Sengoku snapped his head to the side beside Ace, just in time to see a phantom-like figure fully solidify.
He did not hesitate.
Golden light erupted as Sengoku activated his Devil Fruit, his body expanding as he transformed into a massive golden Buddha, towering dozens of meters high. Radiant light poured from him as he raised his arm and struck down with overwhelming force.
Before his fist could connect, it slammed into a birdlike claw coated in dense black lightning.
Boom.
The collision detonated midair.
A terrifying shockwave burst outward, ripping across the battlefield faster than sound itself. Pirates with weaker wills collapsed instantly, losing consciousness where they stood. The force continued upward, tearing straight through the heavens.
The sky split apart.
"That… that's Kuro!"
"So fast!"
"Haoshoku Haki, they're clashing with Haoshoku Haki!"
"He can use Haoshoku coating too?!"
"Look at the sky, it's been torn open!"
"The Ion Tempest is monstrous!"
"Is this their second-in-command? How is he this strong?!"
Another explosion rang out as both figures were hurled backward, descending toward the area beneath the execution platform.
Sengoku steadied himself, disbelief flashing through his eyes. The power behind Kuro's strike was immense, enough to make even him feel strain.
He had never underestimated Rolan, but he had assumed the rest of the crew followed the usual pattern, one overwhelming monster supported by capable but inferior subordinates. During their last large-scale engagement, Kuro had only managed to stalemate an Admiral, and even that came at great cost. There had been no sign of Haoshoku Haki then.
Yet now, barely a year later, Kuro not only possessed Haoshoku Haki but had mastered its infusion.
That technique separated monsters from legends.
"I won't let you interfere with our captain."
Kuro's voice was calm, unwavering, carrying a quiet certainty that made Sengoku's expression darken.
Sengoku's gaze shifted past him, toward the figures standing aboard the ship in the distance. Even after preparing for the worst, he felt a chill.
Rolan was something else entirely, a presence that defied every measure they understood.
The last time Sengoku had felt this unsettled was long ago.
…
Whitebeard stared at Kuro, his massive frame utterly still.
"That brat…"
It was not strange for Rolan's crew to possess multiple users of Haoshoku Haki. What shocked him was Kuro's ability to contend with Sengoku head-on.
So Rolan really was moving forward with that plan.
"Gurararara… terrifying," Whitebeard muttered, a rare seriousness in his eyes.
…
Luffy grinned as he watched the clash. Seeing Rolan appear beside Ace filled him with relief.
If anyone was going to save Ace, it was them.
Especially Rolan, that abnormal guy who somehow never failed.
"Hey, Luffy," Garp barked, snapping him back to reality. "I'm your enemy now."
Luffy turned, grinning wide. "Hehe, Grandpa, you want Ace saved too, don't you?"
"You idiot!" Garp shouted, his face flushing. "I'm a Marine Vice Admiral!"
His punch followed, slow and restrained, and Luffy dodged it effortlessly.
…
Above the battlefield, Enel hovered in silence, staring at Kuro.
"Tch. Always showing off," he muttered. "So he awakened Haoshoku too. When I master infusion…"
He had never been the type to bow to anyone. In this world, only Rolan had ever truly subdued him. Somewhere along the way, fighting alongside the crew, that divine arrogance had shifted into something sharper and more controlled.
…
Aboard the ship, the rest of the crew watched in stunned silence.
"He kept that hidden," Crocodile said, eyes narrowed. "Haoshoku infusion… that's the line you don't cross unless you're aiming for the top."
As a veteran of the Grand Line, he understood exactly what that meant.
Franky laughed loudly. "Hahaha, Kuro is super today!"
…
While Sengoku was occupied, Rolan's form fully solidified atop the execution platform.
He appeared beside Ace.
"That's Rolan!"
"When did he get there?!"
"He made it through!"
"So fast!"
Shock rippled across the battlefield.
Akainu glared at him, hatred burning in his eyes, his missing arm a constant reminder. "Rolan… I'll execute you with my own hands one day."
Ace stared at him, stunned. "Rolan…"
Rolan ignored everything else. He reached out, gripping the seastone cuffs binding Ace, and activated his electromagnetic ability. The metal glowed red, warping, then liquefying before breaking apart completely.
"Fire! Fire the cannons!"
"Don't let him free Ace!"
Cannons roared as gunfire flooded the platform, smoke engulfing everything.
"Tch. Pointless," Marco muttered. "Weapons don't work on them."
Clang.
The sound of broken chains echoed across the battlefield.
Sengoku heard it clearly.
Ace was free.
Lightning flashed as the smoke dispersed. Rolan stood on the battlefield with Ace beside him, expression unreadable, posture relaxed and unbothered.
For a moment, the world went silent.
Then the pirates erupted.
Ace had regained his freedom.