IW: Chapter 183 - "Hey, Pirate King! Where did you hide all the treasure you found?"
Roger was led step by step onto the execution platform.
On that execution platform, Roger saw a myriad of expressions, and with an unobstructed view, he also saw a few familiar faces.
His lips unconsciously curved into a smile.
This execution was arranged by the World Government in Loguetown and broadcasted live worldwide, so everyone could witness Roger's death, hoping to suppress the ever-growing number of pirates.
The original plan was for pirates to constantly battle each other on their path to becoming the Pirate King, thereby depleting a large number of pirates, which would also relieve their pressure.
Initially, the plan did unfold as the World Government had envisioned.
From the rivalry between Golden Lion and Roger to the emergence of Bai Ye, the World Government even thought Bai Ye also wanted to contend with Roger for the title of Pirate King.
However, to their disappointment, Bai Ye only appeared once before vanishing from the vast sea.
And after Golden Lion's defeat, he also did not continue to vie for the Pirate King title. Whitebeard, the only one who had a chance to compete with Roger, merely dreamed of having children, so he didn't fight Roger either.
Thus, after the Roger Pirates found Oden, they reached the position of Pirate King with almost no obstacles.
This also foiled the World Government's calculations.
The weakening plan failed, so they directly began to capture the Roger Pirates. Since what happened couldn't be stopped, the only thing they could do was capture Roger and his crew.
However, what was later surprising was that Roger chose to surrender, stating that he had disbanded the Roger Pirates. In exchange, the World Government needed to abandon the pursuit of the Roger Pirates' members.
The two sides ultimately reached an agreement: as long as they didn't cause trouble, the World Government could turn a blind eye.
After all, there were still many strong individuals within the Roger Pirates. If they were truly unyielding, capturing them would be very troublesome. But if they were to remain quiet like this, it was essentially no different from being captured.
So, the deal between the two sides was struck: Roger surrendered, and the World Government announced to the world that they had captured Pirate King Roger.
Below the platform.
Looking at the man who, even kneeling, exuded a Haki-filled presence, many people were astonished.
Buggy and Shanks, hidden in the crowd, felt an inexpressible sadness.
Oden, who had come here with Dragon, felt an overwhelming surge of emotions.
Although Roger had told them about his terminal illness and his intention to surrender before.
Seeing it again truly made it difficult to remain calm.
However, this was Roger's decision. After Oden left Wano Country, he was initially somewhat reluctant to accept Dragon's invitation.
But later, upon learning that Dragon was heading to Loguetown to witness Roger's execution, he agreed to travel with Dragon for a while.
At the same time, later on their journey, Oden also understood what Dragon was doing now: overthrowing the Celestial Dragons' rule and creating a better world.
This also made Oden realize that he, too, was not living meaninglessly in this world.
He wanted to follow Dragon and transform the world to be like Wano Country.
When he returned to Wano Country and saw everyone having something to do, with smiles on their faces, free from the oppression of the former nobles, and everyone able to eat their fill, this was also why he was willing to leave Wano Country.
In other places, young Mihawk, Dragon, Doflamingo, Gekko Moriah, and a child Smoker.
All eyes were fixed on Roger.
Roger knelt on the execution platform, quietly observing the circle of people before him.
"Hey, Pirate King!!! Where did you hide all the treasure you found?!!!"
Below the platform.
A fat man in a blue-green denim sleeveless jacket cupped his hands around his mouth, acting as a megaphone, and shouted at Roger.
He was the one who ignited the Great Pirate Era!
As his words fell, the pirates below swallowed their saliva, a bead of sweat trickled down their faces, and their eyes were filled with fervent gazes at Roger on the platform!
That's right!
They came here partly to see the Pirate King's demeanor.
The other reason was for the Great Treasure!
Legend has it that Laugh Tale holds a Great Treasure, enough wealth to last dozens of lifetimes!
"Haha... Hahahaha!!!"
Roger let out a low, rumbling laugh from his throat, his lips spread wide, and his broad mustache trembled with his smile.
His laughter grew louder and louder, and the moment he stopped, the king-like aura emanating from Roger directly awed everyone present!
He's going to say it, right!?
This was the thought in everyone's mind.
This also made Sengoku, who was supervising Roger's execution, get goosebumps all over, and at this very moment, a sense of unease welled up within him.
No!
He can't let him speak!!!
