The execution platform loomed above Loguetown like a forgotten god — old wood, worn stone, and the shadow of a dead king.
Luffy stood at its base, head tilted back.
His smile was small.
But real.
"This is where he died," he whispered.
Gold Roger.
The Pirate King.
Zoro stood beside him, arms crossed. "Don't fall in love with the past."
Sanji flicked his cigarette. "He didn't die for the past. He died for the future."
Usopp trembled. "C-Can we go back to the ship now?"
Rex remained silent near the edge of the square, eyes scanning rooftops, alleys, windows.
[…Surveillance thread detected. Unknown presence. Probability of trap: 89%. Movement in upper quadrants.]
He shifted his stance slightly.
Ready.
Always ready.
Elsewhere – Inside the Marine Base
Captain Smoker stood with both arms crossed, his coat heavy on his shoulders.
"They're here."
The Den Den Mushi crackled. "Who, sir?"
"The Straw Hats. Including the quiet one."
"Orders?"
Smoker pulled out a cigar, eyes cold.
"We catch them."
Back at the Square – Moments Later
The wind shifted.
And from the crowd — suddenly — pirates leapt out.
Buggy's crew.
Again.
Half-scorched, half-insane, driven by revenge and desperation.
Luffy looked up as Buggy himself landed atop the platform, sword raised.
"YOU RUINED MY CREW, STRAW HAT!! NOW YOU DIE IN THE SAME SPOT AS YOUR HERO!!"
Luffy grinned. "Wow, you're still alive?"
Buggy roared and brought the sword down—
Rex appeared on the platform in one step.
Caught the blade mid-swing with two fingers.
"…You're not even worth my time," he said.
Buggy's eyes widened. "Wh—"
CRACK!
Rex twisted the blade and slammed his knee into Buggy's gut, launching him off the platform with one clean strike.
The crowd gasped.
Pirates backed away.
Nami watched from a rooftop and shook her head. "Of course he had to get dramatic."
Usopp cheered. "He's so cool!"
Zoro chuckled. "He's showy, but he gets it done."
But Rex wasn't smiling.
Because [Michael] was humming.
[…Second threat approaching. Marine Captain "Smoker." Unique ability detected: Moku Moku no Mi. Logia Class. Smoke-based. Physical form partially intangible.]
And then — Smoker appeared.
Boots slamming into the platform, coat fluttering, face unreadable.
"You're the quiet one," he said, staring directly at Rex.
Rex's hands dropped to his sides.
"Smoke..."
"…versus pressure," he replied.
And they clashed.
Rooftop Duel – Rex vs. Smoker
Smoke surged forward like a storm.
Rex slid backward along the roof tiles, using Phantom Drift to hover just out of reach, his eyes locked on every swirling tendril of white mist.
Smoker reformed midair, his fist solidifying just long enough to strike.
Rex ducked, twisted, and delivered a back-spinning elbow that met nothing but vapor.
"Tch," Rex muttered. "Can't hit what doesn't stay real."
Smoker smirked. "You're fast. But not fast enough."
He wrapped Rex in smoke chains, lifting him off the roof.
[…Physical entrapment detected. Phase-mode resistance engaged. Break angle: left hip rotation, shoulder dislocation bypass.]
Rex twisted mid-air, dislocating his shoulder to escape the coil, landed hard, rolled, and popped it back in one smooth motion.
Sanji whistled from a nearby ledge. "I wouldn't fight him without a bottle of sake first."
Smoker lunged again.
Rex exhaled once.
Then dashed forward with compressed aura.
His hand, glowing with invisible force, struck the ground as he passed—
BOOM—!
A shockwave shattered the roof tiles behind Smoker, sending the Marine staggering.
"You're not like the others," Smoker muttered, reforming.
"No," Rex replied. "I'm not part of your system."
Smoker's smoke wrapped around his arms again, this time heavier, denser.
"You're dangerous. I don't like things I can't explain."
"Then stop trying."
Rex vanished.
Smoker blinked.
And took a hit to the jaw from above, where Rex was now hovering mid-air, drifting like a shadow.
CRASH.
Smoker dropped to one knee.
And then—
Lightning struck.
Not just near them.
On the platform.
Right where Luffy had just been standing.
Buggy's sword, once again raised.
The crowd screamed.
And the blade—
Stopped.
By raw luck.
Or fate.
Or something else.
Luffy looked up, still smiling.
"I guess it's not my time."
Rex landed beside him, still watching the sky.
"…That wasn't luck," he said quietly.
Zoro ran up behind them. "Time to move!"
Usopp shouted, "NAVY!!"
Nami yelled, "TO THE SHIP!"
Sanji lit a new cigarette. "Dinner's gonna be late."
Rex looked at Smoker one last time, who stood among his smoke, bleeding but calm.
"This won't be the last time," the Marine growled.
"I know," Rex replied.
Then he vanished into the shadows of the street — with his crew, back to the sea.