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Chapter 161 Execution of Buggy- Declaration of War
Three days later, New Marineford, Scaffold Square
The sky of New Marineford was stained with blood-red morning glow, and a giant execution platform stood majestically in the center of the headquarters square.
Three hundred video telephone bugs transmitted the images simultaneously to all parts of the world. From the windmill village of East Blue to the casino city of New World, millions of eyes were fixed on the big screen.
"Bring the prisoner!"
Following Marshal Sakazuki's order, Buggy was dragged onto the execution platform with seastone chains.
The once brightly colored clown costume is now in tatters. The once arrogant and domineering clown Buggy now has a painted face filled with fear and despair, his pupils trembling slightly, and his legs can barely support his heavy body.
The glaring spotlight shone directly down, and Buggy screamed in fear, his face distorted, and he almost collapsed to the ground. The broken pieces of the straw hat nailed to the execution platform were blown by the wind and waves, as if mocking Buggy's cowardice.
Rogge stepped onto the execution platform with a resolute step. He crushed Buggy's body, which was trying to curl up and protect itself, with his military boots. His cold and sharp voice was transmitted to the world through the PA system:
"According to the final judgment of the Marine Special Court, former Pirates King crew member 'Clown' Buggy is guilty of the following crimes against humanity—"
The huge screen immediately played the ironclad evidence of the crime:
"The blood-stained courier business!"
Burnt-out villages flashed across the screen, with the ruins on the charred land shocking. The smuggling of arms under the guise of "Buggy Express" has caused armed conflicts in 12 towns in South Blue, resulting in heavy civilian casualties!
"Refugee Boat Tragedy!"
While cooperating with underground arms dealers, they sank three civilian boats in order to silence them. Broken children's toys floated on the sea. The tragic scene was shocking!
"Cover up the crime and massacre the Marine!"
The picture shows the bodies of Marine soldiers who were brutally slaughtered. Their faces are twisted with pain and despair. In order to cover up the transaction records, he ordered his men to massacre the Marine soldiers who knew about it!
"Treasure lies!"
Buggy deliberately released the forged treasure map to civilians and collected "information fees" from it. Countless passionate adventurers were lured by false clues and the desperate cries of the victims' families echoed.
"This is the 'freedom' you worship, the Pirates who burn, kill, and plunder as they please!"
Rogge stomped on Buggy's jaw, which was trying to defend himself, and swept his cold eyes across the camera. "This dirty road is paved with the blood and tears of innocent civilians!"
In the Kingdom of East Blue, fishermen who had been robbed by the Buggy Pirates were furious;
South Blue's war orphans throw mud at the screen;
Even in New World's underground casino, gamblers angrily tore up Buggy's bounty notice.
The world's outrage was transmitted back to headquarters via Den Den Mushi. The roar of a million people made the execution platform tremble: "Execution! Execution!"
Rogge faced the camera with a solemn expression and slowly raised his right hand.
The invisible air began to twist violently, Buggy's eyes widened in horror, and his body was lifted into the air like a rag doll.
"In the name of absolute justice—" Rogge's voice sounded like the bell of judgment, and his five fingers suddenly tightened.
"Bang--!!!"
The scarlet blood mist exploded in the sunlight, and the head wearing the captain's hat instantly exploded into pieces. The headless corpse fell down twitching, and the chains hit the execution platform crisply.
Rogge's blood-stained military boots stepped firmly on the edge of the execution platform, and the cloak of justice behind him rustled. "Do you see clearly? This is the end of Pirates!"
His finger pointing to the camera seems to pierce the heart of every viewer:
"From this day forward, any ship that dares to fly the Pirates' flag—"
"Any scum who still dares to call themselves Pirates—"
"They will all be completely crushed by the new era Marine!"
Marineford erupted in thunderous cries of "Absolute Justice," and tens of thousands of elite Marines simultaneously raised their weapons, the cold light piercing the sky!
Generals from Marine branches around the world simultaneously drew their swords and took the oath. Even at the most remote West Blue base, recruits excitedly bumped their fists and took the oath!
That night, seventeen Pirate groups from the New World surrendered voluntarily, and there were no more reports of Pirate sightings in East Blue.
Holy Land Mariejois.
Inside the magnificent and solemn palace, red-haired Shanks clenched his fists tightly, his nails dug deep into his palms, blood slowly dripped through his fingers, blooming a shocking scarlet on the white marble floor.
His pupils contracted violently as he stared at the live broadcast in front of him. Buggy's head exploded under Rogge's terrifying power to control the air.
