TitoVillar
patreon
OPI Chapter 1: Beneath the Empty Throne
🕑 Added 2023-10-04 20:53:21 +0000 UTCSouth Blue.
Five massive warships—each significantly larger than the average vessels in these waters—sailed swiftly through the waves, arranged in a 1-2-2 formation.
Not far from their formation sat a small, quiet island. At first glance, it appeared ordinary and unremarkable.
On the deck of the lead ship, four towering men—each nearly three meters tall—stood at the bow, their imposing figures radiating a commanding presence.
The one standing furthest ahead, with a distinctive spherical afro hairstyle, exuded the strongest aura. His wide, snow-white coat billowed violently in the sea breeze.
“I can’t believe that man would choose to live in such a remote place,” one of the men on the right said, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he looked toward the island. “And isn’t he the same guy who just became a world-famous figure?”
He wore a purple hood featuring a seagull emblem, small round-lensed glasses, and had black curly hair. Like the others, he donned the white coat of justice, though his suit underneath was purple.
“And why exactly are we required to wear formal attire?” he added with a faint look of annoyance.
“Enough, Kuzan,” the afro-haired man said sternly without turning his head. “We might be heading into a serious battle. Get your head in the game.”
“Yes, Admiral Sengoku,” Kuzan replied, equal parts nervous and excited.
“The Pirate King, Roger, huh?” Borsalino, standing beside the others, muttered with a twitch of his lips. “Sounds like a real headache. Good thing we’re not the main force this time~”
He wore a black gentleman’s hat and a white suit beneath his justice coat. Despite his calm exterior, he was secretly puzzled.
Why would they bring me, a mere rear admiral, on a mission like this?
He had no desire to get tangled up in something this troublesome.
Standing in the middle of the trio was Sakazuki, dressed in a striking red suit. Though he remained silent, his cold, razor-sharp gaze was fixed intently on the island ahead—Baterilla.
“You three, return to your assigned warships,” Sengoku said, loosening his collar slightly. “Remember, once the battle begins, your role is to provide backup and surround the target. Don’t push yourselves too hard.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood.”
The Navy’s three most promising young talents promptly returned to their ships.
The four surrounding warships then fanned out, encircling the island from multiple angles in a massive, coordinated maneuver.
Meanwhile, the lead ship carrying Sengoku pressed straight ahead.
Standing alone at the bow, Sengoku stared at the approaching island, his thoughts tangled with uncertainty over this strange mission.
How did the World Government find out that Roger is here?
And is it really true that Roger disbanded his pirate crew because he’s terminally ill?
They even said he’s living on this island with a woman named Rouge… and that she’s pregnant!
That was the top-secret intel passed to him just days ago, straight from Fleet Admiral Kong, on behalf of the World Government.
The more he thought about it, the more wary he became of Cipher Pol’s intelligence network.
To think they could uncover something like this... it’s downright chilling.
“Yaaaawn~ We’re finally here, huh? That bastard Roger really went into deep hiding.”
Garp walked out from the cabin, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
Sengoku’s forehead bulged with veins at the sight, and he snapped, “Look at yourself! We’re about to launch an operation, and you look like you just rolled out of bed!”
“Relax, relax.” Garp waved him off casually. “Didn’t they say Roger’s terminally ill and all alone? He’s not nearly as dangerous as before.”
“You’re a damn fool!”
Sengoku shot him a furious glare, then turned his focus back to the island, refusing to say another word.
Garp, meanwhile, stepped up beside him, rubbing his chin with a puzzled expression.
“Still, it’s weird. The mission specifically told us to prioritize the safety of civilians, evacuate the island residents first, and avoid damaging the buildings or the environment as much as possible.”
“Honestly, I still can’t believe my ears. What, did the Five Elders eat something bad last night?”
“Watch your mouth, Garp,” Sengoku growled.
But deep down, he too was baffled.
Something about the World Government’s attitude… felt off.
But regardless of the reason, the order suited them perfectly—so they accepted it without hesitation.
...
On Baterilla Island—
The locals going about their business near the port suddenly panicked at the sight of five massive navy battleships closing in surrounding the island.
None of them could understand why the Navy would come all the way to such a remote corner of the South Blue.
At that moment, Gol D. Roger was having lunch with Rouge, who had recently become pregnant. His brow furrowed, and a grave expression slowly took over his face.
“What’s wrong, Roger?” Rouge asked, setting down her knife with a puzzled look.
“I need to step out for a moment. Go ahead and eat without me.”
Roger stood up and gently ran his fingers through her golden hair, smiling softly as he walked out of the restaurant.
But the moment he opened the front door of their house, his eyes turned sharp, all traces of the gentle islander gone.
He slowly shut the door behind him, sealing off the peaceful world within.
