Buggy, seeing that the Straw Hat Boy was already his, became somewhat carried away and began to passionately declare that he would publicly execute the Straw Hat Boy.
They even said it would be an honor for Straw Hat Boy to die in the same place as the Pirate King. Naturally, Luffy didn't want to die here, but no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't break free of the shackles around his neck!
By this time, Buggy had arrived at the Execution Platform and replaced Cabaji, but he was still rambling on and on, and the news that he was going to execute the Straw Hat Boy had been spread everywhere by the residents in the square.
Zoro got lost and separated from Luffy, found out about this. Nami and Usopp, who were returning to the beach, also found out. Sanji was searching for Luffy and Zoro, also learned about it.
Zoro and Sanji rushed towards the Execution Platform. Usopp also wanted to go and save Luffy, but Nami stopped him. They had all heard the news even though they were almost out of town, so there was no reason why Sanji and Zoro wouldn't have heard it. She believed that Sanji and Zoro could handle this and bring Luffy back!
Nami had witnessed Buggy's abilities firsthand, and they needed to get back to the ship immediately to prepare for departure. She could already sense the approaching storm! If they didn't return, the pirate ship would either be blown away by the storm or destroyed by the Navy, so they had to get back to the ship!
At this moment, dark clouds loomed overhead over the square, with flashes of Inazuma occasionally streaking across them, creating a rather oppressive atmosphere. Some of the residents in the square had already been frightened away, while many others were simply there to watch the drama unfold.
The rest were all henchmen of Buggy and Alvida, while a large group of marines, ordered by Smoker, were lying in ambush at the street corners outside the plaza, ready to wipe out all the pirates in the plaza once the execution was over.
"Hahaha! Sinner! Pirate Monkey D. Luffy! For the crime of daring to provoke me, I hereby execute you in a spectacular fashion! Minions! Make as much noise as you want!"
Buggy the Clown was smug, showing no sign that this Execution Platform was the final resting place of his former captain Pirate King Roger. He seemed to have forgotten that he shed tears at Captain Roger's execution, and no one knew what he was really feeling!
"This is the first time I've ever seen an execution!"
Looking at the commotion below the Execution Platform, Luffy remarked with a touch of melancholy, completely oblivious to his own predicament. He even wore a smile, showing no awareness that he was about to be executed, as if Buggy were the one executing someone else.
"You're the one who should be executed!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"What are you talking about? You're about to carry out a grand public execution right now!"
"Stop! No!"
Upon hearing that Buggy was going to execute him, Luffy panicked, his face contorted in disbelief. He struggled desperately to no avail, and then started arguing loudly with Buggy.
No matter what Luffy said, it was useless. Buggy was determined to kill the man who had knocked him away. This was the ultimate belief that allowed him to survive countless near-death experiences with his small body. He wouldn't be able to achieve his goal without killing Luffy.
"I'm sorry! I won't do it again, please save me!"
Why would I save you, you idiot!
"This execution is taking way too long. Why haven't they made their move yet? What is Buggy the Clown waiting for?"
"Maybe he's venting his emotions. You know, many winners tell inspirational stories to losers, and only after they've vented their emotions will they take the hit!"
They might even be satisfied only when they see a certain expression on the loser's face, or perhaps they want to hear the loser beg for mercy, and then kill them amidst the loser's curses!
Smoker and Vic had been watching the show for quite a while; Buggy stood on the Execution Platform, swaggering around for ages, but didn't make a move.
He would even argue with Straw Hat Boy from time to time, and occasionally tell stories about the time he was knocked away, talking about his hardships and how he owed everything he had to Straw Hat Boy.
So today is a day of cause and effect, and karma is inescapable. It's just proving the saying that villains die from talking too much. As long as no one comes to save him, he won't take action.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
"I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Buggy's words made Luffy realize that he was really going to die today. He shouted those words with all his might, and his voice echoed throughout the entire square!
These words stunned everyone. To say these words on the Execution Platform where the Pirate King had been executed, and in this very town, was unbelievable, yet a strange feeling also arose in their hearts.
"Your execution method! Wait a minute!"
" Zoro! Sanji!"
Just as Luffy was about to make one last struggle, a loud shout rang out, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound. On a street at the edge of the square, two figures stood there.
Luffy recognized the people at a glance: Zoro, who was wearing a black bandana and in a serious state, and Sanji, who was smoking and had one eye showing. The shout just now was Zoro's.
Upon seeing that it was them, Luffy was immediately filled with hope of survival and excitedly called out their names.
"What kind of mess are you making?! There's a limit to joking, Luffy!"
"If it's just for entertainment, I'll join in! Anyway, as long as we get rid of these lackeys, it'll be fine, right?"
Zoro and Sanji seemed unconcerned about the scene before them, but they were both on edge. They couldn't possibly break through the Execution Platform in a short time, while their opponent could behead Luffy in an instant.
The name of the Pirate Hunter Zoro carries considerable weight in the East Blue. The residents who were watching the commotion in the square scattered like birds the moment they heard his name, leaving only Buggy and Alvida's pirate henchmen, which conveniently made things easier for Zoro and Sanji.
"You've arrived, Zoro! But you're too late!"
Buggy saw Zoro too, and a smile immediately appeared on his face. He raised the sword in his hand. He had waited for so long and talked on and on for so long, just to get the most revenge on the Straw Hat Pirates!
He was going to execute Luffy in front of his Straw Hat Luffy. Without an audience of that stature, the execution wouldn't be considered spectacular. Now that the man had arrived, it was the perfect time for the execution!
"The real show is about to begin! Tell them to get ready. As soon as the Straw Hat Boy's head rolls, move out!"
"Yes, Mr. Smoker!"
"Yes! It was certainly a good show, but you definitely won't be satisfied!"
"He is the Pirate Hunter Zoro!"
Smoker and Vic's wait finally reached its climax, and behind them came Tashigi's voice of Satori.
She never expected that the man she bumped into at the weapon shop was the famous Pirate Hunter Zoro. She had mentioned to him before at the weapon shop that his hobby of collecting three swords was similar to that of a certain Three-Sword Style Pirate Hunter used swords as a tool to make money. Now that she found out they were the same person, she was dumbfounded.