Chapter 55: Fated Rivals, or Dearest Friends?

On the shores of the White-White Sea washing against Angel Island, Doflamingo led the Donquixote Pirates aboard their ship. Throngs of people had gathered to see them off; the Skypieans and Shandians, once forced into submission, now genuinely cheered for their new God. His ascension hadn't brought terror; instead, he had brought greater peace and stability to the sky islands, ending the four-hundred-year war between their peoples. This fostered a deeper loyalty to the new God's reign. For the common folk, it was simple: they supported whoever guaranteed their peace and security.

Doflamingo, knowing full well that brutal regimes rarely lasted and that true power came from winning the people's hearts, certainly wouldn't do anything foolish. The stability of his home base was paramount.

"Gan Fall, Chief," Doflamingo called out from the prow of the ship to the two men below. "I leave this place in your hands. I expect to see it flourishing when I return."

"We will absolutely not betray God's trust!" "When God returns, you will surely feast your eyes!"

Both men replied respectfully, their voices filled with confidence. However, a challenging glint flashed in their eyes as they glanced at each other.

"Alright, crew! Set sail!" Doflamingo raised his arm, and the Donquixote Pirates embarked once more, heading into the unknown depths of the White-White Sea.

"Farewell, God!" "May God have a smooth journey!"

Amidst the enthusiastic farewells, the Donquixote Pirates' ship gradually vanished behind the clouds, disappearing from view.

While Doflamingo's journey proceeded smoothly and quietly, the seas below were in an uproar, rocked by one earth-shattering event after another. Doflamingo, however, remained unaware. For now, it was best to focus on safely navigating the White-White Sea. He had no desire to court death like Luffy, recklessly plummeting from the sky when a safer sky route existed. It might be thrilling, but it could easily cost him his life. Though he didn't know where the sky route led, he knew that moving forward would eventually bring him back to the sea below.

The sea... I, Doflamingo, am coming back soon.

Unbeknownst to him, a full year had passed since Roger became the Pirate King. Doflamingo knew Roger's execution was imminent, which was why he hadn't lingered in the sky islands any longer. He'd stayed long enough; missing Roger's execution would be a terrible setback.

A tension thick with the smoke of gunpowder hung over the seas. A silent war was about to begin.

Marineford, Marine Headquarters. Situated at the end of the first half of the Grand Line, guarding the safety of the Holy Land Mary Geoise, it stood as a symbol of global justice and peace. The Marines were currently brimming with talent, gradually entering a golden age with new powerhouses constantly emerging. Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku the Buddha, Garp the Hero, the retired Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr, and the esteemed Vice Admiral Tsuru – each was a towering figure on the Grand Line.

Beyond the veteran powerhouses, a new generation of three supernovas was rising: the Logia Devil Fruit users Sakazuki of the Magma-Magma Fruit, Borsalino of the Glint-Glint Fruit, and Kuzan of the Ice-Ice Fruit. Once they fully matured, the Marines would truly enter their peak era, and pirates would find their days growing increasingly difficult.

But the Marines' zenith was still some time away. Ever since the Roger Pirates completed their voyage through the Grand Line and found the so-called Great Treasure, Roger had been universally acknowledged as the Pirate King. His name echoed across the seas, drawing worldwide attention, his fame unparalleled.

From then on, the name "Roger" became a mountain pressing down on the Marines. The title "Pirate King" became a collective nightmare for the Navy. While a lofty ideal for pirates, it was a profound insult to the Marines.

Aside from Garp, lauded as the Marine Hero for repeatedly cornering Roger and preserving some semblance of Marine dignity, most naval forces that confronted Roger returned defeated, utterly outmatched.

After Roger became Pirate King, pirates grew even more rampant. Whether in the New World, the first half of the Grand Line, or the Four Blues, the pressure on the Marines increased dramatically.

