"Wolf pack, move out!"
"Awooo!"
Huskie reverted to his original form, carrying Kei as he dashed through the wilderness, his underlings following close by, assisting wherever they could.
They spent the entire night dealing with the situation. By the time the sun rose, the sorrowful atmosphere that had hung over the city had finally dissipated.
"I am truly grateful to that human doctor. If not for him, I'd be dead by now!"
"That guy is amazing. But who is he exactly?"
"I don't know. That doctor seems to be an outsider. This morning, I even saw him clashing with the wolf pack."
"I know! He's the Divine Doctor! The youkai from the east call him the Human-Demon King!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions were filled with surprise, but quickly, they seemed to understand.
"He's powerful, and he doesn't care about the conflicts between humans and youkai!"
"I saw him helping the wolf king Guha earlier, even though Guha had previously provoked him. He truly has a kind heart!"
"Human-Demon King!"
"Human-Demon King!"
Someone shouted the title, and soon, the chant spread like wildfire. Even some youkai who harbored hatred for humans wanted to speak up, but their voices were drowned out by the overwhelming chorus.
People started searching everywhere for Kei, but no matter how hard they looked, they couldn't find him.
"No need to search. After healing the wounded last night, he left before the sun rose."
The Polar Sumo King appeared among the youkai, his calm voice silencing the crowd.
"It's Lord Sumo King!"
"Greetings, Lord Sumo King!"
"Why did the Divine Doctor leave so suddenly? We wanted to thank him properly!"
"Because he doesn't need your thanks. He treats the wounded simply because they seek help. Nothing more."
"If you truly wish to thank him, then try to treat humans better in the future. Strive for peace between humans and youkai."
"Yes!"
"We will!"
"But we still want to thank the Divine Doctor in person."
The youkai exclaimed earnestly.
"You're pretty fast, aren't you?"
Kei, seated on Huskie's back, spoke with a slight hint of approval.
"Of course! Our clan is known for its speed. While I might not be as strong as a youkai king, when it comes to speed, most youkai kings can't keep up with me."
Huskie spoke with a hint of pride.
"Alright, keep running steadily. Our destination is the second city. Once we arrive, consider your debt repaid."
Kei said this and then ignored the outside world, turning his attention to the chat group. The chat group was currently exploding with a massive revelation.
[Pirate King: I'm going to die. Hahaha.]
[Fist of the Hungry Wolf: I'm almost at my end, too. In a few decades, I'll die of old age. Hahaha.]
[Little Devil Mirajane: That's not a funny joke at all, Mr. Roger.]
[Pirate King: Hahaha, is that so? But I'm not joking. In a few days, I'll be executed.]
The chat group fell into silence.
[Wisdom Goddess of Aqua Blue: You are the Pirate King, right? The symbol of resistance against the World Government? What happened?]
[Pirate King: Yeah, but I surrendered myself. Even if they don't execute me, I don't have much time left.]
[Pirate King: I have a severe illness. It's incurable, and I'm gradually approaching death.]
[Fist of the Hungry Wolf: I don't understand you! You surrendered just because you're dying? Are you trying to atone for your sins before death or something?]
[Fist of the Hungry Wolf: Don't kid yourself! If you're going to be a villain, then stick to your path until the end. Don't do something so disgraceful!]
Garou, in the real world, was angrily cursing Roger. He had thought Roger was someone like himself—someone who, despite being wanted worldwide, still pursued his dreams and justice.
But this guy actually surrendered to the Marines? Was this some sort of repentance before death? Ridiculous! Garou could never accept such a thing.
[Pirate King: Repent? Hahaha! I've never done anything wrong in my life. I don't need to repent!]
[Pirate King: I just want to stir up a storm one last time before I die!]
Roger had never thought of himself as wrong. He simply followed his dreams to explore the world. From the beginning until now, he had no regrets.
[Elf Enthusiast: Even if you're terminally ill, there's no need to seek death. Maybe everyone in the group can come up with a solution?]
[Pirate King: No need. I've lived a full life. There's nothing to regret. No need to struggle for survival anymore.]
[Wooden Sword Samurai: Are you a child? Posting this here just to get our sympathy? How childish.]
[Wooden Sword Samurai: Real adults keep moving forward no matter how dark the world or how tough the future.]
[Wooden Sword Samurai: If you're an adult, then live on with a stubborn will like a cockroach, damn it!]
[Salted Fish Trying Hard: I just learned our chat group has a censorship filter… What the hell is Gintoki even saying?]
[Sea King: Hahaha! Well said, but I have my principles. I haven't given up on life. In fact, I love my life dearly!]
[Pirate King: I love adventure! That's why I won't let my life end in bed.]
[Pirate King: I was born on the boundless sea! And even in death, I'll stir up a tidal wave!]
The chat group fell silent again. Everyone could sense Roger's determination. He wasn't just saying empty words.
[Salted Fish Trying Hard: Roger, will you face death with a smile?]
[Pirate King: Of course.]
[Fist of the Hungry Wolf: Brother, I wish you well on your journey!]
Kei saw this and shook his head. Roger had made up his mind to use his death to kickstart the Great Pirate Era. No one could stop him.
Several days later, a translucent screen appeared before everyone. The screen displayed the dim interior of a prison cell.
"Roger is being led out for execution!"
A line of Marines stood on both sides of the road. The Admiral opened the cell, and from inside emerged a disheveled man in a red coat, his hands locked in iron shackles.
"Hahaha! Why act so seriously? If I wanted to leave, no place could hold me."