The streets outside were empty. Roger scanned the area briefly before sighing.
“Sigh… So they finally found me.”
He began walking calmly in a specific direction.
Soon enough, he turned a corner—and there they were.
A familiar figure… and a squad of armed Marine soldiers, guns all trained on him.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
“Yo, Roger! Long time no see~” Garp called out with a wide grin, like he was greeting an old friend.
There was none of the usual hostility a Marine would show a pirate—especially not this pirate.
Roger ignored the countless barrels pointed his way and asked calmly, “How did you find me, Garp? Sengoku?”
“You really underestimate the World Government’s intelligence network, Roger,” Sengoku answered in a low voice. Though truth be told… so do we, he added silently to himself.
“Cipher Pol, huh… What a terrifying organization.”
Roger fell deep into thought.
Had he slipped up somewhere? Let something slip that the CP agents could use?
No matter how he tried to piece it together—it didn’t add up.
This island… he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, not even his own crew.
“Roger,” Sengoku said, taking a step forward. “I don’t think we need to explain why we’re here. So—what’s your decision?”
His tone was firm, the voice of an Admiral. And the moment he said it, Garp’s muscles tensed beside him.
After all, this man standing before them… had been his greatest rival for half his life.
Roger looked at Sengoku and asked, “Will you spare Rouge?”
He didn’t expect much—he honestly didn’t.
But still, just in case… he had to ask.
What he didn’t expect was Sengoku’s answer.
“We will,” Sengoku said. “By order of the Five Elders—if you offer no resistance, your wife Rouge and your unborn child will be allowed to live in Marineford. They just won’t be allowed to leave the island without permission.”
Even Sengoku himself found it hard to believe what he’d just said.
“You even knew Rouge was pregnant?!”
Roger stared at him in shock.
It had only been one month—how could they possibly know?
Even if Cipher Pol had agents hidden on the island, there was no way they could’ve found out so quickly, right?
Sengoku didn’t answer.
Because he didn’t know either.
Still, the promise eased Roger’s heart, if only slightly.
He turned to Garp.
“Is this true, Garp?”
Garp was quiet for a moment, then nodded. “That’s what I was told too.”
“I see… Then I’m entrusting Rouge and the child to you, Garp.”
Roger grinned, showing two perfect rows of gleaming white teeth.
And then, without another word, he slowly held out his arms.
A stern Marine officer stepped forward and clasped handcuffs around the Pirate King’s wrists.
Just like that…
The man who had conquered the Grand Line and become the Pirate King less than a year ago—
Gol D. Roger—
was officially arrested by the Navy!
...
Mary Geoise.
Even in the dead of night, it shone like a dazzling golden crown, radiating brilliance.
At its heart stood the ancient castle of Pangaea, the core of the Holy Land.
This was the residence of the legendary Five Elders, the ones who steered the course of the entire world.
But within that core, there was something even more central—
The Empty Throne.
To the world, it was a symbol of peace and equality—
A golden-red seat placed upon a triple-tiered dais, never to be occupied by anyone.
Moonlight spilled from above, becoming the only source of illumination within the vast throne room.
The cold, hollow space felt even more vast and uninviting.
Atop the highest platform, the sharp-spired throne basked in most of the light.
And in this silent, late hour—
A solitary figure sat upon it, his back turned to the emblem of the World Government engraved on the seat, bathed in moonlight.
His golden, ripple-patterned eyes looked down upon the five figures kneeling below him.
The Five Elders!
“Lord Imu, Gol D. Roger has been successfully captured by the Navy. He is currently en route to Impel Down under the custody of Sengoku and Garp,” reported Nusjuro.
Then, the man kneeling at his right—Warcury—took over:
“We’ve discussed it among ourselves and propose a public execution in Loguetown, Roger’s birthplace in the East Blue. The goal is to shock the nations of the world and suppress the growing audacity of these pirates. What are your thoughts?”
“Denied.”
That single word from the figure above made the five kneeling men’s hearts skip a beat.
They froze, startled by the unexpected rejection.
After all, a public execution had obvious benefits.
And based on past experience, Lord Imu rarely involved himself in such ‘minor matters’.
What they didn’t know, however, was that the man seated above them—
Though outwardly calm and aloof—
Was feeling incredibly conflicted inside.
Because he wasn’t from this world.
As a transmigrator, he knew that, logically, a public execution would serve the World Government’s interests.
But he also knew exactly what such a move would lead to.
For all he knew, Roger wanted a public execution!
He didn’t believe for a second that Roger’s famous declaration, the one that ignited the Great Pirate Era, was some spur-of-the-moment remark prompted by a question.
No.
Even if no one asked, Roger would’ve found a way to shout something provocative like that anyway.
Otherwise, what would be the point of surrendering himself and dying?
