#170 - Chapter 170 Before the Execution
On this very day of arriving in Loguetown.
Roger was led through the crowd and directly to the execution platform in the center of Loguetown Square.
The sunlight blanketed the entire square, yet it couldn't dispel the shadows and curiosity in people's hearts.
Almost all the residents of Loguetown had turned out; they packed the square, some climbing atop tall statues, others standing on rooftops, even the treetops became excellent vantage points, everyone wanting to witness this momentous occasion firsthand.
Roger's steps were steady and composed, and although his wrists were bound by cold iron chains,
his head was held high and his gaze was open, like a free wind that could not be confined.
All eyes were focused on this legendary pirate; among them were gazes of anticipation, awe, and hushed whispers rising and falling, but amidst this clamor, they could not find a trace of fear in Roger's eyes.
"To be so calm in the face of death, truly worthy of the title Pirate King."
Someone in the crowd whispered in admiration, the words rippling through the sea of people, making the murmurs in the square even more chaotic.
Faced with all of this, the Marines were on high alert, their gazes sweeping through the crowd like cold, hard blades, fearing even the slightest mishap in this momentous scene.
They gripped their weapons, brows furrowed, ready to respond to any situation that might arise.
The air in the square was thick with tension, and even the people's breathing seemed heavy.
The moment Roger was escorted onto the execution platform, the commotion in the crowd reached its climax, but despite this, Roger still faced the final chapter of his destiny with the bearing of a king. In that instant, his name, his legend, his era, like his untamed spirit, were eternally nailed to the stage of history.
Jin and Garp sat in a rather simple observation room.
Their expressions were grave, their eyes revealing complex emotions.
In front of them, a video transponder snail sat quietly on the table, its blinking eyes proving it was recording this historic moment.
Outside the window, the Loguetown Square was teeming with people, and even from a distance, Jin and Garp could feel the thrilling atmosphere that seemed to shake the air.
Jin suddenly spoke, his voice revealing deep doubt and unease,
"I wonder if this execution is a good thing or a bad thing for this world?"
His words broke the silence in the room, and a hint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.
He had been hesitating for some time,
If Roger said those words like in the original story,
Should he stop it?
Or let it go?
He knew that in the original story, the World Government constantly exposed its trump cards because of the words Roger said during his execution.
He already knew how terrifying the World Government's foundation was,
So, letting the world descend into chaos,
Was the best solution to change this world?
Jin was not sure......
Garp turned his head to the side, his eyes fixed on the diligently working video transponder snail,
His brow was slightly furrowed, as if trying to understand the deeper meaning in Jin's words.
The atmosphere in the room became even more solemn, and through the window, the outside clamor seemed to be separated from them in two different worlds.
He clearly knew that this execution was not just the end of a pirate's destiny, marking the end of an era,
But also foreshadowing the start of a new chapter.
Next, it would undoubtedly be the era of the Marines,
A new era that might be full of peace and order.
"This execution will serve as a warning to the pirates roaming the seas."
Garp's voice was firm,
"It will bring a period of peace."
He turned around, his gaze directly meeting Jin's, hoping to find resonance in the other's reaction.
However, Jin's face was deep, his eyes hiding complex emotions.
"But why do you think this execution would be a bad thing?"
Garp's voice carried a hint of inquiry, he sincerely looked forward to Jin's answer, and also tried to understand those views that were different from his own.
Jin was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting from Garp to the window, where the square about to become history was located.
At this crucial juncture, everyone's heart probably held different thoughts.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Then, the two heard a serious report,
"Reporting, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Jin."
A Marine soldier gently pushed open the door and entered the observation room where the two senior officers were located.
Garp turned around, looked at the Marine soldier, his tone revealing a hint of inquiry:
"What is it?"
The Marine soldier quickly stood at attention, his expression revealing tension and respect,
"Several key pirates that the Navy is monitoring have arrived at the execution site."
Jin's eyes suddenly sharpened, revealing great interest in this news.
"Oh? Who has arrived?"
The soldier reported the names of those famous pirates one by one,
"Gekko Moria, World Destroyer Bondy Wald, Charlotte Oven,..."
He paused, a hint of seriousness and vigilance flashing in his eyes,
"It seems that people from the Beasts Pirates are also present."
Everyone in this world knew that Kaido was a madman, and his subordinates were no better.
And at this crucial moment, these pirates who were feared by everyone actually appeared at the execution site together, making the situation unpredictable.
Jin and Garp exchanged a look.
Garp's expression was a little dignified. He hated trouble and hoped that those pirates would not cause trouble.
Jin's brow furrowed slightly, a trace of uncertainty flashing in his eyes. The appearance of these pirates deviated from his expectations.
"Why is Big Mom's son here?"
"Why is Bondy Wald joining in the fun too?"
A sense of doubt and worry arose in his heart.
Garp also felt the abnormality.
Why would these pirates, who usually roamed the second half of the Grand Line, suddenly appear in the East Blue?
This was not logical.
They were both clear that only a few short days had passed from the announcement of Roger's execution to now. Logically, this period of time was not enough to travel from that end of the Grand Line to here.
Was there some information or secret route they didn't know about that accelerated the pirates' progress?
"The new era is coming, and these damned pirates can't help but show their fangs?"
"Are these people planning to snatch Roger away?"
Garp grinned, revealing that signature smile.
For him, most of those who came were not to be feared, but if there was a farcical jailbreak, even he would have a headache.
"You're overthinking it."
Jin's gaze passed through the thick glass window and stopped on Roger on the execution platform, the Pirate King facing death as a victor.
Jin's gaze shifted from Roger and fell back on Garp.
"Even if those people tied Roger up, Roger wouldn't leave."
...