Then, Roger vanished after becoming Pirate King. For the past year, both the Marines and opportunistic pirates had desperately searched for any trace of the Roger Pirates, but they had disappeared as if they'd evaporated into thin air, leaving no clues behind.

The disappearance of the Roger Pirates unnerved the Marines. Weighed down by pressure from the World Government, the Marines were more desperate than anyone to find them. Because Roger's crew knew things they shouldn't – things the World Government desperately wanted hidden – the Government was eager to eliminate them.

And yet, after vanishing for a year, Roger had suddenly turned himself in today. It was the most ludicrous joke the world had ever seen.

When Roger arrived alone by ship at Marineford, the entire Navy was thrown into turmoil. His actions were utterly unexpected, unbelievable.

Naturally, many suspected a conspiracy. How could Roger possibly surrender so easily? A meeting regarding Roger was immediately convened.

In the Fleet Admiral's conference room, everyone stared grimly at Fleet Admiral Kong, awaiting his orders.

Marine Headquarters was now on high alert. A major event had just occurred: Roger had surrendered. Conspiracy or not, it was good news for the Marines, but they now had to brace themselves for the inevitable backlash from pirates across the sea. They gathered now to discuss Roger's execution. To deter pirates and demonstrate the Navy's might, the execution had to be meticulously planned, ensuring no loss of face for the Marines.

"What are your thoughts?" Fleet Admiral Kong asked from the head seat.

"There must be a plot behind this. It's too simple. Why would Roger surrender?" Even Vice Admiral Tsuru, renowned for her wisdom, couldn't fathom Roger's motives or guess what game he was playing.

The conference room buzzed with discussion, but after a long debate, they reached no conclusion.

"Report it to the World Government first," Fleet Admiral Kong decided directly. "Let's see what they think before proceeding. It's the best course for now."

The World Government had already received the news. Fleet Admiral Kong was currently meeting with the Five Elders.

"Roger actually surrendered? What's the plot?" asked one of the Five Elders, distinguished by his long, straight white hair and beard.

"Don't worry about that," chuckled another Elder, this one with a short golden beard. "Since Roger walked right into our trap, he's completely at our mercy. We fear no plot he could devise."

"Then let's proceed with a public execution," nodded a bald Elder with a two-pronged mustache. "It will serve to curb the arrogance of these pirates on the seas and show them the power of our World Government."

"Where should the execution take place?" inquired an Elder with curly white hair, a bushy white beard, a flat cap, and a scar on his left cheek.

"Let's choose Loguetown in the East Blue," the final Elder, clad in a kimono and holding a samurai sword, stated decisively. "It's Roger's hometown. It's fitting to hold the public execution there, broadcast to the world."

"Agreed!" "Agreed!" "Agreed!" "Agreed!"

The matter of Roger's execution was thus settled. Now, they just had to face the repercussions from the sea.

Roger would be publicly executed in three months in his hometown – Loguetown, East Blue.

That same day, the shocking news spread like wildfire across the globe. The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, with a bounty of 5,464,800,000 Berries, had been captured by the Marine Hero Garp. Of course, the outside world had no idea Roger had surrendered, nor did they particularly care. All they knew was that the seas were about to boil over.

Impel Down, the world's greatest prison, received a heavyweight inmate.

Candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows as a warm glow pierced the darkness, approaching slowly from the depths.

The visitor was the Marine Hero, Garp. Holding an oil lamp, he stopped before a cell, his expression complex as he looked at the man inside. "Roger..." he began.

"Heh! So you came, Garp," Roger grinned, sitting sprawled on the floor yet losing none of his kingly bearing. "You coming to see me must mean my execution date is set, right?"

Garp stood before Roger, arms crossed, speaking with exasperation. "I really don't get you. Since your crew disbanded, wouldn't it have been fine to just settle down and live a normal life? Why wade into these troubled waters, rushing to enjoy prison? I don't know what you're thinking, but the higher-ups plan to publicly execute you in your birthplace, Roger."

