"Don't worry, Mira. At least here, in this square, nothing will touch us. Those men in the coats of justice… their strength is terrifying."
Rain squeezed Mira's hand gently, reassuring her as his eyes flicked toward the rows of Marines standing guard.
Mira nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on the men in white coats. "…They're like the Magic Council back home," she murmured.
"Powerful enforcers of order."
Then, her expression shifted. Her eyes lit up suddenly, and she turned to Rain with excitement.
"Rain. I just had an idea."
Rain's lips tugged upward. He already had a guess. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Mira pointed toward the towering figures stationed near the platform, Sengoku the Buddha and Garp the Hero. Their presence alone was enough to make the air heavy.
"A man called the Pirate King… with a public execution like this, and guarded by people of that caliber? He can't be ordinary. He must be someone who once stood at their level. So…"
Her voice lowered, eyes sharp with intent, "…when he dies, Rain you should seize the chance to take his soul."
Rain's smile widened. "Heh. That's exactly what I was thinking."
The two exchanged a glance, their resolve aligned.
"In that case," Mira said quickly, scanning their surroundings, "we need a vantage point."
She tugged his hand, leading him through the crowd until they slipped into the nearby bell tower. From the high perch, they could see the execution platform clearly.
Perfect.
"Look! The Pirate King is here!"
A roar of voices swept the plaza, and suddenly the endless noise fell silent. Every head turned in unison.
Clank… clank… clank…
The sound of heavy chains echoed.
And then he appeared... Gol D. Roger.
An imposing man, clad in a captain's coat, walking with unshaken dignity despite the chains that bound him.
His eyes shone with pride, his presence alone forcing the thought into every mind watching:
A king, born to rule.
Even Rain and Mira felt their breath catch.
"…What momentum…" Rain whispered.
Mira's hands trembled slightly not from fear, but exhilaration. "Rain… this is perfect for you."
Roger mounted the execution platform. The world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then, as the executioners prepared their blades, his booming voice rang out:
"My treasure? If you want it… you can have it! Search for it! I left everything in this world at that place!"
Gasps erupted through the crowd.
And then
Clang!
The executioners' blades fell. Roger's life was ended.
But his words had already ignited the seas.
"Sorry, Rouge…"
At the instant of his death, Gol D. Roger's final thought wasn't of treasure or the seas but of the woman he couldn't let go of.
But it was too late.
"It's now!"
High atop the bell tower, Rain's eyes widened. He ignored the eruption of chaos below, raised his hand, and unleashed his magic.
"Take Over!"
A vortex of energy burst from him, swirling violently in the air. Roger's departing soul, rising skyward, was yanked down into the whirlpool, bound and pulled into Rain's body.
"Rain, you have to succeed…"
Mira bit her lip, watching him close his eyes in concentration. His aura raged wildly, but she could only clasp her hands together in prayer.
No one could help him with this. This was a battle only Rain could fight.
In Rain's Spiritual Space.
The moment Roger's soul entered, the vast white space shifted.
"Wha—? Didn't I just… die?"
Roger blinked in disbelief, his awareness still intact. He glanced around at the endless pale horizon, then froze as his eyes landed on the massive, glowing Gate of Time and Space.
"…Heaven? Don't tell me… I made it to paradise?"
He laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.
"No way. I wasn't exactly a saint. Not bad enough for hell, maybe… but heaven? Hah."
Instinctively, his eyes were drawn to the sacred gate. His gut told him: if he passed through, he'd truly ascend.
But before he could approach
"This isn't heaven. You're inside my body."
Roger turned sharply.
A black-haired boy stood before him, his expression calm but firm.
"…And who might you be?" Roger narrowed his eyes. "Some kind of Devil Fruit ability user? Soul Fruit? No… no, that's Big Mom's specialty."
His brow furrowed. "So what is this?"
Rain stepped forward, his presence steady.
"It doesn't matter what you think it is. What matters is this…"
His gaze met the Pirate King's.
"How about making a deal, Gol D. Roger?"
"Deal? What deal?"
Roger frowned deeply, his tone carrying confusion. "I'm already dead. All that remains of me is my soul. What bargaining chip could I possibly offer you now? My memories?"
Rain's eyes narrowed slightly. He spoke clearly, without hesitation.
"How about this... give me your soul's power. In exchange, I will go to Baterilla Island in the South Blue, take Rouge away safely, and send her to Foosha Village in the East Blue."
"—!"
Roger's eyes widened, his casual demeanor shattering instantly.
The moment he heard Baterilla Island and Rouge, the relaxed man vanished. In his place stood the Pirate King, his gaze like a wild beast, his aura swelling like a storm ready to swallow the world.
Even though he was dead, his presence alone pressed down like a king's judgment.
But this was Rain's domain. And here, Roger's soul had no power only his fury and disbelief.
"…How did you know that?!"
Rain folded his arms, unshaken. "Your soul is right here in front of me. And this is my territory. Did you really think something like that could be hidden from me?"
Roger hearing that took a deep breath and stared at the young man who seems to be in control of the situation.
Rain's lips curved slightly. "But don't worry. I'm not here to desecrate your secrets. I'm not here to mock you either. I'm here to make a deal. Nothing more."
He extended his hand toward the Pirate King.
"So what do you say, Roger? Will you entrust me with your power… in exchange for her?"
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