This was Sengoku's first thought. The crowd below was only temporarily suppressed, and as soon as Roger uttered those words, Sengoku could already imagine what terrifying things would happen next!!!
"Execute him!!"
It wasn't time for the execution yet, but Sengoku couldn't wait any longer.
With Sengoku's angry roar, the executioners reacted, raising their long swords and thrusting them directly towards Roger's heart!
This caused everyone present to feel a tightening in their chests.
Don't kill him!
Let him finish speaking first!!!
Watching the blade get closer and closer to Roger, everyone's hearts were filled with anxiety!
"Do you want my treasure? If you want it, you can have it all. Go find it! I've put all the treasure there!!!"
Clang!
As soon as Roger's words fell, a sharp burst of clamor erupted from all the pirates below the platform.
The treasure really exists!!
ONE PIECE is real!!!
Just as everyone was immersed in this joy, those who reacted among the crowd suddenly looked at the execution platform. Roger seemed not to have died, and behind him, a person in a black robe was blocking the executioner's blade.
"I thought you wouldn't show up, you guy!"
Roger smirked, as if he had long known that Bai Ye was there.
"It just feels a bit shameful to die at the hands of the Marine. How about dying by my hand instead?"
"If you want this life of mine, take it whenever you wish. Consider it revenge for your Captain!"
Roger let out a hearty laugh. He had already prepared himself for death, so he didn't care who killed him.
His mission was complete, and none of this mattered anymore. Besides, dying by Bai Ye's hand seemed more satisfying than dying at the hands of these two unknown Marine soldiers.
Actually, Roger also knew what the World Government meant. Having two Marine soldiers kill him, wasn't that just humiliating him?
But for the sake of what he needed to do, Roger didn't say much. Moreover, only these unpowerful Marine soldiers could allow him to complete his upcoming plan.
If Sengoku and his like were the ones executing him, he might not have been able to utter those words.
Speaking of avenging Rocks, a hint of teasing flashed across Roger's face: "Tch, speaking of which, you're not that loyal to Rocks, are you?"
"That guy, he doesn't need me to avenge him. He died standing, and he must have been quite happy before he died, right?"
"Haha, actually, he wasn't very happy. He was extremely frustrated at the time!"
Roger laughed heartily.
At that time, Rocks had cursed with all sorts of vulgarities.
Damn it, bullying him!
So many people fighting just him!
He found Rocks' expression quite amusing when he thought about it now.
"Is that so."
The wind gently brushed against Bai Ye's face. Standing on the execution platform, it truly looked different from below.
The wind blew his hood down, revealing Bai Ye's face to everyone.
"Bai Ye, you bastard, how dare you show yourself!!"
Sengoku, who reacted first, immediately transformed into his Great Buddha form and punched directly at Bai Ye!
This guy actually dared to come!
And he even stopped the execution during Roger's execution. What exactly did he want to do?
Although Bai Ye said he would send Roger to his death, who knew what was really going on?
If Bai Ye took Roger away in front of so many people and during a live broadcast, what would happen to the World Government's reputation?!
"Sengoku, you really are impatient!"
Susanoo directly encased the entire execution platform, and then, a wooden figure on its body directly caught Sengoku's incoming punch.
"Quiet down, Sengoku. I'll be the one to kill Roger!"
Saying that, Bai Ye directly raised the long sword in his hand and aimed it at Roger's heart. Pfft!
The long sword directly pierced Roger's heart, but Roger laughed even more wildly at this moment.
"Sengoku, it seems your plans have fallen through. Bai Ye, by the way, do you want to know the secret of the Great Treasure?"
Are you going to tease me even at the very end?
A hint of exasperation flashed in Bai Ye's eyes, and then he increased the force in his hand.
"Cough, cough, you really are something. You should have been the Pirate King more than me. Dying by your hand, I feel this life was worth it..."
Blood overflowed from Roger's lips, and his eyes gradually lost focus.
And he seemed to see many people: Rayleigh, Gaban, Crocus... Shanks, and Buggy.
As an enemy and a close friend, Garp. His mind involuntarily recalled the enemies from his journey out to sea until his capture: Rocks, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Bai Ye.
His life seemed to have been quite good.
He just felt a bit sorry for Rouge and Ace...
Roger suddenly thought of something. If he had met Bai Ye back then, entrusting Ace to Bai Ye might have been a good idea.
But, forget it...
He couldn't even see through Bai Ye's true intentions. If he handed Ace over to Bai Ye, Ace probably wouldn't be able to follow his own will in the future, right?
