Chapter 80

However, Roger's anticipation was met with a somber response from Garp. His face darkened, revealing the weight of unspoken troubles. Roger, perceptive as ever, noticed the shift in mood and understood that he had touched upon a sensitive topic. Something must have transpired during his absence that he wasn't privy to, having been disconnected from the outside world since the disbandment of his crew. Sensing Garp's gloomy disposition, Roger decided to address the matter he had in mind.

Drawing closer to the cell door, Roger met Garp's gaze with a smile. "Garp! I am going to be a father," he announced, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and amusement.

Garp, caught off guard by the unexpected revelation, felt a surge of emotions wash over him. The news was a curveball he hadn't anticipated, especially considering the precarious circumstances surrounding Roger's imprisonment. Despite the gravity of the situation, Garp chose not to disclose the extent of the World Government's relentless pursuit of anyone associated with Roger. Revealing such information in Roger's presence could potentially provoke a dangerous reaction—one that Impel Down would struggle to contain.

With a chuckle, Roger continued, his tone tinged with resignation. "But I will be dead by the time the child is born."

Garp's headache intensified as he processed the weight of Roger's words, realizing the implications they carried. Unable to contain his concern, he questioned Roger's motives. "Why are you telling me this, Roger? Have you forgotten that I am with the Navy? We are tasked with hunting down anyone who was ever associated with you!"

Roger's smile widened as he observed Garp's reaction, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes. "That's exactly why I am telling you this, Garp," he explained, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "The World Government will retrace my steps for the past year..."

Roger's pause spoke volumes, and Garp filled in the gaps, understanding the perilous situation they faced. If the government uncovered any trace of Roger's bloodline, it would spell certain doom for his family—a fate Garp was unwilling to accept.

"They will find her and kill her, but our unborn child is innocent, Garp!" Roger's anger simmered beneath the surface as he spoke of Rouge's fate, his voice laced with bitterness.

Even Garp, hardened by years of service to the Navy, couldn't deny the truth in Roger's words. The World Government would stop at nothing to eradicate any remnants of Roger's legacy, sparing no one in their ruthless pursuit.

Meeting Garp's gaze, Roger sighed, a sense of relief washing over him. "We have been fighting each other for years! I trust you as much as any of my shipmates. They might not currently be in a position to save my child."

Garp grasped the weight of Roger's unspoken request, his protestations falling on deaf ears. "Don't you dare, Roger..." he began, but Roger cut him off with a bright smile, his resolve unshakeable.

"Save my child, my friend!" Roger's words rang out with conviction, his trust in Garp unwavering despite their tumultuous history.

"Stop talking nonsense, you bastard!" Garp's frustration boiled over, but Roger remained steadfast in his plea.

"I know you'll do it! Take care of my child!" Roger's confidence in Garp was unwavering as he uttered his final request, leaving Garp to grapple with the weight of his decision. Fortunately, there were no other marines nearby to eavesdrop on their conversation, granting them a moment of privacy amidst the chaos of Impel Down.

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Amidst the hallowed halls of the World Government's headquarters, the Elders convened in their grand chamber, a somber atmosphere hanging heavy in the air. The five Elders, the venerable figures of authority, gathered around a polished mahogany table, their expressions grave as they contemplated the seismic events unfolding in the world.

"Have you heard the new rumors going around?" Elder Warcury's voice broke the silence, his tone laced with concern. "The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, has surrendered himself to the Marines."

His tone became gloomy. "Surrendered, not captured."

The others exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in. For decades, Roger had been a symbol of defiance, a legendary figure whose very name struck fear into the hearts of men. His sudden surrender sent shockwaves rippling through the highest echelons of power.

"Forget about the rumor; I am more concerned about what could possibly compel him to surrender now." Elder Nusjuro pondered aloud, his brow furrowed in thought. "It seems too convenient, too orchestrated."

Elder Ethanbaron nodded in agreement, his sharp gaze piercing through the haze of uncertainty. "There may be more to this than meets the eye. We cannot afford to underestimate Roger's cunning."

Elder Jaygarcia, the eldest among them, remained silent, his weathered features betraying no emotion. His mind churned with possibilities, each more ominous than the last. The world stood on the precipice of change, and Roger's surrender was but the first domino to fall.

As the Elders deliberated, a consensus began to form—a decision that would reverberate across the seas and shape the course of history. It was decided that Roger's capture would not be merely a display of Marine strength; it would be a declaration of World Government dominance.

"We must send a clear message to all who dare defy us," Elder Ju Peter intoned, his voice resonating with authority. "Roger will be executed, and it shall be done at his birthplace, Logue Town."

The room fell silent, the weight of their decision hanging heavy in the air. The Elders understood the magnitude of their choice and the implications it would have for the world at large. Roger's execution would mark the end of an era, a final reckoning for the age of piracy.

But even as they prepared to execute their plan, doubts lingered in the recesses of their minds. What secrets had Roger concealed during his year of disappearance? What machinations had he set in motion, hidden from prying eyes?

"We must uncover every detail of Roger's life during his absence," Elder Warcury declared, his voice resolute. "We cannot afford to leave any stone unturned."

