Execution (5)

The final hour of the man who was named 'Pirate King' might have been though of by many as a silent hour for the man. His death was but an hour away which would make most men wonder what they did wrong. Perhaps there was another path they could have taken that wouldn't leave them to the hands of executioners.

But that wasn't what happened. Right now three men drank a bottle of sake while talking about why the man himself had walked straight into the Marine's hands. Offering himself without a fight.

"Is that so?"

Oden had never felt himself being so dumb as he was today. First he picked up a fight with the Marines and now he only brought one bottle of alcohol. What was wrong with him today?

"Of course, why else would I willingly give myself up to Garp? Hahaha!"

Gol drank his last cup of sake from behind bars as he just finished his explanation of why he did what he did. It wasn't because they were holding anyone hostage or something like that, it was only to finally finish his life with a bang. His conditions were worse for wear, not even enough to let him see his own son be born.

"I'd have hunted you down myself! Don't be so full of yourself!"

Garp also took his last cup of sake, feeling more melancholy as Gol didn't say everything to Oden, but he knew. The responsibility was on him after this man's death as well. What a pain in the ass.

"Yes, yes. Perhaps..."

Gol just shrugged his shoulders, leaning his back towards the bars that kept him in captivity.

"Why you little-!"

*bang*

Garp threw the cup on his hand towards Gol's head, of course, only after he knew it had no drop of sake left. The cup didn't even shatter though, as after hitting Gol's head, it bounced off into Oden's open palm.

"I understand now Roger-sama, it seems I was mistaken. I wish you the best in the next life then."

Oden watched the lonesome back, feeling grateful that the man he respected would not be held against his will as his final moments were entirely on his own volition.

"Yeah, yeah, don't get *sniff* sentimental on *sniff* me now."

Gol replied to Oden while still keeping his back towards the man. His shoulders were visibly shaking as his arms that were held in front of his chest now drooping on his sides.

"But *sniff* Roger-sama *sniff* I hope you watch over *sniff* me as the day *sniff* I free Wano!"

Oden felt his friend's despair and good wishes, so he tried to pass it off as a farewell coolly. Not showing any sign of weakness.

"*sniff* Of course! *sniff* You take care now *sniff* Oden!"

Gol responded in suit, taking a clear and serene voice to show to Oden that he wasn't the least bit regretful of his choices.

"Whew, talk about a pair of babies."

Garp couldn't help but look at the two disdainfully at how their mannerisms tried to act all cool while their faces were already filled with tears and snot. Though he was forced to back off when two Conqueror's Haki suddenly assaulted his senses.

"Shut up!"

"Shut it!"

Garp rubbed his temples that were ringing from the sudden attack. He was about to retaliate when he saw Oden stand up, keeping the bottle by his side while leaving the cups where they are.

"Let us go Hero, farewell now old friend."

"See ya!"

The two men left behind the man who had brought them all here, the legend of the Pirate King ends today.

.....

"Today, the Pirate King Gol D. Roger shall be executed. If you have any final words, say them now!"

Kong himself had been the one to watch over the execution. His ranking which was the Fleet Admiral, was the highest ranking officer in the Marines. It was only appropriate for him to be the one to send the man off to the next life.

'At least you got my name right! It's Gol D. Roger! Not Gold Roger!'

"Mind taking these things off? It's too tight"

"No! You might escape!"

"Really? You think I'd escape now?"

"..."

*sigh*

Gol looked at the people who had gathered before him. The tall stage had enabled him to get a wide view of the square, wide enough for him to see a couple of faces that he was glad to see for the last time.

"Kne-"

The two executioners were about to force Gol to kneel when they saw him sit. Though it wasn't what they wanted, it was good enough. Who would want to force him to do anything anyway? Even their presence here was just to humiliate the Pirate King by being killed by men with no achievements to their names, so they really had no power over him.

'The air up here is great, I should have made a house on a hill for Rouge. She'd like the cool breeze.'

Gol was reminded of her as everything always did since the day he took her as his wife. But she was fine without him, they all were. He was here now, there was no going back. Gol gave the people here a smile when he saw a few familiar faces in the crowd. His best friend Rayleigh was nowhere to be found, as was expected, but a few of his crew mates had come.

'Ahh, Shanks and Buggy! Two fine lads.'

Gol saw the familiar straw hat and that red nose and couldn't be more sure of their identities. He saw the two rookies who had joined him on his last voyage. He was happy to see them one last time. Hopefully they get their dreams fulfilled as well.

'Oh? Why are those two in there?'

Gol saw a another couple of men that had quite an impression of. He wondered why they were there instead of guarding the place, were Vice Admirals so free nowadays?