The sudden twist stunned everyone.
Saint Figarland's abrupt arrival on the battlefield—and a single strike—had already left Roldy heavily wounded.
Like an enraged lion, Roldy fixed his blazing eyes on the distant Holy Knight.
That ornate battle attire…
Being a Celestial Dragon alone was a capital crime in Roldy's book.
Add to that the despicable sneak attack—
Saint Figarland was instantly placed at the top of Roldy's kill list.
"Heh. And a lowly insect dares look at me like that?"
With a single glance, Saint Figarland memorized Roldy's distinctive eyes.
Though it was their first meeting, an inexplicable premonition stirred within him—
This boy would become an enemy he would brood over for years to come.
He did not know why.
But Saint Figarland was not a man who tolerated future troubles.
So he moved.
Instead of targeting the heavily surrounded Rocks D. Xebec, the Commander of the Holy Knights—an undisputed top-tier Admiral-level powerhouse—charged beneath the moonlight toward Roldy.
"Wahahahaha! Roldy, you brat! Took my Divine Departure head-on, didn't you? Today I'll bury you for good!"
Gol D. Roger laughed proudly.
He was certain.
No matter how monstrous Roldy's physique was, no one could remain unscathed after taking Divine Departure directly.
At minimum—
Roldy was severely injured.
"You idiot, Roger! Are you planning to team up with the World Government?!"
The one who roared this time was Shiki the Golden Lion.
He had recognized Saint Figarland immediately.
What enraged him even more was that Roger—a man he once respected—had struck a fellow pirate while the World Government closed in.
Among pirates, that was disgraceful.
There was no Seven Warlords system in this era.
Only absolute enmity between pirates and the World Government.
Roger's actions bordered on betrayal in the eyes of many.
Even some within the Roger Pirates felt it was excessive.
Whatever grudges existed between pirates—
They were pirate matters.
Joining hands with the Government?
That was beneath them.
"Cut the crap, Shiki! How our captain fights is none of your business! As for siding with the World Government? Use your brain—that's impossible, you bastard!"
Silvers Rayleigh stepped in without hesitation to defend Roger.
But no one paid attention.
Saint Figarland was already within thirty meters of Roldy.
The former radiated peak momentum, his elegant rapier emanating a chilling aura.
The latter stood drenched in blood, breathing like a broken bellows.
The difference was obvious.
The outcome seemed inevitable.
Roldy threw a punch, gathering what little strength he had left.
Roger's Advanced Conqueror's Haki had been overwhelming. His internal organs were already heavily damaged.
Anyone else would have died a hundred times over under the combined assault of these two titans.
Only his savage physique allowed him to remain standing.
Under the amplification of the Moa Moa no Mi—30× Strength—
His punch was still terrifying.
But his fatal weakness remained—
Observation Haki.
Saint Figarland's deeply honed Observation Haki allowed him to dodge effortlessly.
He stepped onto Roldy's extended arm and propelled himself upward.
The rapier descended mercilessly toward Roldy's face.
Roldy could barely lift his arms without searing pain.
Dodging was a luxury.
He poured Armament Haki Coating across his face.
Fortunately—
His Armament far surpassed his Observation.
Unfortunately—
Saint Figarland's blade was wrapped in Advanced Conqueror's Haki Coating.
That unreasonable power tore through Roldy's defenses.
If one could see through his skin, his facial bones were already fracturing.
The blade carved downward, leaving a deep scar across the left side of his face—nearly taking his left eye with it.
The agony triggered the beast's final resistance.
Roldy roared wildly, swinging his arm to drive Saint Figarland away.
To Figarland, it was nothing more than a dying thrash.
He evaded effortlessly and landed atop a higher vantage point, watching with cold mockery.
"Roldy!"
Shiki moved to intervene—
But two members of the Holy Knights appeared before him.
Both had already crossed into Admiral-level threshold.
"You two want to die?! Move, or I'll split you in half right now!"
Shiki's face twisted with fury.
But breaking through them quickly was impossible.
He could only watch as Roldy's resistance slowed.
The gleam on Figarland's blade seemed to chill even the air.
That light grew larger in Roldy's vision.
Yet slower.
His thoughts began to blur.
Fragments of his life flashed before him.
A nameless island.
Auntie's fragrant soup.
His bowl of white rice.
The thin rice porridge in hers.
The carefree days in the Marines.
The brutal drills.
Instructor Zephyr's stern face—and hidden tears.
The coat woven by Auntie Neldiga.
The first pirate he killed.
The first time he was beaten down.
The first berserk rampage.
The hatred when betrayed by the World Government.
The pain of defecting from Marine Headquarters.
One scene after another.
Was this…
The end?
There was still so much undone.
So many human traffickers still roamed free.
The filth of the World Government still stood.
He hadn't seen Zephyr again.
He hadn't fulfilled his ambition.
His eyes widened unwillingly—
The blade drew closer.
Shiki had already turned away in anguish.
Roldy believed death had arrived.
And then—
A massive naginata, heavy with overwhelming force, blocked the strike before him.
"Gurararara! Sneaking attacks on brats like this really lowers your dignity, Saint Figarland!"
The voice echoed at his side.
Roldy turned.
Whitebeard.
Edward Newgate.
The man who usually had little interaction with him—
Was standing in front of him.
Saving his life.
"First Division Commander of the Rocks Pirates—Whitebeard, Edward Newgate! You intend to interfere? Then you'd better have the strength to back it up!"
Saint Figarland's expression darkened.
Whitebeard pressed forward slightly.
His monstrous natural strength forced Figarland back.
Resting Murakumogiri against his shoulder, Whitebeard grinned.
"Try me."
Two supreme powerhouses faced each other across the battlefield.
The air between them crackled with killing intent.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789