A nameless island.
The sun was just right, the breeze gentle.
On the wooden villa's terrace, Tatsuki, wearing sunglasses, lay sprawled on a beach chair.
The chilled juice by his hand was giving off a cool mist.
Not far away, Rouge, her pregnancy now showing, hummed a tune as she sewed a tiny garment for her unborn child, her expression peaceful and gentle.
The scene was so serene and picture-perfect that it almost didn't feel like the world of pirates. It was more like the recuperative life of a retired high-ranking official.
If it weren't for that damned den den mushi buzzing incessantly.
Purururu... Purururu...
Tatsuki picked up the receiver with a look of annoyance.
"Hello, this is the G-5 Branch Recuperation Center. Whoever you are, you'd better have something important, or I'll crawl through this line and beat your dog head in."
"...It's me. Kong."
On the other end, Kong's voice sounded choked, clearly quite taken aback.
Tatsuki's attitude did a complete one-eighty. He adjusted his slouched posture slightly, his voice becoming weak.
"Ahem... Fleet Admiral. My apologies, I just finished changing my bandages. The pain has me delirious. You know, for the sake of justice, this body of mine..."
"Enough! Cut the act!"
Kong roared, having reached his limit. "I asked Sakazuki! He said your injuries healed long ago!"
"Tch, Sakazuki and his big mouth." Tatsuki muttered under his breath before adopting a serious tone. "Fleet Admiral, what are your orders?"
The tone on the other end became exceptionally grave, carrying a murderous chill. "Gol D. Roger has been secretly transferred to Loguetown in the East Blue. The World Government's final order has come down."
"Public execution. In half a month."
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow, twirling the cigar held between his fingers.
So the day was finally coming.
"The Gorosei's intention is for this execution to be an unprecedented spectacle, to show the entire world the consequences of challenging the World Government."
Kong's voice was devoid of emotion. "You are the hero who personally captured the Pirate King. The final chapter of this 'justice' should rightly be written by you."
"Therefore, you will serve as the Supreme Execution Supervisor for this event. Proceed to Loguetown immediately."
Execution Supervisor?
Tatsuki was momentarily stunned, then a grin spread across his face.
Making the condemned watch the person who captured him oversee his own execution.
These old geezers sure knew how to play.
But... this was a great opportunity to score some points.
"Understood." Tatsuki's tone instantly became 'resolute,' brimming with the tragic sense of sacrifice for justice.
"For justice, even with this broken body, I will crawl to Loguetown if I must."
He hung up the call.
His gaze turned toward the direction of the East Blue, growing profound.
"The wheel of the era is finally about to start turning."
Rouge, sewing, seemed to sense something. She paused her needlework, casting a questioning glance his way.
Tatsuki didn't speak.
He stood up and cracked his neck.
It was time to see that old bastard off on his final journey.
...
One week later.
East Blue, Loguetown.
The Town of Beginnings and Endings.
At this moment, the town was shrouded in a morbid frenzy.
A continuous drizzle fell, unable to extinguish the explosive tension hanging in the air.
The Pirate King would meet his end here.
This news had spread across the world as if on wings. Countless people poured in from all directions, just to witness the legend's curtain call with their own eyes.
Pirates, bounty hunters, reporters, Revolutionary Army spies, and even more ordinary folk there for the spectacle clogged every street to capacity.
A warship flying the Marineford flag cut through the rain curtain, slowly sailing into the port. A massive anchor plunged into the water, churning up muddy waves.
The gangplank lowered. Two columns of fully armed Marines were already lined up on the dock.
When that tall figure cloaked in a 'Justice' mantle appeared on the deck, the noisy dock fell silent for a moment.
Admiral, codename 'Saigai,' Tatsuki.
The man who personally dragged the Pirate King from his throne.
Tatsuki ignored the gazes around him—a mix of awe, hatred, and worship—and simply tugged at his collar, blocking out the annoying drizzle.
His vision passed over the sea of people, landing precisely on the town center.
On the tall Execution Platform that had already been erected.
"What lousy weather." He muttered.
"On days like this, you should be hiding under the covers sleeping, not coming to this damned place to watch an execution."
The Marines from Loguetown behind him wanted to respond but didn't dare, only managing awkward, polite smiles.
Tatsuki waved his hand, declining the welcoming banquet from the local garrison commander, and disappeared into Loguetown's complex network of alleys.
...
Loguetown Marine Base, underground death row.
Before the solitary cell at the very end.