The elders nodded in solemn agreement, their resolve unshakable. The fate of the world hung in the balance, and they would stop at nothing to ensure its stability. As the meeting adjourned and they parted ways, each elder carried with them the weight of their decision, knowing that the days ahead would test their mettle like never before.

For the Elders of the World Government, the capture of Gol D. Roger was merely another victory—it was just the beginning of a new chapter in history, or so they thought; however, what they didn't know was that this event would be fraught with uncertainty and peril. And it would mark the beginning of their great empire's downfall.

In the heart of the New World, aboard his mighty ship, the Moby Dick, the legendary pirate Edward Newgate, known far and wide as Whitebeard, sat upon his throne-like captain's chair, his weathered face etched with lines of wisdom and experience. His crewmates, a motley assortment of fearsome pirates, stood at attention around him, their eyes fixed on their revered captain, awaiting his word.

Word of Roger's capture had reached Whitebeard's ears, carried by the currents of the sea and the whispers of the wind. The news struck a chord deep within him, stirring memories of battles won and lost, of comrades fallen, and of dreams shattered. Roger was more than just a fellow pirate—he was a rival, a friend, and a symbol of freedom in a world bound by chains.

As the weight of the news settled upon his shoulders, Whitebeard remained silent, his gaze fixed upon the horizon, lost in thought. He knew that Roger's capture would send shockwaves through the pirate world, igniting flames of rebellion and sparking conflicts that would engulf the seas in chaos.

Amidst the rugged landscape of a remote island in the New World, the stronghold of the Golden Lion Fleet stood tall and imposing, a testament to the power and influence of its notorious leader, the legendary pirate Shiki. Within the confines of this stronghold, two of Shiki's trusted cadres lounged lazily, their laughter echoing through the air as they indulged in rum and tobacco.

"Did you hear about Roger? The Pirate King got himself captured by the Marines!" one of the cadres exclaimed, a smirk playing on his lips as he took a long drag from his cigar. "What a pathetic excuse for a pirate."

His companion chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it looks like ol' Roger finally met his match. Who would've thought he'd end up in Impel Down, of all places?"

The cadres continued to jest and taunt, their words dripping with contempt for their fallen rival. They mocked Roger for his supposed weakness, jeering at his misfortune and reveling in his demise.

"He's nothing but a coward," one of them declared with a derisive laugh. "Too scared to face the consequences of his actions."

But their mirth was short-lived as a sudden gunshot rang out, shattering the jovial atmosphere and piercing through the silence like a thunderbolt. One of the cadres cried out in agony as he crumpled to the ground, clutching his wounded leg and writhing in pain.

Before they could comprehend what had happened, the imposing figure of Shiki emerged from the shadows, his eyes ablaze with fury as he glared down at his fallen comrade.

"How dare you mock my rival?" Shiki's voice thundered, resonating with a fierce intensity that silenced the cadres' laughter. "Do you think the Marines have the guts to capture Roger? He is my equal, my worthy adversary!"

The cadres trembled in fear as Shiki's words reverberated through the stronghold, their earlier bravado replaced by a palpable sense of unease. They had never seen their leader so enraged, his loyalty to Roger burning brighter than ever before.

With a steely gaze, Shiki turned away from the trembling cadres, his jaw clenched in determination. "If Roger is to meet his end, it will be at my hands," he declared, his voice low and menacing. "I will prove it to the world."

And with that solemn vow, Shiki unleashed the power of his Float-Float Fruit, soaring into the sky with a speed and ferocity that left the cadres in awe. As he disappeared into the horizon, a sense of awe and reverence filled the air, for in that moment, Shiki had shown his unwavering loyalty and respect for his rival, the Pirate King Roger.

The next morning, in the bustling streets of Loguetown, the news of Roger's capture spread like wildfire, igniting a flurry of whispers and murmurs among the common folk. As word of the Pirate King's impending execution reached the ears of the townspeople, palpable tension hung in the air, casting a shadow over the once vibrant streets.

For the residents of Loguetown, Roger's capture struck a chord of disbelief and apprehension. Many had grown up hearing tales of the infamous Pirate King, his legendary exploits weaving a tapestry of adventure and intrigue that had captured the imaginations of all who heard them. To learn that such a formidable figure had been brought to heel by the Marines sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many grappling with the reality of his downfall.

As rumors swirled and speculation ran rampant, the common people found themselves torn between conflicting emotions. Some viewed Roger's capture as a victory for justice, a sign that no pirate, no matter how powerful, was above the law. They saw his impending execution as a symbol of the World Government's authority, a demonstration of their unwavering resolve to maintain order and uphold the rule of law.

Others, however, saw Roger's downfall as a harbinger of darker times to come. They feared that his capture would only serve to embolden the Marines and bolster their grip on the seas, ushering in an era of oppression and tyranny. They mourned the loss of freedom and autonomy that Roger's demise represented, lamenting the inevitable shift in power dynamics that would follow in its wake.

Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty, one thing was certain: Roger's capture had sent shockwaves through the entire world, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who bore witness to it.

As the people of Loguetown grappled with the implications of his impending execution, they couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for them and for the world at large. And as they gathered in hushed clusters, exchanging anxious glances and whispering prayers, they knew that the days ahead would be fraught with peril and uncertainty.