Roger stood up, revealing a rebellious smile. Without needing anyone to escort him, he walked ahead of the guards himself.
The Marines standing along the path nervously swallowed their saliva, some even trembling with their hands.
Their fear came not from anything visible but from the mere presence of this man — the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger! A man whose very name shook the entire sea!
[Little Devil Mirajane: What is this? Is that Mr. Roger up there?]
[Salted Fish Trying Hard: Looks like him. This seems to be some sort of live broadcast feature activated under special circumstances.]
[Pirate King: Huh, so everyone can see this? I thought I was the only one who could.]
[Pirate King: Since everyone can watch, enjoy the show.]
[Wisdom Goddess of Aqua Blue: You're about to be executed! How can you still be so relaxed?!]
Roger did not answer Aqua's question. Following the Marines, he walked to the execution platform outside. A massive crowd had gathered to witness this historic event.
He walked step by step up the towering execution platform, his expression not that of a condemned man, but rather a king ascending his throne.
[Elf Enthusiast: Mr. Roger… Even now, he shows no fear. He's so calm!]
[Fist of the Hungry Wolf: You don't understand. Facing death with fear and trembling is something only cowards do! A true warrior faces death head-on!]
[Wooden Sword Samurai: No one can truly be fearless in the face of death. He simply doesn't believe he will truly die.]
[Pirate King: Hahaha, that's right. I will not die.]
Roger finally reached the top of the execution platform, looking down at everyone below. Among the crowd were Shanks, Buggy, and old friends he had traveled with.
There were also new faces, people he had never met but who had heard of his legend. Even friends who couldn't be here in person were undoubtedly watching somewhere.
Raising his head, he looked at the sky, knowing that even his friends from other worlds were watching. "Hahaha, what a grand feast this is!"
Roger sat down cross-legged on the platform. "Alright, enough dawdling. Let's get this over with!"
The executioners on either side swallowed hard, their hands trembling as they gripped their long blades. For some reason, a deep fear gripped their hearts when facing the man they were about to execute.
As the executioners shakily raised their blades and prepared to strike, someone in the crowd shouted:
"Hey, Pirate King! Where did you hide all the treasure you plundered? Where's the legendary treasure, the One Piece?!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
Roger laughed heartily, his voice ringing out like thunder. After laughing, he spoke loudly:
"You want my treasure? Then go and find it! I left everything in that place!"
Roger's words spread across the entire sea, igniting the flames of desire within countless hearts. The high-ranking Marines were furious!
They immediately ordered Roger's death and to cut off all broadcasts. But it was too late. Roger's words had already spread across the world.
The desire for fame and power, for the Pirate King's name and the legendary treasure, had been ignited. Countless people began to set sail!
Roger's actions could be seen as defiance against the World Government's oppression, sparking the Great Pirate Era that would cause countless casualties and suffering.
But Roger was not a hero. He never claimed to be one. He was just a pirate.
A pirate who only wanted to have adventures with his companions!
Just like when he met Rayleigh in his youth and uttered those fateful words:
"My name is Roger. Gol D. Roger."
"My name is Rayleigh."
"Rayleigh, do you want to turn the world upside down with me?"
In the Sabaody Archipelago, inside the Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh couldn't help but remember the moment he first met Roger.
Roger had truly turned the world upside down!
This man, who had experienced countless adventures and conquered the seas, couldn't help but let tears fall from his eyes.
"Roger, you said you…"
This guy isn't dead. So, I'll wait for you here, on this island of beginning and end."
"I'll wait for you to return as promised. When that day comes, we'll set sail again!"
The livestream screen in the chat group went black. Everyone started tagging Roger, but there was no response.
[Little Devil Mirajane: I don't understand. Why was he still smiling when he was about to die?]
[Salted Fish Trying Hard: Isn't it cool to face death with a smile?]
[Little Devil Mirajane: But if you die, everything's over. You'll never see your loved ones again, you can't enjoy your favorite foods, you'll be gone forever!]
[Salted Fish Trying Hard: Maybe that's just the unique romance of men. Fulfilling your dreams and dying with a smile is satisfying, right?]
[Little Devil Mirajane: You men are all idiots!]
[I'm The Man Who Will Become Hokage: That old man was so cool! If I ever have to die one day, I want to face it with a smile just like that!]
Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, Naruto looked at the screen showing Roger's laughing face, utterly shocked.
He thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Maybe, someday in the future, he might also smile at death for something important.
"Divine Doctor, why are you smiling?"
Huskie looked at Kei, who suddenly started smiling and asked curiously.
"Nothing, I just saw something interesting."
Kei looked at the distant city that was gradually coming into view, feeling a strange rush of excitement.
"Huskie, how about sparring with me?"
"Please, don't joke! I don't want to get beaten up."
"Besides, I'm a wolf! I will never raise a hand against my benefactor!"
Huskie continued to insist that he was a wolf and not a dog.
"Ah, I kinda feel like fighting a little."
Kei shook his head, suppressing the fighting spirit in his heart.
He followed Huskie into the city, only to be immediately stared down by a massive, three-legged Golden Crow.
"Chicken… Chicken Lord!"
Huskie's voice trembled as he spoke. This Chicken Lord was the leader of the Seventy-Two Caves of Northern Mountain, a Great Youkai King.
A powerhouse second only to the Northern Mountain Youkai Emperor, Destroyer Heaven Lord.
"You're the one recognized as the Human-Demon King, Kei?"
"That's me. Want to have a fight?"
Kei looked at the enormous Golden Crow before him, his excitement only growing stronger.
(End of Chapter)
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