Forgive him for being a selfish father, who, even in death, had to arrange Ace's future path.
[Ding! Changed Roger's fate, awarded one draw opportunity.]
Tch.
I'm not doing this for a draw opportunity!
Draw!
[Ding! Used one draw opportunity, congratulations on obtaining: Observation Haki: Future Sight.]
Katakuri's Observation Haki?
Bai Ye was a little surprised; he didn't expect to draw this.
Roger was supposed to die, but at the hands of two small soldiers. Now, dying by his own hand, does that mean his fate has taken a different turn?
As expected of the Pirate King, even his death could give him a draw opportunity.
He's dead.
Bai Ye glanced at Roger, then pulled the long sword out of his body. Blood flowed directly onto the execution platform.
"Hey, hey, hey, Sengoku, I've already dealt with Roger for you. Why are you attacking me? I'm not playing with you anymore!"
Saying that, Bai Ye directly ran off, taking Roger's corpse with him.
His goal was achieved. He came here to retrieve Roger's corpse and to witness this major event.
Now that he had done all that, and even gained an extra benefit, why would he stay here instead of running?
"It's over..."
Sengoku looked at the empty execution platform. At this moment, he realized that everything was completely ruined.
Roger was not executed by the Marine, but by Bai Ye, and his corpse was also not recovered by them; it was taken away by Bai Ye.
Looking at the pirates below, Sengoku now had only one thought: capture as many pirates as possible!
These pirates would definitely become enemies of the Marine later, because of Roger's single sentence, the pirates would not diminish due to his death; instead, they would grow even larger.
"Capture! Capture all the pirates here!!"
Sengoku roared, then immediately began to engage in the capture of pirates.
A commotion broke out below the platform, and the pirates, filled with excitement, prepared to leave Loguetown and set sail.
Because everyone firmly believed that Roger had placed all the Great Treasure on Laugh Tale.
Their pirate crew's treasure combined with Laugh Tale's treasure would be enough to move all the pirates in the world.
"Buggy, come with me, join my pirate crew and become my first mate!"
Shanks raised his left hand and placed it in front of Buggy, looking at him with sincere eyes.
They were both brought onto the ship by Roger, growing up together... a childhood friend... cough cough... Anyway, in Shanks's view, if he were to set sail in the future and inherit the Captain's will, then Buggy would be his best first mate.
"Hey! What are you talking about? This great me will never join anyone's pirate crew!!" Buggy said, then glared fiercely at Shanks and growled, "Shanks, don't you forget what that bastard you did!!!"
If it weren't for Shanks, how could he have accidentally eaten a Devil Fruit?
Because of that, Buggy had suffered for quite a while!
Now Shanks still wanted to invite him to join his pirate crew?!
What a joke!
He, Buggy, would rather die, jump off here, die outside, than ever join Shanks's pirate crew!
"Is that so? Are you really not going to consider it?"
Shanks still felt some regret. If the journey was without Buggy, it would indeed lack a lot of fun!
"Hmph! This great me will form my own pirate crew!"
Saying that, Buggy directly turned around and prepared to leave.
He would never join anyone's pirate crew!
Looking at Buggy's retreating back, Shanks also felt a bit sad. It seemed he would have to set sail alone.
"Fufufufufu, Roger, do you want to turn this world upside down?"
Doflamingo cackled, trembling with excitement at this moment. He truly wanted to completely destroy this boring world!
"Young Master, let's go quickly, the Marine has started to move!"
"En."
As the Marine began to act, the pirates in Loguetown also started to evacuate one after another.
Besides capturing pirates, Sengoku was also closely monitoring Bai Ye's whereabouts. He had to capture this bastard; it wasn't the first time he had toyed with the Marine and the World Government.
"Tch, New World, huh?"
Crocodile's eyes flickered, and he too prepared to set sail for the New World.
Meanwhile, Mihawk, not far away, silently turned and left.
"I must go to Wano Country."
Gekko Moriah's eyes flickered. He wanted to lead his people to Wano Country. To achieve his dream, Wano Country was of utmost importance.
"Oden, shall we go?"
"En, let's change the world together!"
After witnessing Roger's death, Oden was deeply moved.
And he decided he had to do something.
And with the demise of the Pirate King, the world's chaos did not stop; instead, it became even more severe.
Heroes of the high seas began to emerge one after another!
And a child named Smoker secretly vowed to bring all pirates to justice!
...
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