The execution platform towered over Loguetown's central square, its construction recently completed. The structure dominated the skyline, a grim monument to the coming execution.
News of Pirate King Roger's scheduled death had swept across the world like wildfire. Every newspaper, every port, every tavern buzzed with the unprecedented announcement. The Marines were executing the Pirate King publicly, broadcasting it to the entire world.
Shiki's capture, by contrast, remained classified. To avoid complications, Marine leadership had decided to suppress that information until after Roger's execution. Deal with one legendary pirate at a time.
Two days remained until the execution, but Loguetown already crawled with Marine forces. Several warships sat anchored in the harbor, their imposing silhouettes a visible reminder of military presence. Logically, martial law should have been declared.
But the Marines needed this execution seen globally. They couldn't suppress public enthusiasm for witnessing history. So rather than blockading the area, they'd opted for heightened but discreet security. The surrounding waters remained open. Port access and street movement continued unrestricted.
As news continued brewing over recent days, people had begun arriving from across the world. Among them: Donquixote Doflamingo, unable to resist the spectacle despite his North Blue operations, and Dracule Mihawk, the wandering swordsman who'd never lost a blade-to-blade duel.
Three massive Marine Headquarters warships glided into port, anchoring alongside ships that had arrived earlier. Gangplanks lowered, and Rear Admirals Momonga, Onigumo, and Gion were first to disembark.
All three wore their Justice coats with military bearing, projecting strength and authority. Though Gion's chest showed bandages beneath her uniform, evidence of recent injury, it barely diminished her presence. As she descended, multiple young men in the crowd reconsidered their life choices.
Maybe joining the Marines isn't such a bad idea. They might even introduce you to someone...
After the three Rear Admirals reached the dock, footsteps echoed on the gangplank. Two more figures emerged, one leading, one following.
The man in front possessed sharp blond hair styled with deliberate messiness, a handsome face marked by determination, and an aura of quiet intensity. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt, black work pants, high military boots, and a Justice coat draped across his shoulders.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties at most, yet the epaulettes on his shoulders bore Vice Admiral insignia.
A famous sword hung at his waist. Mihawk, standing among the crowd, recognized it instantly: Sōzai, one of the twenty-one Great Grade swords.
Mihawk recognized the blade but not the man. Doflamingo, ironically the sword's "former owner," didn't recognize Sōzai at all. Instead, his eyebrows rose with interest as he studied the Vice Admiral. "Rodriguez Finn. So you're the one who captured Roger? You look injured. Your aura's unstable..." A wicked grin spread across his face. "Well, if you caught the Pirate King, I suppose some damage is expected."
Doflamingo remained unaware of Shiki's attack on Marineford days earlier, so he naturally assumed Finn's injuries came from capturing Roger.
Finn's aura truly was unstable. His injuries wouldn't heal in mere days. Beneath his short sleeves, bandages wrapped his waist, abdomen, and chest. He hadn't let Gion and the others disembark first out of arrogance or desire for dramatic entrance.
He'd simply been changing his dressings below deck and gotten delayed.
The man following Finn looked considerably more intimidating. Multiple scars crossed his face, giving him a vicious appearance. His eyes held the intensity of a guard dog ready to bite anyone who stared too long.
This was Finn's adjutant, the "Fighting Dog" Doberman. Once Roger's execution concluded, he'd be promoted from Commodore to Rear Admiral, official recognition for his role in the Pirate King's capture.
Gion and the others ignored the chaotic crowd at the port, but Finn's gaze swept across the gathered masses. His eyes caught on one particularly distinctive figure.
Doflamingo. Hard to miss him.
The future Warlord's appearance was almost aggressively flamboyant. Short golden hair, orange-tinted sunglasses, a motorcycle type goggles, a purple necklace and that signature pink feather coat on his jacker that is not yet evolving to the full flamingo aesthetic of later years. He looked like a rock star trying too hard.
An evil, unrestrained smile played across his lips, radiating arrogance.
You couldn't help but notice him.
"Donquixote Doflamingo," Gion said quietly, stepping beside Finn. "Do you know him?"
Doflamingo possessed special status as a former Celestial Dragon. Though he hadn't caused major incidents yet, he'd built a reputation in the underworld. The Marines had naturally flagged him as a potential threat requiring monitoring.
Finn's hand rested on his sword's hilt. "This blade originally belonged to the Donquixote Family. You could say I stole it from him."
"I see." Gion nodded, asking nothing further.
Just robbery, then. Doflamingo's not exactly innocent. The sword's wasted on him anyway. If he's unsatisfied, he can try taking it back from Finn now.
Back in North Blue, despite acting boldly when seizing the sword, Finn had maintained some caution. Following Instructor Zephyr back to Marineford immediately had prevented retaliation. Now? He had zero concerns about Doflamingo. Come try to take it back. I'll beat you so badly you'll forget your own name.
Doflamingo himself had long since forgotten the incident. A single sword from years ago meant nothing to someone of his ambitions.
Currently, the Donquixote Family's North Blue operations had hit a ceiling. Continuing on their current path would yield no greater achievements. Doflamingo had been contemplating transformation, searching for the next evolution of his organization.
He hadn't decided on specifics yet. When news broke of Roger's capture, he'd come to witness the spectacle out of curiosity and boredom.
Here, he would witness Roger usher in the Great Pirate Era with his dying words. That moment would crystallize his decision to become a pirate himself, to ride the tide of changing times.
His capabilities weren't negligible. Through cunning methods and considerable personal strength, he'd thrive on the seas and eventually claim a Warlord position.
