A New Era

Loguetown was especially sweltering today.

The sun hung high in the sky, its bright light illuminating every corner of Loguetown and baking the damp, stifling air.

But that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Loguetown's residents. Early in the morning, they all ran out and packed themselves onto the central avenue, finding good spots for themselves.

This street was the widest in all of Loguetown, and it was also the only road connecting the Loguetown Marine building to the execution grounds.

Countless Marines were already standing ready on both sides of the road, maintaining order.

The crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder, everyone looking toward the end of the street, waiting for the person they expected to appear.

The One Piece: Gol D. Roger.

Ye Mu had also brought Enel, Tiger, Freya, and Baby-5 here at this moment.

"S-so high... Lord Enel..."

Because Baby-5 was simply too small, she couldn't see anything at all standing in the crowd, so Ye Mu forcibly placed her on Enel's shoulders.

Enel looked somewhat unwilling, but Baby-5 happily wrapped her arms around Enel's neck, looking all around.

Ye Mu looked at Freya beside him and asked, "Did you finish saying goodbye to your father?"

Although she had already become a companion, Freya still wasn't quite used to staying by Ye Mu's side. Even so, she still tried hard to fit in as she said, "Mm, I said goodbye last night. He also told me a lot about the Grand Line. But now that I've become a pirate, the Marines really won't cause trouble for Dad, will they?"

"Don't worry. Vice Admiral Kuzan guaranteed it. His word can still be trusted."

"Tch, clearly one's a Marine and one's a pirate, yet you're making deals in private."

"Hahahaha..."

Remembering the promise he and Kuzan had made yesterday, Ye Mu laughed as well, then continued, "Starting today, you're a member of the Sky Pirates, and also our head chef. Normally, according to the rules, we should hold a welcome banquet for you and Baby-5, but the circumstances are special right now. After we safely escape this place today, we'll hold a banquet for the two of you."

After saying that, he looked at Tiger and made arrangements.

"Tiger, once the execution is over, you'll have only one responsibility: protect Freya and Baby-5. Enel and I will clear a path for you."

"Don't worry. Leave it to me, Captain Ye Mu."

Freya, however, said somewhat unhappily, "Don't look down on me. I'm pretty strong too..."

"Of course I know that, but the battle that may happen next really isn't something you can take part in... Still, there's no need to worry too much..."

Freya was about to argue a few more words, but just then, a commotion came from the distant crowd, accompanied by continuous shouts.

"Roger's coming out..."

Everyone instantly looked toward the end of the central avenue.

They saw that, surrounded by countless soldiers, a burly man wearing a captain's coat, with handcuffs on his wrists and shackles on his ankles, was being escorted by soldiers as he slowly walked over from the end of the street.

"So this is the One Piece, Gol D. Roger..."

"Gulp..."

At this moment, Roger was clearly a criminal heading to the execution grounds, about to die, yet he walked like a victorious general returning in triumph, a calm smile on his face.

Everyone who saw this scene was utterly overwhelmed by Roger's imposing presence. None of them dared to breathe loudly as they watched Roger, step by step, slowly enter the execution grounds like a king.

And the moment he passed the place where Ye Mu stood, Roger seemed to sense something as well. He grinned and slowly walked on.

Not far away, inside a certain building.

Sengoku, who had been secretly watching this scene, let out a long breath.

This was the moment he had feared most. Fortunately, it had passed safely.

But for some reason, looking at the smile on Roger's face, he grew more and more uneasy. Still, as long as no major trouble occurred, the plan could not be changed. After all, this public execution of Roger was being broadcast live to the entire world, and the purpose of executing Roger was also to raise the prestige of the Marines and the World Government. If Roger died too casually, it would not have that effect.

So after thinking for a moment, he picked up the Transponder Snail in his hand.

"The plan remains unchanged. Also... stay on high alert..."

"Hey, Sengoku, at a time like this, what are you still worried about... Besides, aren't Kuzan and Borsalino both nearby?"

Garp sat on the sofa to the side, eating doughnuts with a calm look on his face.

But Sengoku did not dare relax in the slightest.

"The more it comes down to this moment, the more cautious we have to be... Take this seriously... and stop eating..."

Fortunately, everything went smoothly after that, and no accidents occurred. Roger arrived at the execution grounds. Escorted by the soldiers, he climbed the steps one by one and walked onto the execution platform. Then, like an emperor, he sat there, overlooking all living beings below.

At this moment, the world fell silent. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the emperor atop the execution platform.

By this point, Sengoku had relaxed a great deal, and even began considering other matters as he gave an order.

"Have all Marines prepare. Once Roger is executed, whether it's those people from the Sky Pirates or the other evil pirates, we absolutely cannot let them leave this place..."

"Understood, Admiral Sengoku. Then next, when will you appear and announce the worldwide declaration of Roger's execution?"

"Right away..."

But just then, in the quiet square, a voice suddenly rang out—one that sounded somewhat familiar to Sengoku, Kuzan, Borsalino, and Dragon.

"Hey, Pirate King..."

"Where did you hide all the treasure you found? Is it really on the Grand Line?"

"You found it, didn't you? That legendary great treasure, that one-of-a-kind treasure!"

"The One Piece!!!!"

Sengoku's expression changed drastically. The instant he reacted, he could no longer care about anything else and hurriedly took out a Den Den Mushi, shouting into it.

"Damn it..."

"Now! Don't wait any longer! Execute him immediately..."

"Huh? But it's not time yet..."

But clearly, it was already too late.

"Ahahahahaha..."

On the execution platform, Roger burst into delighted laughter. He truly was happy.

At this moment, under everyone's gaze, he finally spoke the great declaration that would spark the future Great Pirate Era.

"My treasure...?"

"If you want it, you can have it all..."

"Go find it! I left all my treasure there!"

At that moment, the entire square—no!!!

Every place watching this public execution broadcast erupted into noise, and people shouted at the top of their lungs.

"Oh!!!"

"Ah!!!!"

"The great treasure is mine!!!!"

Sengoku's face, however, turned completely dark as he clenched the Den Den Mushi tightly in his hand.

"Damn it... So this was Roger's plan all along... Sky Pirates, Ye Mu... I absolutely won't let you off this time..."

And at that moment—

Enel, Tiger, Freya, and Baby-5 all stared at their captain in shock.

Because the words just now had been asked by Ye Mu.

"Hey, Ye Mu, don't tell me you and Roger planned that line in advance."

Enel asked, a little startled.

"Of course not. I just felt I was better suited to lay the paving stones for the beginning of this new era, that's all. Hahahahaha..."

At that moment, Ye Mu was more excited and happier than he had ever been before. Then he suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the square.

"Everyone of the Sky Pirates! Now, for the Pirate King's great treasure, let us set out for the sea together! The adventure begins..."

"Oh!!!"

Ye Mu's words not only made everyone in the Sky Pirates' eyes light up, as if they felt the destiny of this era descending upon them—

Even the others in the square, and everyone watching this execution, heard that voice.

In an instant, everyone came to their senses. Shouts rang out into the sky, and then, without the slightest hesitation, they surged one after another toward the sea.

At this moment, there was only one shared thought in all their hearts...

"The Pirate King's great treasure is mine..."