As Claudius and Garp returned to Mariejois with Roger in tow, the World Government officially confirmed the arrest of the Pirate King. Roger had been captured. This news, unprecedented and world-shaking, quickly spread across every corner of the globe. Newspapers immediately printed special editions, with bold headlines proclaiming: "CP-X Revealed: Pirate King Gold Roger Captured in South Blue!"
In the Sabaody Archipelago, within Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh, the once-first mate of the Roger Pirates, leaned against the counter. His blond hair fell over his shoulders as he casually flipped through the special edition of the newspaper. The headline, "CP-X Arrests Gold Roger in South Blue," stared back at him.
"They're planning to execute Roger in Loguetown, East Blue, two months from now," Rayleigh murmured to himself, his voice calm but his eyes reflecting a deep understanding.
Shakky, holding a glass of wine, placed it next to Rayleigh. "Roger's been caught, huh? Is that CP-X group really that powerful?" she asked, her tone filled with a hint of concern.
Rayleigh set the newspaper aside and took a sip from his glass, smiling slightly. "Maybe they are, or maybe Roger just let himself be caught. It wouldn't surprise me if he surrendered once they found him."
"Surrendered?" Shakky echoed, her surprise evident.
"Yeah," Rayleigh replied, "he had this plan for a while. Perhaps he wanted to make a statement with his death. You know how Roger is, he'd enjoy watching the World Government think they've won, only for something unexpected to happen later."
There was a brief silence as Rayleigh's words hung in the air, his casual tone making it seem like he didn't care about Roger's fate. But knowing him, Shakky wondered what emotions really stirred beneath that calm facade.
"So, the rest of the Roger Pirates... you're not planning to save him?" Shakky asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rayleigh shook his head. "No. This was Roger's choice. Besides, he wouldn't have lived much longer anyway."
Shakky smiled, taking a sip from her own glass. "Well, I thought you'd be running off for a while. Guess not."
---
In the New World, aboard the massive Moby Dick, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, sat silently on his throne-like chair. A sake flask dangled from his large hand, his expression unreadable.
Suddenly, Marco, one of Whitebeard's closest commanders, came rushing across the deck, newspaper in hand and shock written all over his face. "Pops! Big news!" he shouted, breathless.
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, his deep voice rumbling. "What is it, Marco? What's got you so worked up?"
"Roger... Roger's been captured! By that same CP-X group that captured Shiki!" Marco exclaimed, thrusting the newspaper toward Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's eyes widened in surprise as he took the paper and carefully read the headline. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone low. "It seems we've underestimated this Claudius... that Celestial Dragon is becoming quite a force to be reckoned with."
Marco frowned. "Do you think it's true? Could CP-X really have captured Roger?"
Whitebeard took a deep sip from his flask before nodding. "If Roger's been captured, it's likely true. As for this CP-X... we might've thought too little of them before. They've already proven themselves by capturing Shiki."
Marco looked concerned but didn't dwell on that. Instead, he asked, "The paper says they're planning to execute Roger in two months in East Blue. Shouldn't we go and save him?"
"No," Whitebeard responded without hesitation.
Marco's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why not? Shouldn't we at least go and see him off? He's going to die, Pops."
Whitebeard looked at Marco, his eyes softening for a moment. "I've already said my goodbye to Roger. There's no need to go."
---
Elsewhere, on a ship sailing through the first half of the Grand Line, Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, was staring at the same newspaper in disbelief. Less than two months ago, he had mocked Claudius when they met in South Blue, teasing him for thinking he could casually catch Roger. And now, here was the undeniable proof that Claudius had done just that.
"How is this even possible?" Dragon muttered, rubbing his chin in thought. "Roger, caught by just a few men? What in the world happened?"
Ivankov, the flamboyant Revolutionary and Dragon's close ally, leaned over Dragon's shoulder, glancing at the headline. "Maybe Roger surrendered? Could be that Claudius just got lucky."
Dragon chuckled softly. "If that's the case, Claudius has got to be the luckiest man alive. To stumble upon Roger at the perfect moment in South Blue? It's hard to believe."
Bartholomew Kuma, the large, silent figure standing nearby, finally spoke. "Roger's choice, perhaps. But even so, Claudius managed to pull it off."
Dragon nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Whatever the reason, Claudius has proven himself capable. CP-X isn't the 'stuffed shell' he made it out to be. If they were able to catch Roger, then what does that say about the Navy and the CP agencies that have failed all these years?"
Dragon's eyes narrowed. He knew Claudius had more power and influence than he let on. "There's no way he's shown all his cards yet."
Ivankov adjusted the ship's rudder, turning them towards a new course. "So, Boss, what now? Weren't we headed to Water 7?"
Dragon smiled faintly. "There's still time. Roger's execution is two months away. We'll head to East Blue."
Ivankov looked puzzled. "Why? Roger's death doesn't really concern the Revolutionary Army. What's the point of watching his execution?"
Dragon's smile grew slightly. "I have a feeling it won't be that simple. I'm expecting some... unexpected developments."
Ivankov laughed, "Fine, fine. You're the boss, after all. East Blue it is."
---
Dragon wasn't the only one curious about Roger's impending execution. Across the seas, other major players began shifting their attention to East Blue. In North Blue, Donquixote Doflamingo grinned as he read the news, already plotting to be present at Roger's final moments. Elsewhere, Dracule Mihawk, in the midst of challenging swordsmen across the world, also decided that he needed to witness the execution of the Pirate King firsthand.
The sea was alive with movement as countless figures—pirates, revolutionaries, and swordsmen alike began making their way toward East Blue. The looming execution of Gol D. Roger had sparked a massive surge in activity, setting the stage for an event that would change the world forever.
Back at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku stood in silence for a moment, holding the latest report in his hands. He turned to the gathered officers and said, "His Highness Claudius stayed in South Blue for nearly four months. We all thought he was taking a vacation, but now... it seems like he was laying the groundwork for something far bigger."