The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

His Conqueror's Haki erupted, and a golden wave of energy exploded outwards from him.

Within a radius of 100 meters, naval units collapsed in large numbers, like wheat being harvested, and the paving stones of the square cracked layer by layer.

"You made your name by killing my father, and now you want to end the era by stepping on Roger?"

The golden lion slowly raised his twin swords, their blades reflecting a crimson light.

"What is that Gern...?"

"A brat who hasn't even experienced the waves of the old era..."

Why, why should our legends come to an end?!

"The end of this era is not up to him!!"

Chapter 203 The Golden Lion's Final Fury (2)

“Shiki…” Sengoku frowned as he looked at the golden lion radiating Conqueror’s Haki.

"If you absolutely must kill Roger... then I'll do it myself!!!"

"The execution will only take place a week from now, as agreed upon by the Navy," Sengoku retorted.

“Shiki.” Garp stepped forward at this moment, “Roger’s death will surely make the world’s pirates submit.”

In the square of Marineford, a fierce wind raged, carrying the stench of blood.

"Submit? Heh heh heh." The Golden Lion continued to sneer, his twin swords "Sakura Ten" and "Wood Wither" gleaming coldly.

Rainwater dripped down the blade, making a crisp sound as it hit the ground.

Sengoku and Garp, who had already torn off their cloaks of justice, stood opposite him, their expressions solemn.

The surrounding soldiers gripped their weapons nervously, but dared not take a step forward.

Just then, a steady sound of footsteps came from behind.

It turned out that Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, who had all arrived on orders, were standing side by side in the back row.

However, Sakazuki did not stop, but continued his advance under the watchful eyes of Kuzan and Kizaru.

His military boots pounded across the puddle, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on the golden lion, as he strolled toward it.

He heard everything the Golden Lion said to Gern!

Gern was the man Sakazuki respected most.

That man's sense of justice was even greater than his; he even dared to face the Pirate King alone and successfully arrest him.

And by what right do you, Golden Lion, deny him? Insult him?

“The old era? Heh…” Sakazuki sneered, drawing everyone’s attention.

"So, in the end, you're just afraid of Gern, aren't you, Golden Lion?"

"Because of fear, they slander." Sakazuki raised his eyes, his tone flat, his voice low and full of sarcasm.

"Let me think, it must be that the knife that Gern used left an indelible shadow on you back then, right?"

You don't have trouble accepting that Gern was able to arrest Roger; you just won't admit it!

Upon hearing Sakazuki's words, the Golden Lion's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his arrogant expression.

"Afraid of him?" He scoffed, his tone laced with disdain.

"I can crush you all just like I did back at G-3 base back then, like crushing ants."

"Is that so?" Sakazuki took off his hat, raised his hand to touch his short hair, his eyes full of provocation.

"Then why didn't you dare to approach Gern afterwards?"

Stop pretending, Golden Lion. Remember that stab Gern delivered back then...

He truly instilled fear in you, making you afraid to face him again, didn't he?

Before he finished speaking, the Golden Lion's expression suddenly darkened.

The Conqueror's Haki erupted uncontrollably, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze, making it hard to breathe.

"Lava brat..." Shiki's voice was terrifyingly deep, as if it came from the depths of hell, "Who do you think you're talking to?"

Sakazuki showed no sign of backing down; his fist slowly clenched, and magma began to surge.

"I'm talking to a loser who's afraid to face reality."

"Loser?!" The Golden Lion's rage was completely ignited.

His twin swords suddenly crossed, and golden sword energy swept out like a storm. "I am Shiki the Golden Lion!!"

"Lion - Thousand Cut Valley!!"

Hundreds of sword energies tore through the rain and hurtled towards Sakazuki and his companions.

Kuzan and Borsalino quickly dodged, while Sakazuki remained rooted to the spot.

"The end of One Piece signifies the beginning of a new era of justice, and the man who orchestrated all of this is..."

"Gern Reginald Sigma!!" His right arm instantly transformed into molten lava as he unleashed a punch!

"Big fire!!"

The lava and sword energy collided in mid-air, unleashing a deafening roar.

The scorching magma intertwined with golden sword energy, tearing the surrounding buildings and ground to shreds.

The blast wave knocked over nearby soldiers, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.

Amidst the smoke and dust, the golden lion's figure appeared like a ghost, his twin blades aimed straight for Sakazuki's throat.

Sakazuki dodged to the side and swung a Lava Fist at the Golden Lion's chest.

The Golden Lion sneered, his body twisting strangely in the air as he kicked Sakazuki in the head.

