Chapter 432: The Fall of the Pirate King
Loguetown, East Blue—
The news that the Pirate King would be executed here spread like wildfire.
A once-obscure island became a hive of activity as individuals from every corner of the seas gathered.
"Fufufufufu! What a lively crowd!"
A man in a flamboyant pink coat and pointed boots kicked open the tavern door. His sunglasses glinted ominously as he surveyed the patrons inside.
Inside the tavern, people sat in silence. Some read newspapers, others sipped wine or whispered with companions.
When they saw the arrogant man at the door, they glanced at him once and looked away.
In one corner—
Dracule Mihawk rested his feet on a table, wine glass in hand. Across from him sat Crocodile.
The two had run into each other again after arriving in Loguetown and, by chance, ended up in the same tavern.
Crocodile scoffed as he glanced at the paper, then cast a disdainful look at the man at the door: Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Tch tch tch tch… more big names arriving," someone whispered.
At another table—
A tall, burly young man sat surrounded by a group, his eyes flickering with flames—thirsting for battle.
"Moria-aniki, the island is full of Marines. It's not the time to make a move," a companion warned.
"Relax. I know."
Gecko Moria scanned the room calmly.
At the entrance, Doflamingo spotted him and narrowed his eyes. "So even he came…"
Moria—captain of the Thriller Bark Pirates—was one of the most sought-after pirates of the past year.
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo found a seat and sat down with his men.
"Ahahaha! What a joke! The Pirate King Roger got caught? He only wore the crown for a year before getting nabbed! What a loser!"
A drunk suddenly stood, swaying with a bottle in hand, laughing loudly.
"Right?! Good thing too! Otherwise, I would've taken his head eventually!"
Another burly pirate brandished his sword and laughed uproariously.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
The entire tavern burst into raucous laughter.
In a dark corner—
"Shanks! Let me go! I can't stand them mocking the captain!"
Buggy's face was red with rage, tears in his eyes.
Shanks placed a hand on his shoulder, silently shaking his head, eyes cold as he glared at the mocking crowd from beneath his straw hat.
That chilling aura… someone in a green cloak took notice.
---
One week later—
Crowds flooded the execution square. Countless people had gathered to witness the Pirate King's end.
Behind the stage—
"Is everything ready? No slip-ups?" Sengoku asked, eyes sweeping the officers.
"Admiral, all preparations complete!" a Marine reported.
Sengoku checked the time… then turned to Roger, bound in heavy shackles.
"Bring him up. Prepare the execution."
"Yes, sir!"
Two executioners in grayish-brown uniforms escorted Roger out.
A corridor cleared through the masses.
Roger, in shackles, walked calmly at the front.
Thunk... thunk... thunk...
"So that's Gol D. Roger…"
People stared at him—some with complex emotions, others with joy.
Those with conflicted eyes saw a man who had wealth, fame, and power—everything the world could offer.
And yet, even he could not escape death?
Those with gleaming eyes were already thinking: The old king is dead—it's time for the new one to rise.
Roger climbed the steps.
Everyone held their breath.
"Captain...!"
Buggy and Shanks hid in the crowd, unable to hold back their tears.
Clang!
Roger was placed before the masses.
That heavy clank of chains sent shivers through the entire plaza.
The Pirate King. Gol D. Roger.
At that moment, everyone acknowledged him.
The executioners raised their swords.
But then—
A voice rang out from the crowd.
"Hey! Pirate King!"
All eyes turned toward the source.
Roger lifted his head slowly, locking eyes with the man.
"Where did you hide your treasure?! Is it in the Grand Line?! You found it, didn't you?! The legendary treasure—One Piece?!"
The shout shook the air.
Everyone stared at the bold speaker in disbelief.
Roger chuckled.
Then he burst into laughter—loud and wild.
"Kahahahahaha!"
The Pirate King's laughter echoed across the skies.
Everyone gazed up at the laughing Roger.
The image was broadcast worldwide via transponder snails.
"You want my treasure?"
Roger smirked.
"Silence! You're not allowed to speak!"
The executioners pressed their blades to his neck.
"If you want it, you can have it!"
Roger's voice rang clear.
"Execute him! Now!"
Sengoku shouted, his eyes wide. He realized too late what Roger was doing.
"I left everything in that place! Go find it!"
Roger roared with all the strength he had left.
SHING!
The executioners' blades pierced his body.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed.
Roger's head fell forward—lifeless.
The square went silent.
As if the world had paused.
Then—
"RAAAAHHH!"
A deafening roar.
Cheers erupted everywhere.
"Cut the transponder feed! Now!!"
Sengoku shouted.
But it was already too late.
Roger's words had spread across the globe.
Loguetown exploded into celebration.
People cheered wildly—
Some for Roger's death…
Others—for the treasure he left behind.
The world trembled.
"Roger… was this what you were willing to die for?"
Rayleigh sat at a bar, cup in hand, tears slipping down his cheek.
Shakky said nothing, just quietly polished a glass.
Roger's final words echoed in countless minds.
Doflamingo, Moria, Crocodile—countless ambitious souls broke into wild grins.
The tide of a new age surged forward!
"Set sail! Find One Piece!"
Someone shouted.
Everyone rushed to the harbor.
Ships launched in every direction.
With his death—
Roger had started the Great Pirate Era.
To be continued…
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