Tatsuki dismissed all the guards, pulled over a chair by himself, and sat down in front of the heavy iron bars.
The cell was deathly still.
"You came?"
From the darkness came a hoarse yet still vigorous voice.
Accompanied by the clanking of dragging chains, a figure slowly shuffled to the bars.
Roger looked worse than before. His signature wild black hair was now somewhat dry and brittle, his eye sockets sunken, his skin taking on a sickly, ashen pallor.
Handcuffs and shackles heavily bound his limbs, but the grin on his face was still wide, revealing two rows of gleaming white teeth. It was as if death, to him, was merely a new adventure.
"Brought you something good."
Tatsuki pulled two bottles of unlabeled liquor from a black cloth bag and slid one through the gap in the bars.
"Private brew from the South Blue. Strong kick, but doesn't linger in the head."
Roger's eyes lit up. He used his teeth to bite off the cork and tilted his head back for a swig.
"Gulp... Gulp..."
The harsh liquor poured down his throat. Roger coughed violently, a flush of color appearing on his pale face, before letting out a hearty laugh.
"Ha! That hits the spot! You finally did something decent, brat!"
Tatsuki opened a bottle for himself and took a leisurely sip.
"Rouge is settled in. Nice scenery, the sea right outside her door. I see she's even put on a bit of weight recently, looks healthier than I do."
Roger paused in his drinking.
He didn't say thank you, just gripped the bottle tighter. A flash of tenderness and relief, the kind only understood between men, passed through his eyes.
"That's good. Gaining weight is good. That way, my kid can turn the seas upside down."
"Don't dream." Tatsuki poured cold water on it mercilessly. "I'll send him to Marine school, start him as a cabin boy. When he's catching pirates later, even if he catches your old crewmates, I'll have him cut them down all the same."
Roger was stunned for a moment, then erupted into even louder laughter, tears almost welling in his eyes.
"WAHAHAHAHA! Hilarious! The Pirate King's son, a Marine? That's probably the funniest joke I've heard in my entire life!"
Tatsuki watched him laugh quietly until Roger had laughed his fill, leaning against the wall panting heavily. Only then did he lean forward slightly, lowering his voice.
The atmosphere was just right now. A few drinks in, camaraderie established. Time to talk business.
"Hey, Roger."
"Some things are meaningless to take to the grave. How about giving me the location of that great treasure of yours?"
The air suddenly grew still.
The grin hadn't fully faded from Roger's face. He tilted his head. In his eyes, first flashed a flicker of surprise, then that surprise transformed into undisguised amusement.
"Location?" Roger blinked.
"Laugh Tale?"
"Yeah. Even without exact coordinates, an Eternal Pose would do."
Tatsuki flicked his cigar ash, his tone as casual as if asking a street vendor for a light.
Roger stared at him for a full thirty seconds. Then, his expression turned peculiar.
"Didn't you say before you had zero interest in those historical truths, in that so-called great treasure? That you only wanted power and fame?"
"A man's word, a devil's lie. You believe that?" Tatsuki said without blushing or his heart racing.
"This is called 'different times, different circumstances.' Look, I'm taking care of your wife and kid. That's a huge expense. Asking for some child support isn't too much, is it?"
The excuse was shameless, yet carried a strangely refreshing logic.
After hearing it, Roger was first stunned, then that familiar, infuriatingly loud laughter exploded once more in the cell.
"WAHAHAHAHA! Tatsuki! You bastard! You're truly one of a kind!"
Roger laughed until he was breathless. Between laughs, he raised his shackled hand, pointing at Tatsuki's nose.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Tatsuki's face darkened. "Why? I'm cleaning up your mess. Are you really that stingy?"
"It's not about the money."
Roger wiped a tear from the corner of his eye from laughing, his expression suddenly turning somewhat solemn—the last bit of a king's conviction.
"That's an 'adventure,' Tatsuki. If someone just tells you where the finish line is, what's the point of the voyage? If you know the ending, then all the storms, the laughter and tears along the way, wouldn't they all become worthless?"
"My whole life was for that final glimpse. You want to see it? Then go find it yourself."
"Whether it's you, or those brats who want to set sail in the future."
Roger fiercely downed the remaining half-bottle of liquor in his hand, waving his arm with heroic bravado, even though the motion tugged at his wounds.
Tatsuki looked at this old bastard who, even unto death, was defending so-called 'romance,' and couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Screw your damn romance.
I'm a pragmatist. Don't you understand efficiency first?