"Bang!" Sakazuki was forced back several steps by the kick, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

But his eyes remained cold: "What? Did I hit a nerve and you're getting angry?"

The golden lion's expression was ferocious, and the ship's wheel on its forehead seemed to be throbbing with pain due to its emotional agitation.

He said through gritted teeth, "You marines have no idea what a true strongman is!"

Roger and Gern were merely passersby in the grand scheme of things!

"A passerby?" Sakazuki wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his sneer growing even colder. "And what are you then? A pathetic wretch, not even as good as a passerby?"

"You're asking for death!!" Shiki was completely enraged, and his Conqueror's Haki erupted once again, causing the ground beneath his feet to crack inch by inch.

He leaped up suddenly, raising his twin swords high, golden light gathering on the blades as if to cleave Marineford in two.

"Lion's Might - Slaying the Sea!!"

This strike seemed capable of cleaving the sea and severing the sky!

Sakazuki's pupils suddenly contracted; he knew that the power of this attack was far beyond what he could easily withstand.

But just as he was preparing to fight to the death, a figure suddenly blocked his way.

"That's enough, Shiki."

A deep voice sounded, and Garp had somehow appeared in front of Sakazuki.

His fist was wrapped in jet-black Armament Haki as he punched towards Shiki's slash.

"Fist Bone Clash!!"

"Boom!!" The entire Marineford trembled the moment the two forces collided.

The shockwave swept in all directions, leveling the surrounding buildings.

After the dust settled, Garp remained standing in the same spot, while Shiki was knocked back dozens of meters, barely managing to steady himself by planting his twin swords in the ground.

“Garp…” Shiki’s eyes darkened, “Even you want to stop me?”

Garp slowly retracted his fist, his tone calm: "This is not your battlefield, Shiki."

Roger has made his choice; it's time for you to let it go.

"If you try to interfere with the execution..." At the same moment, golden light began to emanate from Sengoku's body.

"Then let's stay here forever!!"

"Come on then, all five of you come at me together!!"

……

That night, the skies of Marineford were torn apart by the duel of three legendary warriors.

Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, representing the highest combat power of the Navy Headquarters.

Garp, the Marine hero who has cornered the Pirate King countless times

And Shiki the Golden Lion, the legendary pirate who once rivaled the Pirate King.

This battle, fought by three representatives of world-class combat power, lasted only one night with the assistance of future admirals such as Sakazuki.

As dawn broke, the once prosperous naval headquarters town had been reduced to ruins.

This earth-shattering battle ultimately ended with the Golden Lion being captured alive...

Yes! In Shiki the Golden Lion's vision, Roger's life could only end in two ways.

Either they agree to join forces and become the world's dominant power.

They either die after rejecting themselves, or they end up in a battle that will shake the world.

But in any case, it should never have been after being arrested.

A public and humiliating execution.

This absurd ending was something that Shiki could never have imagined or accepted, even after a thousand attempts.

Because Roger was the only man he truly respected.

This is why the Golden Lion directly abandoned the power and fleet that had dominated the seas for decades.

He abandoned his lifelong career as a pirate, where he looked down on all others and dominated the seas, and instead launched a solo charge against the world's strongest force, 'Justice'!

All so that the final chapter of One Piece would not end in such a humiliating way.

Just as he initially vowed

[If Roger is to die, I should be the one to do it first.]

But the sky could never support the sea, and a week later...

The public execution of Gol D. Roger, the 'Pirate King,' will proceed as scheduled!

Chapter 204, Year 1498 of the Sea Calendar

January 1st, 1498 (Haiyuan Calendar).

Deep within Impel Down, the underwater prison, the heavy clanking of chains echoed through the dark corridors.

Roger was escorted by two naval officers as he slowly walked towards the steps leading to the ground.

His hands were tightly bound by sea stone shackles, yet his steps remained steady, as if it were just an ordinary stroll.

A month later, when he saw the glaring sunlight again, he subconsciously squinted.

The sunlight shone on his face, illuminating his haggard yet still resolute features.

Roger took a deep breath, the salty sea breeze filling his nostrils, carrying the long-lost feeling of freedom.

On the waiting warship, Garp stood silently on the bow deck.

His gaze remained fixed on Roger, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"What, Garp?" Roger noticed his gaze, grinned, revealing his familiar arrogant smile: "You can't bear to part with me?"

"Heh." Garp snorted coldly, offering neither an answer nor one.

He then turned and waved to the soldiers behind him: "Prepare to set sail. Destination: Roggetown."

The warship slowly sailed away from the port of Impulse City, with seagulls circling overhead and making clear calls.