After parting ways with Buggy, Malverick arrived in Loguetown.
Even after all these years, the execution platform still stood tall — now a famous landmark of the town.
After all, this was the place where the Pirate King had been executed. Of course the Navy would preserve it carefully.
It was, after all, their moment of glory.
Malverick stopped by a shop, bought a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine, then made his way to the square.
Not far behind the platform stood the Navy's local headquarters.
When several Marines saw someone approaching the platform with flowers and wine, their expressions darkened as they hurried forward.
"Hey, hey, hey — what do you think you're doing?"
Malverick didn't answer.
His body flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he was already standing atop the execution platform.
Seeing that, the Marines raised their rifles — they didn't know who he was, but climbing onto the platform was strictly forbidden!
"Who are you? Get down immediately! This is Navy property — don't cause trouble!"
At last, Malverick spoke.
"You lot are too noisy. Get lost."
The moment his words fell, an invisible wave of pressure exploded outward — the Marines were flung into the air as if struck by an unseen force.
Even inside the nearby headquarters, Marines felt the tremor — something terrifying was happening outside!
A group of soldiers rushed out, led by a Marine lieutenant colonel — the highest-ranking officer stationed in Loguetown at the time.
(Yes — Smoker wasn't the commanding officer yet. He was still at Marine Headquarters, training under Zephyr.)
Not that it would have mattered; if Smoker were here, Malverick would have welcomed the challenge.
After all, a Logia Devil Fruit user was always worth paying attention to — Malverick was already thinking ahead, for the sake of his own crew.
"That's impossible… he's—!"
When the officer finally saw who stood atop the platform, a chill ran down his spine.
He might not know every pirate in the world — but this face, this presence, was unmistakable.
"Get out of my sight," Malverick said coldly. "Today, I only came to see my captain. I don't want to kill anyone."
"But if someone's eager to die… I won't stop them."
The air exploded again as a terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki burst forth. The headquarters building behind them cracked and collapsed under the sheer pressure!
The lieutenant colonel swallowed hard, then immediately ordered his men to retreat.
He hated it, but against that kind of power, survival came first.
Once the Marines were gone, Malverick placed the bouquet at the center of the execution platform.
He opened the bottle of wine, poured half of it over the wood, and said softly:
"Captain… I came to see you."
"Soon, I'll be forming my own pirate crew. Wish me luck."
Then he raised the bottle, tipped his head back, and finished the rest in a single gulp.
"Oh, right — your son. I'll look after him. At least, I won't let him die so early."
Whether or not the Marineford War ever happened, Malverick had no intention of letting Ace die young.
"Farewell."
Without another word, Malverick leapt from the platform and disappeared from sight.
Only long after he was gone did the Marines dare to approach again — and immediately reported the incident to Headquarters.
When Steelbone Kong heard the report, he slammed his desk over in rage.
"That damned brat! If he ever falls into my hands, I'll chop off his head myself!"
Just thinking about what had happened a year ago with Gion made his blood boil.
He turned to look at his daughter sitting on the couch.
Gion's expression was pale and troubled — ever since returning from that mission, she had refused to speak about what had happened. She only cried silently, clearly burdened by something painful.
How could a father endure that?
The daughter he cherished most, humiliated by Malverick — of course Kong's hatred ran deep.
If Malverick had been a Marine or a civilian, Kong would've admired him.
But as a pirate who dared touch his precious daughter? He wanted nothing more than to tear him apart!
"Get me Vice Admiral Garp. Tell him to head for the East Blue."
"The remnants of Roger's crew — let Garp handle them."
Garp soon arrived.
When he heard that Malverick had visited Loguetown and poured a drink for Roger, Garp simply shook his head.
"There's no need to go after him."
"That kid toasting Roger — that's a sign."
"A sign he's about to enter the Grand Line."
Kong nodded grimly.
"Then keep watch, Garp. The moment that brat sets foot in the Grand Line — arrest him."
"Yes, sir."
Just as Garp was about to leave, Gion suddenly stood up.
"Wait. I'm going too."
"Gion, don't be foolish!"
Kong couldn't bear to send her after that man again.
"No. I have to go. I want to defeat him with my own hands!"
In the end, Kong didn't stop her.
He let her accompany Garp to the East Blue.
Grand Line Entrance — Reverse Mountain.
After leaving Loguetown, Malverick returned to Reverse Mountain with Hancock.
When Crocus and Laboon saw him again, they were delighted.
"Well, I'll be damned! Never thought you'd end up with the Queen of Amazon Lily!" Crocus laughed.
Everyone who'd sailed with Roger knew about Rayleigh and Shakky.
Most thought Rayleigh didn't realize how lucky he was — a woman who'd given up everything for him, and he'd hesitated? Foolish.
Now, it seemed history was repeating itself — though Malverick had been far more direct about it.
"Alright, enough gossip." Malverick smiled.
"Uncle Crocus, I just came to see you and Laboon."
"It won't be long before I form my own pirate crew and set sail for the Grand Line. I probably won't pass by here again — so I came to say goodbye in advance."
To Malverick, the first half of the Grand Line wasn't particularly interesting.
He'd take this chance to travel with Hancock — then later, he'd enter directly through the Calm Belt and head straight for the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Do as you wish," Crocus said with a sigh. "You've got your own path to follow. Just… be careful."
Malverick nodded.
"Don't worry, I will."
"Shanks has already made a name for himself in the New World. I won't fall behind him."
After chatting for a while longer, Malverick and Hancock said their goodbyes — and departed once more.
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