Chapter 91: A Sudden Battle
The unexpected attack sent everyone scrambling. Luo Han and Cole instantly leapt to their feet.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the deep rift left in the island from the slash to the left. Luo Han broke into a cold sweat. Because he hadn't activated his spiritual sense, he only noticed something was off once the slash wave approached. When he did activate it, he sensed Roger's slash—but it was already close.
Luckily, Roger hadn't aimed directly at them, instead targeting an uninhabited part of the island.
"Was that about making a statement as a strong man? Or is that just Roger's flair for the dramatic?"
Luo Han smirked. "Let's go, Cole. The Roger Pirates are here for payback, hehe…"
He called out to Cole and flew east toward the coastline to face the incoming Roger Pirates.
Cole followed close behind, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "This time, I won't be a burden to Han bro!"
On a protruding rock at the east shore, Whitebeard and Sister Shao were already standing. After all, it had been Sister Shao who first noticed the Roger Pirates, and Whitebeard had followed soon after.
"Even in battle, you want a grand entrance, huh, Roger…" Whitebeard muttered. He then turned and bellowed at the crew: "Get ready to fight! Crush the Roger Pirates, you bastards!"
Suddenly emboldened, the weaker crew members began shouting bravely in Roger's direction.
"Haha! Roger? I've heard of him. But this is the Rocks Pirates we're talking about!"
"Interrupting our breakfast? Die, Roger Pirates!"
Luo Han couldn't help but chuckle—and pity them a little. They'd been terrified a moment ago. Now they were bluffing bravado. If not for their trembling hands and shaky legs, he might have believed them.
"This is the sorrow of the weak. When faced with overwhelming power, all they can do is numb themselves with denial."
"Roger's scary. One slash was all it took to shake these guys to their core," Luo Han thought, blood pumping with excitement.
With a thought, he activated Mind Force Armament Mode and landed beside Whitebeard.
Whitebeard looked over and was visibly surprised—Luo Han's energy armor had changed.
"You've gotten even stronger, haven't you, kid?"
Luo Han glanced down at his deep blue armor and grinned. "Yeah, big time. I mean, even Roger's come looking for me now!"
Whitebeard twitched at the statement but said nothing. Knowing Roger, that was entirely possible—especially if it meant revenge.
"Such troublesome kids," he thought. "You and Cole both."
He gave a serious warning: "Be careful. I'll take care of Roger. The rest is up to you."
Luo Han thumped his chest and glanced at Cole confidently. "No worries, Newgate! Cole's survival ability is going to blow their minds."
Cole scratched his head but said nothing. His eyes said everything.
Sister Shao smiled softly. "Scary brothers. Even I can't help you now."
"Wait—" Luo Han was about to say something, but Roger's next slash wave interrupted him.
Clang! Luo Han dodged mid-air as Roger's slash sliced past. He looked to see the Roger Pirates only a few hundred meters away.
"So it really is me he's after… Too bad I'm not the same person I was yesterday."
Seeing Luo Han dodge the attack by a hair, Roger laughed heartily. "Looks like you were right. This brat really is fast."
Rayleigh and Jabber didn't reply. They simply nodded, muscles tensing as they fixed their eyes on Luo Han.
Roger, unbothered by their silence, leapt onto a rocky ridge on the island, positioning himself to the right of Whitebeard and Luo Han.
Boom! Boom boom boom! More members of the Roger Pirates landed, everyone but a few left to guard the ship now stood before Luo Han and his group.
Luo Han returned to Whitebeard's side, eyes fixed on Roger. It was his first time seeing him this close.
"Wow… He really does have that self-obsessed face. No wonder Whitebeard called him a narcissist. And the signature beard's already here too," Luo Han thought.
Roger noticed Luo Han staring at him and casually stroked his beard, trying to look more dashing. With a warm smile, he said:
"Haha! You must be the brat who hurt my crew—Luo Han, right?"
"Join us! Let's shake the world together! Of course, you'll have to let me beat you up a bit first, for my crew's sake."
He spread his arms like he was welcoming an old friend.
Everyone facepalmed. Their captain's habit of recruiting interesting strong fighters—always at the most inappropriate moments—was flaring up again.
To be fair, that was how many of them had joined the crew in the first place.
Luo Han, though, was stunned. He had been ready to fight, only to be suddenly hit with a heartfelt recruitment offer?
He turned to Whitebeard, eyebrows raised. "This is the narcissist you mentioned? Is this normal—recruitment before battle?"
Whitebeard gave an awkward smile and remained silent. "What am I supposed to say? The first time I met Roger, it was just like this…"
With no answer, Luo Han faced Roger again, eyes sharp.
"Haha! Don't joke around, Roger. I'd never join a pirate crew that hurt my brother."
Roger raised his blade with a smile. "For your crew, huh? Loyal kid. What a waste." Then he sent another slash wave toward Luo Han.
Clang! Crash! Whitebeard leapt up and shattered the attack with a punch, then landed beside Luo Han and said coldly, "Roger! That's my crew member."
"Heh… Then let's begin. Without Shiki, you won't be able to stop us, Newgate," Roger replied, charging alongside Rayleigh and the others.
The battle erupted instantly. As the Roger Pirates advanced, Luo Han summoned a series of massive, sharp stone pillars from the ground.
Boom boom! The stone spikes shot up beneath Roger's crew. But they didn't panic—like nimble monkeys, they dodged in all directions.
In moments, the Roger Pirates were scattered across the island.
Whitebeard's eyes sparkled. He glanced at Luo Han. "So strong already…"
Then he charged at Roger. Clang! Crash! The sound of swords clashing and air cracking echoed through the battlefield.
Watching the battlefield split apart, Luo Han smiled and said to Cole, "If it gets too dangerous, hide in your space. Don't try to act tough." Then he dashed toward Rayleigh.
(END CHAPTER)
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