Chapter 388: Execution Begins! Sengoku's Speech!
Under the instruction of the World Government, news of this public execution spread across the entire sea.
And as the execution time gradually approached, the situation across the entire sea seemed to experience an invisible tension—countless people, whether watching the spectacle or waiting for variables, were peering from the shadows.
So much so that when the day of the public execution truly arrived, both the Grand Line and the Four Blues experienced a situation where "ten thousand people emptied the streets" to watch.
"It's about to begin..."
And at this time in Windmill Village, it was even more so.
The entire Windmill Village, large and small shops alike, were all closed at this moment.
All the villagers of Windmill Village were currently gathered in the "Party's Bar".
Every villager's expression was very heavy, their eyes full of worry.
Especially Makino, the proprietress of the bar. Her hands were tightly clenched into fists at this time, not even having the time to greet customers.
Their gazes all looked at the wall of the bar—at this time, on the wall, there was an image projected by a Projections Transponder Snail.
Of course, given the location and economic situation of Windmill Village, it naturally was impossible for them to have bought this currently newest model of Transponder Snail themselves.
In fact, their Transponder Snail, as well as almost all the Transponder Snails in the world right now, were delivered to various islands by Marine branches under the orders of the World Government not long ago.
And on the Transponder Snail, the image projected... was exactly Marineford.
The massive Tenshukaku stood in the center of the image.
And at this time, the image was still moving—the Visual Transponder Snail conducting the live broadcast seemed to be held in the beak of a seagull, currently flying over Marineford.
Thus, everyone could see the scene of Marineford at this time.
Densely packed, countless troops were garrisoned here.
Those were Marines temporarily redeployed to Marine Headquarters from all over the world.
They wore white Marine uniforms, gathering into square formations.
And in front of each square formation, there were Marine generals responsible for commanding them.
Wearing a tall hat and holding a long sword, Vice Admiral Strawberry.
Eight-sword style, fierce-looking Vice Admiral Onigumo.
Smoking a cigar, short-statured Vice Admiral Tokikake.
And the Giant Vice Admirals with massive physiques and extraordinary imposing manners.
Those were all the elites among the elites of the Marines.
But the most eye-catching was still a platform located directly below the execution platform.
There, five figures were currently seated.
Three of the figures sat facing forward, each wearing a different colored Marine coat—Red, Blue, and Yellow.
Those were strikingly the highest combat forces of the Marines, the three Admirals: "Akainu" Sakazuki, "Kizaru" Borsalino, and "Aokiji" Kuzan.
And the remaining two sat on the left and right sides respectively.
They draped special coats over their shoulders that twinkled like stars.
That represented their identities—World Government Special Unit, Star Hunters Unit Commanders.
"Black Xiezhi" Roy Amos.
"Marine Hero" Monkey D. Garp.
And not only that.
At this time, in the outer square formations, one could also see the flags of many troops under the World Government's command, such as the Holy Land Escort Legion and the Red Line Patrol Force.
All of that was enough to show—the military force gathered here at this time was truly the World Government's "full army deployment".
And even though the villagers of Windmill Village were not strong individuals, and didn't even understand the situation of the sea very well.
But seeing such a scene, they could instinctively feel that massive, solemn sense of oppression.
"..."
And unlike usual, this "World Live Broadcast" didn't have a host from the World Economy News Paper conducting the broadcast, nor was there any commentary.
Within the entire Marineford, it could almost be said to be completely quiet.
But exactly amidst this quietness.
Step! Step! Step!
The sound of deep footsteps came.
Then, the people watching the live broadcast all over the world saw it.
A tall figure with a seagull on his head stepped up the execution platform step by step from the stairs behind.
He similarly had the word "Justice" fluttering fiercely in the wind on his body.
That was strikingly exactly the Marine Fleet Admiral—Sengoku.
His glasses reflected light under the sun, his entire aura solemn.
Step.
He stood firm in the center of the execution platform, surveying his surroundings.
That sharp gaze seemed to be able to look across the world through the live broadcast image.
"Everyone."
"Whether you are from the Four Blues, or the Grand Line."
His voice was loud and clear: "As you know—today, under the witness of 'the world'... a 'public execution' will take place here."
Clearly, he played the role of the missing host.
"The executed criminal, his name is—"
His words fell.
Then, everyone saw another figure being escorted up behind him.
"Ah~ I have no strength~ So hungry~"
His hands naturally wore Seastone handcuffs, looking weak and feeble.
Unknown whether it was out of the Marines' respect, that familiar straw hat still hung on his back.
That figure was strikingly exactly...
"'Straw Hat' Monkey D. Luffy!"
Accompanied by Sengoku's words falling.
Inside Windmill Village, Makino had already covered her mouth, tears spinning uncontrollably in her eyes.
"Luffy!"
"It's really that kid!?"
"Those bad guys! What are they going to do to Big Brother Luffy!?"
"Hey hey, are you kidding? Even if he became a pirate, how could that kid Luffy have done anything bad? His crimes don't warrant death!"
"Public execution!? What is the trash of the World Government going to do to our Windmill Village's child!?"
The roars within the entire bar could even be called surging and turbulent.
This is natural.
As the people who watched Luffy grow up, they of course knew Luffy's character.
So after hearing that Luffy was about to be publicly executed, their first reaction was disbelief.
And right now, after seeing with their own eyes that it was really Luffy, they naturally also became rightfully angry.
But clearly, their anger was meaningless.
Because right now, the live broadcast image was still continuing.
"I understand, everyone must be very curious why a relatively unknown pirate is being publicly executed."
Sengoku's words were also still continuing.
"The reason is... he possesses a 'Sinful Bloodline'."
He raised his hand and pointed at Luffy: "He is the son of the 'Revolutionary' Dragon."
"The straw hat on his back is the hat of 'Pirate King' Roger, it is Roger's legacy to the world."
"He inherited the blood of this sinful, chaotic era. He is a 'Child of Sin'."
Speaking up to here, Sengoku's words were clearly somewhat complex.
He glanced slightly below the execution platform, seemingly able to see his old friend Garp.
But ultimately, he forcefully withdrew the thoughts in his heart, continuing in a deep voice: "And now, this sinful bloodline and Roger's legacy to the world... will be wiped out by justice right here, under the witness of the whole world!"
"This is the meaning of this public execution!"
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