Two-Pronged Attack, A Familiar Feeling

Sakazuki's appearance meant the execution was about to begin.

He stood atop the execution platform.

Looking down over the vast plaza, Sakazuki felt an intoxicating rush.

It was like he ruled the world, with those who followed him prospering and those who opposed him perishing.

One day,

he would truly rule the world and eradicate evil from it once and for all.

"Bring out the prisoner."

Sakazuki wasted no time. His voice rang out across the world through the live broadcast.

Ring, ring~

As the piercing clatter of chains rang out, Garp seemed to have aged decades. He followed two executioners as they escorted Luffy to the platform.

It had been Garp's request.

He wanted to spend Luffy's final moments with him.

Sakazuki had initially disagreed, but Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru, and the others had pleaded on Garp's behalf.

Calling it a plea was generous; it had been no different from applying pressure.

That was why Sakazuki had started a war: those old-timers were still interfering with the Navy's operations, even riding roughshod over him, the fleet admiral.

It only made Sakazuki more determined to execute Monkey D. Luffy.

At that moment,

all eyes were fixed on the execution platform.

Not a sound could be heard.

"What a show!"

"Will Monkey D. Garp really watch his own grandson be executed for the sake of justice?"

"I doubt it."

"That's his own grandson. How cruel would he have to be to watch the boy die right in front of him?"

"Put nicely, it's putting justice before family. Put bluntly, it's inhuman. Even a tiger won't eat its cubs!"

"What kind of Marine Hero sacrifices his own grandson for so-called justice?"

"Justice? What is justice? Might makes right."

As Garp sat cross-legged on the execution platform, countless people around the world mocked him.