Then meet his destined opponent and get thoroughly demolished. But that was future trouble.
"Vice Admiral Finn," a Marine Commander stepped forward with a crisp salute. "Chief of Staff Tsuru and several Vice Admirals are waiting for your arrival."
"Oh? Waiting for me?" Finn blinked with surprise. When did I become important enough for that kind of reception?
"They probably want to hear about Shiki from someone who was actually there," Gion suggested with a knowing smile.
Finn nodded understanding. Though news of Shiki's defeat hadn't spread publicly, senior Marine leadership obviously knew everything. They'd want firsthand details from a direct participant.
"Lead the way," Finn told the Commander.
He turned to Momonga and the others. "Let's see the Chief of Staff first. Admiral Sengoku's orders were clear: in Loguetown, Chief of Staff Tsuru has complete authority. We're to cooperate fully with her plans and directives."
"Yes! Everything for justice!" came the unified response.
They followed Finn toward Loguetown proper, boots striking the dock in synchronized rhythm.
Finn didn't notice the small figure in the crowd: a young boy with distinctive white-gray hair, staring at him with naked admiration and wonder.
"The Violent Tiger of Marine Headquarters," the boy whispered to himself. "Vice Admiral Rodriguez Finn. The Evil-Slayer who captured the wicked Pirate King. Someday, I'll join the Marines too. I'll enforce justice just like him!"
That white-haired child was Smoker, future Captain and persistent thorn in the Straw Hats' side. His hometown was Loguetown itself, and he'd be among those witnessing Roger's execution firsthand.
Though Finn knew Smoker existed somewhere in this town, he had no intention of seeking him out. The kid would eventually join the Marines naturally, become a student at Instructor Zephyr's academy. If circumstances aligned later, Finn might recruit him.
Troublemakers make the best subordinates, Finn thought with amusement. Just need proper discipline. A few beatings usually solve most problems.
Loguetown's Marine base had been an ordinary branch facility until recently. Now it housed a concentration of Marine leadership that would make any pirate break into cold sweats.
Chief of Staff Tsuru occupied the base commander's office. The original commander had been politely excluded from this particular meeting, outranked by everyone present.
Vice Admirals Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino sat comfortably in attendance. Several veteran Vice Admirals filled out the roster: Comil, whose hairline had receded to Mediterranean levels, and Jonathan, Garp's longtime friend and confidant.
A knock at the door interrupted the low conversations. Everyone's attention shifted.
"That should be Finn," Tsuru said with a slight smile. "Come in."
The door opened. Finn entered first, grinning broadly. "Hahaha! How did you know it was me, Chief of Staff?"
"You worked under me for two years, little troublemaker," Tsuru replied warmly. "I recognize your knock."
During Finn's tenure with the Intelligence Department, he'd occasionally clashed with Tsuru over operational philosophy. The "non-existent organization" concept, for instance, had sparked several heated debates.
But generally, they'd worked together excellently. Tsuru had been willing to teach, and Finn eager to learn her wisdom and political acumen. Their disagreements stayed professional, never affecting personal rapport.
Behind Finn came Gion, Momonga, Onigumo, and Doberman in sequence.
Momonga's group lacked extensive connections, currently serving as Finn's trusted subordinates. Gion, despite being part of Finn's special operations unit, had originally been assigned from Tsuru's staff. She maintained an extremely close relationship with the Chief of Staff, treating each other almost like sisters despite the age gap.
"Sister Tsuru!" Gion's greeting carried genuine warmth.
Momonga and the others exchanged respectful greetings with Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino. Finn, with characteristic confidence, dropped into the chair beside Vice Admiral Jonathan without ceremony. "Long time no see, Jonathan."
"Indeed!" Jonathan's smile was genuine. "Last time I saw you, you were still a Rear Admiral."
"Haha, seems like it. Are you heading back to headquarters soon?" Finn asked conversationally.
"The G-8 Marine Branch construction is finally complete. After more than two years, the mission's wrapping up." Jonathan's expression turned satisfied. "Once this Loguetown business concludes, I do need to return to headquarters and report to the Fleet Admiral. Though..." He paused meaningfully. "After filing my report, I'll probably be heading straight back to G-8 as its first base commander. Hahaha!"
"So you're getting promoted and a plum assignment? Two years of infrastructure work paid off. The Fleet Admiral remembers loyal service," Finn observed with approval.
"Can't compare to you youngsters," Jonathan said modestly. "Tsuru mentioned Sengoku's considering sending you out for field command training after this. Making you a base commander?"
"That's the plan, though I haven't decided which posting yet," Finn confirmed.
"What about G-7?" Jonathan suggested casually.
"G-7?" Finn paused, mentally reviewing what he knew about that particular base.
His mind began cataloging the facility's strategic position, resources, and challenges. G-7 had interesting potential...
[Vice Admiral Jonathan is a Marine officer who appears in the G-8 filler arc of the One Piece anime, which takes place right after the Skypiea arc. He is the Commander of the G-8 Marine Fortress (Navarone), an extremely well-defended Marine base built like a stronghold surrounded by high cliffs. Jonathan is calm, intelligent, and strategic, preferring to outthink his enemies rather than overpower them. Throughout the G-8 arc, he studies the Straw Hat Pirates' behavior, treating them like a puzzle or a school of birds riding the wind, and uses traps, predictions, and tactics to try to contain them. Although he is not portrayed as a brutal fighter, his strategic mind and leadership make him one of the most respected base commanders in the Marines. The G-8 arc is anime-original but is widely praised, and Jonathan is remembered as one of the best original Marine characters in the series.]