Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
With Roger's coronation as the Pirate King, the impact was immeasurable.
The harbor was packed with warships, tightly clustered together.
Some ships couldn't even find a proper docking spot and had to moor one after another.
Sakazuki's ship returned a bit later.
Clearly, there was no space left.
But that didn't stop anyone—they simply used Geppo to disembark and sprinted toward the port.
After issuing a few brief instructions, Sakazuki headed straight for the massive headquarters fortress.
...
Inside the headquarters fortress, in the conference room.
The meeting had already run for four consecutive days, with all departments rotating in and out continuously.
Sakazuki entered the room and found a spot in the corner.
After listening for a while, he gathered that a rough plan had already taken shape.
The current primary objective:
To fully mobilize in pursuit of the Pirate King "Gold" Roger.
Everyone Roger had encountered on his journey or any island he'd passed through would be screened and interrogated—no one would be spared.
At that moment, a soldier quietly approached Sakazuki and whispered something to him.
Sakazuki nodded, got up, and walked toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
He pushed open the door.
Inside was a gathering of top-ranking Marines—almost everyone was there.
Admiral Sengoku, Instructor Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Ward Morris, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and others.
Seeing Sakazuki enter, Kong said:
"Have a seat, Sakazuki."
Immediately, two soldiers brought in a single-seater sofa for him.
Kong looked around at the assembled officers and continued:
"Now we need to address the fallout from this incident."
"According to intelligence..."
"People have been going out to sea in droves to become pirates."
"The global number of pirates has increased tenfold—at least."
"It's out of control."
"Those damned newspapers keep glorifying Roger."
"The government has sent people to negotiate."
"But it hasn't worked. They're all madmen."
"Only care about their own profits."
He slammed his fist onto the table in fury.
The thunderous bang echoed the suppressed rage within.
Taking several deep breaths, Fleet Admiral Kong resumed:
"The pirates have already begun rioting."
"In the New World, they're frantically searching for Roger."
"Drunk on excitement, they've completely lost any sense of restraint."
"Sengoku, Garp, Sakazuki—you three will be stationed in the New World."
"Prevent the chaos from escalating further."
Sengoku, Garp, and Sakazuki all nodded without objection.
After a moment's thought, Kong added:
"Recruitment will also be moved forward this year."
"Regardless of background or past record, bring in a large batch of soldiers."
"To prepare for the situation ahead."
"And then..."
The meeting continued late into the night.
When it finally ended, everyone departed that very night for the New World.
...
New World, unknown sea area.
Night.
Aboard the Oro Jackson.
Everyone had gathered together.
Earlier that day, Roger had announced the disbandment of his pirate crew.
This was likely their final gathering.
No one knew how long they'd been chatting when Roger suddenly spoke:
"That voice…"
"It must be the truth."
"Someone is going to be born."
"And they'll surpass us."
Everyone's lips curled into faint smiles—clearly confident that no one would surpass them.
Roger's voice rang out:
"We were too early."
Rayleigh let out a sigh:
"The One Piece, huh?"
"I wonder who will discover it."
Roger stroked his chin, then grinned widely:
"Obviously my son!"
A black line formed above Rayleigh's head. Smack!
He slapped Roger's hand away from his chin:
"You don't even have a son yet!"
Roger chuckled:
"I will soon."
"Bwahahahahaha!!!"
As Roger laughed heartily, everyone else burst into laughter too.
"Let's have a good drink!"
"Head toward the seas without Marines!!!"
"I'm getting off the ship first!"
"Yeahhh!!!!"
...
A year and a half later...
South Blue, Baterilla Island.
In a home up in the mountains, Roger was working when he suddenly began coughing uncontrollably.
"Cough... cough... cough..."
Blood spilled from his mouth, dripping from his palm onto the ground.
His wife, Portgas D. Rouge, rushed over and gently rubbed his back.
She handed him tissues to wipe the blood.
Roger took them and smiled faintly:
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I just don't have much time left..."
Rouge looked deeply worried.
Late into the night, the lights in the villa remained on as the two discussed matters for hours.
Once he had lulled Rouge to sleep, Roger got up and stepped outside.
He unleashed his full power, activating Observation Haki to hear the voice of all things.
He maintained it for a long while, sweating heavily, before being interrupted by a coughing fit.
Roger furrowed his brow:
"Marines?"
