Inside the Marine base in Loguetown, Sengoku the Buddha, Garp, Kizaru, and Aokiji sat together, each wearing a different expression.
Although the World Government claimed that Roger had been captured by the Marines, only those present knew the truth—Roger had surrendered himself.
As for why he did it, all evidence pointed to Roger being terminally ill, with only a short time left to live. Still, a sense of unease lingered in everyone's hearts. Something about Roger didn't sit right.
But neither the World Government nor the Marines could uncover what Roger was truly planning.
Regardless, Roger's capture dealt a heavy blow to pirates across the Grand Line and massively boosted the prestige of both the World Government and the Marines.
At that moment, Sengoku the Buddha stared out the window at the chaotic streets of Loguetown, his face clouded with concern. He turned to Kizaru and Aokiji.
"For the next half month, you need to stay sharp—no mistakes. Especially where Roger is being held. Don't let anyone even think about breaking him out."
At this time, neither Aokiji nor Kizaru had yet become Admirals, so Sengoku's words carried full authority.
"Everything's already set."
Even the usually laid-back Aokiji couldn't afford to take the Pirate King's execution lightly.
Kizaru, on the other hand, kept his usual aloof demeanor.
"Lately, Loguetown's been crawling with all kinds of terrifying monsters. Want us to round them up early?"
Sengoku shook his head.
"From here on out, the public execution of Roger takes priority. Deal with the pirates after it's done."
"Understood."
At that moment, Sengoku glanced at Garp, who sat staring blankly into space, a trace of worry in his eyes.
Ever since Roger surrendered half a month ago and met with Garp, the man had been like this.
Still, Sengoku didn't press him. He figured it was just a case of mutual respect between old rivals.
But then, the quiet of the building was broken by the sudden ringing of a Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku's expression shifted. This wasn't just any Den Den Mushi—it was a direct line used only by Fleet Admiral Kong.
A sudden wave of unease washed over him. Why was Fleet Admiral Kong contacting him now, of all times?
The others recognized the sound too, and their gazes all turned toward Sengoku. Even Garp's expression suddenly grew serious.
Sengoku picked up the receiver, and under everyone's watchful eyes, the always composed, strategic Sengoku the Buddha froze. Panic and unease flickered across his face.
"What's wrong, Admiral Sengoku? What happened...?"
Aokiji asked, puzzled.
Sengoku's reply made everyone's face change in an instant.
"A Celestial Dragon has been killed..."
"!!!"
"Hiss..."
Everyone sucked in a breath, instantly understanding the gravity of the news. Before they could ask for details, Sengoku snapped into action.
"Kizaru, take the Den Den Mushi and head to the Grand Line immediately. Make sure you bring those two pirates back."
"I got it."
Even the usually flippant Kizaru had to take this seriously. Taking the golden Den Den Mushi, he transformed into a beam of light and vanished.
"What about us...?"
As Kizaru disappeared, Aokiji couldn't help but speak up.
Sengoku responded firmly.
"The Five Elders have made it clear—nothing is allowed to interfere with Gol D. Roger's execution. The World Government will figure out a way to keep this news under wraps..."
"I understand."
Aokiji said no more. After issuing his orders, Sengoku rubbed his forehead and slumped onto the couch with a sigh.
"Seriously, what the hell is going on with this world... One thing after another..."
Garp, meanwhile, seemed completely relaxed. He even dropped the act and grinned openly.
"So who's the lunatic that actually dared to kill a Celestial Dragon? After Rocks, there haven't been many crazies like that..."
Sengoku shot a glare at his old friend. Unlike the others, he knew Garp never gave the Celestial Dragons any respect. Not even the Five Elders dared to mess with him—so he didn't bother hiding anything.
"We don't know much yet. Communications with the warship have been lost. The Celestial Dragon who died was Donquixote Mjosgard. The ones who killed him were two rookie pirates calling themselves the Sky Pirates."
"The Sky Pirates, huh? That name takes me back... reminds me of Shiki. Wonder how that guy's doing in Impel Down…"
Garp chuckled, veering off-topic. As Shiki's old rival, Garp had never forgotten the name of his crew—the Flying Pirates.
Aokiji suddenly remembered something and asked, "Didn't he have four CP9 agents guarding him? Those guys aren't weak. Plus Gasparde was there too. He may just be a Rear Admiral, but his Ame Ame no Mi is seriously useful. Even with all that, they couldn't protect a Celestial Dragon?"
His words made Sengoku freeze for a moment, but then he quickly gathered himself. His expression darkened, then relaxed slightly.
"Kizaru should be able to handle it."
At his current strength, Kizaru was already a candidate for Admiral. Taking on two pirates shouldn't be a problem...
That's what Sengoku told himself. But deep down, an uneasy feeling still lingered.
Even the death of a Celestial Dragon now seemed insignificant compared to the public execution of the Pirate King.
"What a chaotic time…"
...
Kizaru didn't bother hiding his departure, so many noticed. But with few reliable sources, most people still had no idea what had happened.
Some, however, were different.
In a hotel room, two powerful figures faced off: Stussy, the Queen of the Pleasure District and one of the underworld emperors, and Morgans, president of the World Economic News Agency.
They'd both received the same shocking intel. But while both were stunned, their reactions couldn't have been more different.
As a CP0 agent and World Government operative, Stussy had received direct orders from the Five Elders: suppress the news at all costs. At least until Roger's execution was over, the world must not find out.
Morgans, on the other hand, immediately thought about how to publish the biggest scoop of the century.
The more chaotic the world, the more he loved it.
In the end, the standoff ended with Stussy prevailing. Even as the head of the world's most powerful newspaper, Morgans couldn't escape the World Government's grip.
But just three hours later, everything flipped.
The clear sky suddenly turned wild as gusts of wind scattered countless paper slips across the city.
The content was simple.
Three photos. Three names. One signature.
But no one dared ignore them.
One photo showed a Celestial Dragon with his head blown open. The other two showed: Yemu, captain of the Sky Pirates, and Enel, their first mate.
The signature at the bottom read: Revolutionary Army.
In an instant, all of Loguetown was in an uproar...
Yet the one behind it all, Yemu, didn't feel the slightest joy—because he realized the trip had been for nothing.
"So... the ship's empty, huh..."