One Piece:Becoming the King of the World from the Rocks Era

"Hahaha, so you figured it out. I learned swordsmanship from the Infinite Swordsmanship at first!"

"My full name is Andre Gai Nie, and the world's greatest swordsman is Andre Li Yuan—he's my father!"

"But keep it a secret, okay? If the World Government and Navy find out, they'll want to capture me and send me to Impel Down. Then I'd have to retreat to the Infinite Sea and couldn't roam the seas challenging other Grandmaster Swordsmen."

Gai Nie openly admitted his identity, trusting Mihawk would keep his secret. He sensed Mihawk was reliable.

"Li Yuan, the world's greatest swordsman, is your father? No wonder your swordsmanship has traces of the Infinite Swordsmanship!" Mihawk was shocked. The son of his ultimate goal stood before him.

"Hahaha, I knew you'd react that way. But I am me, and my father is my father. My swordsmanship still bears the Infinite Swordsmanship's mark, but I aim to create a path unique to me, Gai Nie," Gai Nie declared.

The Infinite Swordsmanship, his father's legacy, was so profound that even as a Grandmaster Swordsman, Gai Nie felt its depth. Despite forging his own path, remnants of the style remained.

"I'm curious, how does your skill compare to your father's?" Mihawk asked seriously, his ambition set on surpassing Li Yuan, the world's greatest swordsman.

"The gap is vast, so much so that I can't describe it. It's like standing at the base of a mountain and seeing only halfway up. Your perspective limits you from seeing the peak," Gai Nie recalled challenging his father after becoming a Grandmaster Swordsman.

His father had effortlessly bested him with a wooden sword.

"Mihawk, you don't have the qualifications to challenge my father yet. To do so, you must first defeat me!" Gai Nie warned, his gaze sharp. Many sought to challenge his father's title, but few were worthy.

If Mihawk recklessly attempted to face Li Yuan, he might not even pass Ashura Doji, who would likely kill him. Gai Nie didn't want Mihawk to die needlessly.

"Don't worry, I'm not that reckless. I'll challenge him openly at the World Swordsmanship Tournament in four years. By then, I'll have defeated you!" Mihawk asserted.

"Hahaha, Mihawk, I won't lose to you. Perhaps I'll be the one to defeat you!" Gai Nie laughed.

He appeared easygoing but was fiercely proud. As Li Yuan's son, inheriting his father's swordsmanship and physique, and raised with the world's best resources, Gai Nie was confident he wouldn't lose to his peers.

The two, having met through battle, shared swordsmanship insights on the boat and engaged in a fierce duel on a deserted island. Their battle lasted a day and night, ending in a draw.

Of course, this was without Gai Nie using his Devil Fruit powers. In a swordsmanship exchange, relying on his fruit's abilities would be meaningless.

Meanwhile, Loguetown was bustling with unprecedented crowds, filled with a mix of personalities. The Navy dispatched many soldiers to maintain order, including the four rising Admirals of nature-type powers—Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Munis.

Additionally, the strongest marine, Garp, and retired Admiral Zephyr escorted Pirate King Roger to Loguetown.

To maximize the impact of Roger's execution, the World Government planned a global live broadcast via Transponder Snail, intending to showcase their power to deter would-be pirates.

Loguetown was packed, especially the bars, which were overflowing.

"Hahaha, the Pirate King Roger is about to be executed. Do you think he'll really die?"

"Who knows? We'll find out soon enough. Rumor has it Roger's already in Loguetown."

"He's our Pirate King! If he's executed, it reflects poorly on us pirates."

"I don't care about that. I just want to know where the Final Island is. They say it's filled with endless treasure."

In the bar, Mihawk and Gai Nie sat drinking, listening to the noisy chatter around them.

"Fufufufu, aren't you the two Grandmaster Swordsmen who dueled in Loguetown? How did it end?" Doflamingo, wearing a pink feather coat and signature yellow sunglasses, strutted in, drawn to the duo's presence.

