Chapter 49: Rewards Claimed — Only 3 Hours Until the Public Execution!
While Rok returned to Marineford with Momousagi,
the entire sea was boiling with earth-shaking events.
An unprecedented war was approaching. Dark clouds of conflict shrouded every corner of the ocean.
New World
Yonko Kaido suddenly launched a "war" against the Whitebeard Pirates, only to be stopped by another Yonko, Red-Haired Shanks.
Immediately afterward, the strongest Yonko fleet—the Whitebeard Pirates—vanished completely from their territory, along with their entire armada. Gone without a trace.
Impel Down
The world's most impregnable prison erupted into massive chaos, allegedly led by Straw Hat Luffy and the clown Buggy.
Because of the riot, Warden Magellan contacted Headquarters and had the prisoner Portgas D. Ace transferred to Marineford ahead of schedule.
The World Government and Marine Headquarters jointly announced once more: Tomorrow, at Marineford, Portgas D. Ace, Nico Robin, and Nami would be publicly executed!
The world trembled.
Every kingdom and region watched Marineford with bated breath.
Ambitious men everywhere proclaimed: A new era is coming!
Marineford — 6 hours until execution
The sun had not yet risen.
A surprise visitor suddenly appeared at the cell holding Robin and Nami.
Under the protection of several CP0 elites, Celestial Dragon Saint Shalria arrived.
The guards had strict orders: no one was allowed entry.
But faced with one of the current highest-ranking Celestial Dragons, they didn't dare stop her.
"You wait outside. I'll go in alone."
Shalria wore a large Marine justice cloak that hid her bloated Celestial Dragon outfit, making her look surprisingly sharp.
Her eyes were ice-cold as she ordered CP0.
"Lady Shalria, there are criminals inside. Please allow us to accompany you."
The CP0 captain cautiously suggested.
After the Sabaody incident, the Celestial Dragon leadership was furious, and even CP had been punished for failing to predict Rok's actions.
This time they would be extremely careful protecting Shalria.
After all, she had not only inherited her father's position—after surviving Sabaody, her abilities had skyrocketed. Even the Gorosei now valued her highly.
"They're just two cats with their fangs pulled, handcuffed in seastone."
"Are you saying I can't handle two imprisoned female pirates?"
Shalria's eyes turned displeased.
The next second, she raised a pitch-black gun barrel and pointed it at the CP0 captain's head.
He instantly broke into cold sweat and obediently stepped aside.
Soon, Shalria entered the cell alone.
Robin and Nami hadn't slept.
Facing execution tomorrow, even Robin couldn't close her eyes—let alone Nami.
"You filthy pirates… you killed my brother, you made my father wish he were dead. Now it's finally your turn!"
Shalria stared at their miserable state, voice dripping with venom.
"A Celestial Dragon?"
Nami looked up without a trace of fear.
Things were already bad enough—what was there left to be afraid of?
"Rok spared your life so you could atone for your filthy history. Seeing you here now… it seems letting you live was a mistake."
Robin met her gaze calmly, but her words cut like knives.
"Heh… Douglas D. Rok, huh? Maybe it really was a mistake that he didn't kill me…"
When Rok's name was mentioned, Shalria visibly flinched, as if struck by a memory.
"I just came to see your faces before you die. Soon, I'll be cheering when your heads roll!"
She didn't stay long.
After that line, she turned and left.
But as her cloak flared during the turn, a ring of seastone handcuff keys dangling from her waist flashed into view.
In that split second—
Nami's long leg shot out between the bars.
With lightning speed and perfect sleight of hand, she stole the keys right off Shalria's belt.
The Celestial Dragon noticed nothing and walked straight out.
Of course, neither Nami nor Robin saw the mysterious smile that curled at the corner of Shalria's lips as she left.
"Amazing, Nami!"
Robin's eyes lit up with joy when she saw the keys.
They still couldn't escape immediately with just the handcuff keys, but the moment an opportunity appeared, they could free themselves—and their chances of survival would skyrocket!
Marineford Harbor — 4 hours until execution
Dawn was breaking.
Inside Momousagi's private cabin on the G-9 warship,
Rok finally woke up.
(No weird thoughts—Momousagi had slept squeezed in with Alice just so he could rest properly.)
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Branch sign-in quest completed!]
[Rewards distributing…]
[Ding! Demon's Blessing Heart ×1.5 — Received!]
[Ding! Perfect-tier Navy Rokushiki · Finger Pistol — Received!]
[Ding! System Storage Space 9,999,998 × 10,000,000 m³ — Received!]
The system prompts rang in his mind the moment he opened his eyes.
After using one full Demon's Blessing Heart on himself,
Rok clearly felt his body change.
He couldn't pinpoint exactly how, but he knew—without a doubt—
he could now eat two Devil Fruits.
Yes. Two.
Fire exploded in Rok's heart.
He couldn't wait to swallow both god-tier fruits!
He briefly wondered if mythical fruits tasted better than regular ones.
After confirming his physical condition and checking the time—perfect.
Everything he had planned was in place.
Having a loyal Celestial Dragon spy was honestly pretty damn convenient. Reduced risk massively.
The sun was up.
Marineford entered its busiest final preparation phase.
At the same time,
the Shichibukai began their first official assembly at Headquarters!
Now,
only 3 hours remained until the public execution.
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