate hand gesture, and a golden light shone.
Sakazuki said:
"Enough, stop complaining."
"Time is tight, and the mission is heavy."
"Roger should be executed by now."
"News of the Golden Lion's capture will be released soon."
"It's most important to occupy and partition the New World before the pirates react."
Borsalino's tone was helpless:
"Hai hai~"
"Magellan~"
Countless shining light projectiles drew an arc, covering the pirate gathering below, and continuous explosions rang out.
"Enemy attack!"
"Quick!"
"Where is the enemy!"
"Damn it!!!"
"Quickly get into the cellar!!"
"What are you panicking about, guards!!"
"Go and..."
From the small divine words behind Enel in the sky, thunderclouds continuously emerged.
Hiss hiss—
A thundercloud ball, nearly a hundred meters in size, formed.
Enel controlled the thundercloud ball and plunged downwards:
"Thundercloud Bomb."
It crashed to the ground under the terrified gaze of the pirates below.
Boom—!!!
It exploded instantly, the roaring lightning raging, coupled with the impact of the explosion.
A crater hundreds of meters wide appeared, and the entire pirate base was almost wiped out, with no survivors.
Whoosh!
Dozens of meters of sword energy pierced through the ruins on the ground.
A disheveled figure, covered in Haki, rushed out, it was the pirate leader who had just shouted "What are you panicking about, guards."
The pirate leader shook his dust-covered head:
"In the sky..."
"Damn it! Who is it!"
"How dare you come to Lord Golden Lion's territory..."
Boom!
An infinitely extending Meigō fell, crushing the pirate leader covered in Armament Haki.
"Next island."