"Just a swordsmanship exchange, no real outcome," Gai Nie replied, sipping his strong Du Kang liquor. "But if you want a bout, I can reserve the victory for myself."

"Doflamingo, maybe you should try fighting him. You might end up losing, as he predicts," Crocodile chimed in from the next table, a cigar firmly in his mouth.

"Hey, hey, hey, Crocodile, why not challenge Mihawk, the other Grandmaster Swordsman? I bet you'll fare the same as Doflamingo," Moriah taunted, joining the banter.

"Enough talk. Why don't the three of you come at us together?" Gai Nie suggested, his hand resting on his sword hilt. If not for the tense atmosphere and the presence of other powerful figures in the bar, he might have drawn his sword already.

While the world focused on Loguetown and the live broadcast, Li Yuan's attention remained on World Pirates.

The trackers on the Cloud Homies given to World had moved beyond their territory. 

World Pirates:

"World, the opportunity you've been waiting for has arrived. The world's eyes are on Roger's execution, including the World Government and Navy. Mariejois is at its weakest now," Bin Jack advised, having planned for this moment since acquiring the Cloud Homies.

Bin Jack predicted that the World Government would deploy significant forces to Loguetown, fearing an attack from Roger Pirates' remnants. This left Mariejois vulnerable.

"This is it, the chance I've been waiting for!" World exclaimed, eyes gleaming with madness.

"Brother, you and the crew should take refuge in our prepared hideout. It's safer if I go alone," World urged, determined to seize this opportunity.

World's eyes burned with madness. Initially, upon acquiring explosive rocks, he was eager to act, but Bin Jack had tempered his impulsiveness. Recognizing the rocks' limitations, they modified them.

After obtaining Cloud Homies, his fervor peaked, but Li Yuan's words had calmed him. Now, the opportunity had arrived, and he wouldn't wait any longer.

"Remember, World, prioritize safety. We have many explosive rocks and chances. If captured, all hope is lost," Bin Jack cautioned, fearing World might lose sight of their plans in the heat of the moment.

"Don't worry, Brother, I'll succeed!" World promised, flying into the sky with the modified explosive rocks aboard the Cloud Homies. Each container featured a timed detonator.

After World departed, Bin Jack led the crew away, evacuating their territory and taking everything valuable. They abandoned their land, knowing World's actions would provoke the World Government's wrath, leaving the territory indefensible.

Infinite Pirates:

"Captain, the three Cloud Homies have left. They're heading toward the Red Line," Yuma reported upon noticing the movement.

"The Red Line, understood. Equip me with a Cloud Homie; I'm heading out," Li Yuan ordered, realizing World's intent and eager to witness the impending spectacle.

Even the iconic moment of Roger's execution paled in comparison to witnessing World's madness.

Holy Land Mariejois:

Above the Red Line, beyond Mariejois, lay numerous cities and kingdoms. Many watched the Loguetown broadcast, eager to see Roger's fate.

The Celestial Dragons, oblivious to the impending crisis, indulged in their decadent lives, unaware of the imminent danger looming above.

High above Mariejois, World hovered, his vision and Observation Haki barely discerning its outline.

"Hahaha, damned Celestial Dragons, rulers of this world, hailed as gods. Today, I, World, will end you!" World laughed maniacally, yet his voice remained low, lost to the winds.

Unbeknownst to him, Li Yuan observed from thousands of meters above, hidden by clouds. In his vampire form, Li Yuan's enhanced vision allowed him to see World and Mariejois below clearly.

"This tactic would be devastating in a full-scale war against the World Government," Li Yuan mused, recognizing the strategic value of aerially deploying explosive rocks.

However, while World might employ such methods, Li Yuan wouldn't unless absolutely necessary. Using it would invite the wrath of the Celestial Dragons and World Government, and without the capability to face them head-on, it was a risk Li Yuan avoided.

In Mariejois, the Celestial Dragons continued their indulgences, oblivious to the unprecedented threat approaching.