The Start To East Blue

About a week after the announcement for Roger's arrest was announced, an execution date had already been set. Along with an announcement to broadcast the entire execution.

I immediately notified the crew to start sailing towards East Blue. It was going to be a long journey because we were going to have to pass through Paradise. 

The scheduled execution date was set to about a month from now, so we had plenty of time to stop by Water 7 to check on the progress of the ship. I had already told Whitebeard that I was going to the execution. So there wasn't any chances of miscommunication happening any time soon.

We had reached where we normally would coat our ships with resin. Stussy went off to talk to a ship coater while the rest of the crew dispersed to find new supplies. 

By now, the rumors concerning Roger's arrest should have already made its rounds all over the World. Moreover, I was already aware that piracy wasn't something that was strongly promoted throughout the World. However, I couldn't help but be curious as to see what the islanders had to say about the recent developments.

Enhancing my hearing a bit, I eaves-dropped on the numerous conversations that happened to be concerning Roger.

"I still can't believe that they had finally caught him! Hasn't it been a year since the Roger Pirates were disbanded?"

"You're right, it didn't look like they were going to catch him from the way he had been hiding..."

"It's even scarier to think that he was hiding in South Blue of all places...I have family over there, you know?!" 

"Calm yourself, it's not like he went over there to reek havoc. Besides, he isn't even there anymore. I heard he got transferred to Impel Down until the day of his execution."

"Do you think his crew is gonna go there and bail him out? Nobody has ever escaped Impel Down before, but there's a first time for everything, you know?"

Silence promptly ensued in that conversation. The people involved stopped talking, almost as if they were actually taking into consideration the possibility of the Roger Pirates invading Impel Down.

Now that I heard it, other than Rayleigh, who had immediately called me as soon as news of Roger's capture had been made public; I never really heard much from the other powerhouses who happened to be on that ship. One of those people that I had in mind was none other than Douglas Bullet.

I still remember seeing the brat during our earlier interactions with the Roger Pirates before they were disbanded, he was pretty strong for someone of his age. I couldn't help but wonder how strong he had become over the time. Moreover, I was getting even more curious as to how he was going to cause a Buster Call to be summoned on him.

Moreover, Shiki should have already began making his way towards Impel Down by now so he could try and free Roger. I don't think he's going to be able to accomplish that, but he was always free to surprise me.

"Boris~ The Ship coater said that it'd take him about two days to get the ship coated. What should we do?" Stussy asked.

"We can just relax here for the time being, there isn't a need to rush," I replied.

Finally getting out of my recliner, I slowly made my way down and out of the ship. Heading right towards the local bar. 

"I've been hearing rumors lately," Stussy commented.

"What kind?"

"Rumors about a war happening to liberate Roger from Captivity. They're even going so far as to lump us into the mix. Claiming that we will be assisting the former Roger Pirates in freeing their captain," Stussy explained.

"Well, you already know our position on the matter. They are right to think about possible retaliation though, I'm thinking one of them will be happening soon," I remarked.

"Who'd be so bold as to break into Impel Down? Especially knowing that Garp and Sengoku are probably there guarding the prison..." Stussy asked bewildered.

I smiled at her quietly before opening the doors to the bar. Inside, there were multiple men who had been enjoying their drinks and food while talking. The moment we went inside, the serene atmosphere that had been there immediately turned into that of apprehension as they all stared us down.

walking past the tables, going to the bar, I could hear countless murmurs around me.

"Is that...the Storm Dragon?" 

"To think that he'd be all the way here....is he planning to do what I think he's doing?!"

"That's impossible, there's no way he's going to actually face the Marines by himself!"

"You're acting stupid! Why would a member of the Whitebeard Pirates help the Roger Pirate's captain?!"

"I heard that the two pirate groups had friendly relations.....maybe this could be a favor from them?" 

I sat on a stool before ordering some strong liquor. Stussy sat right next to me before ordering some wine for herself.

"You said that someone would be raiding Impel Down...who is it?" Stussy asked curiously.

"Who else would it be? It's that crazy bastard Shiki," I replied, "his obsession with Roger is almost maniacal, hearing that he's been held captive by the Marines isn't going to be something that he lets go of so easily."

"Doesn't he know that's going to be a vain struggle?" Stussy asked.

"It won't matter," I replied before drinking some liquor from the newly brought glass, "We're only there to watch and pay our respects to him before he dies."

"I hope the Marines don't cause us too much trouble over there," Stussy commented.

"They probably will, they're probably going to send their strongest forces over there. My appearance would only cause more chaos and turmoil for the execution," I explained.

"So how are you going to watch the execution?" Stussy asked, "Oh, never mind. You have enhanced senses, don't you?"

"Pretty much, it's not going to be too troublesome to hear all the Marines have to say about Roger before they kill him. Also, It'll be much easier that way."

"If anything, I should be worried about myself," Stussy muttered.

"You're gonna go to the island?" I asked, my eyes widened slightly.

"Obviously, my senses aren't as sharp as yours. So I'm going to have to go closer so I can get a better look," Stussy commented, "the only problem is whether I'll get caught."

"Just blend in with the crowd, you won't be the only pirate there wanting to see the execution," I consoled her.

"Should I bring Pato with me....? He's still too weak though," Stussy contemplated to herself as she kept downing her glass of wine.

"Are you trying to bring the entire crew on that island?" I asked her.

"Honestly, yes. I can feel something special coming with this execution.....almost as if we'll be ending an era, and starting a new one," Stussy remarked as she got herself another glass.

"Whether or not it signifies an end of an era is yet to be determined. Let's just get there first, then we will move on from there," I consoled her.

"You're right, there's no use thinking about something that hasn't happened yet," Stussy agreed.

The two days passed by quickly. Soon, we were on our way to Fishman Island.