Sabo, the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, had always been recognized as Dragon's right-hand man.
Whether it was intelligence, leadership, or strength, he stood at the top of the Revolutionary Army alongside the strongest commanders.
Because of that, he had long been listed as a dangerous target by the World Government.
Now, he stood at the edge of death.
During his imprisonment, Sabo had thought about many things.
Surprisingly, fear was not one of them.
With Rolan around, he never worried about Luffy and Ace.
The only person he truly could not let go of was Koala.
Today was the execution day.
The entire world was discussing the public execution that would soon begin.
Fear.
Excitement.
Sympathy.
Anticipation.
Countless emotions spread throughout the seas.
Everyone understood that the World Government's goal was never simply killing Sabo.
This execution was bait.
A trap designed to draw out the Revolutionary Army, the Ion Tempest, and every force opposing the World Government.
At the same time, it was also a declaration.
The World Government intended to remind the world who truly ruled the seas.
...
Kri Lumbia Island.
Deep inside a massive prison constructed entirely from Seastone, two figures sat chained within the cold room.
"Kid, are you afraid of dying?"
An old voice echoed through the chamber.
"Heh, what's there to fear?"
The younger voice answered casually.
The old man chuckled softly.
"You're still young."
"I really didn't expect the famous Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army to be this relaxed."
Sabo leaned against the wall while glancing sideways.
"And I didn't expect the world's greatest scientist to end up like this either."
The two prisoners were none other than Vegapunk and Sabo.
After deciding on the public execution, the World Government had separated Sabo from the Revolutionary Army commanders.
For some unknown reason, Vegapunk had been locked in the same prison as him.
"Dragon and I are old acquaintances," Vegapunk suddenly said.
Sabo looked genuinely surprised.
"You know our leader?"
Vegapunk laughed lightly.
"More than that."
"We were friends."
Sabo frowned slightly.
"You're a scientist working for the World Government. How does that even happen?"
Vegapunk slowly leaned back against the wall.
"That was many years ago."
"Back then, Dragon had only recently left the Marines."
"He told me he wanted to build an army capable of changing the world."
Vegapunk's eyes carried a trace of nostalgia.
"He hated war more than anyone."
"But after understanding how rotten the World Government truly was, I realized his ideals weren't wrong."
Sabo stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.
"So the leader used to be a Marine?"
Vegapunk nodded.
"At the time, he was considered the Marine with the greatest potential."
"Many believed he would become the next Fleet Admiral."
"It's because he witnessed the darkness of the World Government and the Marines that everything turned out this way."
Vegapunk laughed softly.
"He even invited me to join his army back then."
"But I refused."
"For research?"
"Exactly."
Sabo looked at him carefully.
"Do you regret it now?"
"Regret?"
Vegapunk suddenly laughed loudly.
"Of course not."
"I don't regret researching the Void Century either."
Sabo's pupils narrowed slightly.
Most people facing death would already be terrified.
Yet Vegapunk looked strangely free.
Vegapunk shook his head with a grin.
"The only unfortunate thing is dying before I finish everything."
Then he suddenly looked at Sabo.
"The Revolutionary Army already joined Peach Garden, right?"
"If Dragon comes to save you, then Rolan will definitely move too."
A trace of expectation appeared in his eyes.
Sabo's expression darkened slightly.
"Honestly..."
"I hope they don't come."
Vegapunk fell silent for a moment before understanding.
The World Government had clearly prepared for war.
Even someone like Sabo could sense how dangerous this execution was.
...
At the same time, Kri Lumbia Island was already under complete lockdown.
Brown Square had become a fortress.
The outer perimeter was filled with Marines.
The inner perimeter was occupied by government agents wearing black suits.
Their total numbers exceeded one hundred and fifty thousand.
The massive execution platform standing in the center of the square was newly constructed.
Everything about it screamed intimidation.
Surrounding the execution platform stood six terrifying figures.
Marine Admiral Kizaru.
Marine Admiral Aramaki.
Marine Admiral Saleh.
Alongside them stood three men dressed entirely in white suits.
Their expressions were cold and emotionless.
...
South Blue, Iskel Island.
A massive public square was packed with people.
Every pair of eyes was locked onto the giant broadcast screen ahead.
The moment the image flickered, nervous swallowing sounds immediately spread throughout the crowd.
"It's starting..."
"Just looking at this makes my chest feel heavy."
"This war might completely change the world."
As the broadcast stabilized, the horrifying scene of Brown Square appeared before everyone.
Countless Marines filled the screen.
People immediately started panicking.
"There are too many soldiers!"
"This looks even crazier than Marineford!"
"This is only an execution, why are there this many troops?!"
"You seriously don't know?"
"The World Government is obviously waiting for the Revolutionary Army and the Ion Tempest to appear."
"So this whole thing is a trap?"
"Of course it is."
"If Peach Garden attacks directly, this war could destroy the seas."
Fear spread rapidly throughout the crowd.
Nobody knew what would happen once the battle truly began.
...
East Blue, Windmill Village.
Inside Makino's bar, a large man slammed his fist onto the counter while staring at the broadcast.
"If those bastards touch Sabo, I'll make them regret it."
Everyone inside the tavern silently watched the screen.
Nobody had the mood to drink anymore.
...
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Inside Isshin Dojo, Koushirou quietly watched the broadcast with a complicated expression.
"So it finally begins..."
He slowly adjusted his glasses.
"Zoro, I wonder what kind of expression you'll make when you see her again."
The dojo was unusually silent today.
Koushirou had already given the students several days off.
...
New World, Peach Garden.
Every island within Peach Garden had already ascended into the sky.
Massive island clouds supported the islands over ten thousand meters above the sea.
The atmosphere throughout Peach Garden was extremely tense.
Everyone was waiting.
Waiting for the war that would shake the world.
...
Brown Square.
"Step."
"Step."
"Step."
Heavy footsteps echoed across the execution grounds.
The noisy square instantly became silent.
Countless eyes turned toward the execution platform.
A tall figure slowly walked upward.
He wore the white Justice coat of the Marines.
His lazy expression made him look like someone who had just woken up.
Most eye-catching of all was the bizarre bird nest hairstyle on his head, with a white seagull sitting inside it.
At that moment, the entire world focused on him.
The man scratched his head before speaking into the Den Den Mushi microphone.
"Uh..."
"I'm Kuzan."
===
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