"Loguetown, huh? How nostalgic," Roger chuckled nonchalantly. "That's fine... Garp, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?" Garp replied instinctively, then immediately felt a flush of shame and anger at his subconscious willingness to help Roger, a pirate. But, he reasoned, Roger doesn't have much time left. Hearing him out won't hurt anything! Garp convinced himself.

"Can I trust you, Garp?" Roger tilted his head. "My child is about to be born. Regrettably, I won't be in this world by then."

Garp sighed. "Why tell me, a Marine, this, Roger? The child's mother, any woman connected to you, they'll surely be executed too."

"That's exactly why I have to tell you," Roger's eyes glinted with a cold light. The lamplight cast his rising silhouette large upon the cell wall. "The Government will definitely investigate my movements over the past year, find her, and kill her. But... the child in her womb is innocent."

"Garp!" Roger suddenly moved towards the cell bars, gripping them with both hands, facing Garp directly, his voice charged with emotion. "Our bond was forged through countless battles! I trust you as much as I trust my own crewmates!"

Garp turned his head away, refusing to look at Roger, falling silent. A moment later, the lamp's flame sputtered out, then quickly reignited. Garp broke the silence first, gripping the bars himself. "Don't get ahead of yourself," he growled.

Roger seemed to read Garp's thoughts. "No," he insisted, "You'll help me."

Garp, moved by Roger's confidence, couldn't help but step back from the bars.

"My child... I leave them in your care," Roger's voice followed Garp as he turned and walked away, leaving the great prison behind.

Watching Garp depart, Roger said no more. Everything unspoken was understood. Though Garp hadn't explicitly agreed, Roger was confident he would help. Aside from not being able to watch his child grow up, Roger had no regrets left.

Across the seas, countless people stared at the news reports, faces etched with shock. The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had been captured! He would be publicly executed in Loguetown, East Blue, in three months. The explosive news spread incredibly fast, and everyone, aware or not, began watching the Marines' movements closely.

High above, an island floated in the sky – the headquarters of the infamous Flying Pirates, led by Golden Lion Shiki. Shiki had vanished years ago after the Battle of Edd War, but he had been recuperating here, ten thousand meters above the sea. Holding a freshly delivered newspaper, Shiki saw the news of Roger's capture and exploded in rage and disbelief. His Conqueror's Haki erupted, momentarily draining the color from the heavens and earth.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Shiki roared. "How could a man like Roger be captured by those worthless Marine fodder! Roger is 'the only man I ever acknowledged'!"

Marineford, Marine Headquarters, symbol of world justice, suffered devastating destruction today.

Dark clouds pressed low, and massive waves crashed. Marineford was engulfed in smoke and flames, a scene of utter devastation. The crescent-shaped harbor lay in ruins, the glow of towering fires illuminating the dim sky, black smoke snaking through streets and corridors. Corpses and blood were everywhere. Shattered warships lay haphazardly across the central plaza. Golden Lion Shiki, stepping over spent shell casings, swords Oto and Kogarashi in hand, emotionlessly cut down any soldier who dared block his path.

After an unknown amount of slaughter, a mountain of bodies had piled up at Shiki's feet, crimson blood flowing like rivers. The confronting Marines trembled, hesitating, too terrified to advance. Shiki's terrifying presence and Haki were on full display.

"You think you could capture Roger? What a joke!" Shiki radiated menace, his eyes gleaming coldly.

"Shiki, that's enough!" Sengoku and Garp arrived just in time, signaling the soldiers to fall back as they prepared to stop Shiki's rampage.

Shiki pointed his twin swords at Sengoku and Garp. "Bring Roger here!" he demanded furiously. "As the only man I acknowledge, I should be the one to finish him! Letting him be executed in that Weakest Sea is the greatest insult to him!"

