**Sea Calendar, August 19th, 1520 - Mary Geoise, Public Execution Grounds.**
"All troops, attention!"
"At ease!"
White cloaks fluttered in the wind as soldiers and officers moved in perfect unison. The iron discipline of the military was on full display under the scorching summer sun, leaving the kings from various countries who had come to witness the event in genuine awe.
Such a military presence was only seen in the most elite forces of even the most militarized nations. But those elite forces rarely numbered more than ten thousand.
Here, the soldiers stretched as far as the eye could see!
At this moment, on the central grand square, countless Marine soldiers, armed with guns and cannons, stood guard on both sides. In the center was a tall execution platform, positioned so that everyone, no matter where they stood, could see the execution unfold.
Between the platform and the main gathering point of the Celestial Dragons at the Pangaea Castle's Dragon Gate, the viewing stands were arranged in a semicircular formation.
The most prominent seat was occupied by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, flanked by Admirals Akainu and Kizaru. Below them sat the three formidable Admiral candidates— Soryu (Azure Dragon), Chaton, and Momousagi—as well as Chief of Staff Tsuru and "Iron Fist" Garp.
The strict hierarchy of the Marine High Command is tall at the center, making the spectators finally realize the true power behind Marineford, the strongest force on the Grand Line.
"Is it time yet?" Tsuru glanced at her wristwatch and looked over at Sengoku.
"If we delay any longer, those Celestial Dragons might start complaining."
Garp scratched his nose with a look of disdain.
Above the execution grounds, the massive Ark Maxim hovered. Its lower armor had been partially modified, transforming a cannon room into a glass-walled dining hall resembling an elevator.
Inside, a number of Celestial Dragons sat in the comfortably tempered room, enjoying the elegant music while leisurely watching the broadcast projected by the Den Den Mushi. Their laughter and merriment filled the room as they watched the scene unfold below.
Sengoku hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Bring the prisoner up!"
This public execution was largely a performance, meant to show the world the miserable fate of those who dared oppose the government. As such, the execution target, Gol D. Jason, had not yet been brought onto the platform to face judgment.
*Clank, clank, clank...*
The heavy iron gate slowly lifted. Amidst the grinding of steel cables, Jason, with Seastone shackles on his wrists, timid and terrified, was led out into the spotlight by two Headquarters Vice Admirals.
*Shua!*
The viewing stands erupted into a murmur.
People began to whisper and chatter.
At last, they were seeing the true face of Roger's son!
But...
Why did he look like this?!
Meanwhile, on the Grand Line, Drum Country...
"What's going on? How could he possibly be the son of the Pirate King?"
Perched on the rooftop of a house, Ace peeked through the window, watching the broadcast below with a face full of anger.
Ace's thoughts echoed those of everyone watching.
The man's demeanor was utterly disgraceful!
Regardless of their thoughts, those who grew up in this era knew what kind of hero Roger was. The public execution twenty years ago was still fresh in many people's minds.
That man, clearly marching toward his execution, had worn a constant smile. He treated the Marines, lined with rifles on either side as if they were an audience witnessing the dawn of a new era. He had walked tall and proud, with a presence that shook everyone who watched.
Even in the face of death, he was as spirited as a mighty lion!
He commanded respect and fear!
But what were they witnessing now?
Not just the physical presence, but the fear and trembling in his eyes were evident, even to a child.
As soldiers raised their rifles on either side of the corridor, the government's black flag flapped in the wind. Every slight movement seemed to frighten him into shrinking back.
He was hunched over as he walked forward, even attempting to retreat several times.
But each time, he was blocked by the cold, murderous Vice Admirals Onigumo and Doberman, who forced him to continue.
This man was supposed to be the son of "Pirate King" Gol D. Roger?
What a joke!
"Hmph! The Marines have really hit rock bottom. Where did they find this fraud?"
In some unknown corner of the sea, Eustass Kid scoffed as he turned off the broadcast and stood up.
"Wicked, heartless people! Better go have a drink!"
At another location, aboard [The Merry]...
"Luffy, are you okay?"
Sanji frowned silently and asked through a puff of smoke.
Luffy, completely unconcerned about the execution of Roger's son, had turned and left. This was troubling!
"I'm fine, Sanji."
Luffy adjusted his straw hat and spoke slowly.
"I'm going to check the Log Pose. I need to find a doctor for Nami quickly."
With that, he headed up the stairs to the deck, disappearing into the cabin.
Usopp, looking helpless, glanced at Sanji and quietly asked, "Zoro, what's going on now?"
"I don't know."
"Don't know?!"
"That's right!"
Zoro looked up at the ceiling and said, "If Roger's son is really like this, it's a huge blow to Luffy."
"If that's the case…"
When the live broadcast aired, everyone's reaction mirrored their own— disappointment, anger, and even skepticism!
To those pirates constantly on the run from the Marine forces, the Pirate King was their sole belief.
When this singular belief showed cracks, the despair was probably the best explanation.
...
"Kneel down!"
*Thud!*
Finally reaching the platform, Jason was startled by Onigumo's roar. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
His body trembled visibly, and the deep humiliation was palpable even through the screen, spreading across the Four Seas.
Rowen listened to the murmurs of the crowd and then turned to Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral, it's your turn now."
The disparity between Jason and the expected son of the Pirate King was so great that doubts were only natural. But just like Sengoku had been overjoyed before, as long as the "evidence was conclusive," even if he himself was uncertain about his origins, it wouldn't matter.
So… please begin your performance!
Noticing the hint of amusement in Rowen's eyes, Sengoku's face darkened.
You little bastard, just wait!
He then stood up, cleared his throat, and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
The camera Den Den Mushi shifted the focus from Jason to Sengoku. As Sengoku appeared on the big screen, he began to speak slowly.
"Jason, tell me who you are!"
"I…"
Upon hearing this, Jason's trembling pupils became a bit clearer, and he shouted, "My name is Anthony Jason, not Gol D. Jason!"
*Crash!*
A stone had stirred up a thousand waves!
As Jason's roar spread across the sea through the Den Den Mushi, everyone's eyes lit up. This was something to see!
As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Sengoku displayed a confident and sinister expression.
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Then take a look at these two photos and tell me if these are your parents."
The photos of the Anthony couple were displayed. As a key suspect, the Assassination Force had thoroughly investigated them years ago, with plenty of photos available.
Looking at the faces in the photos, Jason nodded excitedly, "Yes, that's them!"
*Clap, clap, clap!*
"Very well!"
Sengoku clapped his hands and sneered, "I don't deny that they raised you, but how do you explain yourself?"
The screen showed Jason's photo next to that of the couple.
It might not seem like much at first.
But...
What if Roger's photo was added next?
Everyone's eyes widened, including Jason's.
The Anthony couple had brown hair, with a possible black recessive gene, but their facial features were significantly different from Jason's.
In contrast, when compared with Roger's photo…
The resemblance was astonishing!
The bloodlines in the One Piece world were truly mysterious. For instance, take the Big Mom Pirates or the three siblings from Fish-Man Island. Born of the same parents, but their appearances were… hard to describe!
Generally, such small details are considered normal.
But if someone looks like Roger, it probably isn't just a coincidence.
Watching Jason's bewildered and self-doubting expression, Rowen couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
What is the highest level of fooling someone?
It's making something that the person is absolutely certain of seem uncertain!
(End of this chapter)
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