Aus was shocked by his own thoughts!
Actually, if he really went down this rabbit hole, the possibilities for chaos were endless.
Not just these guys, but even Luffy, Zoro... Akainu, Aokiji...
Or expanding to the older generation—Whitebeard, Garp, Rayleigh, Gaban...
Aus shuddered!
This was betraying his teachers and destroying his ancestors. Too fucking twisted...
Aus didn't dare think any further. He was terrified that if he kept going, he'd end up thinking about himself.
Fighting to shake all these dirty thoughts from his head, Aus finally cleared up a bit.
No matter what happened to others, at least Crocodile shouldn't get gender-swapped.
Aus quite liked her current look.
Having made his decision, Aus's chaos demon spirit came back online. How should he stop Crocodile from seeking Ivankov's help?
He slowly formed a plan.
Perhaps noticing Aus's stare, Crocodile—still in female form—frowned her gorgeous brows and glared at him.
But in Aus's view, if this were the male version, it might pack some intimidation. This ice queen beauty glaring at him only made a wicked urge surge in his heart—the desire to toy with her fate.
Crocodile, your identity as a woman is locked in stone. Even if Imu shows up, it won't help. I said so!
Fortunately, this little episode didn't cause any real disruption.
A few minutes later, commotion began spreading through the distant crowd. Through his Observation Haki, Aus clearly sensed that man's presence again.
Step... step... step...
Accompanied by slow but powerful footsteps, everyone's attention was drawn over.
With two flag-bearing guards leading the way and two squads of escorts, a figure in a deep red captain's coat with shackled hands slowly appeared.
His steps were powerful and steady, as if what lay ahead wasn't death at all. His expression was calm yet spirited.
"Captain Roger..."
Seeing that man, both Buggy and Shanks gaped, faces flushed with emotion, eyes locked on that magnificent figure.
Watching Captain Roger step by step walk alone up the high platform, both lost control—tears and snot streaming straight down.
Even though they were prepared, seeing this figure still instantly wrapped their hearts in crushing sadness!
This was destined to be a legendary figure.
Below the platform, even the most arrogant rookie pirates—after seeing Roger still wearing a smile at this moment of death—were all stunned by this presence, watching in silent awe.
And Aus?
He just stood there in a daze, staring somewhat blankly at the figure sitting on the high platform, about to be executed.
He'd originally thought that this famous scene he'd witnessed countless times—when it happened before him again—he should be immune.
At least, he wouldn't be as devastated as Shanks and Buggy.
But...
Aus stretched out his palm, looking at the crystal drops falling on it.
This feeling was nothing like what he'd expected...
"Hey, Aus, you'll catch cold without a shirt. Let's go ashore and buy some clothes."
"Hahaha, Aus gets me! I told you a little drinking wouldn't hurt, cough cough..."
"Want to wrap Armament Haki around your weapon? I'll teach you. Watch carefully."
"That's our Aus! Let's throw a party for Aus's bounty increase!!!"
"...Thank you, Aus."
Memory after memory flashed through his mind like film clips. Facing this life-and-death parting, Aus felt both joy and sorrow.
Joy that Captain Roger was leaving in glory, for his own dream, without regret.
Sorrow that he would forever lose this respected captain, this master who'd shown him kindness.
Wearing that smile that seemed eternal, Roger sat cross-legged on the platform, his eyes showing zero fear of death.
He looked like a true, victorious king!
Before the execution, finally someone couldn't contain themselves and shouted that legendary question:
"Pirate King! Where did you hide all the treasure you found? You must have it, right? That legendary great treasure, the one and only—One Piece!!!"
"Silence!"
The executioner barked, but couldn't stop Roger's final words!
With that wild smile, his bold voice carried across the entire square—even broadcasting through Den Den Mushi to echo across the world.
"Want my treasure? You can have it all! Go find it! On the Grand Line! I left everything this world has to offer there!!!"
After these words, the venue fell into stunned silence.
No one even noticed the figure pierced by long blades, blood slowly flowing and spreading.
The entire world went insane, electrified by the great treasure's existence.
Amid proclamations of ambition and cheers of setting sail, only three figures silently stared at the hanging head, tears flowing like broken dams.
Especially Aus, this remnant of the old era.
As someone who knew everything, he didn't care who would find Laugh Tale or possess the world's treasure.
He only knew that this man who claimed to possess fame, wealth, status—even everything in the world—actually left the ship with just a small bundle, lived with Rouge with one spare pair of pants, and never replaced the captain's hat he'd worn for years.
Captain Roger, you bastard...
Once, Aus had heard many voices questioning Roger.
Some said his Great Pirate Era caused pirate numbers to explode, bringing endless harm.
But having traveled the world and seen all kinds of countries, Aus understood that even without Roger's declaration, there would still be countless wars and bandits.
This was the combined result of eight hundred years of corrupt Celestial Dragon and World Government rule, noble oppression, and opportunistic chaos.
Instead, this Great Pirate Era's beginning—behind the turmoil—would guide the appearance of someone who could truly inherit Roger's or Joy Boy's will, and liberate the entire world.
Roger might not be traditionally good, but he was a damn good captain and true hero.
Understanding this was enough for Aus.
Just then, dark clouds gathered overhead.
As if the world itself grieved Roger's passing, pattering rain began to fall.
Shanks pulled his straw hat low, crying silently. Buggy was more open—mouth wide, grieving his captain's death, tears streaming.
Aus slowly raised his head skyward, staring hard at the dark clouds above.
The water constantly flowing down his face—impossible to tell if tears or rain.
"Dark clouds? What a fucking joke!"
His eyes blazed with anger, face terrifyingly cold.
"Captain Roger's death represents his ideals and beliefs—there's nothing sad about it!"
His long hair whipped without wind. Aus slowly drew the sword from his waist.
Massive Conqueror's Haki transformed into lightning, surging forth, instantly causing chaos and shock. Countless people stared uncertainly at the figure crackling with black-red lightning.
Buggy and Shanks gaped at Aus.
"That sword... it's Captain Roger's..." Shanks recognized it.
He pointed his blade skyward, like a certain man who once opposed the world.
"Divine Departure!!!"
Instantly, under countless horrified gazes, the sky... split open!
Rays of sunlight fell again, illuminating that figure who left with a smile—golden and brilliant.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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