"Rye...!"
His voice was low and hoarse, suppressing anger and sadness.
The surging Conqueror's Haki suddenly leaked out like a volcanic eruption.
The marble floor in the palace instantly cracked, and the exquisite murals collapsed into pieces under this invisible force.
The air was distorted by the violent Haki.
However, just when Shanks was about to lose control completely——
"Bang!"
A hand covered in pitch-black Armament Haki pressed heavily on his shoulder, and the terrifying pressure instantly shattered his Conqueror's Haki.
"That's enough!"
The leader of the Knights of God, Ancient Saint Feigaland Green, looked at Shanks indifferently, his golden pupils revealing a condescending scrutiny and coldness.
"If you rush over now, what else can you do except die?"
Shanks's breathing became heavy and rapid, and the rage burning in his eyes almost turned into reality, but the cruel reality was just as the Ancient Saint Grimm said: Rogge now had the tacit approval of the entire Naval Headquarters and even the World Government!
If he acted rashly, he would be ruthlessly crushed by Sakazuki's fiery lava, Rogge's controlled air, and tens of thousands of elite Marines.
"a**hole…!"
Shanks angrily punched the ground hard. With a loud bang, the entire area collapsed and smoke and dust rose up.
Ancient Saint Green looked calmly at the red-haired man who had lost his composure in front of him, with a slightly playful arc at the corner of his mouth.
"Anger solves nothing, Shanks."
Shanks slowly raised his head, the anger in his eyes gradually receding, replaced by thorough rationality and coldness.
"…What exactly do you want to say?"
Ancient Saint Green folded his arms across his chest, looking down at him condescendingly, his tone calm but revealing unquestionable majesty.
"You are now nothing more than a homeless dog, having lost the title of 'Four Emperors' and unable to protect even your own crew."
He paused, his voice becoming deeper and more alluring: "But if you are willing to take my place, you will have greater 'choices'."
Shanks' pupils suddenly contracted, and a trace of shock flashed across his face: "Your... location?"
Ancient Saint Green did not respond directly, but turned around and slowly walked towards the Knights of God.
"Think about it for yourself, Shanks."
His voice faded away, carrying an irresistible authority: "Should I continue to be a 'Pirates' hunted by the Marines and the World Government, or become someone who can truly 'change the rules'?"
Shanks fell into silence for a long time, his fists slowly loosened, blood dripping from his palms, and the anger burning in his eyes finally settled completely, replaced by bottomless calmness and determination.
"...Oh."
He sneered, finally stood up, followed the footsteps of Ancient Saint Green, and disappeared into the shadows deep in the palace.
And the Ancient Saint Green, who was walking in front, finally revealed a satisfied and strange smile on his face.
Wanguo Cake Island, underground secret meeting room.
The dim candlelight flickered, illuminating the two heavy figures like mountains on both sides of the long table.
On the live broadcast of Den Den Mushi, Buggy's head exploded under Rogge's Air Fruit, and blood and brain matter splattered on every inch of the iron plate of the execution platform.
"Bang!"
The red wine glass in Charlotte Linlin's hand was crushed by her, and the sweet wine dripped down her thick fingers, staining the table red.
"Mamamama...that's really cruel, Rogge."
Her laughter was still crazy, but her scarlet pupils were terrifyingly cold.
Opposite her, Kaido silently drank a mouthful of liquor, his dragon-scale skin gleaming coldly like metal in the candlelight.
"Rogge... this is a complete declaration of war."
His voice was low and thunderous, filled with suppressed anger.
"Not just to Buggy, but to all Pirates!"
Linlin grinned, revealing her white teeth.
"Mamamama... Marine thinks executing Buggy can scare us?"
"They are wrong!"
Kaido slammed the wine jug on the table, and a hideous crack instantly appeared on the heavy wooden table.
"Rogge and Sakazuki's 'Absolute Justice'?"
"Heh... do they think that Marine alone can end this era?"
There was a flash of madness in Linlin's eyes.
"Then let them see... what the true 'Pirates' wrath' is!"
Kaido slowly stood up, and shadows fell over the room.
"It's time... to let those arrogant Marines know—"
"Who is the 'king' of this sea?"
Linlin grinned and drummed her fingers on the table.
"Mamamama...Kaido, are you ready?"
Kaido grinned, a dangerous glint in his dragon eyes.
"It's been prepared for a long time."
"As long as Marine dares to set foot in the New World..."
"We'll just let them—
"There's no coming back!"