Three days later, Carl was officially crowned as the new king of the Sorbet Kingdom.
The coronation ceremony was simple, without any extravagant pomp, and was held on the site of the demolished high walls.
Facing the assembled civilians, Carl solemnly swore an oath:
"Starting today, the city walls will be demolished."
The Sorbet Kingdom no longer distinguishes between inside and outside the walls.
Everyone is an equal citizen of this country.
I swear in the name of the King that I will lead this country to prosperity and strength.
May every child have enough to eat, every patient receive medical treatment, and every elderly person live out their twilight years in peace!
Thunderous applause erupted, and many poor people shed tears.
Bear and Ginny stood in the crowd, watching all this, their eyes also glistening with tears.
"He really did it..."
Ginny murmured.
Xiong nodded and looked at Roy not far away.
The young pirate captain watched all of this calmly, as if it were all part of his plan.
" Captain Roy..."
The bear walked up to Roy and bowed deeply.
Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for my hometown.
"You're welcome."
Roy helped him up.
"You deserve it."
And this is just the beginning.
Roy looked at King Carl:
"However, to ensure the smooth progress of the reform, there is one more thing I need to do."
"What's up?"
Roy didn't answer, but instead walked towards Carl had just finished his speech.
"King Carl, I have something for you."
As Roy spoke, he extended his index finger and tapped it on Carl's forehead.
As with Crocodile, he directly transmitted some knowledge and ideas into Carl's mind.
How to govern a country, how to develop the economy, how to balance the interests of all parties, how to deal with external pressure...
Most importantly, it instilled a guiding principle: treat the people well and persist in reform.
This is not control, but a reinforced belief.
It was like planting a seed in Carl's heart, ensuring that he wouldn't waver or deteriorate under future pressure.
The entire process lasted only a few seconds.
Carl shook his head, feeling as if his mind had been filled with many new thoughts.
He looked at Roy, his gaze even more determined:
" Captain Roy, I understand."
I will do as we agreed and make the Sorbet Kingdom a reliable ally for you.
"I trust you."
Roy patted him on the shoulder.
"However, remember that reform is not something that can be done overnight, and it will encounter a lot of resistance."
If you encounter any problems that you cannot solve, please contact us.
He handed Carl a specially made Den Den Mushi:
"This Den Den Mushi is encrypted and cannot be eavesdropped on."
Contact me anytime if you need help.
Carl solemnly accepted the Den Den Mushi:
"Thanks."
With everything arranged, the Roy Pirates prepared to leave.
Xiong and Ginny had packed their simple belongings and said goodbye to the villagers.
The poor people saw them off with reluctance, knowing that it was the bear that had brought these people who would change their fate.
"Bear, please take care!"
Ginny, remember to come back and visit often!
"Thank you all, Captain Roy!"
As everyone watched, Ark Maxim slowly ascended into the sky.
The bear stood on the ship's railing, looking at its hometown that was shrinking smaller and smaller, its heart filled with emotion.
The place where he had lived for many years finally offered hope for change.
He will travel to a wider world to fight for greater goals.
"Are you reluctant to part with it?" Roy walked up to him.
A little.
Xiong frankly said,
But more than anything, there is anticipation.
Captain, you're right, individual acts of kindness cannot change the world.
To truly help more people, we need greater strength and a broader vision.
"It's good that you think that way."
Roy said with relief,
"Next, we're going back to the New World."
There are more powerful enemies there, and greater goals await us.
The Ark Maxim flew towards the New World.
However, just as they were about to leave the South Blue Sea, Savi hurriedly ran onto the deck with a newspaper in his hand.
"Captain! Something terrible has happened!"
Savi's voice was filled with shock.
" Pirate King Roger... has been captured!"
The deck fell silent instantly.
Everyone looked at the newspaper in Savi's hand; the headline featured huge bold letters:
The Pirate King is captured! Gol D. Roger has been arrested!
The accompanying image shows Roger being escorted into Impel Down Prison wearing Seastone Handcuffs.
Although the photo is somewhat blurry, everyone can recognize that resolute face and signature mustache.
Roger... has he been arrested?
Bullet snatched the newspaper incredulously and quickly scanned its contents.
"How could this be?! How could a man like that...?"
Hawk Eyes frowned, took the newspaper, and read it carefully.
Tesoro, Crocodile, Kuma, and the others gathered around, their faces filled with shock.
Roy took the newspaper back from Bullet and calmly finished reading the report.
The content is simple: Gol D. Roger has been captured by the Navy and is currently being held in Level 6 of Impel Down Prison.
Fleet Admiral Kong personally confirmed the news: the World Government will publicly execute Roger in Loguetown in one month.
"Public execution..."
Roy repeated the word in a low voice, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The day has finally arrived.
Roger surrendered, was publicly executed, and then... the Great Pirate Era began.
The wheels of history keep turning, and even though his appearance changed some things, the general trend remains the same.
"Captain, do you think this is true?"
Stella asked,
"Could it be a conspiracy by the World Government? Why would a man like Roger surrender to the Navy willingly?"
It's true.
Roy handed the newspaper to Stella.
Roger has been diagnosed with an incurable disease and is nearing the end of his life.
He chose this way to end his life, and at the same time... ignited an era.
"Ignite an era?" Crocodile asked, puzzled.
Roy gazed at the distant horizon and said slowly:
Roger arrived at Laugh Tale and learned the truth about this world.
But instead of going public, he used this method to attract the world's attention.
When he is publicly executed, countless people will witness the end of the Pirate King.
His final words will be like a spark, igniting the entire sea.
The bear seemed to be deep in thought:
"Just like you said, Captain... to change the world, you need a bigger stage and a stronger impact."
"That's right."
Roy nodded.
Roger's execution will be the most important turning point of this era.
From that day on, countless people will flock to the sea in search of the so-called ' One Piece '.
World Government will be overwhelmed, the old order will be shaken, and a new era will sweep across the world.
Bullet clenched his fist:
"What about us? Should we go rescue Roger?"
Roy glanced at him:
You want to save him?
"He... he's the Pirate King!"
Bullet's voice was deep.
I haven't defeated him yet.
A man like this shouldn't die on the Execution Platform.
He wouldn't want us to rescue him.
Roy shook his head.
"This is the path he chose himself."
Furthermore, do you think the Navy and the World Government would be unprepared?
Roger's execution will be the most heavily guarded event in history.
"If we go to storm the execution ground, it's like walking into a trap."
Hawk Eyes wiped the Black Blade:
" Roy is right."
Bullet was silent for a moment, then finally sighed:
"You're right...
That man always makes choices that are incomprehensible to people.
The atmosphere on deck was somewhat heavy.
Although Roger was an enemy and a rival, his personal charisma won over many people.
The end of such a legend is truly poignant.
Roy broke the silence:
"However, we still have to go to Roger's execution."
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"We're not going to storm the execution ground, we're going to bear witness."
Roy's eyes deepened.
"Witness the end of one era and the beginning of another."
Furthermore... Roger said he would share the secret of the Laugh Tale with me.
Although he couldn't do it, I should at least see him off on his final journey.