"How is that possible...?"
Even the small scout unit that had withdrawn after one probe had been traced by Roger.
He wanted to shift locations, but it was too late. His body couldn't take the strain anymore.
If he delayed further, his body wouldn't last until the execution of his plan...
After a moment of thought, he returned to the house.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi he hadn't touched in ages:
"Hello, Rayleigh..."
...
A few days later.
"Pirate King" Gol D. Roger was captured.
The world was stunned...
Just as peace seemed to be returning, the world was thrown into chaos once more.
The Golden Lion listened to his subordinate's report in utter disbelief:
"You're joking!"
"A man like Roger!"
"How could he be caught by those Marine trash?!"
Bang—
He immediately killed the messenger.
But seeing everyone else's expressions, he knew... it was real.
His rage exploded, and he shot into the sky.
Flying straight toward the distant Marine Headquarters.
"No way... Roger!!!"
...
Meanwhile, Rayleigh—who had just found a place to settle on the Sabaody Archipelago—set out for the South Blue...
...
Kegesi Island, Kingdom of Darlons, inside the royal palace.
King held a secret letter in his hand.
He stared in disbelief at the detailed address and contents:
"The bloodline of that butcher Gol D. Roger..."
He summoned his ministers for urgent talks. Opinions differed on how to deal with a woman and her baby.
Some couldn't cross the moral line, while others were ready to devour them alive.
The debate raged late into the night...
Notices were dispatched from the palace to inform the entire kingdom...
The entire nation was in an uproar.
The scars of their hatred and the memories of the bloody massacre resurfaced vividly.
Countless people, eyes bloodshot, vowed to end the butcher's bloodline.
By the next afternoon after the notices were posted,
Countless people boarded ships bound for the South Blue...
Many who didn't have ships went mad and hijacked vessels from the port.
Merchant ships, pirate ships—even Marine warships were stolen.
Each ship, packed with people, sailed toward the South Blue.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Just after disembarking with the others, Sakazuki suddenly received a message from Karol.
The Pirate King's right hand, "Dark King" Rayleigh, had appeared in the Grand Line, heading toward Reverse Mountain.
Sakazuki frowned. After thinking for a few seconds, he called out to the just-landed Bullet.
He turned and strode back toward the harbor:
"Bullet."
"We're departing—for the South Blue."
Having just set foot in Marine Headquarters, Sakazuki was already storming out again.
...
Late at night, in the prison of Marine Headquarters.
Garp chatted briefly with Roger.
Suddenly, Roger grew serious:
"Garp."
"Can I trust you?"
Without waiting for Garp's response, Roger continued:
"My child will be born soon."
"Sadly, I won't be alive when that happens."
Garp's face darkened:
"Why are you telling me this, Roger?"
"They'll be executed."
Roger's gaze lowered as he stepped forward:
"That's why I'm telling you."
"The government will definitely investigate everywhere I've been this past year."
"They'll find her—and kill her."
"But..."
"The child is innocent."
Gripping the bars tightly, Roger said:
"Garp!"
"Our bond was forged through countless battles."
"You're like a comrade to me. I trust you."
Garp's eyes widened. He turned his head away abruptly.
Roger grinned:
"I leave her to you."
Garp turned toward him in fury:
"Don't just decide that on your own!!!"
Roger, enduring the pain of his illness, smiled with certainty:
"No—you'll help me."
"My child, I entrust to you!"
As cold sweat poured down from the pain, Roger revealed the island's name and Rouge's name.
And he mentioned the suspicion that they were already being watched by the Marines...
Then collapsed from weakness.
Garp summoned a doctor, fists clenched, and left.
The moment he stepped out, he was summoned to the Fleet Admiral's office for a meeting.
Sitting down, Garp could not calm his thoughts.
Fleet Admiral Kong seemed to notice something:
"Where's Sakazuki?"
"Didn't he return with us this afternoon?"
Everyone shook their heads—they had no idea where Sakazuki had gone.
Kong glanced at his adjutant.
A few moments later, the adjutant returned and reported:
"Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Sakazuki returned this afternoon."
"But he left immediately upon arrival—he's headed toward the Four Blues."
Garp's eyes widened. Suddenly, he recalled Roger saying someone was already watching them...
"This is bad!"
Bang—
He smashed through the office doors and charged toward the harbor.
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