One week after the deadly battle at Marineford, Garp, along with Markus, Brago, and Bogard made their way to the town of the beginning. Loguetown. There the world had gathered. Pirates, Swordsmen, Bounty hunters, and those of the media, all of them had come to witness the execution of the man known as Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates.
" I don't believe it." Markus muttered.
" Don't believe what?" Brago asked the young man. He was standing next to Markus as they waited near the scaffolding where Roger would Be executed.
" I can't believe any of this is real." Markus told the man. " I mean, do you think... Do you think this will actually work? Do you think Roger dying will break the spirits of pirates?" Markus asked.
" Bwahahaha! There's only one way to find out." Garp laughed.
" What would make you think otherwise, Markus? The man known as the king of the pirates, being brought down by the Marines. If that doesn't break their spirits, then nothing will." Brago muttered.
Markus sighed. " I don't know. These people, they don't seem crushed, they seem excited." Markus muttered.
Markus found himself deep within his thoughts, but quickly he was taken back as the sound of the great bells ringing through the city signified it was time.
" Here he comes!"
" It's roger!"
" The King of the pirates."
" I don't believe it."
" No way." Markus muttered. To see Roger in person, well Markus never thought he would. And now, as he stared at the man known as the greatest pirate to ever live, he couldn't help but feel such a sense of normality from the man, as if he were just that. A man.
Roger was marched up the stairs of the scaffolding, by his execution squad. Step by step Markus watched as the man ascended, an air of mystery and adventure surrounded the king. And finally, when he reached the top and the chains stopped jingling, Roger sat down and smiled as he looked out at the crowd.
" Alright, let's get this over with." Roger spoke. He didn't seem afraid, nor was he concerned. No, he seemed ready, content. No, he seemed ambitious and excited, as if he was right where he wanted to be. As if nothing else mattered.
The executioners twirled their spears and firmly placed them right in front of Roger. The procession had begun.
At first there was an air of pressure that choked everyone from the adults to the children. In fact, it was so silent that you could hear the wind whistling. But then it happened.
One man mustered the courage to speak.
" HEY! KING OF THE PIRATES! WHERE DID YOU HIDE ALL THE TREASURE YOU FOUND?! YOU GOT IT, DIDN'T YOU?! THE LEGENDARY TREASURE! That great treasure! THE ONE PIECE!"
Roger found himself interested. He was excited. His blood was ecstatic. He grinned.
The people gathered in the crowd listened closely, many of them would go on to be legendary Names in their own rights.
Donquixote Doflamingo
Gecko Moriah
Sir Crocodile
Red Haired Shanks
Buggy
Dragon
Hawkeye Mihawk
Smoker
Brago
Markus
All of them listened closely.
And as Roger started laughing, their attention grew even more.
" HAHAHAHAHA! My treasure? If you want it, you'll have to find it first! I left everything I own in One piece! FIND IT!" Roger exclaimed.
" Do it!"
The two marines raised their spears up and together, they slammed them both into Rogers neck, piercing him all the way through to his abdomen.
Roger was dead.
" YAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The entire plaza erupted into a thunderous round of applause. The idea of finding everything the world had to offer, Roger's great treasure, it excited them greatly.
Though the Marines were less than happy. What was intended to break the spirit of pirates everywhere seemed to only further ignite their cause.
Markus stood there staring up at the dead body of Roger.
" Markus, what is it?" Brago asked.
" Look at him, Brago. No fear, no hesitation, just a smile and a dream. This was his plan from the beginning. It's beginning now. A great new Era is upon us. And I can't wait to see it all." Markus was now smiling himself. " What a man."
................
A few weeks later.
" Hey, it looks like you two are finally ready." Bogard spoke.
" Bwahahahaha! Well, well. You turned out not half bad. Now then from here on out, you'll be on your own. Try not to make a fool of yourselves."
" A fool? Hah! Old man, just you watch, we're gonna go higher than anyone ever has before." Markus exclaimed.
As he stared at the young man's back, Bogard thought back to when Markus was younger. The young man's body was huge. He had gotten taller since he was younger, easily standing at a decent six foot four. His messy black hair was now done up straight and spiky, like a young Garp. His aura reeked of confidence.
.....
" Bwahahaha! Let's see what you can do brat!"
" Yaha! Let's go OLD MAN! YAAAAAH!"
Markus and Garp's fists collided together.
....
" Hm!" Bogard chuckled slightly. He then turned his attention to Brago
The young boy had grown into quite the strong man. His muscles weren't as large as Markus' but they were definitely a little longer, and he certainly was a taller, standing at a solid six foot six.
' And this one.'
.........
" Your skills with those blades have gotten better. In what Markus excels at, you fall behind in, but you're faster, and your skill with the blade is far better than his. Take advantage of that!" Bogard exclaimed. Bogard lunged at Brago.
" Let's go!" Brago swung his two swords at Bogard and clashed with the man.
...........
" Yeah, we're gonna take lead in the flashiest way imaginable!" Brago declared.
" Bwahahahaha! Okay then! Let's set out!" Garp exclaimed.
The trio of Garp, Markus, and Brago were bound to set out for a small island located in the calm belt, a place where no ship can sail without constantly being attacked by the wicked creatures of the seas otherwise known as the seakings. It is there Markus and Brago would officially join the Marines Training camp, led under the former Admiral Black arm Zephyr, where they would train for an entire year.
Now was the time to see whether or not these two would exceed the expectations brought upon them, or if they would fall short just as so many had before them. Find out NEXT TIME ON Dragon ball..... Wait a minute?!