The next era will be written by me!
Bang...
Marineford, the highest seat of power, Kong’s office was shrouded in a stifling atmosphere.
“The Beasts Pirates are getting too brazen, openly provoking the Navy now.”
Eyes furious, the air thick with tension, he was clearly enraged.
“How is Akainu?” After venting his anger, Kong turned to Tsuru at his side.
“Still being treated.” Tsuru’s face was equally grim. She had thought that, with Xuanye capturing Jack the Drought from the Beasts Pirates, they could make something of it. But in the end, things had gone awry.
“Akainu was too careless.”
“Fool,” Kong cursed.
Four days ago, at Marine Headquarters, Kong had ordered Akainu to escort Jack the Drought from Water 7. But on their return to Marineford, the Beasts Pirates got wind of it. With just a single man, they sank the entire battleship squadron.
Except for Akainu, all three thousand marines perished. The pressure on Kong was immense.
“Akainu overestimated himself,” Zephyr said flatly.
The escort should have reached Marineford safely. Yet, to prove himself no less than Xuanye, Akainu had fought with Kaido.
Predictably, before that undying monster, Akainu was defeated outright. If not for Kizaru’s timely arrival, the Navy might have lost a rising star then and there.
“Overconfident fool,” Kong cursed again.
“It seems the plan must be scrapped,” Tsuru rubbed her forehead.
“Kaido, Charlotte Linlin... these pirates grow stronger by the day. I thought we could use this chance to suppress them, but it seems we’ll have to postpone.”
“In that case, send Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu, and Xuanye to pursue the pirates. The sea needs some peace.” Kong waved his hand, making his decision.
“Fleet Admiral Kong, Xuanye is currently out of contact, likely training,” Sengoku spoke up.
“There are also reports that at Reverse Mountain, Xuanye clashed with the Roger Pirates’ doctor. Both sides are now missing,” Tsuru added.
“That one is quite the madman,” Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
――――――――――――――――
Time flowed on, days and nights passing—a year went by.
June arrived, scorching summer. On this day, the world was shaken to its core.
Countless pirates fell silent, while the Navy was seized by unprecedented excitement.
“Extra! Extra!”
Across every kingdom, news birds rained down papers, each bearing a headline that stunned the world.
“Extra! Extra! Pirate King Gol D. Roger captured by the Navy—execution scheduled in Loguetown in two months!”
“Extra! Extra! Pirate King Gol D. Roger captured by the Navy—execution scheduled in Loguetown in two months!”
This news shattered the oppressive quiet over the seas. Pirates everywhere erupted, and every kingdom was thrown into a state of vigilance.
At Marineford, in a vast conference hall, the room was packed.
A glance revealed nothing but Vice Admirals and above.
At the very front, Kong sat in his chair, his face grave as he swept his gaze over the assembled marines and spoke heavily, “Speak your minds.”
“Fleet Admiral Kong, isn’t it too hasty to execute Gol D. Roger in Loguetown?”
A Vice Admiral, his coat draped over his shoulders and his face covered in whiskers, spoke gloomily.
“This is the decision of the Five Elders,” Kong rapped his knuckles on the table.
Instantly, the hall fell silent.
“The Five Elders require a stable World Government. To strike at the scum infesting the seas, they have chosen to execute the Pirate King Gol D. Roger in his birthplace.”
“From now on, except those stationed at bases, all Vice Admirals are to depart for Loguetown. I want no unforeseen incident on that day.”
“Yes, sir...”
“Dismissed.” With that, Kong ended the meeting, leaving only a handful behind.
“Sengoku, it’s been a year. It’s time to recall Xuanye,” Kong said, as if remembering something, turning to Sengoku.
“In five days, Garp will lead Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Xuanye to transfer Gol D. Roger to Impel Down,” Sengoku replied.
“Garp... Garp...” Tsuru nudged the absent-minded Garp.
“Ah, yes.” Garp seemed distracted, recalling the moment Roger turned himself in at Marineford.
“Rival, friend—what are you thinking?” Garp sighed.
――――――――――
In the Calm Belt, on an island steeped in primal wildness.
Ancient beasts, terrifying plants, dangers lurked everywhere.
At the heart of the island, atop a tall mountain, a golden monkey—shimmering with gold, three heads and six arms—was locked in battle with five massive monsters.
The air was thick with violence, the clash of iron and blood, shaking the whole island.
Boom!
Amidst the fiery blasts, the monkey hovered aloft, the brutal aura about him fading away. Somehow, a banana had appeared in his hand, and he ate with relish.
“Screech, screech... I’m done fighting. This is pointless. After all this time, you lot haven’t improved at all.” Chiding them, the monkey dropped to the ground and eyed the five massive beasts surrounding him.
Roars and bellows erupted—disorderly, mournful. The five ancient creatures looked utterly aggrieved.
Buru... Buru...
At that moment, the monkey’s ear twitched. His gaze slid to a giant tree where a Den Den Mushi was ringing.
In a flash of gold, too quick for the eye, the monkey snatched up the Den Den Mushi and chittered twice.
“This is Marine Headquarters. Sengoku speaking. Xuanye, your year is up.”
Screeching and scratching, the monkey answered in confusion.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku’s face darkened further at the voice on the other end.
“Put Xuanye on the line!” Sengoku shouted, bristling.
Screech, screech...
Utterly bewildered, Sengoku had no idea what the monkey was saying through the Den Den Mushi.
Screech, screech... The monkey waved and gestured, but Sengoku couldn’t see.
“Little Gold, tell Xuanye—”
Suddenly, an explosion rocked the sea, sending a wave skyward. A figure hovered in the air.
Long hair streaming, eyes like a god’s, a chiseled face, bare-chested and muscular, clad only in shorts, his entire being radiated a fierce aura.
At his arrival, the island’s beasts fell instantly silent. Even the five monsters beside the monkey dropped flat, paws over their heads, shivering in fear.
With a ripping sound, the man wrenched something from the sea. Instantly, a vast shadow fell over the water.
The earth shook as a sea king, over five thousand meters long, lost its life.
“Screech... You’ve got a call...”
Without warning, the long-haired man materialized beside the monkey.
Taking the Den Den Mushi, he spoke, “This is Xuanye.”
“You bastard! What took you so long to answer?” Sengoku roared.
“I was training,” came the calm reply.
“Return to Marineford within five days. Something major has happened,” Sengoku’s tone was grave.
“Hm?” Xuanye sounded mildly curious.
“Gol D. Roger has surrendered. His execution will take place in Loguetown in two months.”
Hearing this, Xuanye’s eyes lit up and a smile broke across his face.
“Understood.” With a bang, Xuanye hung up, then spread his arms to the sky and let out a wild laugh. “Ha ha... ha ha... The next era will be mine to write!”
...