Sengoku and Garp tossed aside their Marine coats, bracing themselves. Garp tightened his tie, retorting irritably, "What's wrong with the weakest? East Blue is a symbol of peace, Shiki!"

Sengoku declared righteously, "You will not interfere with the execution!"

Hearing their replies, Shiki grew even more furious. He fixed his icy gaze upon them. Sparks seemed to fly between the three, invisible currents of power colliding. Their interwoven auras violently expanded, kicking up clouds of dust!

The surrounding Marines watched the confrontation between Shiki, Sengoku, and Garp, swallowing nervously, seemingly stunned by the sheer scale of the impending battle. It was a scene they would never forget!

"Slashing Wave"

Shiki suddenly raised Oto, unleashing a massive flying sword slash that tore through the ground like rotten wood, carving a straight line from the plaza to the harbor. The brutally powerful strike shot directly towards Garp and Sengoku.

Seeing Shiki immediately resort to a Master Swordsman's slash, Garp and Sengoku didn't hold back, both moving to intercept the attack.

Shiki went all out, holding nothing back. Pointing his famed sword Kogarashi towards the ground, the earth seemed to come alive. Huge clusters of rock tore free, flying towards the two Marines like locusts.

Sengoku's eyes looked ready to burst. Seeing Marineford being destroyed like this felt like his heart was bleeding. Without further words, he transformed into his giant golden Buddha form, radiating light like the sun itself, unleashing shockwaves from his palms to shatter the incoming rock clusters.

"Fist Bone!"

Garp took a step forward, bellowing as he met Shiki's oncoming slash head-on. With nothing but his bare fists, he pulverized the Master Swordsman's attack, demonstrating his incredible power, truly worthy of the title Marine Hero.

Smoke filled the air, dark clouds obscured the sun, and the battlefield reeked of destruction.

Crack! Boom!

Crimson lightning tore across the sky, making it look like shattered porcelain, covered in shocking cracks.

Rain poured down, and lightning kissed the earth as the battle between Shiki, Sengoku, and Garp reached a fever pitch.

"Lion's Threat: Ground Scroll!"

With a grand gesture from Shiki, the very earth amidst the storm transformed into roaring lions of rock. Terrifying lightning in the sky seemed to roar along with them! The lions charged, mouths open in silent roars, trampling the ravaged ground, electricity sparking from their stony manes and kicking up scorched earth as they barreled towards Sengoku and Garp, threatening to annihilate them within the storm.

Garp and Sengoku exchanged a look, recognizing the resolve in each other's eyes. They attacked swiftly, each shattering several of the rock lions, focusing their full power on reaching Shiki. They swore to stop his madness; they absolutely could not allow Marineford to become history today.

Seeing his old rivals finally going all out, an excited grin spread across Shiki's face, radiating sheer power. "Then let's see you try and stop me!" he laughed boisterously.

Sengoku and Garp offered no reply. Words were unnecessary now; stopping Shiki was the only priority.

Shiki laughed maniacally, manipulating vast sections of Marineford's landmass, battling the two pinnacles of Marine strength amidst the lightning and torrential rain!

This world-shaking battle finally ended only after nearly half of Marineford had been destroyed.

There were no winners. Shiki met his deserved fate, joining Roger as a prisoner, destined to spend the rest of his days in the sunless depths of the great prison, Impel Down. The Marines also suffered heavy losses; much of Marineford lay in ruins, and casualties were innumerable.

And so, while the world was still reeling from the news of Pirate King Roger's impending execution, the major headline quickly followed: Golden Lion Shiki had rampaged through Marineford and was now imprisoned.

The world doesn't stop turning just because someone departs. Be it the Pirate King or the Golden Lion, they eventually become mere topics of conversation over tea for the common people. After all, for most in this world, just surviving is hard enough.

But would the world truly become better after the Pirate King's execution? Nobody knew. No one could see everything.

The world stood on the brink of chaos. Could the Marines still hold back the tide of this coming era?

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